Brugge is a charming city known for its cobblestoned streets, canals, medieval architecture, and fairytale-like nature. It’s a hidden gem in Europe, nestled in the Flemish region, and worth visiting. If you’re planning to spend one day in Bruges, you’re in the right place! Here’s the perfect one-day itinerary.
Is Bruges worth visiting?
Yes, it is! Bruges is the perfect day trip from Ghent or Brussels and absolutely worth the visit. So much so that you could even spend more than a day in the adorable city. Besides the architecture, famous beer, and chocolate, there’s a whole lot more to enjoy about the city.
Interesting facts about Bruges
- Bruges has more castles per square inch than any other country.
- It’s also known as Brugge. Bruges is French and English, while Brugge is Flemish and Dutch.
- Its historical city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- There are more than 80 bridges in the city of Bruges.
- The oldest windmill in Bruges is the only mill in its original position.
Planning your trip to Bruges
A good travel plan can be a huge game changer when traveling, especially when traveling solo.
Here are a few handy resources to help you plan your one-day trip to Bruges.
- Transportation: Trainline, Rental Cars and Discover Cars
- Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking and Agoda
- Activities and Tours: GetYourGuide, Viator, and Trip Advisor
What language is spoken in Brugge?
Dutch (Flemish) is the widely spoken language in Bruges. Most locals are bilingual and can also speak Belgian, French, or German. English is also widely spoken, so you won’t have much trouble spending a day in Brugge if you can speak one of these languages.
What currency is used in Bruges?
Euro.
How to get to Bruges
The easiest way to get to Bruges is by train. If you have to fly into Belgium first, you can get affordable plane tickets on Kiwi. If you’re taking the bus, Flixbus has the best deals, and Omio and Trainline are the go-to for rail travel.
What to see in Bruges in a day
- Museum of the Church of Our Lady (O.L.V)
- Boniface Bridge
- Rosary Quay
- Markt
- Belfry Tower
- Basilica of the Holy Blood
- Minnewater Park
Map
How to spend a day in Brugge
Though small, there’s a lot to see and do in Bruges. For the whole Bruges experience, more than one day is ideal.
However, if you’re only visiting Bruges on a day trip, that’s still enough time to get a taste of the city. With the perfect plan, you’ll be able to savor amazing chocolate, cross picturesque bridges, and admire the city’s beautiful architecture.
Morning ☀️
1. Gruuthusemuseum Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk (Museum of the Church of Our Lady O.L.V)
Upon arrival to Bruges, make your way toward The Church of Our Lady. A 115.5-meter tall structure and the world’s second-tallest brick tower.
The brick Gothic-style church was constructed in the 13th century and is now famous for Michelangelo’s world-famous Madonna and Child statue.
Admission to the church is free, but you’ll need a ticket to see the museum, Madonna and Child, and tombs of Charles the Bold and Mary of Burgundy.
TIP: You can purchase the Musea Brugge Card, which grants you free entry to 11 museums, including:
- Church of Our Lady
- Groeninge Museum
- Belfry etc.
2. Bonifaciusbrug (Boniface Bridge)
The city of Bruges has over 80 bridges, which is quite a lot for its small size. The only right way to spend a day in Brugge is by visiting one of the city’s most picturesque bridges, Boniface Bridge.
This gothic-style bridge is a quintessential Bruges feature that you can’t afford to miss.
3. Rozenhoedkaai (Rosary Quay)
Another place you have to visit in Bruges right is Rozenhoedkaai, one of the city’s most photographed spots.
Now a popular Instagrammable spot in Brugge, this old structure used to be a marketplace for rosaries.
Today, it’s flooded with travel lovers seeking a feast for their eyes.
4. Take a canal cruise
If you’re in Bruge for a day, you’ve got to treat yourself to a canal cruise.
This is one of the most exciting things to do in Bruge and also a fantastic way to see the city from a different perspective.
The tours are guided and only set you back 12€. You can hop on a boat at Rosary Quay and explore the canals for half an hour.
Afternoon☀️
5. Have Belgian fries for lunch
It would be against the law to visit Bruges and not try frites! There are so many great restaurants in Bruges, and Fritbar is one of them. They serve juicy Belgian fries, a local staple you have to try when spending one day in the city.
You can have plain fries or treat yourself to fries with local toppings like a traditional stew. Lunch is also the perfect time to try the local beer. But leave room for dessert. Bruges is home to some of the best Belgian chocolate.
6. Markt – Belfort (Belfry Tower)
Next up on your one-day in Bruges itinerary is De Markt. This square is the most popular site in Bruges’ old town, and it’s full of restaurants, bars, and cute cafés. You can find several chocolatiers here and snug yourself a bite if you haven’t yet had any local chocolate.
From here, you can Belfry Tower—one of Bruges’ most prominent buildings. You can climb up 366 steps to reach the tower. Yes, that’s a lot of steps! But the mind-blowing 360-degree view of the city makes it worth it.
