Bruges at a glance
Bruges (Brugge in Dutch) is a compact old town in Flanders, in the north of Belgium. Canals run through the center, and most sights are a short walk apart. Two squares do most of the work: the Markt (Market Square) with the Belfry, and the Burg with the city hall and the Basilica of the Holy Blood. They are two separate places, so a ticket for one does not cover the other.
The station is called Brugge. From there it is about a 20 minute walk to the Markt, or you can take a De Lijn bus. This site is an independent guide. It is not run by the city, by Visit Bruges, by Musea Brugge or by any tour operator, and the prices shown are those published for 2026.
A first day in Bruges
One day is enough for the main sights if you keep the pace steady. Book a Belfry time slot online first, then build the rest of the day around it.
- Morning: the Markt and the Belfry. Last admission is one hour before closing, and the stairs are steep.
- Midday: the Burg, the Basilica of the Holy Blood (free entry) and a chocolate stop.
- Afternoon: a 30 minute canal boat tour and a museum. From March to October the last boat leaves at 5:30 pm.
- Evening: the Beguinage and the Minnewater (Lake of Love). The Beguinage is open from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm, subject to change.
Our picks: Bruges tours
A boat ride with chocolate, a bike tour and a chocolate workshop.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Guided retro bike tour of the old town
A retro bike with a basket, a helmet, a local guide and a beer, lemonade or water.
Check availability →
Chocolate-making workshop with museum entry
A one-hour workshop with ingredients, entry to the chocolate museum, an audio guide in 11 languages (with a children's version) and a tasting.
Check availability →
Canal boat ride, chocolate tasting and guided walk
A licensed local guide, a chocolate tasting and a boat ride with a captain are all included. The listing shows no exclusions.
Check availability →Bruges tours and day trips
Walking tours, boat rides, tastings and day trips from Brussels, with live prices and availability.
Sights and places
The main pages of this guide, starting with what most visitors want to see.
Things to do in Bruges
Fifteen places from the Markt to the windmills, with prices and opening days.
Canal boat tour
Five jetties, one fare, 30 minutes on the water, and what changes in winter.
The Belfry
Tickets, hours and the 366 steps of the tower above the Markt.
Basilica of the Holy Blood
Free entry, the relic and the next procession on 6 May 2027.
Groeningemuseum and museums
Tickets, closing days and the Musea Brugge Card compared.
Beguinage and Minnewater
A residential courtyard founded in 1245 and the lake just beside it.
Food, seasons and getting there
Practical pages for planning the trip around the sights.
Bruges tours compared
Walking tours, bike rides and tastings, and the rules that guides follow in 2026.
Chocolate in Bruges
Choco-Story, workshops and two named chocolate shops.
Beer and breweries
De Halve Maan, Bourgogne des Flandres and what the tickets include.
Christmas market 2026
Dates, opening hours and the ice rink in the Koning Albert I park.
Brussels to Bruges
Trains, the station, buses, parking and a combined trip with Ghent.
Weather and best time to visit
Monthly temperatures and rainfall from the Brussels area.
Where to stay
Four areas compared, plus the city tax per night.
What to know in autumn 2026
Changes that older guides do not mention.
The Belfry is closed for maintenance
It is closed to visitors from 19 to 22 October 2026. Check the opening status before you go. Winter prices apply from 3 November: €15 for adults on weekdays, €16 on weekends.
Belfry guide →New closing days for two museums
Since 1 April 2026 the Groeningemuseum is closed on Mondays and the Gruuthusemuseum on Wednesdays. The Musea Brugge Card now costs €49 for adults and includes BRUSK.
Museums →Groeningemuseum closure announced
The museum has announced a closure of about four years from 11 January, with core works moving to BRUSK. Check the current status before you plan a visit around its paintings.
Buy your train ticket before boarding
Since 1 July 2026 the Belgian railways no longer sell regular tickets on board. Use the website, the app, a machine or a counter.
Brussels to Bruges →Winter Glow
The winter program runs from 20 November 2026 to 31 January 2027. The Christmas markets and the ice rink run from 20 November to 3 January 2027.
Christmas market →Roadworks near the station
Works around the station and the R30 ring road (phase 4) are planned to end in December, and preparatory works at the Krakelebrug continue until the Christmas holidays. If you drive or cycle, check the local traffic notices.
Getting around and costs
Small amounts that add up, 2026 rules.
Buses
De Lijn lines 1 and 2 run from the station past the 't Zand, the Sint-Salvatorskathedraal, the church of Our Lady and the Dijver. A ticket costs €3 and is valid for 60 minutes, and children under 6 ride free with a paying companion aged 12 or older.
City shuttle
The shuttle in the center runs daily from 7 am to 7 pm, with a stop about every 25 minutes. Since 1 July 2025 a regular single ride costs €3.
Night tax
For room-based accommodation the city tax is €3.75 per adult and night in 2026 and 2027. Check whether your hotel includes it in the displayed price.
Where to stay →Parking
Street parking in the center runs from 9 am to 8 pm for at most 4 hours. The P+R at Coiseaukaai is free, with bus line 2 into the center. Coaches may not drive into the center and use the Bargeplein instead.
Parking and trains →Bruges: frequently asked questions
Can I see Bruges in one day?
Yes, if you focus on the Markt, the Burg, a boat tour and one or two sights. Trains from Brussels take 1 hour 4 minutes on average, so a day trip is realistic. With a night or two you can add museums, the Beguinage and a brewery visit.
How much does the Belfry cost?
In 2026 adults pay €16 from 1 April to 2 November and €15 from 3 November to 31 March, with €16 on weekends and from 26 to 31 December. Visitors under 18 pay €14 or €13, and children under 7 enter free. Online booking of a time slot is recommended.
How much is a canal boat tour?
The 30 minute tour costs €15 for adults and €9 for children aged 4 to 11. Children up to and including 3 ride free. Individual visitors buy the ticket at the jetty, and the fares are valid until 31 December 2026.
Do I have to reserve anything in advance?
There is no general reservation rule for the old town. Individual canal boat tickets are bought on the spot. A Belfry time slot is best booked online, and Bourgogne des Flandres recommends a reservation, especially in high season.
When is the Christmas market in 2026?
The Christmas markets and the ice rink open on 20 November 2026 and close on 3 January 2027. The wider Winter Glow program runs until 31 January 2027.
Is this the official tourism website of Bruges?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It has no connection with the city of Bruges, Visit Bruges, Musea Brugge, Visit Flanders, boat operators, breweries or hotels.