Ten Irresistible Bruges Classics
- The Flemish Primitives : world - famous art from Bruges
- The Canals of Bruges : the city’s arteries
- The Beguinage and Minnewater
- The Centuries-old Bruges Skyline
- Burg and City hall : medieval opulence
- Almshouses (Godshuizen): charity frozen in stone
- Bruges’ City Festivals
- The World ’s Capital of Chocolate
- Bruges’ Cultural Shrines : culture with a capital C
- Lissewege : one of Flanders’ prettiest villages
Admire the unique and world-famous collection of pictures by the Flemish Primitives in the very city where they were painted. Or do you prefer ground-breaking contemporary art scene, or perhaps poignant and romantic folklore or majestic town palaces? The Bruges Museums will happily serve all your needs.
Experience the city by following an age-old tradition. Cruising Bruges’ canals - these remarkable city arteries you will discover secret gardens, picturesque bridges and wonderfully beautiful still lives. Although it sounds incredible, Bruges’ loveliest places ooze even more charm when you admire them travelling by boat.
Hushed beauty Some places are so beautiful that you will have no choice but to fall silent. The beguinage is such a beauty spot. When you amble through its quiet inner court, its purity will leave you speechless. Therefore take your time and while away along the romantic Minnewater where you will fully enjoy the age-old view.
Welcome Church of Our Lady (Onthaalkerk Onze-Lieve-Vrouw ), Belfry, Saint Saviour’s Cathedral. Three spires dominate the Bruges skyline each in their own way. The imposing Belfry has been the proud symbol of Bruges’ independence for centuries. The stiff climb up its stairs will be rewarded with an unforgettable panorama. The brick tower of the Church of Our Lady – the highest of its kind in Europe – exemplifies the craftsmanship of Bruges’ artisans. The spire of Saint Saviour’s Cathedral has recently been completely renovated.
Fly over Bruges in a hot air balloon. More info.
The Burg is one of the city’s handsomest squares. For more than six centuries Bruges has been governed from its 14th-century city hall, one of the oldest and most venerable in the Low Countries. All this time this remarkable historic building has dominated this majestic square. Nowhere else will you be able to experience the city’s wealth and affluence so strongly.
Godshuizen are tiny villages within the city’s ramparts. That’s how these medieval residential courts are best described. Centuries ago they were built out of mortar and charity. Today their picturesque gardens, whitewashed façades and glorious silence are the city’s havens of peace par excellence.
Infectious ambiance From the MA Festival’s ancient music and the rousing world music sounds of the Bruges Festival to the rocking Cactus Festival, the swinging Klinkers and the impressive film experience of Cinema Novo. Throughout the year the city’s festivals guarantee a wonderfully infectious and varied ambiance that’s impossible to ignore.
49 chocolate boutiques, the chocolate museum Choco-Story, a chocolate trail and a chocolate fair. It goes without saying that Bruges is the world’s capital of chocolate. The only way to discover this tasty universe is by eating and sampling chocolate, of course.
Bruges offers the possibility to experience culture under the best possible conditions. What about an opera at the state-of-the-art Concert Hall? Or perhaps a ground-breaking performance at the theatre? It is absolutely no coincidence that this grand building is one of Europe’s best preserved city theatres. Whatever you choose, you will be assured of a great time in an exceptional setting.
Barely a handful of bicycle miles from Bruges, the fine polder village of Lissewege welcomes you with open arms. With its charming canal, its renowned barn complex of the Abbey of Ter Doest, its whitewashed polder cottages, its imposing church steeple and its vast flowering meadows, it is no coincidence that Lissewege was elected one of Flanders’ prettiest villages.
