Bruges is the capital of West Flanders, a picturesque city in north-western Belgium. Located relatively close to Brussels, it’s the perfect destination to add to your trip if you’re staying in the Belgian capital. The city is small, so one day is enough to explore its main sights.
The best way to travel from Brussels to Bruges is by train, and the journey takes around 1 hour. Once in Bruges, you can easily get around on foot – our preferred option – or rent a bicycle if you’d rather save some time between the different sights.
Keep reading to discover what to see and do in Bruges in one day.
Read also: Brussels Itinerary: How to Spend 2 Perfect Days
1-Day Bruges Itinerary
Minnewater Park
If you’re arriving in Bruges by train, Minnewater Park is conveniently located near the station. Our suggestion is to walk through the park on your way to the historic city centre.
The park is a popular spot among locals, who come here to exercise, spend time with family, or simply relax and enjoy some green space.
Churches of Bruges
After walking through the park, make your way through the streets of Bruges towards the next stops on your itinerary: the Church of Our Lady and St Salvator’s Cathedral.
Church of Our Lady
The Church of Our Lady, or Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk, deserves a special mention. Its interior is filled with impressive works of art, including Michelangelo’s famous sculpture Madonna and Child, the only work by the artist to leave Italy during his lifetime.
The church is also home to some impressive tombs, including those of Charles the Bold and his daughter, Mary of Burgundy.
St Salvator’s Cathedral
St Salvator’s Cathedral is the next stop on our one-day Bruges itinerary. Its architecture and decoration combine Gothic and Neo-Romanesque elements.
It is the oldest church in Bruges and one of the oldest churches in Belgium.
Grote Markt
Bruges’ historic centre is filled with picturesque streets, where almost every corner is charming and photo-worthy. However, one of the city’s main highlights is undoubtedly Grote Markt, the main square.
The square is beautiful, surrounded by outdoor cafés and colourful Flemish buildings. We visited Bruges during the Christmas season, so the square was decorated with festive lights, which made it even more beautiful. On the other hand, the Christmas market stalls occupied the centre of the square, slightly limiting the overall view.
One of the most impressive buildings surrounding Grote Markt is the Belfry, a medieval tower standing 83 metres tall. It is one of the 56 belfries in Belgium and France recognised as World Heritage sites.
At the time of our visit, access to the tower was closed for safety reasons.
Burg Square
Just a short walk from Grote Markt, you’ll find Burg Square, another of Bruges’ most impressive squares.
The square is surrounded by historic buildings, including the Stadhuis (Town Hall) and the Basilica of the Holy Blood. The basilica houses one of Europe’s most precious relics: a glass vial said to contain a few drops of blood taken from the body of Jesus Christ by Joseph of Arimathea.
Stroll along the canals
Have you heard Bruges being called the Venice of Belgium? It’s easy to see why: the city is criss-crossed by canals, which add even more charm to its already picturesque streets.
On a sunny day, the canals are particularly beautiful, but taking a boat tour is always a tempting option.
Several companies offer boat tours, departing from different small docks around the city, but prices are generally the same. We decided to take a tour and absolutely loved the experience, so we definitely recommend adding it to your Bruges itinerary!
During the tour, the guide shares interesting facts about the history of Bruges and some of its most important buildings, as well as a few amusing stories about the city.
The tour lasts around 45 minutes, but time seems to fly by!
Windmills
To finish our day in Bruges, we headed towards the Kruispoort area, where one of the city’s old gates can be found.
This area is also home to two historic windmills: St Janhuismolen and Koeleweimolen. The former dates back to 1770.
Keep in mind that this area is a little further away from the main sights, so you’ll need to walk for a while to get there. However, we think it’s worth the extra walk, especially if you want to see a quieter side of Bruges.
Stroll through the streets
As we mentioned earlier, Bruges is full of little details worth stopping to appreciate.
One of the best things to do is simply wander through the city’s streets without rushing. Take your time, look around, and enjoy the beautiful façades, charming corners, and all those little details that make Bruges so special.
Where to eat in Bruges
One of the best ways to get to know a city is through its food, and Bruges is no exception. The city offers plenty of traditional Belgian treats that are definitely worth trying:
- Belgian waffles: you’ll find them on almost every corner, making them the perfect sweet treat for a break while exploring the city.
- Belgian chocolate: Bruges is full of artisan chocolate shops, such as Dumon and The Chocolate Line, where you can try some of the country’s famous creations.
- Belgian beer: don’t miss the chance to try a local beer at Brouwerij De Halve Maan, one of the city’s most famous breweries.
For meals, we recommend avoiding the most touristy restaurants around Grote Markt. The nearby streets have plenty of cosy options with more reasonable prices and a more authentic atmosphere.
1-day Bruges itinerary map
How to get to Bruges
There are a few different ways to get to Bruges, depending on where you’re travelling from. If you’re coming from Brussels, getting there is really easy. We travelled by train, which we found to be the quickest and most convenient option.
The journey takes around an hour, with regular departures from Brussels Central Station (the one we used) and Brussels Midi Station.
We recommend buying your tickets online in advance to avoid queues, especially during busier times.
You can also travel by coach with companies such as FlixBus, although the journey usually takes a little longer.
When to visit Bruges
In our opinion, there’s no bad time to visit Bruges. However, if you prefer a more comfortable trip, we’d recommend visiting in spring or autumn, when the temperatures are pleasant and the city is usually less crowded than during the summer months.
We visited Bruges at the end of November and experienced colder temperatures and, of course, shorter days. It didn’t rain on the day we explored the city, although we did have some rainy weather during the rest of our time in Belgium.
At that time of year, the Christmas markets were already set up in Bruges. On one hand, they add a magical atmosphere to the city; on the other hand, they can slightly change some of the classic views, as the main squares become filled with market stalls.
How to get around Bruges
Bruges is a relatively small and flat city, making it the perfect place to explore on foot. Walking around allows you to discover the city at your own pace and appreciate all the little details that make it so unique. In our itinerary, the only place that is slightly further away and requires a longer walk is the Windmills area.
If you enjoy cycling, this can also be a great way to explore Bruges and save some time between the different sights. The city is very bike-friendly, with dedicated cycle paths and several options for bike rentals.
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