Back in 2018, right after I’d moved to Spain to work as a language assistant, I was trying to choose my first weekend trip. Somehow, I came across a €12 flight from Madrid to Brussels, so that pretty much settled it. When I told my friends and co-workers I was going to visit Brussels, I got only one response: “Make sure you go to Bruges, too.”
I’d heard of Bruges, the capital of the Belgian province of West Flanders, but I wasn’t sure whether I’d have time to visit. I only was going to have two days in Belgium, after all. But in the end, I’m glad I decided to make the trip from Brussels to Bruges. Despite the rainy weather, Bruges was a charming little town.
Here’s why you should plan a day trip from Brussels to Bruges — even if you don’t have much time in Brussels.
Why Visit Bruges?
Although Brussels isn’t overcrowded with tourists as many European capitals are, it is still very much a bustling city with a metropolitan feel. Bruges, on the other hand, has so much small-town personality. The town sits on a series of canals, much like Amsterdam, and is sometimes referred to as the “Venice of the North.”
From the moment I arrived at the train station, I couldn’t stop taking photos. It took me nearly twice as long to make it to the city center because everything was so picturesque. Walking into town along the cobblestone streets, I lost count of the bikes parked in front of colorful doors. I didn’t see many other people on the streets, which made me feel like I had a secret piece of the city all to myself.
If you want a taste of quiet, everyday Belgian life, Bruges is worth a day trip. (Or, if you’re a big fan of movies, you might be interested in checking out the sights from the 2008 film In Bruges, starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson.)
Fun fact: since French and Dutch are both official languages of Belgium, the city has two names. “Bruges” is French, and “Brugge” is Dutch.
How To Get to Bruges from Brussels
Traveling from Brussels to Bruges by train is very simple. To find trains from Brussels to Bruges, you can either buy your ticket in person at the train station, or buy them online. When I went, I booked my tickets with RailEurope, and it cost about €21 each way from Bruxelles-Midi/Zuid Station, only a 20-minute walk from the city center. You should receive your tickets by email, so there’s no need to print them out.
Though had I booked my tickets for a specific time, they were open-ended; when I arrived at the station painfully early and asked the man at the information desk where to go, he informed me there was an earlier train departing in 2 minutes. I went to the platform and boarded immediately with no problems.
After boarding the train, the trip to Bruges was very quick. We stopped once, in Ghent, about 25 minutes into the journey. Then we continued on, another 25 minutes, and finally we arrived in Bruges at Station Brugge. From there, it was also a 30-minute walk to Market Square — maybe less if you stop to take photos less often than I did.
When it’s time to return to Brussels, the same rules apply with your train ticket. Head back to Station Brugge and take the earliest available train to your destination.
It’s worth noting: in Brussels and many other European countries, it’s likely that your ticket won’t be scanned until after the train has departed. (On my way to Bruges, no one checked my ticket at all.) Make sure you always have it ready for when the conductors make their way through the train.
What To See and Do in Bruges
Bruges has more than enough to keep you busy for an entire day (or even longer, if you choose). A great starting point is Market Square. Like the Grand Place in Brussels, Market Square is the town plaza and home to a number of impressive historical buildings. As its name implies, the square’s primary purpose was a market, dating back to the 8th century. These days, you’re more likely to see tourists marveling at the sights or taking a horse-drawn carriage ride. However, Market Square returns to its roots every Wednesday with a pop-up market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A 2-minute walk from the square, you’ll find the Basilica of the Holy Blood cathedral, originally built between the years 1134 and 1158. While this church may not be as majestic on the inside as many of its European counterparts, it does have a special claim to fame. Inside the upper chapel lies an important relic — a piece of cloth said to contain the blood of Jesus Christ. The blood was brought to Bruges during the 12th century, and the vial has never been opened since its arrival. The Procession of the Holy Blood takes place in the streets of Bruges every year on the Thursday before Easter.
If you wander toward the northeast of the old city, you’ll find the ancient Kruisvest Windmills overlooking the river. While many more once stood, now only four remain. They may no longer spin, but they’re still worth a visit – they’re great for photos, and one of them has a museum on the inside! Since you’re in the area, take the opportunity to meander through the City Ramparts, a 6-kilometer park surrounding the old town. See if you can spot all four of the old city gates around the perimeter: Kruispoort, Ezelpoort, Smedenpoort, and Gentpoort. All four have distinct styles and are an interesting reminder of the town’s medieval past.
Plan Your Day Trip to Bruges from Brussels
Buy Your Train Tickets: RailEurope or the train station ticket counter/kiosk
Brussels to Bruges Train Price: About €21 each way
Things to Do in Bruges: Guided Retro Bike Tour; Private Historical Walking Tour; Belgian Chocolate Workshop; Waffles n’ Beer Workshop
What else do you want to know about planning a day trip to Bruges? Let me know in the comments!
-Cathy
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Originally Published on November 5, 2018.
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