How we spent a day in Brugge, Belgium
We took a day trip to Bruges (or officially Brugge in Flemish), Belgium from Brussels in December – a perfect time to visit the city as the Christmas lights and markets are in full swing. The small town can easily be explored in one day and we loved wandering the old, cobbled streets and taking in the peaceful vibe.
Here’s what you need to know about a day trip to Brugge.
How to get to Brugge
We visited Brugge as part of a long weekend in Brussels. So we took the train which takes a little over an hour and costs €35 for a return (less if you’re in a group of 4 or more!). If you’re in Belgium already this is the best way to reach the city. You can also catch the Eurostar to Brussels and then connect at Brussels Midi to get to Brugge.
Ostend-Bruges Airport is another option but flights were more expensive than the train when we were booking our trip.
The best things to do in Brugge
These were our favourite things to do in Brugge:
Grote Markt/Market Square
Wander the old town
Rosary Quay/Rozenhoedkaai
Belfort
Visit the Christmas market
Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk church and grounds
Where to eat in Brugge
Our favourite places to eat and drink in Bruges were:
Café Vlissinghe
Restaurant Kasteel Minnewater
Brasserie Maria van Bourgondië
Marzipan-Nougatshop Café
De Carré
The Christmas market stalls
How long do you need to spend in Brugge?
We spent one day in Brugge, and I felt like we were able to explore the city well in that time. It’s not a big place and it’s easy to wander around on foot – although lots of the locals are on bikes. You could stay longer in Bruges and explore the surrounding areas but for us, it was the perfect one-day trip from Brussels. The city gave me a very similar vibe to nearby Lille, which is another great destination for a day trip from the UK, France, or Belgium.
Do you need to rent a car in Brugge?
No, you don’t need a car to get around Bruges unless you’re planning to leave the city and explore the Belgian countryside. We didn’t take any form of public transport in Brugge, except arriving and leaving on the train. It’s easy to explore the city on foot.
What to wear in Brugge?
The style in Brugge is laid-back and European. Most people were dressed functionally for the cold December weather and, with so many cobbled streets to explore, flat shoes are recommended.
On our trip to Brugge in December I wore:
A grey jumper
A white t-shirt
Black wide leg jeans
Black Dr Martens
A tweed overcoat
Sunglasses (it was bright in the daytime!)
A knitted beanie (after dark when it got colder)
Want to explore more of Belgium? Check out our full itinerary for a weekend in Brussels here.