48 Hours in Bruges: Best Weekend Itinerary

An afternoon in Bruges is not enough. In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to spend a perfect weekend in Bruges with a detailed 48 hour Bruges itinerary covering the best things to do, where to eat, and hidden gems. Bruges is undeniably beautiful. Almost every corner looks like it belongs on a postcard. Yet many visitors rush through in just a few hours: they climb the Belfry, drink a beer and move on. They’re missing out.

I was a guest of Visit Flanders for this visit to Bruges, all opinions are my own.

48 hours in Bruges: The Perfect Weekend Itinerary

Bruges has architecture, great art and beer. The best place to start two days in Bruges itinerary is by seeing the great set-piece squares in the heart of the city, the Markt and the Burg.  I bought a Musea Brugge card that got me fast track into many of the places I visited.

Day 1 morning: Bruges Historic Centre 

Get up early to beat the crowds and head straight to the Grote Markt, from there we will climb a tower, meander through medieval streets and finish the morning with a boat trip

Bruges Markt (Grote Markt) – The Heart of Bruges

Right in the centre of Bruges is the Markt ringed on three sides by buildings that would not look out of place on a biscuit tin, housing many tempting bars. The fourth side dominates all the others with its towering bell tower.

Climb the Belfry of Bruges

The Belfort or Bell Tower rises 83 metres above the Markt. Should you feel so inclined you can climb the 366 steps to the top. On a clear day the views are stunning, I could see all the way to the coast. Be warned, those steps seem easy to begin with but get steadily steeper and narrower. Don’t do as I did and ignore the first two rooms thinking to see them on the way down, take advantage of the chance to take a breather! If you don’t fancy clambering up to the top, the 47 bells give a Carillon concert at 11am that you can listen to whilst sitting outside one of the many cafe’s that line the Markt.

Burg Square and Historic Buildings

Next door to the Markt is the Burg, the historical heart of the city and for centuries the heart of government. The set of buildings are reckoned to be the finest in Bruges and that is saying something!

Stadhuis

The Stadhuis or Town Hall is a magnificent fourteenth century concoction. When I arrived a Bruges couple were getting married there, what a place to tie the knot. Once inside, that Gothic architecture has been embellished with nineteenth century painting, it is like stepping into one of William Morris’s dreams.

Brugse Vrije

Brugse Vrije translates as the Liberty of Bruges, which means almost as little to me as the Dutch original! Plainly put it was the home of the Bruges court for centuries. Sounds dull, but it is far from it. Go inside to see one of the most magnificent fireplaces I have seen anywhere adorned with carvings of Emperor Charles V with a particularly prominent codpiece!

Heilig Bloed Basiliek or Basilica of the Holy Blood

Oh my word, what a tiny jewel box gem this is. This is a church on two levels one plain and one very fancy, both incredibly moving. The upper church was restored and painted in 19th century in full technicolor. It is home to a Holy Relic that purports to be the Blood of Christ collected by Joseph of Arimathea as he washed the dead body of Christ. 

I visited on a Sunday. Queuing on the steps that lead up to the church listening to a live broadcast of the service. As I entered the church the air was rich with the incense. Also the Relic was available to view.  A long line of churchgoers snaked around the ornate church, falling to their knees and crossing themselves fervently when they came face to face with the relic. Once a year on Ascension Day the relic is paraded in public, this is just one of Bruges’ many UNESCO listings.

Underneath the Basilica is the older Romanesque chapel of St Basil. On the day of my visit it was pretty deserted. After the bustle and extreme emotion of the Basilica, the peace and simple beauty of the chapel was very spiritual. Make sure you don’t miss what is West Flanders only Romanesque church.

Jan van Eyck Plein

Head north east from the Burg and you will get to Jan van Eyck Plein. Once upon a time this quiet corner was the epicentre of the port of Bruges. It would have been filled with people, ships and goods from all over the world. Now it houses a statue of Bruges’ most famous artist Jan van Eyck. It makes a fine place to sit for five minutes and take in the view.

