Bruges Travel Guide

Other Things to See and Do in Bruges

1. Visit the City Museum of Fine Arts

The City Museum of Fine Arts (Groeninge Museum) is one of the most popular museums in the city, exhibiting works from Bruges’ own Jan van Eyck (a 15th-century master). There is also a world-famous collection of paintings by the Flemish Primitives (artists active in the Burgundian and Habsburg Netherlands during the 15th- and 16th-century). Admission is 14 EUR.

2. See the Belfort Belfry

This 83-meter-tall (272 feet) bell tower is one of Bruges’ best-known landmarks. It once housed the treasury and the municipal archives and was used for spotting fires and other threats. After (somewhat ironically) being destroyed by fire one too many times, the belfry was never rebuilt and now only the tower remains. Climb the 366 steps to the top and enjoy some spectacular and panoramic views of the city. It costs 14 EUR.

3. Sample the beers

Like the rest of Belgium, there’s a lot of good beer in Bruges. Visit the Brewery De Halve Maan and tour the facilities, where an underground pipeline carries the beer to bottling plants in the suburbs (your tour comes with a free beer). There’s also ‘T Poatersgat, an amazing underground cellar bar with around 120 Belgian beers on tap. Or try the house beer at Vlissinghe Café, the oldest pub in Bruges (it’s been around for 500 years!).

4. Explore by bicycle

Owing to its smaller size, Bruges is a great city to explore by bicycle. Be sure to get out into the countryside, too, if you have the time. Rentals cost around 8 EUR for half day and 13 EUR for a full day. If you want a guided tour, Quasimundo runs regular tours that cover all the highlights. Tours last 2.5 hours and cost around 30 EUR

5. Take a food tour

If you’ve got an unquenchable taste for Belgian beer and waffles, take a food tour. Discover Belgium’s Food Tour Bruges provides the perfect overview of the country and its delicious cuisine. You’ll visit several different places and learn about the history and culture behind each dish. Tours range from 35-79 EUR and last around 4 hours.

6. Visit the Archaeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum offers a detailed overview of the history of Bruges, from prehistory through the Middle Ages, using archaeological findings, reconstructions, and interactive exhibits to show what life was like in historic Bruges. Admission is 4 EUR.

7. Tour some of the quirkier museums

Bruges has several small, quirkier museums that are worth visiting if you have some spare time. The Diamond Museum takes you back 550 years to when the technique of cutting diamonds was first applied right here in the city (admission is 9.50 EUR). There’s also the Chocolate Museum (9.50 EUR), where a tour comes with a delicious tasting session, and the much darker Torture Museum, filled with grotesque instruments of torture that were used during the Middle Ages (9 EUR).

For information on other cities in Belgium, check out these guides:

• Brussels Travel Guide

Bruges Travel Costs

Hostel prices – Dorms with 6-8 beds cost between 20-25 EUR per night. Dorms with 10 or more beds are 18-20 EUR per night. A private room for two with a private bathroom costs 60-100 EUR. Free Wi-Fi is standard though most hostels don’t offer free breakfast or self-catering facilities.

For those traveling with a tent, camping is available outside the city. A basic plot for two without electricity starts around 17 EUR per night.

Budget hotel prices – Budget hotels range from 60-90 EUR per night. However, there are more options with three-star hotels, which cost between 60-139 EUR per night. Expect basic amenities like free Wi-Fi, TV, and coffee/tea makers.

Airbnb is available here as well, with private rooms starting around 75-100 EUR per night. You can find whole apartments for around 200 EUR per night.

Average cost of food – Belgian cuisine has been strongly influenced by its European neighbors over the centuries, specifically France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Food here is hearty with chocolate, waffles, fries, and beer being the most famous cultural staples. Steak and fries, mussels (often with fries), smoked ham, stew, and sausages are just some of the common dishes you’ll find here. Portions are large and filling too (the saying goes that Belgian food takes the portions of German cuisine but adds the quality and delicacy of French cuisine).

