Over a decade ago, while reading a Lonely Planet article on Belgium, a beautiful photo of a famous medieval town caught our eye. The photograph captured a stunning scene where serene canal waters reflected the medieval buildings lining its edges.
The photograph showcased Rosary Quay (Rozenhoedkaai), one of the most picturesque and iconic spots in Bruges. From that moment, we dreamed of visiting the place one day.
© Visit Bruges – Jan D’Hondt
When planning our first European vacation, we researched day trips from Brussels and shortlisted four destinations: Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp, and Dinant. Initially, we intended to visit Bruges and Ghent in a day, but we ended up dedicating the entire day to Bruges to explore it at our own pace.
On our third day in Belgium, after a brief visit to the Comic Museum in Brussels, we left for Bruges at around 12 PM.
How to Reach Bruges from Brussels
The most convenient and fastest way to reach Bruges is to hop on the direct SNCB train from Brussels Central. The journey takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes. On weekends, return tickets are half-price, and according to their official website, up to four children under 12 can travel for free with an accompanying guardian. We bought our return tickets from the vending machine at Brussels Central, which cost €36.
Alternatively, you can book a guided day tour via Viator, Klook, or GetYourGuide. If you prefer bus travel, Flixbus offers services from Brussels South to Bruges, and booking in advance can often be the most affordable option.
A Brief History of Bruges
Bruges is a city that perfectly blends medieval charm with a rich historical past. Founded in the 9th century by Vikings who utilized its canals for trade, Bruges became a prominent commercial hub by the 12th century, thriving in the wool and cloth industries due to its access to the North Sea. In the 14th century, it became part of the Hanseatic League, a powerful trading alliance connecting major European ports.
However, by the late 15th century, the Zwin River, which had connected Bruges to the sea, silted up, leading to the city’s economic decline. Bruges remained relatively dormant until the 19th century when tourism breathed new life into the city. Today, Bruges is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its serene canals, cobblestone streets, and well-preserved medieval architecture.
Exploring Bruges
After a scenic train ride, we arrived at Bruges Station and followed the route on Google Maps to begin our exploration.
We were to wait for Vidit, Mihir’s brother, who was on an official trip to Amsterdam and wished to join us in exploring Bruges. By the time, he reached, Bruges, we decided to have lunch.
From Bruges station, we crossed a bridge overlooking Beguinevest and went to Minnerwater also known as The Lake of Love. After taking a quick photoshop around Sashuise, we found ourselves at Wijngaardplein – a bustling square filled with tourists and lined with restaurants and cafés.
We decided to grab lunch at Venezia del Nord, where we enjoyed a delicious meal of pizza, pesto spaghetti, and local beers complemented by a very friendly service. By the time we finished, Vidit had arrived, and we were ready to dive into Bruges’ medieval charm.
We started by visiting Begijnhofbrug (Beguinage Bridge), then followed our map to reach Bruges Boat Tour while taking quick photoshops around Sint-Janskaai. Despite a little confusion navigating the lanes, we finally found the canal boat tour operator and were lucky enough to get on the last boat of the day after a short wait.
The 30-minute ride was accompanied by live commentary from the captain, offering beautiful views of the canals and a deeper appreciation for the city’s history. The boat tour started from Mariabrug and crossed the Sint-Janskaai to reach Wijngaardplein before taking a turnaround to reach Mariabrug again. The northward journey stretched all the way to Spiegelrei via the picturesque Rosary Quay (Rozenhoedkaai).
The relaxing canal tour offered a fresh perspective on Bruges’ medieval architecture, providing great photography opportunities to capture the beauty of the canals and their historic surroundings.
With most shops and cafés starting to close by the evening, we headed straight to The Old Chocolate House, famous for its hot chocolate. Unfortunately, they only offered takeaway by the time we reached, so we grabbed our drinks and headed to another café, Otomat, for some more pizza and beer.
Next, we made our way the Market Square (Grote Markt), where tourists seemed to have gathered in droves. One end of this vibrant hub is filled with outdoor cafés and the other end has medieval buildings adorned with striking architecture and intricate details, including the magnificent Provincial Court and the iconic Belfry of Bruges (Belfort). We didn’t have the energy to climb the 366 steps to the top, I’m sure the view from above would have been spectacular. The Belfry charges a €15 entry fee for those interested in the climb.
Our final stop was the breathtaking Rozenhoedkaai (Rosary Quay), one of the city’s most picturesque spots along the canal. After spending some time soaking in the views and snapping photos, we made our way back to the station, where we parted ways, each catching our respective trains.
It was truly a day well spent, and we absolutely recommend a trip like this to anyone visiting Belgium. In the future, we would love to return to Bruges and explore more of the city, along with Ghent and Antwerp, which remain on our travel list.
This article is now featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Brugge.
You may also like to read our experiences of exploring Brussels…
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