Sightseeing: Discover Bruges your way
It's your first time in Bruges and you don't know what to see first? Or do you already know the city like the back of your hand, but want to learn a bit more? Discover Bruges your way, at your own pace or with a guide. Sightseeing on foot or by bike, on a boat trip down the canals, or a horse-drawn carriage ride over the cobblestones, by minibus, Vespa or even by hot air balloon: the possibilities are endless. Which will it be?
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The first Kruispoort gate was built simultaneously with the second rampart (1297-1304) and already rebuilt in 1366...
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In the underground bike parking 't Zand (Concertgebouw side), you'll find Ben's Bike, where you'll meet Benedict...
The first Blacksmith’s Gate dates from 1297-1299; the current gate was built on the remains of the old one in 1367...
Step into the cobbled courtyard of the Adornes estate and it will immediately seem as if you have travelled hundreds of years back in time...
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The panoramic viewing platform at the base of the Swedish Quay, a real peninsula that forms the link between the outer and inner ports...
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An alley so narrow that you almost walk straight past: that’s Stoofstraat, where you can barely stretch out your arms...
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It can get very busy at Musea Brugge's reception pavilion at times, as this is where you buy your entrance ticket for the top locations of Gruuthuse Museum and the Museum of the Church of Our Lady...
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Parish church in simplified Gothic Revival style that was originally built around 1910, then rebuilt in 1951...
The beating heart of Bruges has long been dominated by the Belfry, 83 metres high and the city’s most prominent building...
The oak forest that gave its name to Groeninge has disappeared, but thanks to a water pump, a small hidden canal and the cheerful clatter of hooves this ancient street is still oozing with charm...
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This 14th-century farmstead houses a merry working children’s farm with a superb recreation area and a gaggle of farmyard animals...
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This simple Gothic single-nave church, built in the 17th century, surprises with the opulence of its rich Baroque interior - the result of donations by wealthy local patrons...
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In 1619, a Bruges lay brother, Pieter Huyssens, was commissioned to build a prestigious church that expressed the values and beliefs of the Jesuits...
A tour through the Hinterland of Bruges, passing through medieval towns such as Damme, peaceful Flemish agrarian villages and dead straight canals...
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Above, below, left, right, ahead and behind you: in Blind Donkey Street every square metre has something to notice...
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This corner, where the Grauwwerkersstraat turns into the Academiestraat, is popularly known as the 'Oude Beursplein' (Old Stock Exchange Square)...
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Windmills have graced Bruges’ ramparts ever since the construction of the outer city ramparts at the end of the 13th century...
On top of House ‘Bouchoute’ (1482), the house on the corner, there is a sphere covered in gold leaf...
The Belfry attracts all the attention, but behind it there’s a hidden, secret place: the Carthusians’ Street, named for the nuns who lived here until the end of the 18th century...
It is recommended that anyone who would like to discover the history of the port and the best preserved heritage sites of Zeebrugge buy the ‘heritage walking map’ in the Information Office...
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This mysterious burial ground is not only the oldest in Belgium, it is also a wonderful place of silence within walking distance of the city centre...
Niobe, is distraught, absolutely inconsolable and her tears ‘flow’ incessantly into the river Reie...
The imposing Gunpowder Tower is located next to the Lovers' Bridge and is an impressive 18 metres tall...
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Bruges’ oldest parish church (12th–15th century) has amongst its treasures a rood loft with an organ, medieval tombs, Brussels tapestries and a rich collection of Flemish paintings (14th-18th century)...
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The mathematician and physicist Simon Stevin (born in Bruges in 1548, died in The Hague in 1620), after whom the square is named, stands proud on this lively square, which is framed by neat rows of linden trees...
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Tucked away between the Fish Market and the Rosary Quay, you’ll find the Tanners Square, one of the intimate little squares with which Bruges abounds...
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A visit to Bruges is not complete without a boat trip on the Bruges canals, the arteries of the city...
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The Bruges horse tram lets you get acquainted with all the fine things of Bruges’ city centre in an original way...
This residential area with social housing in West Bruges might seem light-hearted, but make no mistake...
At the right corner of Wollestraat street you will undoubtedly notice this stately, late Gothic mansion, Perez de Malvenda House...
When the Ten Duinen Abbey (now the Grootseminarie, or Major Seminary) was erected in 1628-1642, a carillon tower was built on the south-east corner of one of the wings that contained 26 bells...
The church tower of the Gothic Our Lady of the Visitation Church was built in 1265 but never completed when funds ran out...
The Old Water House, built on the city ramparts, guaranteed water supplies to the medieval city and even then was regarded as one of the wonders of Bruges...
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Whether you're a photography rookie or a true pro, Andy McSweeney will take you to the city's most photogenic spots...
The 75-minute port cruise takes you past the naval base, the Pierre Vandamme Lock (one of the largest locks in the world), the gas terminal, the wind turbine park, the ‘tern’ island, the cruise ships and the dredging vessels while massive container ships are unloaded at the quay...
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With Flanders Fields Battlefield Daytours, discover the attractions of the Westhoek and the Great War...
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The 'guides with a twist' have been providing themed walks and cycling tours in and around Bruges since 2006...
In 1994, the Palace Hotel, which in the meantime has been renamed the 'Residence Palace', was declared a monument...
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The 'Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaerde' with its white-coloured house fronts and tranquil convent garden was founded in 1245...
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The world port of Zeebrugge is the second-largest port in Belgium and is inextricably linked to Bruges...
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If you’re searching for a peaceful place to rest by the water in the heart of the city, head for the small but delightful Capuchins’ Square...
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This magnificent 15th century city palace was built to impress, and it’s been doing so in style ever since...
