A Complete One Day In Bruges Itinerary

Bruges is such a beautiful city, a truly magical town that I have been nonstop recommending to my friends after visiting it last year! No matter what kind of traveler you are or the kind of experience you are looking for, there will definitely be something that will make you fall in love with Bruges. The city has tons of things to offer all year round, and by the end of your day trip in Bruges, you’ll probably want to stay longer to keep soaking in the magic of the cobblestone streets and winding canals that define this quintessential European town. Brugge is visited by millions every year, yet somehow I found it to be one of the most peaceful places I have traveled lately. 
During this “One Day in Bruges Itinerary” I’ll take you guys through beautiful medieval architectural landmarks, picturesque canals and bridges, and  amazing restaurants and cafes serving mouthwatering seafood and beer. Furthermore, I will tell you all about some of the city's legends and myths, and will share my tips on where to buy the most delicious chocolate and beautiful interior design boutiques to do some shopping. Let’s get started!

What To Do In Bruges In One Day

STOP 1.  Minnnewater Park

As most of us will be getting to Bruges via train, the famous Minnnewater Park is an ideal first stop for our one day in Bruges. The park is located right across the main city train station, and contains the beautiful Minnewater bridge and the Lake of Love, as well as the insta-worthy Minne floating designer school. The area is not only picturesque, but also super relaxing and peaceful, making it perfect for a romantic walk with a loved one or just for some morning meditation by yourself. Definitely worth a stop!

Note: if you arrive to the city during the early morning hours, I recommend going on a self guided Bruges walking tour. Walking everywhere would give you tons of flexibility, will allow you to get a true feel for the city, and will help you to save some money as well.

If instead you prefer to save the walking for the city center, there are plenty of buses and taxis that will take you there from the train station. If you are visiting during the warmer months, renting a bicycle is always a great option in Belgium.

STOP 2. De Halve Maan & the Diamond Museum

Just outside of the main area of the city and a few steps away from the train station and Minnewater Park, you’ll find De Halve Maan, a beer brewery/museum that offers guided tours. Think of the Guiness factory in Dublin, but on a much smaller scale and still family run. If you are a beer lover or a history lover in general, don’t miss out on the opportunity to stop by De Halve Maan. The iconic Belgian beer has been brewed here for around 500 years!

If you are not a drinker and Der Halve Maan is not your cup of tea (or beer!) head towards the Diamond Museum instead to catch a glance at some of the most beautiful stones you could imagine. Several cities in Belgium are known for their diamonds, so you never know when you’ll come across the perfect stone!

STOP 3. The Church of Our Lady Bruges & Sint-Salvatorskathedraal 

The next stop during this one day in Bruges will be The Church of Our Lady Bruges. This Gothic style church is mostly known for its architectural style, and for the famous Michelangelo sculpture of the Madonna and Child.

The entrance to the church is free, but you have to pay a fee of 6 euros to view the artwork. Worth it for art lovers! You can also simply admire the church building from its grounds outside. 

Once you have explored The Church of Our Lady Bruges, you’ll want to keep making your way towards the city center. Just  a few steps away from the Church, you’ll find another church and one of the area’s main attractions, Sint-Salvatorskathedraa or the Holy Savior Cathedral. This famous Bruges church is the oldest parish in the city, and it has been part of the city’s history for 700 years.

If you want to go inside to check out the famous organ and paintings, entrance to the Holy Savior Cathedral is totally free, making it the more economical choice if you only want to see one church!

STOP 4. Bruges Town Center (The Belfry of Bruges, Markt, The Basilica of the Holy Blood, Burg Square)

There are many cute corners and amazing landmarks in Bruges, but Bruges Town Center with its Markt and Burg Square are definitely some of the most unique ones. The Burg Square (with the Basilica of the Holy Blood) is well-known for its intricate decoration and detailed design. The Markt is an iconic part of the city, especially during the holidays with the markets and Christmas decorations. The Belfry of Bruges just adds to the charm of the area, making it the perfect place to see several of the city’s most famous landmarks in a short amount of time. Everyone should at least walk through here while spending one day in Bruges!

STOP 5. Lunch

Once you have explored most of the incredible Bruges landmarks and attractions, it's time to enjoy some lunch before continuing to discover the rest of the city. There are many restaurants and cafes along the canals where you can eat delicious food in Bruges. It’s common knowledge that the area serves some of the most delicious seafood and beer in Europe!

You can go almost anywhere and have a great meal, but I recommend heading to Pomperlut. The restaurant is actually run by the owners, who serve amazing food and can be seen going around the tables. But why am I really recommending it? Well, the food and the wine are simply mouthwatering, and the atmosphere is perfectly country-chic. Plus, you won’t have to go far to find it: the restaurant is just steps away from the main town center attractions. Yet, it’s not filled with hordes of tourists, making it perfect for getting a true feel of the local cuisine! The restaurant isn’t really cheap and it’s almost always full, so make sure to book your table in advance or arrive early.  If you are looking for a more informal place serving brunch and lunch dishes (and even offering vegan options!) then That’s a Toast might be perfect for you!

