How To Spend The Perfect Three Nights In Bruges
Known as the "Venice of the North," the enchanting medieval city of Bruges is a true gem of Western Europe. In this post, you will learn what to do when spending three nights in Bruges.
Bruges has plenty of things to do, from strolling along its cobblestone streets to cruising its picturesque canals, admiring its stunning architecture, and devouring its delicious Belgian chocolate. This UNESCO World Heritage City has something for everyone.
Whether you want to explore historical landmarks or unwind with a cold beer at one of its many local pubs, this friendly and welcoming fairytale city will surely capture your heart.
No matter what you plan to see, this is the perfect itinerary for a city break in Bruges.
Rozenhoedkaai or Rosary Quay is the place to capture one of the best views in Bruges.
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Helpful Information About Bruges
How to get to Bruges
From the UK, you can take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels and then change trains to take you from Brussels to Bruges. The total journey is approximately three hours and thirty minutes.
You can fly directly to Brussels from many international destinations and then catch a train to Bruges.
Where to stay in Bruges
When I visited Bruges for the first time, I stayed in a beautiful canalside heritage hotel called Martin's Relais.
The boutique hotel near Spieglrei Harbour dates back to the 13th century and was designed using five ancient residences.
The theatrical interior styling, with its crystal chandeliers, oak stairways, and open fireplaces, gave the property a luxurious feel.
Check availability and pricing of all accommodations in Bruges
Best things to do in Bruges in three days
- Cruise along Bruges' canals
- Climb the Belfry Tower
- See the Basilica of Holy Blood
- Taste Belgian waffles
- Enjoy a Belgian beer flight
- Stroll around Minnewater Lake
- Take a walking tour of Bruges
- Check out the city's windmills
- Eat traditional 'moules mariniere'
- Sample Belgian chocolate
Day one of three days in Bruges
Climb the belfry tower for sensational views of Bruges
We began our Bruges city break by exploring Market (Markt) Square, home to the 13th-century Belfry Tower.
The Belfry of Bruges is one of the prominent landmarks in Bruges. You can climb the 366 stairs for panoramic city views. The building it rises above is called the Cloth Hall and was the centre of the Bruges clothing trade in the 14th century.
With the Musea Brugge Card, you can visit this and 11 other historic buildings and museums for free for 72 hours in Bruges.
The Markt Square has colourful Flemish buildings that house restaurants, shops, and the city hall. It's a great place to grab breakfast and coffee. Mostly traffic-free, it is a pleasant place to stroll around.
The square hosts a weekly Wednesday market throughout the year, and the beautiful Bruges Christmas Market arrives in November and December.
The square is the city's central point; most guided tours will start here.
Discover Burg Square and its historic landmarks
After photographing the fairytale square, head to Burg Square, which houses some of the city's most prominent landmarks. Admire the Gothic architecture of the 12th-century Basilica of Holy Blood, Bruges' oldest building.
Head inside this atmospheric basilica to glimpse the holy vial containing a cloth stained with Christ's blood, brought back from his crucifixion.
Next, marvel at the Palace of Liberty's ornate white and gold facade, now housing a museum and the Gothic architecture of the 18th-century courthouse.
This beautiful building is now the Bruges council offices. Not a bad place to work!
Enjoy Belgian Waffles in Bruges
Belgium is famous for many things, and waffles are one of them!
If you are ready for a sweet treat, stop for waffles at Chez Albert, just off the market square and Bruges' most famous waffle shop. You can choose from various toppings; we picked strawberries, chocolate sauce, cream, and caramel/chocolate sauce. Be prepared to queue as it gets busy. Once you have your waffle, sit by the city hall and people-watch as you devour one of Belgium's most popular foods!
Stop off at Bruges' chocolate shops
We spent our afternoon wandering around the streets and enjoying the beautiful architecture. Of course, we had to visit some of the many Bruges chocolate shops in the city centre, where we tried a selection of samples. Belgian chocolate is delicious!