Casual meals at cafes cost around 6-12 EUR while fast-food (think McDonald’s) costs 8 EUR for a combo meal. Pizza is around 10-12 EUR while Chinese food is 12-14 EUR.

A meal in a sit-down restaurant, especially in the town square, costs around 25-30 EUR (if not more). If you want to splash out on a three-course meal, expect to pay at least 50 EUR.

Beer is around 4 EUR while a latte or cappuccino is around 3.75 EUR.

If you want to cook your meals, there are some great markets throughout the city. Expect to pay around 60 EUR for a week’s worth of groceries.

Backpacking Bruges Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking Bruges, expect to spend around 60 EUR per day. This budget covers a hostel dorm, cooking most of your meals, taking public transportation and walking everywhere, limiting your drinking, and doing most free activities like free walking tours and visiting the markets.

On a mid-range budget of about 150 EUR per day, you can stay in a private Airbnb or private hostel room, enjoy a few drinks, eat out for some meals, take the occasional taxi to get around, rent a bike, and do more paid activities like visiting museums and taking a canal cruise.

On a “luxury” budget of 270 EUR or more per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out for all your meals, drink as much as you want, take more taxis, and do whatever activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get an idea of how much you need to budget daily. Keep in mind these are daily averages – some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in EUR.

Bruges Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Bruges, a city designed for older travelers and couples, is not a cheap place to visit. If you want to save money in Bruges, here are some suggestions to help you get started:

1. Walk everywhere – Walking is the best way to see and get around the city. Most of the city’s main attractions are within 15 minutes of each other. There’s really no reason to take a bus or taxi. Save a few euros and walk everywhere.
2. Take a free walking tour – Free walking tours are the best way to get the lay of the land, see the main sights, and connect with a local guide who can share their insider tips. Just be sure to tip at the end!
3. Get the BrugesCard – This handy little card entitles you to free entry to 27 museums and attractions in Bruges as well as cruises on the canal. You can also get 25% off a variety of concerts, dance and theater performances, and rental bicycles. If you are going to do many of the things listed on the card, this pass will save you money!
4. Visit the market – On a Wednesday morning, the Grote Markt Square is taken over by a market that offers cheaper food and drinks than what you’ll usually find. Restaurants are expensive, so loading up on fresh food at the market will cut down your food expenses.
5. Stay with a local – Couchsurfing connects you with locals who can give you a free place to share and share their insider tips and advice. It’s the best way to save money and have a more local experience.
6. Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Bruges

There are only a few hostels in Bruges. Here are my recommended places to stay are:

• Snuffel Hostel
• St. Christopher’s Inn Bauhaus Hostel
• Lybeer Travellers’ Hostel
• Charlie Rocket’s

How to Get Around Bruges

Bruges can easily be explored on foot. The city is compact and many of the sights are near one another. If you don’t want to walk everywhere, here are your options:

Public transportation – The local bus is operated by De Lijn. Single tickets cost 3 EUR and are valid for one hour. If you plan on using the bus a few times throughout the day, a day pass costs 6 EUR. A three-day pass is 12 EUR, and a five-day pass is 17 EUR.

Bicycle – Renting a bicycle is a great way to get around town since it’s compact. Hourly rates start at 4 EUR, while full-day rentals start from 12 EUR. There are a handful of bike rental shops, including Fietspunt Station and B-Bike Concertgebouw where you can rent a bike.

Taxi – Taxis are expensive here. The base rate is 2.40 EUR, then it’s an additional 2.50 EUR per kilometer. Skip them if you can as they will destroy your budget. The city is small too so you really shouldn’t need one.

There are no ridesharing services like Uber here.

Car rental – Cars can be rented for as little as 35 EUR per day for a multi-day rental. However, Bruges is super small so you only need a car if you are leaving the city to explore the area. Drivers need to be at least 21 years old.

When to Go to Bruges

Summer is the best time to visit Bruges. This is when the weather is nicest and the city is in bloom. The average temperature in August is 20°C (68°F), and it rarely gets much hotter than that. Since Bruges is on the coast and has a maritime climate, summers are pretty mild and winters are extremely cold and windy.