Take a Canal Trip

Now is ideal time to enjoy a canal trip. Bruges is a city of canals and narrow streets. You will walk for miles. Take the weight off your feet and enjoy a canal trip. The drivers will tell you a bit of history as you float along for half an hour.  Voyages start from Huidenvettersplein, you can’t book in advance and queues can be long.  Tickets cost €15. https://www.visitbruges.be/en/things-to-do/sightseeing/bruges-boat

Rozenhoedkaai

Your voyage will start opposite the Rozenhoedkaai or Quay of the Rosary is one of the most photographed places in Bruges, with good reason. In a city full of beautiful views, this may be the most iconic. Visitors with selfie sticks abound trying to get the perfect shot of canal, medieval buildings and belfry all in shot.

Beguinage

You will also pass by the Beguinage on your journey. I confess that I when I heard the word Beguinage mentioned it meant nothing to me. Now I’ve visited I still don’t have a single word to describe it. It is like a town within a town. A collection of houses and a church arrayed around a green, surrounded by high walls and big gates. It is home to a group of religious women but it is not a nunnery. It is also a home to women who choose not to marry but who are not nuns. What it is beautiful and UNESCO listed! 

Day 1 Bruges weekend Afternoon – Churches and culture in Bruges

Bruges was one the wealthiest cities in fourteenth century Europe and so has a wealth of churches from that time. The skyline is dominated by three great towers: the Belfort, the Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk and St Salvatorskathedral. Popping into churches is one my favourite things to do and the ones in Bruges are especially fine.

Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk or Church of Our Lady

Once you have disembarked from your boat trip head for the Church of Our Lady.  Before you go in take a good look at the tower, the second highest brick built structure in the world! Inside you will find the only Michelangelo statue outside Italy. Charles the Bold is buried here. 

St Salvatorskathedraal or Holy Saviour Cathedral 

St Salvatorskathedraal is the Cathedral it is quite a bit plainer than its near neighbour the Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk, as such it is much quieter. What both have in common are amazing tombs. When I saw a sign pointing to tombs, I thought “Yep, I’ve seen tombs before. A knight and a lady lying next to each other.” Think again. These are the actual tomb chambers and have paintings on the walls. Worth visiting just to see these.

Sint Janshospitaalmuseum or St John’s Hospital Museum

OK, so not a church, but a monastery. The St John’s Hospital looked after people sick of mind and body until well into the 19th century, the collection of buildings survives and is well worthwhile wandering around just to get an idea of what a great monastic complex would have been like. Inside the hospital is a fascinating exhibition explaining the history and use of the site. Then you get to the main attraction, the Memling collection. Hans Memling was commissioned by the monks of St Johns to paint six altarpieces and caskets for holy relics. These masterpieces have remained in the building ever since. Wherever you saw these paintings they would be incredible but to see them in the place that they were commissioned for is amazing.

Make sure you when you tear yourself away from the Memlings to go upstairs. You will find yourself in a vast empty room, look up to see an intricate ancient structure of beams. 

Once outside the building turn left and left again to find the Apothecary of the Hospital, all polished wood and ceramic vessels.

Take a Bruges Brewery Tour

Finish your day with a brewery tour. What could be more Belgian than beer? Bruges even has beer running underneath its streets, with a pipeline running from the city centre brewery to the bottling plant on the outskirts. Bruges has two breweries Bourgogne des Flandres which has just returned after 6o years away and the Brouwerij De Halve Man which has been brewing in the city for six generations.

Brouwerij de Halve Maan

Beer has been brewed on the site of the Brouwerij De Halve Maan since the nineteenth century, your tour price includes a glass of Brugse Zot Blond at the end of the tour. You see the modern sealed stainless steel vats that are used today as well as the older more traditional methods. In the middle of the tour you find yourself on the roof of the brewery with grand views across the city. Should you not want a tour, the brewery is home to a courtyard bar and a restaurant overlooking the canal.

