Bruges is a city with a unique medieval charm. Take a stroll along the sparkling canals, through the cobbled streets, or past the many historic buildings, and you will quickly see that this is the perfect place for a romantic getaway. Fully exploring the "Venice of the north" in just 48 hours is a challenge, but it's one we're willing to accept. Here are the best places to visit for a whistle-stop tour of this magical city.
Day 1
Morning
For a relaxing start to your 48 hours in Bruges, try to arrive the night before and stay the night at the B&B Exclusive Guesthouse Bonifacius. The traditional elegance of this 16th-century property will give you a taste of what's to come during your stay in the city. The hotel's charming terrace overlooks the canal and provides a lovely opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of the city center.After waking up here you have two options: a guided tour along the canals or a walk to the Grand-Place. If you're doing the latter, make sure you stop off at the Belfry of Bruges, where, after climbing 366 steps, you'll have a breathtaking view of the city. Still have some time to spare? Explore the Vesten: the city walls that form a sort of green belt around Bruges where you'll come across several old windmills too.
Lunch
After your morning's activities, head through the historic Kruispoort city gates (known as Porte Sainte-Croix in French) to enter the tranquil St. Anne's district. Here you'll find Bib Gourmand restaurant Onslow, which is the ideal place to recharge your batteries thanks to its Mediterranean-style terrace. It's hard not to order the entire menu of sharing plates, which could include tom kha kai with bouchot mussels, fried chicken, fish fried on the bone, or freshly churned vanilla ice cream with chocolate. This is a place of pure pleasure and home to a wealth of flavors.
Afternoon
With your appetite satisfied, it's now time for nourishment of the intellectual kind. At the Groeninge Museum, you can admire paintings by the early Flemish artists such as Jan Van Eyck and Hans Memling, along with Neoclassical works and 20th-century modern art by René Magritte and Roger Raveel. The Gruuthuse Museum, meanwhile, tells the story of the city through remarkable tapestries, lace, wood carvings, stained glass, and much more.
Before it's time for an aperitif, here are a few suggestions to awaken the romantic within you. The Boniface Bridge is an ideal spot for couples, as is the Spiegelrei, Bruges's old port, where you'll have a splendid view of the canals. If a romantic walk through pretty surroundings is your thing, then head for either the Arentshof park (which is home to beautiful Easter lilies in the beguinage) or Minnewater park, where you'll find what is known as the "Lake of Love".
Afterwards, it's time to take a break and soak up Belgian café culture; a word to the wise, in Belgium "cafés" are a place you're more likely to order a beer than a coffee. Café Vlissinghe, Bruges's oldest inn, has been around since 1515 and exudes an incomparable sense of nostalgia. Indulge in a draught Brugse Zot or Tripel Karmeliet beer, or one of the many non-alcoholic options. If you're feeling peckish before dinner, browse the snacks and appetizers on offer.
Dinner
To cap off your first day in Bruges, the MICHELIN-Starred Sans Cravate is an excellent choice. Henk Van Oudenhove is a lover of fine produce, such as morels and wild sea bass, which he makes the most of through his classical cooking and original garnishes. During game season, be sure to try his pheasant dishes.Want to discover Bruges's nightlife post-dinner? Take a wander around the Eiermarkt, the "egg market", a small square that remains lively until well into the night.
Hotel
As the sun sets on Bruges, it's time to recharge your batteries. There are few better places to do so than the luxurious Hotel Van Cleef, where you'll be pampered from start to finish. The building's historic charm has been seamlessly blended with the modern comforts guests can enjoy. In the morning, you'll take your place on the canal-side terrace for breakfast, under the watchful eye of Bruges's iconic swans.
Day 2
Morning
Starting your day in this unique setting, over a table filled with delicious treats, is an experience that invites you to take your time, to bask in its glory. Make sure you don't linger too long, though, because there's plenty of gems still to see. The Basilica of the Holy Blood is one such gem, with its opulent blend of Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance architecture. Inside, you can also see The Relic of the Holy Blood itself; if you happen to be here on Ascension Day, the procession of the Holy Blood through the streets of Bruges is an event not to be missed.
Lunch
On Langestraat (the longest street in Bruges) you can find another of the city's icons, a living culinary icon: Geert Van Hecke. For years, he has been an ambassador of Belgian gastronomy, holding Three MICHELIN Stars at his restaurant Karmeliet. Today, he regales his diners at Zet'Joe, which has a more relaxed atmosphere than his previous venture. Here, you will be greeted by Geert's wife Mireille and welcomed as if in to the couple's own living room. When it comes to the cooking, the chef lets his considerable experience and love of fine produce do the talking.
Afternoon
After a satisfying lunch, head to the city's main shopping street, Steenstraat, where you'll find just about every well-known brand. At Place Simon-Stevin, enter The Chocolate Line, run by chocolatier Dominique Persoone, who has made a name for himself with his "rock 'n' roll" chocolates.If your visit is in the run-up to the festive season, then you'll find everything you need at De Witte Pelikaan and Käthe Wohlfart, two boutiques selling all manner of Christmas-themed goodies. And if you're a lace lover, you can also seek out plenty of beautiful embroidery to take home.
Not in the mood for shopping? Opt for a visit to De Halve Maan brewery instead, then drop by the bar to sample specialties such as Brugse Zot and Straffe Hendrik.
If you didn't go for the brewery option, then all of the day's sightseeing and shopping might have made you thirsty. The solution is to head down Bruges's narrowest street to the wonderful Staminee De Garre. The menu of this characterful café offers no fewer than 140 beers, from the house tripel to the most famous breweries and a few lesser-known gems. Not enough choice for you? Check out 't Brugs Beertje, where you'll have 300 different beers to pick from.
Dinner
For your last dinner in Bruges, let yourself be seduced by the diversity of the city's culinary offering. For bistronomic cooking and a good Norman crêpe, head to Goesepitte 43. If you'd prefer something more original and creative, book a table at Bruut. Finally, fans of authentic Japanese cuisine, including theatrical teppanyaki cooking, will be delighted at Tanuki.
Hotel
De Orangerie is the ideal hotel to savor a final taste of the romance of Bruges that has enveloped you over the past 48 hours. This 15th-century monastery has been transformed into a charming, traditional hotel, and its breakfast is one of the best in the city.
Address Book
Belfry of Bruges: Markt 7
Café Vlissinghe: Blekersstraat 2
De Halve Maan Brewery: Walplein 26
De Witte Pelikaan: Vlamingstraat 23
Groeninge Museum: Dijver 12
Gruuthuse Museum: Dijver 17
Käthe Wohlfart: Walplein 12
Staminee De Garre: De Garre 1
’t Brugs Beertje: Kemelstraat 5
The Basilica of the Holy Blood: Burg 13
The Boniface Bridge: Groeninge 6
The Chocolate Line: Simon Stevinplein 19
The Church of Our Lady: Mariastraat
The Jerusalem Chapel: Peperstraat 3