Spring and fall are the shoulder seasons, with cooler temperatures and fewer visitors. In April and May, temperatures are under 10°C (40s and 50s°F). Temperatures in the fall range from 8-12°C (47-54°F), and it gets rainy around this time, too. If you don’t want to deal with the summer crowds, this is a good time to visit. Just pack a raincoat and sweater.

Most people avoid visiting in the winter as the temperatures drop to near freezing. But if you want this magical city all to yourself, especially when there are Christmas markets, Bruges is worth a wintry visit!

How to Stay Safe in Bruges

Bruges is very safe to visit. Violent crime is incredibly rare here so travelers should feel very safe. However, since it is a touristy city, pickpocketing and petty theft can occur. Always keep your valuables secure and out of reach when out and about, especially in crowds and on public transportation.

Solo female travelers should feel safe here, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.).

Scams here are rare, however, if you’re worried about getting ripped off you can read about common travel scams to avoid here.

If you experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID.

If you wouldn’t do it at home, don’t do it in Bruges!

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Bruges Gear and Packing Guide

If you’re heading on the road and need some gear suggestions, here are my tips for the best travel backpack and for what to pack!

The Best Backpack for Travelers

What’s the best backpack for traveling long-term? I recommend the REI Flash 45 Pack. It’s light and comfy, top loading, and fits perfectly in an airplane’s overhead bin.
Size: 45-47L
Straps: Thick and cushy with compression technology that pulls the pack’s load up and inwards so it doesn’t feel as heavy.
Features: Removable top lid, pocket at the front, hydration compatible, contoured hip belt

If you want something different, refer to my article on how to choose the best travel backpack for tips on picking a pack and other backpack suggestions.

What to Pack for Your Trip

Clothes

• 1 pair of jeans (heavy and not easily dried, but I like them; a good alternative is khaki pants)
• 1 pair of shorts
• 1 bathing suit
• 5 T-shirts (Unbound Merino is my preferred company. If you’re a member of NM+, you can get 15% off your purchase)
• 1 long-sleeved T-shirt
• 1 pair of flip-flops
• 1 pair of sneakers
• 6 pairs of socks (I always end up losing half)
• 5 pairs of boxer shorts (I’m not a briefs guy!)
• 1 toothbrush
• 1 tube of toothpaste
• 1 razor
• 1 package of dental floss
• 1 small bottle of shampoo
• 1 small bottle of shower gel
• 1 towel
• Deodorant

Small Medical Kit (safety is important!!!)

• Band-Aids
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Antibacterial cream
• Earplugs
• Tylenol
• Hand sanitizer (germs = sick = bad holiday)

Miscellaneous

• A key or combination lock (safety first)
• Zip-lock bags (keeps things from leaking or exploding)
• Plastic bags (great for laundry)
• Universal charger/adaptor (this applies to everyone)
• LifeStraw (A water bottle with a purifier)

Female Travel Packing List
I’m not a woman, so I don’t know what a woman wears, but Kristin Addis, our solo female travel guru, wrote this list as an addition to the basics above:

Clothing

• 1 swimsuit
• 1 sarong
• 1 pair of stretchy jeans (they wash and dry easily)
• 1 pair of leggings (if it’s cold, they can go under your jeans, otherwise with a dress or shirt)
• 2-3 long-sleeve tops
• 2-3 T-shirts
• 3-4 spaghetti tops
• 1 light cardigan

Toiletries

• 1 dry shampoo spray & talc powder (keeps long hair grease-free in between washes)
• 1 hairbrush
• Makeup you use
• Hair bands & hair clips
• Feminine hygiene products (you can opt to buy there too, but I prefer not to count on it, and most people have their preferred products)

For more on packing, check out these posts:

• What I Pack For My Travels
• The Ultimate List For Female Travelers
• How to Choose and Buy the Right Backpack