Guidebook for Bruges

Jesse
Guidebook for Bruges

Drinks & Nightlife

My FA-VOU-RITE bar, packed with locals. Stella on draught is fantastic. Cheap snacks, good music, great atmosphere, what else does one need?
67 locals recommend
L'Estaminet
5 Park
67 locals recommend
My FA-VOU-RITE bar, packed with locals. Stella on draught is fantastic. Cheap snacks, good music, great atmosphere, what else does one need?
This bar has its own beer which is like no other. You can only get three of these since the owner doesn't like calling ambulances. When in your drunken haze you hear the Bolero, it's time to get out.
42 locals recommend
De Garre
1 De Garre
42 locals recommend
This bar has its own beer which is like no other. You can only get three of these since the owner doesn't like calling ambulances. When in your drunken haze you hear the Bolero, it's time to get out.
In Daisy's beer temple, seats are scarse since every beer lover in the world knows about this great place. If you drink each beer on the menu and live, you stay for free.
44 locals recommend
't Brugs Beertje
5 Kemelstraat
44 locals recommend
In Daisy's beer temple, seats are scarse since every beer lover in the world knows about this great place. If you drink each beer on the menu and live, you stay for free.
cheap beer, good music !
9 locals recommend
Snuffel Hostel
42 Ezelstraat
9 locals recommend
cheap beer, good music !
Grab a beer with a croque monsieur "op grootmoeders wijze" in this cozy bar. Joey is the dog's name, not the owner's.
15 locals recommend
Joey's bvba
4 Zuidzandstraat
15 locals recommend
Grab a beer with a croque monsieur "op grootmoeders wijze" in this cozy bar. Joey is the dog's name, not the owner's.
You'll find two authentic local-packed basement bars down this street: Poatersgat (The Friar's Ass) and Comptoir des Arts. All the beer you could possibly wish for.
6 locals recommend
Vlamingstraat
Vlamingstraat
6 locals recommend
You'll find two authentic local-packed basement bars down this street: Poatersgat (The Friar's Ass) and Comptoir des Arts. All the beer you could possibly wish for.
Bruges best-kept secret. Only open on Sunday evenings. Very special atmosphere. you gotta see it, to believe it.
Twijnstraat
Twijnstraat
Bruges best-kept secret. Only open on Sunday evenings. Very special atmosphere. you gotta see it, to believe it.
Oldest bar in town. Great authentic place to grab a drink, meet the locals and enjoy their courtyard.
68 locals recommend
Vlissinghe
2 Blekersstraat
68 locals recommend
Oldest bar in town. Great authentic place to grab a drink, meet the locals and enjoy their courtyard.
Great place to just grab a beer (no chairs) and enjoy the fantastic alternative music choice.
Het Verdriet Van België
1 Sint-Jansstraat
Great place to just grab a beer (no chairs) and enjoy the fantastic alternative music choice.
Probably the only place where your Orval is served at the proper temperature. Cosy, cat-friendly bar, bartender with an occasional temper included.
Stoker House (T)
7 Langestraat
Probably the only place where your Orval is served at the proper temperature. Cosy, cat-friendly bar, bartender with an occasional temper included.
When all bars are preparing to close, this former stripclub (notice the sleazy mirrors) starts waking up. No disco dancing, just good beer and an occasional appatizer on the house...
On the rocks
5 Grauwwerkersstraat
When all bars are preparing to close, this former stripclub (notice the sleazy mirrors) starts waking up. No disco dancing, just good beer and an occasional appatizer on the house...

