Sights and landmarks in Bruges

Sights and landmarks in Bruges

1. See

   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.

2. See

   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

3. See

   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

4. See

   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

5. See

   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

6. See

   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.

7. See

   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.

8. See

   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)

9. See

   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)

10. See

    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

11. See

    Kruispoort

    Cross Gate

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

12. See

    Lucifernum

    Retsin's lucifernum

    An amazing (private) art gallery with a Gothic cemetery in a subtropical garden located in the old Freemasons temple (1756-1882). 1,000 m² of art and mystery in Bruges' old city centre.

    Sun 18:00-21:00·EUR 6

13. See

    Onze Lieve Vrouwkerk

    A fascinating church with architecture from the Romanesque and Gothic periods. In the east end of the church are very fine tombs of Charles the Bold and his daughter Mary of Burgundy, in contrasting Gothic and Renaissance styles, despite their superficial similarity. The church also houses one of the few Michelangelo sculptures outside of Italy, the "Madonna with child". To see the "Madonna with Child" an entrance fee of EUR 5 for 18-26, EUR 6 for 26-64, EUR 5 for over 65, and under 17 is free.

    Free

14. See

    Simbolik - Open Studio and Expo of Nathalie Beelprez

    A house, an open studio where thoughts and ideas are born, a place where Beelprez can mix these thoughts and feelings in a symbolic language of forms, her soul, her calligraphy, her world, her language. While she works in her studio, her expo is open for anyone who wants to let time go, read forms and see letters. An open immersion in texts and forms that excite your senses. Selection of handmade letterwork, wall objects, light objects, painted on canvas, letters in ceramics, writing on walls, also work on demand. Also, every first Sunday of the month at 15:00 is Poëziene: a place where poets, musicians or performers bring their own work to Simbolik.

    Thu-Sat 10:00-18:00, other days by appointment·Free entrance

15. See

    Smedenpoort

    Blacksmith's Gate

    The first gate was built in 1297-1299 but was rebuilt in 1376-1378. After that there were several changes to the building. The gate is completely surrounded by water. A renovation in 2009 made the gate look shining again.

16. See

    The Beguinage (Begijnhof)

    In the history, many women couldn't find a man, as men were more likely to die in accidents or in a war. Those women could "marry God" and become a beguine. The beguinage, also known as the convent, offered protection for those single ladies. It lies between the centre of the city and the station, with white painted small houses and fine plane trees, is a quiet place to walk; groups are discouraged.

17. See

    The Hospital of St John

    Sint-Janshospitaal contains a museum of six paintings by Hans Memling, within the early medieval hospital buildings.

    Tue-Sun 09:30-17:00·EUR 15

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Bruges (CC BY-SA 4.0).