Day 2 morning – Bruges Itinerary Museums

On day two I spent the morning exploring Bruges excellent museums and in the afternoon I went in search of hidden gems beyond the canals.  Bruges was home to a group of painters called the Flemish Primitives, Jan Van Eyck was the most famous of them. The city is still home to several of their works.

Groeninge Museum

The Groeninge Museum houses a stunning collection of Flemish Primitives. There is a rather fine Madonna and Child, where Jesus, who looks like an old man, is transfixed by a green parrot held by Mary. Fellow Flemish Primitive Hans Memling can be found just around the corner. Hieronymus Bosch is here with a bewildering selection of fearsome mythical beasts. It’s not all 14th century painting: Surrealists Paul Delvaux and Rene Magritte get a look in.

BRUSK

A brand new art gallery in the heart of historic Bruges, so well hidden that you don’t actually see it until you are on top of it. It is a place to see special exhibitions and contemporary art. At the moment you can see Bigger Picture – Connected worlds of Bruges 900 – 1500 which takes a look at how connections from around the world helped Bruges become a powerhouse in the medieval era. In complete contrast the other half of BRUSK is filled Latent City by Refik Anadol, a digital powered installation that feels like a cathedral and stunningly beautiful.

Gruuthuse Museum

Housed in a rambling ancient mansion the Gruuthuse Museum is home to a collection of Flemishi applied and decorative arts.  My favourite? A colourful terracotta bust of Emperor Charles V.

Things to do in Bruges Day 2 Afternoon – Take a walk out of the centre of Bruges

Beguiling though the centre of Bruges is, the quieter streets leading out to the canals are just as charming and home to hidden gems.  I headed straight for the Adornes Domein and from there meandered. 

Adornes Domein

In the south east corner of Bruges you will find the Adornes Domein. This was the grand home of the Adornes family in the 15th century and remains in their care today. Pretty much unchanged since down the centuries. The Alms houses are now home to a history of the family. Also on show is the Jerusalem Chapel. Anselm Adornes, the founder of the dynasty, went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem and was so impressed by what he saw that when he came home he had the Jerusalem Chapel built. It is tiny and houses many family tombs, most incredible of all is the recreation of the tomb of Christ at the back of the chapel, it is housed in a space so tiny that you cannot stand.

After visiting the Chapel you can pop into the Scottish Lounge for a cup of coffee, make sure you do this – the room itself is unremarkable but look out of the window. You will see an orchard and garden a view unchanged for centuries. Adornes Domein admission costs €11.

Windmills

Arrayed along the banks of the outer canal of Bruges are a collection of windmills. You can go into one of them, the Sint-Janshuismolen, but I confess that I enjoyed seeing them perfectly lined up for photos.

City Gates 

There are four remaining medieval gates to Bruges left standing. The Gentpoort is the only one that you can go in. I confess I didn’t go inside but enjoyed looking from the outside. As the name implies … follow the road from here and you will end up in Ghent.

Godshuizen or Almshouses

Within the city walls of Bruges there are 46 complexes of Almshouses. Most are still homes, to qualify you need to be over sixty, own no property of your own and have lived in Bruges for at least a year. You can find some in Nieuwe Gentweg.

Look up and see the Madonna

Look up as you walk around the streets every other street corner seems to be adorned with depictions of the Madonna and Child. One even had this spectacular crucifixion.

Concertgebouw or Concert Hall

Bruges isn’t just old buildings. Even if you don’t want to attend a concert at the modern Concertgebouw take time to look inside. The building is stunning. It is built on springs to ensure perfect acoustics. You can do a self guided tour of the building and enjoy panoramic views from the rooftop. It even has a fine cafe to appreciate those acoustics whilst sipping coffee.

