Bruges - Bruges

Disambiguation - For toponyms of identical name, see Bruges (disambiguation).

Bruges (in historical Italian Bruggia, in Flemish Brugge) is a city of Belgium in the region of Flanders and is one of the best preserved medieval cities inEurope. In 2002 it was the European capital of culture also known by the nickname of Venice of the north.

To know

The historic center of the city is part of theUNESCO.

When to go

Even by Belgian standards, Bruges has a poor reputation for its climate. Compared to other Western European cities like London is Paris, the climate in Bruges is colder and wetter. Even in July and August, the daily average maximum temperatures struggle to exceed 21 ° C and the average rainfall is 203 mm per month. In the fall, temperatures drop quite quickly and the winter months are wet and cold.

The summer visitor should always be prepared for rain and bear in mind that warm, sunny weather is not constant throughout the season. The daily and monthly temperature variations are quite small - the maximum and minimum averages do not exceed a range of 9 ° C.

Background

It was one of the most important European cities. Between the twelfth and fifteenth century it was a prosperous town with fabric factories and an artistic center, it was also a thriving business and trade center thanks to the power of its merchant class. In the 15th century it was abandoned when the watercourse that connected it to the sea dried up, dealing a severe blow to the city's economy. Bruges which had been the hub ofEurope he fell into a sleep that would last 400 years. In fact, Bruges has been known as a "dead city". The sand of the port and the difficulties in digging canals 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 were no new industrial activities during that period.

How to orient yourself

Bruges is enclosed in a circle of oval-shaped canals that follow the layout of the ancient walls.

The medieval center is gathered in two squares very close to each other: that of the market (Grote Markt) and that of Burg. The first is dominated by the imposing civic tower, the second by the town hall and the Basilica of the Precious Blood (Heilig-Bloedbasiliek).

Equally close are Vismarkt, the fish market square and Huidenvettersplein, a small square surrounded by restaurants.

• Markt - The market square on its sides you can admire wonderful artistic vestiges dating back to the Middle Ages. The square is dominated by the Burg - This square was for over 500 years the seat of the Counts of the Flanders, today it houses the tourist office and the most evocative buildings in the city. There Heiligbloed Basieliek namely the basilica of the holy blood it takes its name from the relic of the Blood of Jesus transported here between 1150 and 1200. The church is divided into two distinct parts: the lower chapel dating back to the 12th century in Romanesque style, the upper chapel in Gothic style which contains the precious relic. Another beautiful building is the Stadhuis one of the oldest municipalities in the whole Belgium built between 1376 and 1420 it has a very decorated Gothic facade. Next to it we note the Brugse Vrije literally freedom of Bruges a medieval administrative building.

How to get

By plane

• 51.2002782.8702781 Ostend Airport (Aéroport international Ostende-Bruges, Internationale Luchthaven Oostende-Brugge IATA: OST OACI: EBOS), Nieuwpoortsesteenweg 887-889, ☎ 32 59 551211, @[email protected]. Bruges shares its airport with Ostend. Ostend-Bruges International Airport has a long runway and a seaside resort that offers a picturesque approach, but unfortunately sees limited passenger traffic, practically limited to seasonal flights to tourist destinations. It is also a major hub for cargo airlines.  

More useful as a point of arrival is the domestic airport of Brussels, the largest in Belgium, as well as that of Charleroi (Brussels south) e Lilac, then getting to Bruges by train is by far the easiest way. Only one change is needed at one of the three main stations and the whole journey takes approximately 1.5 hours.

• 50.9013894.4844442 Brussels International Airport (IATA: BRU) (Located in Zaventem, 14 km north-east of the center). Brussels International Airport is the busiest of the two.  
• 50.464094.4651583 Charleroi Airport (IATA: CRL) (Located 57km south of downtown). The airport of Charleroi is reserved for low-cost airlines.  
• 50.5633333.0869444 Lilla Lesquin Airport (IATA: LIL).  

