Bruges

't Brugs Beertje

This excellent pub (recommended in the CAMRA guide to the Benelux region) has hundreds of different beers and an authentic beer-cafe atmosphere. Clientele is majority tourists. The front bar is crowded; what looks like the door through to the restrooms opens on another bar area. In 2005 it was closed for most of July - this might be an annual occurrence.

2-be Beer Wall and Bar

On the court of a former major's house, "all Belgian beers" are exposed permanently. At the back of the wall, it's also possible to drink a lot of those beers.

Ambassadors Tours Bruges

Passionate local storytellers offer tours in the medieval city center. No old-fashioned tour focussing solely on historical details, but engaging stories to bring the history to life. Reservations advised. Tell Me Stories About Bruges, daily at 10:00, 11:00, 14:00 & 17:00, operated in English. Bruges at Night: Murder, Mystery & Dark Stories, selected days at 18:00 or 20:00.

Daily 10:00 - 22:00·Daytime: pay-what-you-want; night €31

Basilica of the Holy Blood (Heilige Bloed Basiliek)

A beautiful church on the Burg square. It houses a relic: a vial of blood that is said to be that of Jesus - and was built in the Gothic style. Try to get there early so you can view the chapel when it is quiet and not filled with tourists. And don't forget to visit the chapel underneath, in heavy Romanesque style - a contrast to the lovely light Gothic above.

Daily 09:30—12:30 & 14:00—17:30·Free. Museum/Treasure Room: EUR 2.50

Bistrobar Boreas

Fish of the Day, Grilled chicken fillet, Vegan Portobello, Rumpsteak, etc.

12:00 - 14:30, 18:00 - 20:30 Tue-Fri, 12:00 - 20:30 Sat·EUR 26-39

Books & Brunch

An ideal combo of second hand book store and a brunch/dessert-eatery (but you can just have a cup of coffee or a tea too).

Tue-Fri 08:30-18:00, Sat 09:00-18:00

Brasserie Forestière

Nice and calm restaurant, good food, not too expensive. Good menu for vegetarians. Meal of the day (soup, main dish, dessert or coffee/tea) costs EUR 14 (May 2019) although this is the cheapest menu it has little choice.

Closed · opens 11 am tomorrow

Brasserie Medard

Huge deal for low budget just near the centre: a mountain of (tasty) spaghetti with tomato sauce, cheese, and mushrooms for EUR 3. Two options on the menu: vegetarian, non-vegetarian - both at the same price. Double its size for just EUR 2 extra. Very cheap beer too (kriek at EUR 1.50) (all prices as of July 2010). Most tables order the spaghetti. Tourists aren't welcome until they sit: be sure to sit down and impose your presence to be served. If you wait to be seated, you are likely to be sent away for no reason.

Brewery De Halve Maan

This brewery is the only remaining that's still brewing beer inside the city walls. It's also a beer museum and offers a tour of the beer making process. A history of the brewery is provided, as well as an overview of the city from its tower. The tour lasts for 45 min and is a good way to get a feel for Belgian beer making. The tours start at the exact turn of the hour, be at least 15 minutes early as there is a maximum number of people that can join. The entrance price includes one drink of Brugse Zot or Straffe Hendrik and is served after the tour at the outside terrace or indoor bar. There is a longer version of the tour available at weekends.

Apr-Oct: Mon-Sat 11:00-16:00, Sun 11:00-17:00·EUR 16 including 1 beer booked on-line

Bruges Ballooning

Daily hot air balloon flights over the historic centre and its surroundings. The best way to enjoy the romance of Bruges, and its stunning views, from a few hundred metres up in a balloon basket.

Morning and afternoon·EUR 170

Café Vlissinghe

One of the less touristy bars, with a nice selection of draught and bottled beers. It's probably the oldest pub in Bruges dating from 1515.

closed Mondays and Tuesdays

Cambrinus

This is a very popular place, and for a reason. They have some of the best selection of Belgian beers, more than 440 in total. Some beers have really odd names like Satan, Lucifer, Nostradamus, or the Brunette. It's primarily a restaurant though, as all their hearty food are prepared with a special kind of beer. It's really delicious. Mains go for EUR 17-19, but they also have the EUR 26 prix fixe "Menu van de Brouwer", which features several Trappist beers. Make a reservation in advance, as else they might not have any seats available.