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With 'hospitality' as a central theme, the museum immerses you in the history of care and healing...
Explore the polders of Lissewege by taking the Ter Doest walk and enjoy the beautiful panoramic views presented to you...
The Ezelstraat, one of the most important roads leading from a city gate, is a street just waiting to be explored...
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From this mansion, the Liberty of Bruges (the countryside in a wide area around the city) was once governed...
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The Burghers’ Lodge was built between 1395 and 1417 and was commissioned by the commercial elite of the time, the burgesses of Bruges (patricians and merchants)...
The romantic charm of the Wijngaardplein is simply irresistible to passers-by, but take your time here - there is a lot to see...
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The old fishing port exudes great atmosphere and conviviality; the appealing no-nonsense ambience comes for free...
80 homes on 1 hectare of grounds: these won Pandreitje a well-deserved Belgian architecture Award...
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Discover all the city’s most romantic places and historical sites of interest in a unique and ecological way...
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Somewhat hidden behind the marina, you will find the Belgian Naval Base, built at the end of the 1960s...
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Giuseppe Penone thanks the nurses of the St John's Hospital for their efforts in caring for the body and soul of everyone who has ever stayed here...
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The Nepomucenus Bridge may be a bit of a tongue-twister, but the bridge boasts a statue of the patron saint of bridges...
In these renovated workers’ houses you will discover more about daily life in Bruges during the 19th and early 20th centuries...
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In this church, the only one in the city centre with a tower clock, many of the great Bruges artists have been buried...
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Did you know that Zeebrugge is the home port of the Askoy II, the legendary sailing yacht of singer Jacques Brel...
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A 'surprisingly ‘strokeable’ sculpture named ‘Untitled’ adorns the Groeninge Museum's courtyard garden...
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The Omookaai is situated at the end of a peninsula, right between the busy container port and the former fishermen's quarter...
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Even if you’ve never heard of Guido Gezelle, the famous Flemish poet-priest, it’s impossible to miss his statue in this splendid spot...
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Discover Bruges’ Hinterland in style: book a guided tour with a snazzy Vespa scooter and traverse the green polders, authentic villages and breath-taking landscapes...
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Experience with Quasimodo Tours a personal and memorable trip (English spoken) to Passendale, Hill 60, Messines Ridge, Hellfire Corner on the Menin Road, the private museum at Hooge Crater (or other private museum), several Commonwealth and German cemeteries, trenches and bunkers, the Menin Gate and numerous Australian, New Zealand, Canadian, British and Irish monuments...
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During this excursion to the Westhoek, a guide (explanations are provided in English) will tell you about the events that led to WWI and how this tragedy unfolded...
This Gothic mansion was built in the second half of the 15th century by Jan III de Baenst (1483), a local politician and chamberlain of the Duke of Burgundy...
The very photogenic Boniface Bridge may be one of the youngest bridges in Bruges, but it sums up the city perfectly...
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Windmills have graced Bruges’ ramparts ever since the construction of the outer city wall at the end of the 13th century...
Each and every one of the city’s lovely canals is a jewel, but without doubt the loveliest is the Groenerei...
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Accompanied by a real Bruges native, you will discover some hidden city gems for two and a half hours...
Time has not stood still in Bruges, and so it happens that the medieval access roads are not always fit for 21st century traffic...
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The Bruges belfry is 83 meters high and contains a carillon with 47 fine-sounding bells, the brass weighing 27 tons in total...
The work of art by Jean Bilquin that forms part of the Beaufort Sculpture Park along the Belgian coast...
The Carmelite Bridge stands at the epicentre of the canals and is also one of the city’s many renowned sights...
Don’t worry if you can’t choose between the 14th century Meebrug and the 17th century Peerdenbrug...
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In Bruges, you often get the feeling that you’ve strayed into a picture postcard, and nowhere is that more true than on the King’s Bridge...
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The 13th-century brick Church of Our Lady of Visitation is a textbook example of ‘coastal Gothic’...
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If Bruges’ residents, driving or cycling along the Potterierei or the Langerei, suddenly realise they need to be on the side of the canal, they turn off onto the Snaggaard Bridge, which was probably named after the local Snaggard family, mentioned in documents as far back as the 12th century...
The Basilica of the Holy Blood was elevated to the status of Basilica in 1923, due to the special veneration of the Holy Blood...
The enchanting Pottenmakersstraat meanders partly along the water, and rewards you with surprising discoveries...
With its bobbing boats, the Coupure is a taste of the South of France in the city centre, a delightful haven of rest...
In memory of all the fishermen who never returned, a sixteen-meter-high concrete cross was erected in the fishing port as early as 1936 in line with the plans of Bruges architect Jozef Viérin...
Fresh North Sea fish used to be a delicacy for the rich, and was originally sold on Market Square...
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Benedictine nuns from Gistel settled here as early as 1623 after the turbulent Beggars (‘Geuzen’) era...
St Magdalene’s Church (Madeleine in Brugge) is one of the earliest neo-Gothic churches in continental Europe...
Discover Bruges from a bird's eye view with Spildooren Ballooning, a family-owned company with more than 25 years of ballooning experience...
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The Koninklijke Gidsenbond van Brugge (Bruges Guides) was founded in 1926, making it the Bruges guide association with the richest history...
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The name of this small cobbled square possibly refers to the first city walls, built nearby in 1127-1128...
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A balloon flight above UNESCO World Heritage City of Bruges with Up Ballooning is an experience you will always remember...
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The Lake of Love may often steal the show, but do be sure to take some time to check out the Lock keeper's house as well...
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This literary and biographical museum about the life of Guido Gezelle (1830-1899), one of Flanders’ most famous poets, was established in the house where he was born, situated in a peaceful working-class district of the city...