The Chocolate Line is a good shop to visit. It offers an insight into the process of making chocolate and features flavours from Asia, Brazil, and Italy, along with regular favourites.
Take a break at Minnewater Lake
After our chocolate feast, we decided to head to Minnewater Lake. This picturesque body of water is a must-see destination for anyone visiting Bruges, providing a peaceful escape from the bustling city streets.
Minnewater Lake is known as the "Lake of Love" due to a local legend about two lovers who jumped into the lake rather than be separated. Today, it's a popular spot for romantic walks and picnics.
The lake is surrounded by lush greenery and historic buildings. At its centre is a triangular-shaped, floating designer school that brings students and visitors out to this leafy area of Bruges. For us, it was the perfect place to relax after a morning of non-stop sightseeing.
Discovering local Belgian dishes away from the crowds
Eager to try a local dish for dinner, we headed down the cobbled streets and found a local restaurant serving the Bruges speciality, Belgium stew. Also on the menu was the local delicacy, moules-frites, which are mussels served with fries.
The stew was delicious, and the atmosphere was authentic. It was a welcome treat from the "tourist restaurants" serving pizza, pasta, and burgers scattered around town.
If you want to do a guided food tour in Bruges, you will experience more traditional restaurants to taste local and regional Belgian dishes.
Day two of three days in Bruges
Morning coffee
The city is filled with independent coffee shops and cafes, and to start our day off, we headed to one close to our hotel. After refuelling, we began our day of sightseeing in Bruges with a canal cruise.
Take a fairytale cruise along Bruges' canals
Rozenhoedkaai is the top photography spot in Bruges, with its wide canals and historic buildings. It is such an iconic view that Google Maps has it tagged as 'Bruges Photo Point'! It is also one of the many places to catch a canal cruise in Bruges.
Once on board, a trip along the canals reminds you why the city is called the "Venice of the North." Cruising along the waterways is so charming.
I loved seeing the historic buildings and cute stone bridges from the water, as they reminded me of Venice.
Bruges is smaller than Venice, but a boat trip around its canals is a must on any trip to Bruges. The journey lasts for around 30 minutes and has commentary in English. Your captain will give you information about the history of Bruges' surroundings, which adds interest to the boat ride.
Take part in a beer flight and discover delicious Belgian beers
Beer tasting is a big thing in Bruges, and as we had heard about the wide variety of beers available, we decided to try a "beer flight".
A "flight" consists of beers ranging from intense and dark to light and fruity flavours for all palates. I am not a beer drinker, but I was prepared to try some fruity options. After all, when in Bruges, it would be rude not to!
We chose to visit Bourgogne des Flandres Brewery, which is situated along a cobbled street with an outside seating area overlooking the canal.
We chose the six-beer flight option, accompanied by a cheese board and tapas meatballs (optional). I discovered two of the lighter, fruitier varieties that were pleasant, and I thought it was an enjoyable way to spend a few hours.
De Halve Maan is another beer-lover's dream. This 16th-century family brewery, owned since 1856, offers a 45-minute tour focusing on beer production.
The journey takes you along passageways and onto the roof for a panoramic city view and finishes with a tasting.
If you want to learn more about the different varieties of beer in Bruges, head to the Beerwall at 2BE. It is a popular tourist attraction in Bruges and has a large area out the back where you can enjoy a pint or two.
Visit Bruges' tallest tower at the Church of Our Lady
After our canal cruise, we wandered through the cobbled streets to see the Gothic steeple and spire of the 13th-century Church of Our Lady.
At 379 ft, this is the tallest building in the city and, remarkably, the third tallest brickwork tower in the world, preceded only by two church towers in Germany.
Visitors can climb the 264 steps to the flat-roofed tower for a panoramic view over Bruges.
Sadly, during our Bruges visit, the church was closed to visitors. Even so, looking up at its tower from the ground was impressive.
