Bruges is a city that makes you feel like you are stepping back in time. The cobbled streets and stone built bridges that connect various parts of the city over the beautiful canals are the main reason for this. Over 80 bridges grace the small city and they all make for the perfect back drop for a beautiful Bruges photo. 

The old town market square still features the colourful buildings put in place in the 15th century and the whole old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site put in place to protect the old Bruges that still reaps in the old world feel and remains so picturesque. Bruges is a relatively small city packed with plenty of things to keep you busy throughout your stay. From wandering around the Old Town to boating down the canal Bruges has something to keep everyone entertained and marvelling at the constant beauty around every corner. Since Bruges is so small you can explore the entire city in a small amount of time.

We had 24 hours in Bruges and managed to explore everything on our list below.

Things to do in Bruges 

Belfort tower

Belfort Tower is a medieval bell tower that is still in operation today. The bell tower is 83 meters tall and you can still the bells ring throughout the Old Town at certain times of the day.

Climb the 150 steps inside the bell tower to marvel at the panoramic view over the Old Town from the top. Look down over the market square and marvel at the cities beauty.  Explore the canals

Walking over the many bridges of the canals in Bruges is a welcome sight. We chose to hop on small speed boat tour of the canals for only 8 euros per person. We were driven around the canals we would not have reached on foot and given some details about our surroundings and the canal itself. With over 80 bridges in Bruges the boat trip allows you to see as many as possible in a short space of time. 

Belgian chocolate tasting

Every trip to Belgium is not complete without tasting some Belgian chocolate. Chocolatier shops line the streets of the Old Town and the smell of chocolate can be smelt in the air of the cobbled paved streets and alleyways. All kinds of chocolate is on offer including bars, truffles and waffles to reach everyones taste buds. Tours can be booked with tour operators or step inside one of the many chocolates at the right time to see them at work. Our favourite was the waffles topped with melted Belgian chocolate! 

Halve Moon brewery tour

Bruges is the only city in the world with a beer pipeline running underneath the city. The beer is made and prepared in the Halve Main Brewery in the heart of Bruges where you can take part in a tour which we highly recommend. The family run business has been passed down in generations and every aspect of the old brewery that could be kept has remained. The old machines, architecture and structure are a marvel to look at. Beer is still brewed and fragmented at the brewery and visitors can see working machinery. The beer is then transported through the multi-million dollar pipe line to the bottling stage on the outskirts of Bruges. After the tour head to the bar and restaurant to taste the beer at it’s freshest.   Bruges windmills
Head to the North of the city to walk riverside to see the Bruges windmills. Perched on top of a grass verge and hill the windmills stand tall.

The two windmills St janshuins and Koelwei Mills are still in working order and grinding producing the traditional windmill turn. Both windmills are still beautiful to look at, but head to St Janshuins to go inside and see the inner workings of the windmills and climb the steps to the top for the ultimate view. 

Dine in the main square

The main market square is one of the main tourist hot spots in Bruges, although a little touristy the beauty of the small restaurants in the main square is not to be missed. Colourful buildings take centre stage and you can eat either inside or outside on the terraces whilst marvelling at the beauty of the main square. Dine on a traditional meal such as steak stew in gravy with fries or muscles in white wine sauce with fries. Take in the views of the local area.

Fries actually originate from Bruges and you will find many shops and stalls selling fries with mayonnaise and ketchup.