STOP 6. Jan van Eyckplein Square

Next up in our One Day in BrugesItinerary will be Jan Van Eyckplein. This is another one of the well-known landmarks of Bruges. The square is not only surrounded by beautiful cobblestone streets, gorgeous medieval architecture, and incredibly picturesque buildings, it’s also right by the waters of some of the famous Bruges canals. A Statue of Jan Van Eyck stands in the middle of the square in honor of the Flemish painter.

STOP 7. Alleys & Shopping

One of the best ways to discover any city and one of the funnest things to do in Bruges is to walk around the streets and discover the many wonders off the beaten path. Bruges is the perfect city to do that! There are many bridges, cute streets, and wonderful stores in general. I definitely loved walking around Bruges, exploring alleys and visiting many local businesses (like chocolatiers!) and doing some window shopping along the way.

Note: When shopping for Belgian chocolate, you should pay close attention to two things: the prices (sometimes its less expensive to buy chocolate in bulk) and to the labels (the shop should clarify that they chocolates are handmade in the store or at least locally in Bruges, otherwise they are bringing the chocolate from other regions).

Abbeloos Antiques was definitely one of those hidden gems and one of the most beautiful stores we discovered off the beaten path. The interior design store/gallery showcased incredible artists and the some very dreamy pieces from Brazil and several countries in Africa. Definitely stop by here!

STOP 8.  Canals Boat Tour

Once you are done with the shopping and walking around Bruges, it’s time to discover the city from the water: via its canals! There’s no better way to do that than by taking an afternoon canal boat tour. There are several options online to book your boat tour, from well-known tourist companies to small private tours. The Canals Boat Tours are definitely a very popular activity in Bruges. 

Whether you’re choosing to book through one of the bigger companies or a private tour, make sure you book well in advance since they usually fill up fast, especially during the warmer months. You can buy tickets in Bruges, but there no guarantees during the busier months.

Note: I also recommend going to airbnb and search for Brugge experiences. I have found reasonable prices there and good packages.

Additional Tips for your One Day in Bruges Itinerary

As part of some extra tips for those wanting more information about the city, I have gathered a few notes below that you can easily add to your One day in Bruges Itinerary.

Languages

Belgium has three official languages: French, German, and Dutch. We noticed that most people spoke Dutch in Bruges, although I’m sure you won’t have any problems speaking in French or German. If you don’t know any of these languages or you are not confident enough to speak them, you’ll be just fine communicating in English, as most people here and as well as in Brussels will have at least some basic knowledge of English. 

How to get to Bruges from Brussels?

The most popular way to get to Bruges from Brussels is via train. The trip will last approximately one hour and will cost around 15 euros. We traveled this way and although we we didn’t stop at any of the other picturesque towns along the way, it was a great way to get to Bruges. If you have enough time to spare while traveling from Brussels to Bruges, renting a car would give you the flexibility to discover more of the Belgium countryside. This is always a great idea, especially if you are spending the night!

Best Time to Visit Bruges?

The high season in most European cities starts in June and runs through the end of September. However, in my opinion, the best time to spend one day in Bruges is during the fall or the winter holidays. I might be biased since we visited in the fall, but I think in this case the beautiful fall tones of the leaves and the famous christmas markets and decorations are even better than the warmer temperatures of the spring and summer. With that said, regardless of when you plan your visit, Bruges will surely captivate you with its magic!

Where to stay in Bruges?

Although we didn't spend the night in Bruges and decided to go back to Brussels that same day, we spent some time at the Hotel The Peellaert Brugge Centrum – Adults only, which seemed very cozy and inviting. To find more options  for your specific budget and taste check the many options available on bookin.com. Don’t forget that when you create an account and book ten nights through their site, you’ll get one night free!

General Travel Tips

 Bruges is a very special city, and just biking around or having a picnic is always a good idea. The city not only showcases beautiful buildings, but it has another fascinating aspect: many legends that say that Bruges is haunted! Pay attention around the city and you’ll find references to haunted places and spirits, which is a fun time if you’re interested in that kind of stuff. Plus, did you know that Bruges highway can be seen from the moon? We definitely loved learning all that, plus eating some mussels and tasting some wine and beer! I hope you love this place as much as we did, and please let me know in the comments what you thought about the Belgian city and if you enjoyed your day trip in Bruges.

For those interested in our full list of European destinations,  head over to our European Travel section. Did you enjoy reading this one day in Bruges itinerary? To find more Belgium recommendations (such a complete guide of how to spend one day in Brussels) click here.

Besitos from Bruges,

Laura

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