Take part in a walking tour to familiarise yourself with the city
After a leisurely canalside dinner, we did an inexpensive Bruges walking tour with Legends Tours.
This 90-minute tour was fun and informative, allowing us to learn more about this historic European city.
I love walking tours, as they are usually run by locals who give you insider snippets about the destination you are visiting. This includes quiet spots to check out, great restaurants and bars, and general helpful information to make your stay a positive experience.
Day Three in Bruges
Join a Bruges city sightseeing bus tour
We took the 90-minute City Tour bus on our last day, which we boarded in Grote Markt.
It took us around the city's places of interest, and in hindsight, I would recommend doing this on your first day in Bruges to get your bearings.
The bus tour took us to the windmills on the city's outskirts, the only place we hadn't already visited.
Sint-Janshuismill, built in 1770, is the oldest working windmill in Bruges. It still stands in its original position and is open to the public. The Musea Brugge Card allows you to enter for free.
There are now only four out of the twenty-three mills that were around the city. You can walk to them from the city centre or hire a bike and fully discover the area.
Visit a museum in Bruges
Afterwards, if you have time, there are several museums in Bruges to visit that showcase unique collections.
Groeningemuseum features Flemish artwork from various periods, and Memling Museum showcases works from renowned artist Hans Memling.
If classical art isn't your thing, check out quirky venues like the Frietmuseum (French Fries Museum), the Torture Museum, examining historical instruments used for punishment, or the Choco-Story museum dedicated to all things chocolate; after all, you are in Bruges!
My honest opinion of Bruges
What month did I travel? August
How was the weather? It was hot and sunny.
Is Bruges a good place for solo travellers? Yes, it is a compact city and is one of the best places to travel alone in Europe.
Would I recommend the hotel?
Yes. Martin's Relais was a good base, slightly away from the busier part of town.
It was a boutique hotel with a charming interior. The room itself was large, with windows overlooking the canal.
Is Bruges worth visiting for three nights?
Most definitely, but if you are limited in time, you could condense a few of the main activities into a Bruges day trip from Brussels.
I loved the architecture, the canals, the beer and chocolate, and the ease of walking everywhere. The Eurostar journey is under four hours from the UK, making it an excellent place to head for a long weekend in Bruges.
Bruges is an ideal place to wander around and is one of the most beautiful places in Belgium.
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If you want more ideas for a 3-night city break in Europe, these blog posts are perfect:
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Angela Price: is an accomplished travel writer bringing extensive expertise and passion to the world of travel.
With over 40 years of globetrotting adventures under her belt and with a keen eye for unique experiences, she has established herself as an authoritative voice in travel, offering invaluable insights for fellow adventurers seeking to uncover the delights of worldwide destinations.
Her motto is “live life wandering not wondering”. Read more about Angie.
You had me at waffles and beer tasting. We're still waiting for travel to become a little more normal before heading back to Europe, but now I'm going to be craving waffles for the foreseeable future. Yum!
I hope you make it to Bruges - you won't be disappointed!
Bruges is such a beautiful town. I visited a few years ago but really enjoyed it. It's big enough to keep you occupied for a couple of days but small enough for you to feel that you've really seen it. I love your review & applaud the exploration of local beer, food & of course the waffles & chocolate. Now feeling hungry!
I think a return visit is necessary 😃
Bruges is definatly on my radar, now, thanks to you! This looks amazing 🙂
That's great! You will love it.
The choclate, waffles and cheeses are enough to entice me here! When I pack, I'll certainly need something with an elastic waist. What a fantastic looking trip. Bit of it look like Amsterdam, witht he canals and windmills. What an inspirational write up, I'll be adding this to my Euro trip next year.
It is a really cute place to visit and quite compact, I think you will love it.
Sounds like a great itinerary for 3 nights! I would definitely have a side of chocolate!
And the chocolate is soooo good !