By car

If you are planning a van tour: be aware that vans and camping vehicles are not allowed in the city center. There is a car park on the south side of the city with a newly designed walkway leading directly into the heart of the city. In general it is a bad idea to venture inside with a car, as parking is difficult to find. There are multi-storey car parks a five-minute walk from the city center. The city minibuses navigate the city with high frequency and, in any case, the historic center must be crossed on foot, by bicycle, by horse-drawn carriage or by boat to fully enjoy it.

On boat

• Port of Zeebrugge. Important port of Bruges.

P&O Ferries makes a daily navigation every evening from Hull to Zeebrugge taking 12.5 hours for the crossing. Fares do not include the bus from the ferry terminal to Bruges train station, which is GBP 6.75 per person (one way).

DFDS Seaways Ferries operates with ferries from Dover to Dunkirk every 2 hours. From Dunkirk, Bruges is 75 km away. But this route can only be done with a vehicle as they do not take passengers on foot. A DFDS ferry to Holland from Newcastle upon Tyne make a trip every day. From its port of IJmuiden, Amsterdam can be reached from Bruges in less than 3 hours by car.

Virtually all of them dock at the main port of Zeebrugge. In addition to ship tours, most offer shuttles to Blankenberge, a nearby town offering an inexpensive hourly train service to Bruges just 20 minutes away.  

On the train

• 51.1976223.2179195 Bruges station (station Brugge), Stationplein 5 (15 minutes walk from the city center). Automatic ticket machines for domestic service. The station offers paid parking (Centrum-Station), free parking (Stationplein and Spoorwegstraat), covered pay and uncovered parking for bicycles, brewery, sandwich bars, minimarket.

All hotels are easily accessible on foot, even with a backpack. However, if you have a suitcase, consider taking a taxi, as the cobbled streets make it very difficult to use wheeled suitcases or hand luggage. Also make sure you wear comfortable shoes, due to the pebbles.

From Brussels

Traveling to Bruges with Belgium's excellent rail system is a natural choice. Trains to and from Brussels they depart every 30 minutes during the day (approximately 1 hour). You can also travel from Brussels-Central or Brussels-North on the same line. If you are traveling on the Eurostar on the same day, this cost can be included in the ticket if it shows "Any Belgian station". Luggage lockers are available from 06:00 to 22:00. For more information on timetables, prices and services, visit the website NMBS / SNCB. For groups of travelers under 25, a 10-ride card might be the cheapest choice, and offers 10 pre-paid rides between Belgian train stations.

Be aware that trains are often full to and from Bruges, especially during rush hours, so there is a risk of standing all the way or at most sitting in the carriage entrance area.

From Lille (France)

From the train station of Lilac, there are trains every hour. Although crossing the border could lead to the inability to use reductions such as the 10-trip card.  

By bus

• 51.198113.218616 Station bus terminal (In the station square). 
• 51.195623.216487 Flixbus, ☎ 33 1 76 360412. The flixbus buses leave from here. 
• 51.203893.2176538 Bus terminal Bruges. 

How to get around

By public transport

Citizens move mainly by bike but a small bus network still covers the city. They are operated by the Flemish public transport company De Lijn. They frequent almost all the main points of interest in addition to the train station.

By taxi

You will find taxis on the Markt and in front of the train station they cost around € 10.

By car

• 51.2049683.2172999 Interparking 't Zand, 't Zand 17, ☎ 32 50 33 90 30. 

By bike

One of the best ways to see Bruges however is to rent a bike although the cobbled paths can make the walks a little uncomfortable.

On foot

The historic center is not that big and therefore quite walkable (make sure you wear comfortable shoes). However, if you intend to get off the beaten track by tourists, the path gets longer, but you gain in authenticity of the views.

What see

Beyond the canal that surrounds it and beyond the city walls, Bruges opens up street after street in charming historic houses and a canal always nearby. The recently renovated houses and small canals are centuries old. If you can avoid the chocolate shops, you can visit some quieter areas like S. Anna and imagine what life must have been like in the late Middle Ages. The historic center of Bruges and its belfry are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

There Brugge City Card offers free admission to most major attractions and can be picked up at one of the hostels in town or at the information office on the Markt. The reduced rate cannot be used in conjunction with a student rate (student and city cards are identical) and is therefore more useful for older travelers.