UNESCO Bruges

I love a UNESCO site. Bruges is a UNESCO Heritage spotters heaven. It has four of them! The whole city, not just the centre but all of it is a World Heritage City. The Beguinage, the city within the city for single ladies is also on the list. As is the Belfry, well to be honest it isn’t only Bruges’ belfry but the whole tradition of really really tall belfries in Flanders. Last on the list is Procession of the Holy blood when relic is taken from the Basilica and paraded around the streets of Bruges (I would love to see this).

Is the Musea Brugge card worth it?

First of all what is the Musea Brugge Card? It is a card that covers all the museums and historic sites operated by Bruges museums, including Stadhuis, Belfry, Brugse Vrije, BRUSK, Groeninge Museum, Gruuthuse Museum, Museum Sint-Janshospitaal and Apotheke and Sint-Janshuismolen.  The card costs €49 and is valid for 72 hours.  Crucially showing the card enables you to fast track queues, even better you can book time slots.  I visited eight places covered by the card, individually they would have cost me €84, so a hefty saving.  Yes, the Musea Brugge card is worth it, if you love to visit museums.  You can buy the card online or at tourist information offices. 

Where to Eat in Bruges

There’s no shortage of places to eat in Bruges. If you’re wondering where to eat in Bruges, these are some of the best restaurants in Bruges I personally tried.

• Nomad, ‘t Zand 12 – buzzy spot, great for breakfast and lunch near the Concert Hall
• Le Pain Quotidien, Simon Stevinplein – excellent breakfasts in a beautiful historic building

• Bistro Christophe, Garenmarkt – fantastic seafood and classic Belgian dishes
• Gran Cafe Passage, Dweerstraat – Art Deco setting with traditional cuisine
• Ellis Gourmet Burger, Simon Stevinplein – great casual option (teen-approved!)
• Restaurant Bonte B, Dweerstraat – fine dining and tasting menus for a special occasion

Where to stay in Bruges

Looking for where to stay in Bruges? These hotels are well-located and suit different budgets. I have stayed in all of them with and without children.

• Hotel Rose Red – If I am staying with Mr CW in Bruges this is the hotel I make a beeline for. Downstairs a traditional Flemish bar with great food and upstairs cool Scandi style rooms.
• Bonobo Apartments, Goezeputstraat – selfcatering, central, good for families
• Ibis Styles Brugge Centrum, Katelijnestraat – modern hotel in a ancient building, ideal for families

Getting to Bruges

Bruges is easy to reach from the UK by train, car or plane.

• The most convenient option is the Eurostar from London to Brussels (around 2 hours), followed by a one-hour train to Bruges.
• If you’re driving, you can take the Eurotunnel and reach Bruges in under two hours from Calais, though parking in the city can be tricky.
• Flying into Brussels is another option, with easy onward train connections to Bruges.

FAQ: 48 Hours in Bruges

• Is 2 Days in Bruges enough? Yes, in two days you can see all the main sites.  Three days would allow more time for sitting in cafés and visiting some of the smaller museums.
• What is Bruges famous for? Art, Beer, Lace and Canals, all in UNESCO listed city centre.
• Is Bruges walkable? Yes, in fact bringing a car is problematic.  
• When is the best time to visit Bruges?  For me spring and autumn are ideal, with good weather and not too many people.  August is best avoided, as the crowds are huge.  At Christmas Bruges is home to a cute Christmas market.

Bruges may be small, but it rewards those who slow down and explore beyond the main sights. Spending 48 hours in Bruges gives you time to discover its art, history and quieter corners … and that’s when the city really comes into its own.

Bruges isn’t the only great Belgian city for art, check out my post about Antwerp and her charming museums, Mechelen and Anne Boleyn, Ghent and the Mystic Lamb and Leuven, home to Stella Artois. Take a look at my guide to exploring Belgium by train. On the way to Bruges we spent time on the Belgian Coast.