Reminder: You can visit Belfry Tower for free with the Musea Brugge Card
7. Basilica of the Holy Blood
Another fantastic place to visit in Bruges is the Basilica of the Holy Blood.
This architectural masterpiece is a fusion of Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles. Its history dates back centuries, and the Relic of the Holy Blood is said to have been brought to this location in Bruges by Crusaders.
Today, this site now hosts the Museum of the Basilica and a treasure chamber with numerous priceless art pieces.
8. Blinde Ezelstraat (Blind Donkey Street)
Don’t worry. This isn’t actually a street full of blind donkeys.
However, in the 15th century, there was an inn around this location called Den Blinden Ezel, so I guess the name kind of stuck.
Today, this area is a must-visit in the city. The architecture is enough to make wandering visitors fall in love with Bruges.
This street, which is a vaulting between the City Hall and Civil Registry, connects Burg Square to the Fish Market.
Evening 🌑
9. Have a picnic or take a stroll in Minnewater Park
If you’re more of a vacationer than a traveler, you’ll be happy spending a few hours at Minnewater Park.
Also known as the Lake of Love, Minnewater Park is another romantic spot in the city for our romantic-at-heart.
But this park isn’t just great for lovers; singles are welcome too!
It’s a beautiful spot to rest after a day exploring Bruges and the perfect location for enjoying a Belgian drink. Within walking distance of the park is Beguinage—a nice spot also worth seeing.
10. Travel back in time with the Windmills
When we think of windmills, the Netherlands often to mind.
But did you know that you can visit windmills in Bruge?
Although there are only two windmills you can see at the edge of the city, these are more than enough to be enchanted by their beauty.
If you want your day trip to Bruges to be a relaxing one, take a picnic basket with you and enjoy the windmills.
Other things to do
- Visit the Groeninge Museum
- Ride the hot-air balloon
- Take a beer tour
- Make your own chocolate
- Visit the Historium museum
- Beguinage
- Gunpowder Tower (Poertoren)
- Sint-Salvatorskathedraal
Tips for visiting Bruges
Some money-saving tips for visiting Bruges include:
- Walking. Bruges is primarily flat and not a very big city. It’s also well-connected, and most places are within walking distance, so you won’t need transportation.
- Take a free walking tour. One of the money-saving things to do in Bruges is take a free walking tour. These tours are a great way to learn about the city without breaking the bank.
- Stay with a local (aka couchsurfing). If you decide to spend more than one day in Bruges, you’re going to need a place to stay. Couchsurfing is a great way to meet locals while traveling, and I highly recommend it. If you’re not comfortable staying with a stranger, you can find cool hostels and hotels on Hostelworld and Booking.
Where to stay
- Snuffel Hostel 🍻👤👥💰
As cute as its name, this budget hostel offers one of the best staycations in the center of Bruges. With many communal areas and frequent events such as free walking tours and weekly beer tastings, it’s a great place for solo travelers to socialize.
The hostel also provides lockers, bike rentals, and bike storage so you can easily explore the city.
If you love the sound of a restaurant, bar, lounge, nightclub, and free breakfast under one roof, you’re going to love Bauhaus Hostel. The hostel is nestled in Sint-Anna Quarter, a wonderful place to party and explore Bruges on a budget.
It’s also really close to a lace museum, which you can visit if you’re looking for alternative things to do in Bruges. The Sint-Janshuismolen canalside and Koeleweimolen windmills are also within walking distance, making this hostel the perfect location for your wandering feet and the perfect stay for one day in Bruges.
Sustainable lodging options in Brugge 🍃
- Holiday Home Bruges De Pepel
- Bariseele
- Eco Hotel Fevery
- Crowne Plaza Bruges
- Hotel Heritage
- NH Hotel Bruges
- Radisson Blu Hotel Bruges
Day trips from Bruges
If you have more than one day to spend and want to spread your wings beyond the borders of Brugge, consider visiting one of these cities. They’re all pretty close to Brugge and very easy to get to.
- Ghent- another medieval city you’ll fall in love with. Famous for its history and art culture.
RECOMMENDED: 1 day in Ghent: Full Travel Guide
- Brussels
- Ostend
- Knokke
- Torhout
- Rotterdam
24 hours in Bruges FAQs
Where is Bruges?
Belgium. Bruges is located in the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It’s in the northwestern part of the country and is the largest city in this region.
How many days do I need in Bruges?
To get the whole ‘In Brugge‘ experience, spend two full days in the city. If you’ve only got a day to spend, that’s enough time to see most of the city. Due to its small size and close proximity to must-see locations, a day in Bruges is just enough!
Can you see Bruges for half a day?
Yes! You’ll be surprised that you can still see many places in Bruges in a short time. It’s possible to see Brugge in half a day if you skip museum tours and other time-consuming activities.