Bruges is visited by a huge number of tourists and it gets quite annoying at times, especially around the Markt and Burg squares. The important thing to remember, however, is that very few tourists venture far from the main shopping area, so if you want some peace and quiet you simply need to explore the many cobbled streets away from the main squares.

Burg

• 51.208063.226941 municipal building, Burg.  
• 51.2083333.2269442 Basilica of the Holy Blood (Basilique du Saint-Sang / Heilig-Bloedbasiliek), Burg. Free admission. museum and treasure room € 2.50. Mon-Sun 09: 30-12: 30, 14: 00—17: 30. A beautiful church on the Burg square. It houses a relic - a vial of blood said to be that of Jesus - and was built in the Gothic style. Try to arrive early to be able to see the chapel when it is quiet and not full of tourists. And don't forget to visit the chapel below in heavy Romanesque style, contrasting with the beautiful upper Gothic light. There are often masses in several languages, very popular with the faithful who come especially for the relic. Remember to respect devotion.  
• 51.2083783.2275693 Brugse Vrije, Burg.  

Markt

• 51.208613.223894 Market Square (Markt). The historic center of the city. South of the square you can admire the bell tower of the most notable monument in the city, built from the 13th to the 16th century. Admire the market halls and old houses that line this pedestrian square. The bell tower of the civic tower rings every 15 minutes with a different motif.  

• 51.2082723.2248225 Civic Tower (Belfort van Brugge), Markt. Symbol of Bruges, the massive 84-meter-high Bell Tower dates back to the 13th century. It is also known as "Halletoren" (Market Tower). The upper part, octagonal in shape, was added at the end of the 15th century. It is possible to climb to the top of the tower via an internal staircase of 366 steps. Going up there is the triumph bell, the clock, an 18th century carillon and its 47 bells with a total weight of 27 tons still played by hand. The Treasury room is located on the 2nd floor.  
• 51.20893.22526 Provinciaal Hof, Markt. Neo-Gothic building which today houses the provincial government of West Flanders and the city's post office.  

Other

• 51.2047223.2244447 Notre-Dame de Bruges (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk). Entrance to the church is free. To see the "Madonna with Child" € 5 from 18 to 26 years, from 26 to 64 years € 6, over 65 € 5, under 17 years free. The ticket office is outside the church in a modern pavilion which is also valid for the nearby museum. The 122 m tower. it is the highest in Belgium after that of the cathedral of Antwerp. There church of Our Lady is known for its artistic masterpieces, inside you can admire the sculpture of Michelangelo depicting the Madonna and Child dated 1504 bought in Italy (one of the few sculptures by Michelangelo found outside Italy). Other works of art worth noting inside are the Crucifixion of Antoon Van Dyck, the Transfiguration of Christ by Gerard David and the tombs of Charles the Bold and Mary of Burgundy.  

• 51.2055083.2214148 Cathedral of San Salvatore (Sint-Salvatorskathedraal), Sint-Salvatorskoorstraat 8, ☎ 32 50 336 841. The main town church topped by an unusual 99-meter tower with neo-Romanesque spiers. It became the cathedral of Bruges in the 19th century, following the demolition of the old city cathedral that stood in front of the town hall.  
• 51.219173.230839 Church of Our Lady of Ceramics (Onze-Lieve-Vrouw ter Potterie), I would power 79, ☎ 32 50 448 777. Museum set up in a suggestive deconsecrated Gothic style church with Baroque additions. There are paintings, sculptures, furniture, tapestries, stained glass windows, cutlery and antique utensils on display.  

• 51.23.21666710 Beguinage of Bruges (Begijnhof). Throughout history, many women have failed to find a man, as men were more likely to die in accidents or a war. Those women could "marry God" and become a beguine. The beguinage, also known as a 13th-century convent, offered protection to those single women. Located between the city center and the station, with small whitewashed houses and beautiful plane trees, it is a quiet place to stroll - groups are discouraged.  

