Guide to visiting Bruges in Winter

A Day journey to Bruges in Winter

Our journey begins in Antwerp, one in all Belgium’s much less visited cities however arguably its finest secret. The extra well-liked selection to go to is after all the Belgian capital, Brussels, nonetheless I a lot desire the low key way of life in Antwerp. The solar doesn’t rise till almost 9:00am in winter so when you’ve made essentially the most of your breakfast buffet or grabbed one thing on the go, make your manner to the practice station and guide your ticket to Bruges.

When you arrive in Bruges I might extremely advocate dropping in to the vacationer info centre and grabbing a free map (in English – don’t make the identical mistake we did!) We additionally requested the girl behind the counter for one of the best strolling route in to city and I’m so glad we did because it isn’t essentially the most direct route. The map (the freebie, go seize one) highlights one of the best strolling path into town centre.

Bruges Grote Markt

After a brisk stroll in to town centre (it was zero levels after we visited), make certain to drop in to Godiva for a scorching chocolate to heat your self up. Godiva is positioned in the Grote Market itself and though some will let you know it’s overhyped (a bit costly), I couldn’t disagree extra! It was one of the best four euros I spent that day.

Belfry of Bruges

If that is your first time visiting Bruges, you might want to climb the steps to the highest of the Belfry (bell tower) in the Grote Markt for an unimaginable view of town beneath.

Basilica of the Holy Blood

The Basilica of the Holy Blood is a formidable Roman Catholic church constructed in the early 12th century. In case you’re searching for extra issues to do in indoors (it does get actually chilly out) then this can be a nice choice to spend a while inside.

Stroll the Canals

Whereas it isn’t actually a focal point, it’s fingers down my favorite manner to go time in Bruges. This metropolis is constructed on a sequence of waterways which make for a enjoyable boat journey in the summer season months however in winter, strolling the canals is simply as fairly.

Eating places to go to in Bruges

There’s one factor Bruges does very well that may’t be contested: cozy winter vibes. We had been lucky to have a very sunny day for our go to however be warned, rain is extraordinarily widespread in Bruges all through the winter months!

There are some extremely celebrated eating places right here in Bruges together with one which holds a formidable three Michelin Stars. That restaurant is Hertog Jan. The restaurant is housed in an 180 12 months outdated barn overlooking a lush backyard. Though it’s on the costly aspect, it definitely counts as a kind of as soon as in a lifetime experiences.

Onwards to Ghent

In case you enable your self a complete day to go to Bruges from Brussels or Antwerp, additionally, you will give you the chance to go to Ghent in the identical day. The 2 primary variations between the cities are that Bruges has a really tourist-centric outdated city, whereas Ghent feels rather more native and crammed with residents. Ghent is a well-liked pupil city with a giant college inhabitants so in case you’re younger and in a position, there are some nice bars and low-cost eats to strive in city.

The practice journey from Bruges to Ghent is barely 15 minutes or so. I might advocate getting off the second cease on the practice at Gent Dampoort station. This station is only a ten minute stroll from city.

My single favorite suggestion for Ghent is to drop by De Alchemist, a extremely nice bar we discovered in the centre of city. It’s extremely small however cozy in winter, dimly lit by candles on the tables and operates as a one-man present.

Plan your journey to Belgium:

A Guide to Visiting Antwerp

An entire information to Bruges

eight Locations you Should Go to in Belgium