Sightseeing

Museum with works of the Flemish Primitives - the medieval masters. One might call it the Louvre of Bruges :-)
84 locals recommend
Groeninge Museum
12 Dijver
84 locals recommend
Museum with works of the Flemish Primitives - the medieval masters. One might call it the Louvre of Bruges :-)
366 steps take you up to the 'observation deck' of this medieval belfry tower. Go when the clock strikes the hour for a ear-banging show. BOING!
95 locals recommend
Belfry of Bruges
7 Markt
95 locals recommend
366 steps take you up to the 'observation deck' of this medieval belfry tower. Go when the clock strikes the hour for a ear-banging show. BOING!
Most iconic picture in town. You can hop on a boat for a guided tour of the medieval canals. Price: about €6/person.
25 locals recommend
Rozenhoedkaai
Rozenhoedkaai
25 locals recommend
Most iconic picture in town. You can hop on a boat for a guided tour of the medieval canals. Price: about €6/person.
Only brewery left in the city centre. A guided tour ends with a Brugse Zot - the city's local beer - on the roof terrace. A beer and a view!
72 locals recommend
Huisbrouwerij De Halve Maan
26 Walplein
72 locals recommend
Only brewery left in the city centre. A guided tour ends with a Brugse Zot - the city's local beer - on the roof terrace. A beer and a view!
Go see a part of town where locals hardly see tourists. Very beautiful scenery, especially after dusk during weekdays.
11 locals recommend
Jan Van Eyckplein
11 locals recommend
Go see a part of town where locals hardly see tourists. Very beautiful scenery, especially after dusk during weekdays.
Locals catch their rays and frisbees here when the weather is up for it. Three-day music festival during the second weekend of July. Find me here in front of the stage sipping a beer from a cup.
29 locals recommend
Minnewater
Minnewater
29 locals recommend
Locals catch their rays and frisbees here when the weather is up for it. Three-day music festival during the second weekend of July. Find me here in front of the stage sipping a beer from a cup.
Apparently a must-see for tourists, since hords of them line up at the bridge to have a glance within the walls of this medieval nunnery...
62 locals recommend
Begijnhof
Begijnhof
62 locals recommend
Apparently a must-see for tourists, since hords of them line up at the bridge to have a glance within the walls of this medieval nunnery...
Second tallest gothic church in Belgium - thanks a lot Antwerp... - holding a statue of the Madonna with child by THE Michelango. Definitely check out the medieval bridge behind the church.
49 locals recommend
Church of Our Lady Bruges
Mariastraat
49 locals recommend
Second tallest gothic church in Belgium - thanks a lot Antwerp... - holding a statue of the Madonna with child by THE Michelango. Definitely check out the medieval bridge behind the church.
The newest tourist attraction: this multi-sense experience takes you on a trip through medieval Bruges, following the footsteps of Flemish painter Van Eyck's assistant. Some say it's too pricy though.
65 locals recommend
Historium Brugge
1 Markt
65 locals recommend
The newest tourist attraction: this multi-sense experience takes you on a trip through medieval Bruges, following the footsteps of Flemish painter Van Eyck's assistant. Some say it's too pricy though.
This medieval hall with authentic wooden ceiling is a must-see. Grab your ticket on the ground floor of the TownHall and wait till the newly-weds come down (on Fridays and Saturdays, that is...:)
14 locals recommend
Bruges City Hall
12 Burg
14 locals recommend
This medieval hall with authentic wooden ceiling is a must-see. Grab your ticket on the ground floor of the TownHall and wait till the newly-weds come down (on Fridays and Saturdays, that is...:)

