Bruges Journal

Live weather, upcoming events, local tips and where to eat — your real-time guide to Bruges.

Stories from Bruges

History· 4 min

How Bruges Became the Richest City in Europe

For a brief, brilliant century, Bruges was the financial capital of the known world.

Day Trips· 4 min

From Bruges to Flanders Fields

The trenches of World War I are just an hour from Bruges.

Activities· 4 min

Five Cycling Routes from Bruges

Grab a bike and escape the centre. These routes show you the Bruges that tourists miss.

Food & Drink· 3 min

Coffee in Bruges: Where Locals Actually Go

Skip the tourist traps. These are the cafés that Bruges residents use as their living room.

Practical· 3 min

Bruges with Children: Keeping Everyone Happy

A medieval city isn't an obvious family destination. But Bruges has more for kids than you'd think.

Experience· 4 min

A Romantic Weekend in Bruges: Two Days for Two

Bruges was voted the most romantic city in Europe. Here's how to earn that title.

Day Trips· 4 min

Ghent: Bruges' Cooler, Edgier Neighbour

Just 25 minutes by train, Ghent has a completely different energy.

Practical· 4 min

What to Do in Bruges When It Rains (And It Will Rain)

Bruges gets rain about 200 days a year. Here's how to spend a wet afternoon.

Landmarks· 4 min

Michelangelo's Madonna: The Sculpture That Wasn't Supposed to Be Here

One of Michelangelo's few works outside Italy sits in a Bruges church.

Hidden Gems· 4 min

Minnewater: The So-Called 'Lake of Love'

The name is misleading. The history is better.

Experience· 4 min

Bruges After Dark: When the Day Tourists Leave

By 7pm the tour buses are gone and Bruges becomes a different city entirely.

Food & Drink· 4 min

Belgian Fries: It's Not Just About the Potato

They're called frites, not French fries. And in Bruges, they're taken very seriously.

Culture· 4 min

The Groeninge Museum: Six Centuries in Six Rooms

One of Belgium's finest art collections, packed into a surprisingly small space.

Day Trips· 3 min

Damme: A Day Trip That Takes 30 Minutes

A tiny book village connected to Bruges by a dead-straight canal. Bike there, eat pancakes, bike back.

Culture· 3 min

The Dying Art of Bruges Lace

Bruges was once the lace capital of Europe. A handful of women are keeping the tradition alive.

Hidden Gems· 3 min

The Begijnhof: Bruges' Quietest Corner

Right in the centre of town, there's a walled garden that feels like stepping into another century.

Food & Drink· 3 min

Bruges Chocolate: Skip the Chains, Find the Good Stuff

There are over 50 chocolate shops in Bruges. Most of them are fine. A few are exceptional. Here's where to go.

Activities· 4 min

Why Bruges Is Better on Two Wheels

The old centre is compact, but the best parts of Bruges are just outside it — and a bike changes everything.

Food & Drink· 4 min

A No-Nonsense Guide to Belgian Beer in Bruges

Belgium has over 1,500 different beers. Here's how to drink your way through Bruges without getting lost.

Experience· 3 min

Take the First Canal Boat of the Day

Everyone does a canal tour in Bruges. But the first departure of the morning is a completely different experience.

Landmarks· 3 min

Climbing the Belfry: 366 Steps and the Best View in Bruges

The medieval Belfry tower dominates the Markt square. Here's what to expect when you climb it — and why you should go early.

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