Tourist Attractions in Bruges

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Bruges

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Bruges

The fairytale Bruges is like being cut out of time. Here you get a sense of unreality and the past coming to life. The Middle Ages materialise in the amazing Flemish Gothic houses, Romanesque quarters and ancient churches. Bruges often hosts costumed theatrical processions and festivals where citizens dress up in traditional costumes.

The historic centre of Bruges is protected by UNESCO as it has fully preserved its architectural character. Pretty “gingerbread” town houses are wrapped in ivy, the facades are decorated with weathervanes, and the streets have an unusually calm and peaceful atmosphere. Bruges has been brewing delicious beer and making excellent chocolate for centuries, so tourists will find gastronomic delights here as well.

Top-15 Tourist Attractions in Bruges

Grote Markt

 4.7/5

8130 reviews

The central square of Bruges, which since the Middle Ages has been home to all the most important city organisations: the court, the town hall, the post office and the market stalls. Nowadays the square is decorated with magnificent Flemish Gothic buildings, houses of trade guilds with emblems, monuments to famous citizens. Every Wednesday there is a market on the square, and in winter there is a colourful Christmas market.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Belfry of Bruges

 4.6/5

16546 reviews

A tower dating back to the 13th-15th centuries, symbolising the desire of the inhabitants of Bruges for independence and freedom. It is 83 metres high and has a bell tower with 49 bells at the top. In the past centuries, the tower served as a watchtower, as it was easy to spot the enemy approaching the city. Inside, ancient diplomas confirming the rights and freedoms of the inhabitants are kept.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Bruges City Hall

 4.6/5

1187 reviews

The Town Hall is located on the central square of the Burg. The building was erected in the late 13th and early 14th centuries in the Flemish Gothic style. The architectural features of the building are repeated in the town halls of other Belgian cities: Leuven, Ghent, Brussels. Burg Square itself is the ancient centre of Bruges, where the first Flemish count built his fortified castle. The square is surrounded by historical buildings of different eras and architectural styles.

Open time

Monday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Huisbrouwerij De Halve Maan

 4.6/5

3406 reviews

Belgium is famous for its brewing tradition. De Halve Maan Brewery is located in the heart of the city, it was founded in the 16th century, but the surviving building dates back to the mid-19th century. Here they make beer according to the traditional Belgian recipe – sour, cloudy and with a short shelf life. “De Halve is a small, family-run brewery and produces its own beers.

Open time

Monday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Groeninge Museum

 4.5/5

2781 reviews

An art gallery founded in the early 18th century by members of the Free Society of Artists. The museum houses a priceless collection of Flemish masters such as Jan van Eyck, Hugo van der Goos, Hans Memling, Rogier van der Weyden and others. In separate halls there are paintings by Renaissance and Baroque masters, as well as works by artists of the 19th century. The Gruninge Museum is one of the most interesting museums in Bruges.

Open time

Monday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Choco-Story, Chocolate Museum

 4.1/5

6903 reviews

Once upon a time, a Belgian pharmacist created a unique cough medicine. He made bitter chocolate, and the history of this treat has been going on ever since. Bruges is often referred to as the chocolate capital of Belgium. At the Choco Story museum, you can see the entire history of the local chocolate industry and taste the most incredible and unusual varieties of the treat. The museum exhibits hundreds of chocolate sculptures in a variety of colours and shapes.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Saint John’s Hospital

 4.3/5

1798 reviews

The oldest hospital in Europe, organised by monks to treat the poor and pilgrims. It is housed in a building of stark and powerful medieval architecture. During the Middle Ages, it was the largest hospital in the area. The hospital chapel houses the Memling Museum, which contains works by the famous and skilful master Hans Memling, commissioned by the monks.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Gruuthusemuseum

 4.6/5

1106 reviews

A museum displaying a rich collection of sculpture, furniture, crockery, tapestries, ceramics and other decorative objects from the past centuries. The museum covers several historical periods and is housed in a 15th century building owned by the aristocratic Van Groothuis family. The collection began to take shape in the mid-19th century, and many items from the family’s private collection were included. The museum is closed for restoration until 2018.

Open time

Basilica of the Holy Blood

 4.6/5

3836 reviews

The basilica was originally a chapel built in the twelfth century to hold scraps of sheep’s wool with traces of Christ’s blood. These relics were brought back from the Crusade and given to the Flemish Count Dideric Van de Alsace. The architecture of the basilica met medieval Romanesque and later Gothic styles. The church houses the relics of St Basil, the great Byzantine preacher.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:15 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:15 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:15 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:15 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:15 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:15 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:15 PM

Church of Our Lady

 4.6/5

8783 reviews

Bruges Cathedral, topped by a 122 metre high bell tower. This graceful 15th century tower is a recognisable symbol of the city. Inside the church is one of the greatest works of Renaissance art, the statue of Our Lady and Child by Michelangelo. The church contains the remains of the last Burgundian Duke Charles the Bold and his daughter Maria.

Open time

Monday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 1:30 – 5:00 PM

Jeruzalem Kerk

 4.2/5

35 reviews

An ancient 15th century temple, which has survived virtually unchanged. The interior decoration has also survived five centuries. The church is a copy of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. It was built by brothers from the noble Adorn family after their pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Inside it is kept a part of the cross on which Jesus was crucified and several other significant relics. The church is still owned by descendants of the Adorn family.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Sint-Salvatorskathedraal

 4.6/5

6281 reviews

The city’s main cathedral. Its history began in the 10th century with a small parish church. The brick building of the temple was erected in XIII-XIV centuries. From the outside, the cathedral looks gloomy and gloomy. However, this impression is compensated by the rich interior decoration. Over the centuries, the temple has been subjected to minor destruction, but it has managed to preserve its original appearance thanks to careful reconstruction.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:30 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:30 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 3:30 PM
Sunday: 2:00 – 5:00 PM

Beguinage "Ten Wijngaerde"

 4.5/5

4075 reviews

The commune was like a convent where single women found shelter. But they did not take vows of celibacy and could leave the beguinage at any time. Such associations were common in the XIII century. The courtyard of the Beguine Society in Bruges named after St Elisabeth occupies the whole courtyard of the St Elisabeth Society in Bruges. The court of the Society of Beguinages in Bruges named after St Elisabeth occupies a whole quarter. It was founded in the first half of the XIII century, but most of the buildings belong to the XVII – XVIII centuries. The prevailing architectural style of the complex is Baroque.

Open time

Monday: 6:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Tuesday: 6:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Wednesday: 6:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Thursday: 6:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Friday: 6:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Saturday: 6:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Sunday: 6:30 AM – 8:30 PM

Minnewater

 4.8/5

212 reviews

A lake of amazing beauty, surrounded by lush flowering vegetation and romantic medieval buildings. People come here to relax, enjoy the silence and the special atmosphere. The lake is home to magnificent swans, which have been bred since the 15th century on the orders of the former lord of Flanders, the Austrian Emperor Maximilian. The ruler and his descendants are long gone, but the beautiful birds still adorn the place.

Kanaal Brugge-Oostende

 4.7/5

16 reviews

The city’s canals are not only a sight that gives Bruges a picturesque appearance, although walking along them is quite popular with tourists. The canals act as transport arteries. For centuries they have been used to transport goods and goods to the city. Without the network of canals, Bruges would look more gloomy and harsh, and with them, the city claims to be another “Venice of the North”.