Bruges

Getting to Bruges

Bruges shares its airport with Ostend (OST IATA). The Ostend-Bruges International Airport has a long runway and a seaside location providing for a picturesque approach, but its passenger traffic is pretty much limited to seasonal flights to holiday destinations. It is also a major hub for cargo airlines, so planespotters may find it of interest.

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   Brugge station during

   The journey from Brussel-Zuid (Dutch) or Bruxelles-Midi (French) to Bruges takes about an hour.

Worth seeing

Bruges was known as a "dead city" for centuries. The sanding of the harbour and the difficulties of digging canals in the sand caused heavy economic burdens on the city between the Middle Ages and the 20th century. The population managed to survive but did not grow as there was no new industrial activity during that period.

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   Grote Markt

   The market square is the heart of the old town.

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   Groeninge Museum

   Known as 'The city museum of Fine Arts', it houses a collection of artworks that span several centuries (14th-20th), focusing mainly on works by painters who lived and worked in Bruges.

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   Basilica of the Holy Blood

   It houses a relic: a vial of blood that is said to be that of Jesus - and was built in the Gothic style.

4. 04
   Brewery De Halve Maan

   This brewery is the only remaining that's still brewing beer inside the city walls.

5. 05
   Onze Lieve Vrouwkerk

   A fascinating church with architecture from the Romanesque and Gothic periods.

Things to do

Grote Markt and Belfry Climb, Grote Markt (the big square). Tue-Sun 09:30-17:00. Climb the 366 steps to the top of the 83-m-high tower. Excellent views of the city, Grote Markt and hear the bells ring up close. €16 for adults 26+; discounts for children & youth.. Canal Tour.

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   Ambassadors Tours Bruges

   Markt Square (in front of the Belfry Tower, look for the yellow umbrellas), hello@ambassadorstours.com.

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   Bruges Ballooning

   Daily hot air balloon flights over the historic centre and its surroundings.

Where to eat

If you are looking for a great place to eat in Bruges, avoid all of the restaurants in the central market square ("Grote Markt"). No matter how pleasant the view from there may look, they will offer you low-quality, overpriced food, served to you by waiters who are as rude and as slow as they are underpaid. One tactic used by such tourist trap restaurants at the central market is to present items (e.g.

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   Books & Brunch

   An ideal combo of second hand book store and a brunch/dessert-eatery (but you can just have a cup of coffee or a tea too).

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   The Olive Street Food

   An authentic Greek takeaway place just a minute of walking away from the Belfry/Grote Markt.

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   Brasserie Medard

   Two options on the menu: vegetarian, non-vegetarian - both at the same price.

4. 04
   Le Pain Quotidien

   A sandwich chain founded in Brussels but now found in the US, France and a number of other countries.

5. 05
   The Potato Bar

   One of the better fries shops (frietkoten/frituren) Bruges has to offer.

Getting around Bruges the local way