Food Scene

Mathieu serves the best waffles in town! The one with chocolate and banana is to die for. Also, try his home-made ice cream: de-li-cious. His fro-yo is better and cheaper than the one down the street.
8 locals recommend
oyya - waffles and ice cream
1 Noordzandstraat
8 locals recommend
Mathieu serves the best waffles in town! The one with chocolate and banana is to die for. Also, try his home-made ice cream: de-li-cious. His fro-yo is better and cheaper than the one down the street.
Wanna grab a great cup of freshly brewed beans? This Brazilian-run coffee place is just the place you're looking for. Free Wifi included.
Dweersstraat
Dweersstraat
Wanna grab a great cup of freshly brewed beans? This Brazilian-run coffee place is just the place you're looking for. Free Wifi included.
Great place for a vegetarian meal during weekdays. They only have one dish a day during lunch time, so things are very fresh and very affordable.
6 locals recommend
De Bron Vegetarian
82 Katelijnestraat
6 locals recommend
Great place for a vegetarian meal during weekdays. They only have one dish a day during lunch time, so things are very fresh and very affordable.
Grab Belgium's finest chips at one of these green sheds below the Belfry tower.
137 locals recommend
Markt
Markt
137 locals recommend
Grab Belgium's finest chips at one of these green sheds below the Belfry tower.
This adorable restaurant down the street offers great food. It has friendly staff, a laid-back atmosphere and an affordable menu.
14 locals recommend
Mojo
4 Schaarstraat
14 locals recommend
This adorable restaurant down the street offers great food. It has friendly staff, a laid-back atmosphere and an affordable menu.
Ever eaten your Italian-inspired pasta dish out of a cardboard cup? Try it at this fast and cheap pasta place. On weekdays, very popular with the school kids during lunch break.
21 locals recommend
Bocca
2 Recollettenlei
21 locals recommend
Ever eaten your Italian-inspired pasta dish out of a cardboard cup? Try it at this fast and cheap pasta place. On weekdays, very popular with the school kids during lunch break.
World-famous 'shock-o-latier' Dominique Persoone sells his exquisite chocolates here. If you want to taste the best, then why not buy from the guy who delivers to the Sultan of Oman. Quality comes with a price tag, though...
49 locals recommend
The Chocolate Line
19 Simon Stevinplein
49 locals recommend
World-famous 'shock-o-latier' Dominique Persoone sells his exquisite chocolates here. If you want to taste the best, then why not buy from the guy who delivers to the Sultan of Oman. Quality comes with a price tag, though...
Great place for reasonably priced chocolates. Why not grab a fresh hot chocolate or coffee while you're at it.
7 locals recommend
Chocolaterie Dumon
11 Simon Stevinplein
7 locals recommend
Great place for reasonably priced chocolates. Why not grab a fresh hot chocolate or coffee while you're at it.
Chip shop, which leaves all competition way behind. Even local 3-star-chef Gert De Mangeleer gets his chips here. Need I say more?
10 locals recommend
Frituur Bosrand
108 Koning Albert I-laan
10 locals recommend
Chip shop, which leaves all competition way behind. Even local 3-star-chef Gert De Mangeleer gets his chips here. Need I say more?
If you forgot your favourite read, you can always go drink a cup of coffee and enjoy breakfast or lunch while catching up on your reading time. Closed during weekends.
17 locals recommend
Books & Brunch
30 Garenmarkt
17 locals recommend
If you forgot your favourite read, you can always go drink a cup of coffee and enjoy breakfast or lunch while catching up on your reading time. Closed during weekends.
14 locals recommend
Kombuis
26 Van Iseghemlaan
14 locals recommend
20 locals recommend
GALERIE BEAUSITE
39 Albert I-promenade
20 locals recommend
De Spieghel bvba
1 Jacob van Maerlantstraat

Essentials

Buy your buns or bread at this place! Croissants that will make your tongue melt. Surely, one of the best baker's in Belgium.
19 locals recommend
Patisserie Schaeverbeke
2 Schaarstraat
19 locals recommend
Buy your buns or bread at this place! Croissants that will make your tongue melt. Surely, one of the best baker's in Belgium.
Early birds grab their freshly-baked buns, roasted chicken and fresh greens at this farmer's market. Wednesdays below the Belfry Tower, Saturdays opposite the Concert Hall.
137 locals recommend
Markt
Markt
137 locals recommend
Early birds grab their freshly-baked buns, roasted chicken and fresh greens at this farmer's market. Wednesdays below the Belfry Tower, Saturdays opposite the Concert Hall.

Shopping

You can build your hotels in this street in the Belgian version of Monopoly :-) But no hotels in real life - only shop after shop after chocolate shop.
28 locals recommend
Steenstraat
Steenstraat
28 locals recommend
You can build your hotels in this street in the Belgian version of Monopoly :-) But no hotels in real life - only shop after shop after chocolate shop.
If second-hand goods are your thing, buy your gear here. Everything from glasses to washers.
De Kringwinkel
169 Langestraat
If second-hand goods are your thing, buy your gear here. Everything from glasses to washers.

Getting Around

This bike store offers the cheapest rental bikes in town (€ 6/day). Jesse says: ride your bike to Damme and get inspired by the beautiful scenery along the (car-free left side of the) canal.
9 locals recommend
De Ketting
23 Gentpoortstraat
9 locals recommend
This bike store offers the cheapest rental bikes in town (€ 6/day). Jesse says: ride your bike to Damme and get inspired by the beautiful scenery along the (car-free left side of the) canal.

Parks & Nature

If you're looking for a nice running track, just look for the mills on the edge of town. Running around the city takes 8km.
24 locals recommend
Vesten
24 locals recommend
If you're looking for a nice running track, just look for the mills on the edge of town. Running around the city takes 8km.
Damse Vaart of Kanaal Brugge Sluis