11:00-23:00 daily·EUR 25-30

Choco-Story Museum

This museum is a must-see for chocolate enthusiasts as it describes chocolate's transition from cocoa into chocolate. Its low-cost tasty exhibits make it well worth the time (and Belcolade's gently overt marketing). Be sure to stay for the chocolate making exhibition to get some excellent samplers. Recommend buying tickets online ahead of time. On a Sunday in October 2022 they didn't have room for walk ins, you needed to buy tickets a few hours ahead of time.

Closed · opens 10 am tomorrow·EUR 14

Chocolatier Van Oost

If you are willing to spend a little more, Chocolatier Van Oost on Wollestraat is a must for high-quality artisanal chocolate.

Cropains

Not much indoor seating, but delicious "croque monsieurs" (grilled sandwiches) and wraps, with vegetarian options.

€6-€8 for a grilled sandwich or wrap

De Bottelier

A favourite restaurant of many of Bruges' residents. Very reasonable prices and excellent food. Closed Sunday and Monday nights.

De Garre

Hidden in a backyard, this pub offers a nice atmosphere and about 100 kinds of beer, including localy-brewed ones. The house beer is called 'Triple de Garre' and is 11% strong, a good way to start the night. The pub is very often full, but there's a limit of two drinks per person, which means that new places become available pretty quickly.

Diamond Museum

Diamantmuseum

Diamond museum has a large range of exhibits ranging from mining all the way to polishing and all the history in between. Everyday at 12:15 there is a live polishing demonstration.

Closed · opens 10:30 am tomorrow·Adult EUR 12, student EUR 10.50

Dumon

Excellent, very high-end chocolate creations. They also make chocolate drinks.

Ezelpoort

Donkey Gate

Just like the Smedenpoort, this gate is completely surrounded by water. Nowadays the gate is only used by pedestrians and cyclists. The gate previously also was called the Oostendsche Poort (Ostend Gate) since the road through the gate lead to Ostend.

Gentpoort

Ghent Gate

One of the four remaining city gates of the second city ramparts of 1297. In the gate building is housed a museum.

Grand Cafe Passage

Attached to the Passage hotel/hostel (see below) is the atmospheric Grand Café, serving traditional Belgian cuisine and beers. Prices are slightly lower than the tourist traps and well worth it. Try the beef stew (very tender) or the ribs.

Groeninge Museum

Known as 'The city museum of Fine Arts', it houses a collection of artworks that span several centuries (14th-20th), focusing mainly on works by painters who lived and worked in Bruges.

Daily 09:30-17:00·EUR 15 / EUR 7 (audioguide and ticket to Arents House and Forum+ included in the entrance)

Grote Markt

The market square is the heart of the old town. It covers an area of 1 ha, and on its southern edge is the city belfry (Halletoren/Belfort), which is one of the city's best known landmarks. There are nice views from the tower (see Do below)

Het Chocoladehuisje

Artisan chocolates. Place where you can buy the original chocolate breasts. Has a nice piece in their window on special occasions.

In 't Nieuw Museum

Belgian grill restaurant, well off the tourist track. Excellent steaks, reasonable prices.

Jan Breydel stadium

The city has two teams playing soccer in First Division A, the Belgian top tier: Club Brugge KV and Cercle Brugge KSV. They share the Jan Breydel stadium, capacity 29,000, in Sint-Andries district 2 km west of the centre.

Jerusalem church

In a quiet area of the city, a highly unusual church with octagonal tower built by the Adornes brothers, merchants of Italian extraction. It includes a fine black Tournai marble tomb, late Gothic stained glass, and a tiny and rather spooky chapel containing an effigy of the dead Christ. The entrance fee also covers the Lace Museum in the former Adornes mansion, where you can see local women and girls learning this traditional craft.

Mon-Sat 10:00 - 17:00·Adult €8

Kok au Vin

Memorable Kok au Vin (both the appetiser and the restaurant); the prices are reasonable for the high quality. Family owned and run. Reservations recommended.

Kruispoort

Cross Gate

Part of the second city ramparts of 1297. The current gate dates back to the beginning of the 15th century.