The cobbled streets, old architecture, and a myriad of picturesque locations that won’t leave unfazed even the most sophisticated travelers – all these words are about Bruges, an old Belgian city, located in northwestern Belgium, 16 km away from the south of Zeebrugge. Though traveling was limited because of the COVID pandemic, we see that finally we are available to travel. Right now, all essential trips to Belgium are forbidden. If you land at Brussels Airport, you must have a negative PCR test and stay quarantined for at least 7 days.
The most popular travel destinations in Belgium are Antwerpen, Ghent, and Brussels. Bruges is frequently overlooked. However, this city is surely worth seeing as it has a variety of hidden gems. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the best places to visit in Bruges!
Visit a Hotel with Underground Ruins
On the surface, this history-laced Crowne Plaza Hotel is an ordinary hotel. But in fact, it keeps many secrets inside its walls. The old foundations of St. Donations church are located in its basement. They say that this church was built in 950 AD to keep the relics of Saint Donatian. In the 16th century, it became a cathedral.
This location is one of those hidden gems in Bruges and most travelers don’t even know about this place. When in Bruges, go to this hotel and ask a reception desk for help. They will surely let you see this place!
Purchase Unique Souvenirs in Antique Shops
As we have already mentioned, Bruges is a medieval city. If you like antique things, here you can find a wide array of unique items. Go to Langestraat Street, where you can find a myriad of antique shops and buy something special for yourself. This street leads to the Eastern part of the town and is overloaded with a variety of unique boutiques. For example, you can visit Den Elder (Langestraat 84) – a popular bookstore with second-hand books or Lilola (Langestraat 47) – a popular clothing store. Overall, if you like antique items, these small shops will undoubtedly make your day!
Climb up the Belfry of Bruges
This medieval bell tower, located in the center of Bruges, is a top travel destination for first-time travelers. The history of this tower goes back to 1240 and today, it’s a symbol of this city. It served as the municipal archive and an observation post.
Stroll through Groeningemuseum
It’s a well-known municipal museum in Bruges that was constructed on the site of the old Eekhout Abbey. It keeps the works of Jan van Eyck, Marcel Broodthaers, and many other talented Baroque and Renaissance painters. Overall, you can learn more about Belgian and Flemish paintings in this museum. By the way, a hidden park is located in close proximity to this museum where you can relax and enjoy the sounds of Bruges.
Visit the Smallest Street in Bruges
When in Bruges, don’t forget to visit the smallest street – De Garre. Although this street is a popular location, it is really hard to find it. It’s a side street of Breidelstraat; the street itself is situated between two shops in the middle of the tourist center. By the way, you can also taste famous Garre beer there!
Overall, all these places are surely worth seeing, but you need to plan your journey ahead, especially if you are pressed for time. Don’t hesitate to book a private airport taxi to Bruges to make your journey more comfortable. Having a taxi driver that will take you from point A to point B is a very convenient option. This will surely save you some time in order to get to Bruges.
