21 must do’s in Bruges | Belgium

I went to Bruges when I was a kid but I would sure love to rediscover the city! Here are my must do’s when in Bruges, Belgium.

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1) Jerusalem Chapel

The Jerusalem Chapel is a chapel from 1429 and belonged to the Adornes family.

Fun Fact: The chapel was inspired by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. 

2) Jan van Eyckplein

Jan Van Eyck is one of the most famous painters from the Golden Age. He developed the technique of oil painting. The Jan Van Eyckplein is named after him and has a statue of him.

Fun Fact: His house can still be seen in Bruges. This is also the house where he created the Lamb of God and Madonna with Canon Joris van der Paele. 

Fun Fact: Walk alongside the Spiegelrei and Langerei for some amazing views

3) Rozenhoedkaai

Rozenhoedkaai is your picture-perfect for the ideal postcard! It’s the most photographed place in Bruges. Look for yourself! 

4) Burg square

Burg Square (or Castle Square), used to be the location of one of the castles of the Count of Bruges. You can find the Basilica of the Holy Blood, town hall, and the courts of Justice at this square.

Fun Fact: Go to the Crowne Plaza to see the ruins of a Cathedral.

5) City Hall Bruges

The City Hall of Bruges is the oldest city hall of Belgium (14th century). The city hall has an amazing Gothic Hall, and murals depicting the history of Bruges. To the left of city hall, you will find the Court of Justice.

Fun Fact: It is said that this building was the inspiration of the city hall of Brussels.

6) Basilica of the holy blood

The Basilica of the Holy Blood is on the right side of the city hall. This basilica holds the relic of the holy blood which was brought in by the crusaders. The Basilica can be divided into 2 chapels: the lower chapel and the upper chapel. The lower chapel is built in the Romanesque architecture while the upper chapel was built in the Gothic style.  

7) Grote Markt Bruges

Bruges’ main square has that typical medieval Flemish look. You can find the following buildings on the main square: Belfry of Bruges, Provincial Pavilion, Historium, and a statue of Jan van Breydel.  

8) Belfry of Bruges

The Belfry of Bruges is 83 meters high and symbolizes freedom and wealth in the city. The Belfry has 47 bells of which the victory bell is from 1680. 

9) Provincial Palace

The Provincial Palace is the former meeting place for the provincial government of West Flanders. The building was built in the neo-gothic style.

10) Historium

The Historium is a museum that will tell you the story about the Golden Age in Bruges.

11) St Salvator’s cathedral

This church was first a parish church before becoming a cathedral.

12) Bonifacius bridge

Want to be in a fairytale? Go to the Bonifacius bridge and be amazed! You will be able to see the Church of Our Lady and Gruuthuse palace.

13) Church of Our Lady Bruges

The Church of Our Lady contains the sculpture of the Madonna with Child of Michelangelo. The sculpture is very famous as it’s the only sculpture of Michelangelo that left Italy during the time that Michelangelo was alive. 

Fun Fact: This brick church is the second-highest brick church in the world with 116 meters.

14) Sint-janshospitaal

If you want to see some painting by Hans Memling, you have to visit the Sint-Janshospitaal. The building was once a medieval hospital.

15) Groeningemuseum

The Groeningemuseum is a museum with a lot of paintings of our famous Flemish painters from the Middle Ages and Renaissance. 

16) Gruuthuse Museum

Gruuthuse Museum used to be the palace of Lodewijk van Gruuthuse who had the second-largest book collection in the world.

Fun Fact: A small private chapel connects the palace with the Church of Our Lady.

17) Almshouses

The rich people of Bruges set up these Almshouses for when they could not provide an income anymore. Today the elderly are living in the Almshouses. The oldest Almshouses can still be seen and are from the 14th century. 

Fun Fact: There are a lot of Almshouses in Bruges but here are some near the Gruuthuse Museum: De Meulenaere (bonaficus), Sint-Jozef (Nieuwe Gentweg 8-22), and Godshuis De Vos (Noordstraat 6-14).

18) Halve Maan Brewery

This brewery started in 1856 and is famous for its beer Brugse Zot. Make sure to do a brewery visit whenever you can! 

19) Beguinage Bruges

A Begijnhof is a place where women live in a community but not by religious reasons (so no nuns). It was very popular in the old ages but is not practiced anymore now. The nuns of the Order of St. Benedict are now living in the Beguinage.

20) Minnewater lake, bridge, and park

The Beguinage lies next to the Minnewater Lake, aka the Lake of Love. Walk the trail around the lake to Powder Tower (Poertoren). 

21) Brugse vesten

You can walk or even run the Brugse Vesten. While doing that, you can see the 4 remaining windmills and medieval gates of Bruges. 

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