How to Spend a Weekend in Bruges: 48 Hour Itinerary

How to spend a weekend in Bruges: 48 hour itinerary. (Last updated 04 January 2025). Belgium is hands down one of my favourite countries in Europe. However, despite living in Brussels for several years growing up, I only recently visited Bruges for the first time. And now I know what all the fuss is about! As you wander along cobbled streets, intersected by a network of canals and surrounded by enchanting brick buildings, the architectural beauty of Bruges will take your breath away. And one of the best things about Bruges is that it’s small enough for you to explore it all on foot. See below for my recommendations on how to spend a perfect weekend in Bruges.

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Visit the Markt (Market Square)

Perhaps the most famous photo spot in Bruges, the Grote Markt is the city’s main market square. The square is flanked on all sides by traditional Flemish buildings with their distinctive staggered rooftops. From here you can see the magnificent Gothic town hall, the Basilica of the Holy Blood, guild houses and the palaces which belonged to some of the most well-to-do merchants of medieval Europe. For excellent views over the markt and the rest of the city, you can climb up to the top of the Belfry (366 steps!). Treat yourself to some chocolate afterwards at one of the many Belgian chocolate shops dotted around the square.

Join a Bruges Walking Tour

Joining a walking tour can be a fabulous way to learn a lot about a city in a relatively short space of time. Many European cities offer free (tipping encouraged) walking tours. Keep your eyes peeled or ask your hotel / hostel if they are aware of any. Alternatively, book this Private Historical Tour: The Highlights of Bruges in advance.

Wander Along the Canals

This was one of my favourite ways to pass the time in Bruges. The canals run right through the city and offer some of the prettiest sights. Make sure to seek out Bonifacius Bridge, which offers romantic views over the water. The Rozenhoedkaai is also a stunning photo spot. I’d suggest visiting early in the morning to beat the crowds. There’s something magical about the atmosphere of the canals before the city wakes up.

Visit the Lake of Love

Minnewater Park is one of the most romantic locations is all of Bruges. It has the ‘lake of love’ at its centre and the famous ‘lovers bridge’. Local legend has it that you will experience eternal love if you walk over this bridge with your partner.

Take a Boat Trip through Bruges

Why not hop on one of the many canal boats offering tours around the city and see Bruges from the waterways? The tours will take you around many of the most noteworthy sites in the city, made all the more charming travelling by boat. You can book this Bruges Tour with Canal Cruise from Zeebrugge Cruise Port in advance and learn about Belgian history from the water.

Brush up on your History of Art

Bruges, alongside Ghent and Antwerp, is one of the main centres of Flemish art. At the end of the Middle Ages, this area of Belgium was considered the heart of the Northern Renaissance. Bruges was one of the most progressive and prosperous places in northern Europe. A good starting point is the Groeninge Museum, which focuses on artworks by painters who lived and worked in Bruges. The medieval Hospital of St John, now a museum dedicated to Hans Memling and containing many of his best paintings, is also worth a visit.

Sample the Local Cuisine (and Beer!)

Of all the countries in Europe, Belgium is severely underrated in terms of food. If you visit in summer, there are plenty of places to sit outside and enjoy moules frites and a glass of Belgian beer. Visiting in winter? Then you’re in luck, because Bruges does cosy winter vibes incredibly well. There’s a large selection of pubs to choose from, many of which offer beer tasting menus. And no trip to Belgium is complete without waffles, best enjoyed outside and covered in chocolate sauce and strawberries. You can even join a Waffles and Beer Workshop!

Learn all about Belgian Chocolate

Belgium is world famous for its chocolate. A fun addition to any Bruges itinerary is to join a chocolate making workshop and learn about the art of making and moulding some of the best chocolate in the world. You’ll learn to make three difference types of chocolate from scratch. There’s also the Chocolate Museum where you can learn all about the history of chocolate in Belgium.

Chill out in Cafes

All of this exploring is bound to make you tired. But that’s fine as Bruges has plenty of cosy cafes to relax in. The oldest café in Bruges – dating back to 1515(!) – is Café Vlissinghe. If you’re visiting in summer you can even play a round of the traditional game of pétanque in the garden.

Travel Tips for Bruges

Hopefully you found this How to spend a weekend in Bruges: 48 hour itinerary post useful. I’ve also included some general travel tips for Bruges and Belgium below.

Train: If you’re travelling from the UK, rather than flying I’d highly recommend taking the Eurostar to Brussels and then catching a local train to Bruges (the Brussels-Bruges train departs every 30 minutes during the day). Book your Eurostar ticket to “any Belgian station” to get the fare to Bruges included in your Eurostar reservation. I always find travelling by train much more relaxing than flying, as the holiday feels like it starts as soon as you step on the platform at St Pancras. Plus, travelling by train is undeniably far better for the environment.

Bus: On a budget? Did you know that you can actually take the bus from London to Bruges? When I visited in September I managed to snag a one-way fare from Bruges to London Victoria for €16. The bus was lovely and comfy and the 5 hour journey goes quickly if you have a good series downloaded on Netflix. (You will need to disembark at the border to go through customs, but the bus driver will give you clear instructions). I found the whole process very easy, and again, much more relaxing than flying.

You can also get the bus to a number of other European cities, such as Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris.

Practical Guidance for Belgium

Withdrawing Cash in Belgium in Euros (EUR)

To withdraw cash at the best rates, I highly recommend getting a WISE card before you go. This allows you to convert money into Euros (or any other currency!) at the best rates and then withdraw cash in Belgium without hidden fees. Wise is a UK-based financial services company (available in most countries worldwide) and is highly regulated in the various regions it operates in (in the UK it is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority).

Get your WISE card here.

Travel Insurance

Make sure that you have travel insurance to cover you for your trip. I can highly recommend Heymondo. I use them to cover me for all my trips and their app is very easy to use.

Purchase Heymondo travel insurance here.