Bruges (Brugge) Belgium
How to Get There From Brussels
The train runs from Brussels Central to Bruges (Dutch) Brugge (French), via Ghent. We purchased tickets on the morning of travel, checking with the staff at the ticket counter that we could get on/off at Ghent. They said that we could and it didn’t matter if it was on the outward or return journey.
We walked into Brugge from the train station. This was an easy 20 minutes. Along the way, you get to see why the town is famous. You pass though streets filled with beautiful old buildings.
Church of Our Lady, Brugge
First place of interest was the Church of Our Lady, Brugge. It has the sculpture Madonna & Child by Michelangelo. There is a nominal admittance fee to get in. When you do visit, remember it is a functioning place of worship, so be quiet and act with respect.
Holy Saviour Cathedral
Nearby is the Holy Saviour Cathedral (Sint-Salvatorskathedraal). The tower is one of the highest buildings in Brugge and is easily identifiable. Go inside for a quick look at the stain glass windows.
Canals
The canals are a must see when you visit. We took a cruise that took around 30 minutes. We had a running commentary from the driver and got the best views. The town looks totally different from the water and many of the buildings look even better.
The Belfry
The belfry is the highest point in Brugge. For a small cost (2 Euros) you can climb to the top for magnificent views over the town and surrounding countryside. When we visited, the bells were playing hits from the 1960s and 70s. Absolutely fantastic.
Market Square
Just around from the belfry is the Market Square. The market wasn’t on the day we visited, but the square is surrounded by magnificent old buildings and there are many places there to eat and drink.
Basilica of the Holy Blood
The Basilica of the Holy Blood was our last stop. This little church, is highly decorated inside and out. It has a vial of blood, reputed to have been brought back from the crusades and claimed to be that of Jesus Christ.
Basilica of the Holy Blood
If we had more time, we could have easily stayed in Bruges for longer. There is so much to see and do and the old town has not been modernized like Ghent. A great place to spend a day and soak up the history and relax at the many cafes and restaurants.