Bruges is a City in Belgium, and the capital of West Flanders in the northwest of Belgium. It is famous for its lacemaking, canals, cobbled streets, and medieval buildings.
This Itinerary is calling all you history buffs, chocolate lovers and beer drinkers. Whether you have decided on a weekend or a mid-week break, you will find much to do in this colourful, picturesque city.
If you are only in the city for 2 days I will assume you are coming from somewhere in Europe. Either by short flight or train so you will be ready to go from your arrival!
Bruges DAY 1
Stop 1: Belgium Chocolate-Making Workshop
Start your trip with a sugar rush and kick start your trip with a culinary experience. Get ready to roll up your sleeves and, learn how to make your own Belgium chocolates from scratch in a Belgium chocolate-making workshop.
I attended a Belgium chocolate workshop with Bruges chocolate workshops. The man running the workshop was friendly and funny. He was also very knowledgeable of the history behind Belgium chocolate and led us to create some amazing chocolates in a fun laid back environment. You’ll learn to make three different styles of chocolates and indulge in some delicious hot chocolate too.
After a quick taste, your chocolates will be boxed up at the end of the workshop, and you will have some beautiful handmade chocolates to bring home for friends and family. However, my chocolates tasted so good I couldn’t stop eating them, and only a few returned with me to the UK.
The workshop runs twice daily, 3 times a week at 10am or 2:30pm. Depending on the season, they operate daily. Check here to ensure the workshop is on during your visit, and be sure to book ahead. I booked the experience prior to my trip on Trip Advisor.
Stop 2: Belfry of Bruges
One of the best things to see in Bruges is the Belfry of Bruges, an impressive Medieval Bell Tower. If you feel up to it, you can climb 350 steps up the tower and enjoy panoramic city views for €12. You can purchase tickets from the machines or pre-book ahead of time. I travelled my two days mid-week and bought them on the spot; however, weekends may be busier, so book ahead to avoid the disappointment if you will be going up the tower at peak times. On the way up, you can find a lot of history to read to discover the story of the Belfry.
Stop 3: Bruges Market Square
The market square is Bruges’s heart. It’s compact with restaurants, waffle houses, and souvenir shops. You can enjoy a horse and carriage ride or just walk around the quaint, cobbled side streets admiring the colourful buildings and spotting the restaurant you want to eat at.
Belgium cuisine is widely varied and known to be served in the quantity of German cuisine but with the quality of French food. The must-try Belgium favourites are Belgium fries and mussels.
Stop 4: Belgium Beer & Waffles
End the evening with two Belgium must-haves, Belgium beer, and Belgium waffles. You can not go to Belgium and not have a beer or a waffle. Like seriously did you even go Belgium if you did not try these two things. You will find a variety of places selling waffles and you can have many different toppings. The traditional Belgium way is to have it plain, but I opted for a scoop of ice-cream too. I recommend you get a waffle to go at Fred’s and sit in the square. The waffles here are absolutely delicious.
When it comes to the beer, you will be spoilt for choice. Belgium sell a wide range of flavours to meet everyone’s taste, so even if you are not a beer drinker you will find something you like. One of the main reasons Belgian beers remain so popular among consumers are the flavours along with it’s brewing processes, and ingredients.
Bruges DAY 2
Stop 1: The Old Chocolate House
Start the day at the Old Chocolate House for a unique hot chocolate with an experience. You can select from various homemade chocolate and accompanying sweet delights to go with your milk to build your very own hot chocolate. They also sell desserts, so if you fancy having a waffle for breakfast you can enjoy breakfast here or you can just go for the hot chocolate and have breakfast at your hotel.
Stop 2: Bruges Canal Boat Ride
The best way to see Bruges’s beautiful architecture is by water. Head down to the canals for a boat ride so you can weave your way through the Venice of the north, viewing the historic centre of Bruges.
There are five companies and locations you can get on a canal boat trip.
- Noorden- Huidenvettersplein
- Coudenys- Rozenhoedkaai,
- De Meulemeester -Wollestraat
- Gruuthuse -Nieuwstraat
- Stael- Katelijnestraat 4
I went with De Meulemeester, which I had just stumbled across on my walk. It was perfect and only priced at €12 for 30 minutes. You will see the most beautiful spots on the water. The captain spoke many languages and gave us great insight into what we were looking at in a fun environment. It was a highlight of my trip.
Canal trips operate March- November 10am-6pm
Stop 3: The Frietmuseum
If you have time visit the Frietmuseum (Fries Museum). It is a museum devoted to the history of potatoes and the production of Belgian fries. It describes itself as “the first and only museum dedicated to potato fries,” It is enjoyable and interactive, with different rooms and floors to explore. You can purchase tickets for the museum at the museum entrance, which also entitles you to a discount on some freshly made Belgium fries in the restaurant on the ground floor at the end.
Stop 4: The Chocolate Line
Stop off at the Chocolate Line. It’s every chocolate lover’s personal paradise. Established in 1992, the store makes some of the best Belgian chocolates in the city, with the wackiest flavours and all shapes and designs. I got myself a small box of flavours, including bacon, bombay sapphire gin, and popping candy.
Stop 5: Walk Around The City
Just let your feet take you around the city, take beautiful photos, enjoy street snacks, take a stroll in the park, and stop at local pubs for a pint or two. A very traditional small, homely pub that offers an array of flavours of beers is the Volkscaf Sint Jakobs. I had a hanging Strop here, which was cool.
If you have more time in the city, other things you can do are:
2 DAYS IN BRUGES ITINERARY RECAP
DAY 1
- Chocolate-Making Workshop
- The Belfry of Bruges
- Optional: Climb Belfry of Bruges Tower
- Market Square
- Beer & Waffles
DAY 2
- Hot Chocolate at the Old Chocolate House
- Canal Boat Ride
- The Frietmuseum
- The Chocolate Line
- City Walk
THE MUST DO THINGS
- Eat as much chocolate as possible
- Try Belgium Frites (They are thick and double fried! YUM)
- Eat a Belgium Waffle
- Drink a Belgium Beer
GETTING AROUND
The easiest way to get around once in Bruges is by foot. It’s a very compact city with everything within walking distance. Especially as you will only be in the city for two days.
CONCLUSION
Bruges is a picturesque city compact with medieval buildings and colorful architecture. It is the home to chocolate lovers, beautiful canals, and exotic beers. You will have a fun-packed two days in the city, experiencing food, culture, and stunning architecture.
My Trip Details
Date: Aug 2022
Eurostar Return £78
Hotel: Monsieur Maurice £88per Night
Belfry of Bruges Climb Ticket £12
Canal Boat Ride £11
The Fritemuseum £7 with hotel coupon.
Additional Info
Language: Flemish
Currency: Euro
How To Get There
There are a few ways you can get to Bruges. I went via the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels, then took a direct train to Bruges. However you can choose to fly to Brussels then get a train to Bruges.
Airport Destination: Brussels then take a train to Bruges.
Train
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Next on my list.