Bruges walking tour & city guide

The Markt and the Belfry

The heart of Bruges is the Markt, a broad square lined with colorful step-gabled houses and dominated by the 83-meter Belfry. Climb its 366 steps for a view over the red rooftops, and listen for the carillon of 47 bells that plays across the city.

Next door, the Burg square holds the Gothic City Hall, one of the oldest in the Low Countries, and the Basilica of the Holy Blood, which keeps a relic said to contain drops of Christ's blood.

Canals, the Begijnhof and the Minnewater

Canal boats leave from several jetties for a half-hour trip under low bridges and past the Rozenhoedkaai, the city's most photographed corner. Walking the quiet quays at dusk, when the bridges are lit, is just as beautiful.

In the south, the whitewashed houses of the Begijnhof surround a peaceful garden, once home to a community of religious women. Beyond it lies the Minnewater, the 'Lake of Love', with swans and a park. Nearby, the Church of Our Lady holds a marble Madonna and Child by Michelangelo.

Practical tips

Bruges is small and best explored on foot or by bike. Day-trippers crowd the center at midday, so staying overnight lets you enjoy the empty streets in the morning and evening. Trains run from Brussels in about an hour, and the beaches of the Belgian coast are 15 minutes away.