Last Updated on October 31, 2020
In September, we flew with my brother and his girlfriend to Brussels, Belgium from Berlin before meeting up with my parents in Amsterdam. We stayed in Brussels two nights and took a day trip to Bruges by train. The train ride from Brussels to Bruges is only one hour, making it an easy journey. Bruges is an incredibly photogenic and charming town and definitely a must-visit if you are in Brussels. Read below for all the reasons why you should make a trip to Bruges.
Walk Charming Streets
Bruges is a very small and picturesque town with small cobblestone streets perfect for wandering with no particular agenda in mind. One of the main reasons to visit Bruges is to simply walk the town and take photos of the charming streets.
Eat Delicious Belgian Waffles
One of the top things to eat in Belgium is a Belgium waffle, which is characterized by deeper pockets than its American waffle counterpart — making it perfect to hold lots of syrup. The best place to eat a Belgian waffle in Bruges is at Chez Albert.
Take Romantic Photos on Bridges in Bruges
There are 54 bridges in Bruges, but by far the most popular and romantic bridge is the Bonifacius Bridge. Other equally beautiful bridges in Bruges include the Begijnhof Bridge and the Minnewaterpark Bridge. Taking romantic couples photos on bridges is definitely one of the most popular activities when visiting Bruges.
See Windmills from the 1700s
There are four functional windmills in Bruges. Three are located one after the other and are accessible to the public from the outside for free. They are the De Neuwe Papegaai, Sint-Janshuismolen, and Bonne-Chièremolen. These windmills were built in the 1700s and are still functioning today. They are a bit on the outskirts of town, about 20 minutes walking from the center. Walking to them is a nice way to see more of Bruges than just the town center.
Eat (or Drink) Chocolate
Belgian chocolate is famous the world over and a definite must when visiting Bruges is to eat (or drink) chocolate. There is even a chocolate museum in Bruges, although we did not pay a visit. We did, however, stop at The Chocolate Line to taste and buy some chocolates. While the chocolate is produced in Belgium, the raw ingredients come from all over the world and you can taste chocolate from different countries, such as Peru and Costa Rica.
Enjoy Panoramic Views from the Belfry
One must-do while visiting Bruges is to take the 366 steps to the top of the Belfry, the bell tower, to see Bruges from above. It is a tough climb and a narrow passageway, so we would definitely not recommend for those who are claustrophobic or afraid of heights! At the top you can view the bell chamber and listen to the 47 bells toll their musical tune.
Walk along the Canals in Bruges
Bruges is characterized by its many winding canals. A great way to spend the day is simply walking along the canals and over the bridges, finding beautiful spots to take pictures. You can also take a boat tour along the canals.
Enjoy Colorful Buildings in Bruges
In the center of town near the Belfry there are very picturesque colorful buildings that make for a great photo opportunity. Bruges really is a dream to photograph. Each street and building is more photogenic than the next.
Have you been to Bruges? Show us your best photos in the comments below!
Bruges and Brussels are also easily accessible by train from Amsterdam. After our time in Belgium, we took a two hour train from Brussels to Amsterdam to meet up with the rest of my family. You can read about our trip to Amsterdam with family here.
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