• 51.212223.2344411 Église de Jérusalem (Jeruzalemkerk). In a quiet area of ​​the city, a very particular church with an octagonal tower built by the Adornes brothers, merchants of Italian extraction. It includes a beautiful black Tournai marble tomb, late Gothic stained glass windows, and a tiny and rather spooky chapel containing an effigy of the dead Christ. The entrance ticket also covers the Lace Museum in the former residence of the Adornes, where local women and girls can be seen learning this traditional craft.  

• 51.215493.2380912 Mills. The last mills are located outside the city beyond the gates of the old city. Just a short walk or better: ride a bicycle and walk along the canal that borders the mills. The St-Jean mill and the Koelewei mill (located more on the outskirts of the city) can be easily visited. 
• 51.199523.2239813 Minnewater Basin. A quiet and romantic park on the outskirts of Bruges. It is on the road between the train station and the city center. 
• 51.211113.2294414 Church of Santa Valpurga (Sint-Walburgakerk), Sint-Maartensplein, ☎ 32 50 44 46 46. Mon-Sun 11: 00-18: 00. It was built in the Baroque style between 1619 and 1643 as a church of the Jesuit College. The baroque pulpit is splendid.  

• 51.207363.2277915 Famous photographic point (Rozenhoedkaai). This corner between the canal and the buildings opposite is one of the most famous in Bruges and appears in almost all postcards and tourist photos of the city. In addition to being a photographic point it is undoubtedly a very romantic part and always full of tourists who sit outside in the neighboring clubs in summer. It should be noted that opposite is the 2-be pub which can also be visited. 
• 51.2106413.22074816 Église Saint-Jacques (Sint-Jakobskerk).  
• 51.2116533.18082217 Capella Onze-Lieve-Vrouw van 't Boompje (Notre-Dame de l'Arbre).  
• 51.2119523.22363518 Église du Sacré-Cœur (Heilig Hartkerk).  

Museums

• 51.2061113.22638919 Groeninge Museum (Groeningemuseum), Dijver 12, ☎ 32 50 448 743. € 8. Tue - Sun: 09: 30-17: 30. Closed Mon. Important art museum with collections of works by Flemish and Belgian artists from the Middle Ages to the current and historical avant-gardes of the 20th century. It houses the finest art collection in the city with works ranging from the 14th to the 20th century. The most famous of the collections is the one dedicated to Flemish primitives.  

Some works exhibited at the Groeningemuseum

• 

  Madonna of Canon van der Paele by Jan van Eyck

• 

  Portrait of Margareta van Eyck

• 

  Triptych of the Judgment of Bruges by Hieronymus Bosch

• 51.2038923.2228420 Hans Memlingmuseum (San Giovanni Hospital), Mariastraat 30 (In the 12th century St. Janshospitaal chapel). 8€. Tue-Sun 09: 30-17: 00. It houses for the most part the works of the German-born Flemish artist Hans Memling (1435-1440) exhibited in a wing of the old hospital of San Giovanni.  
• 51.204123.2233821 Expo Picasso, Mariastraat 38, ☎ 32 50 476 100. Works by Picasso, Miró, Chagall and others exhibited in a wing of the former hospital of San Giovanni. 

• 51.20543.2251622 Arentshuis, Dijver 16, ☎ 32 50 448 743. Museum set up in an old 18th century noble house. There are works by British artist Frank Brangwyn on display. There is also the Kantmuseum (i.e. Lace Museum) with a varied collection of lace. 
• 51.205283.2247223 Gruuthusemuseum, Dijver 17, ☎ 32 50 44 87 11, @[email protected]. Full € 12, seniors and young people € 10, combined with Notre-Dame de Bruges € 14 (Jun 2019). Tue-Sun 9: 30-17: 00. Museum of Applied and Decorative Arts contains personal items, tapestries and sculptures. Set up in a 14th century patrician house converted into a Monte della Pietà in 1623. The museum reopened in 2019 after 5 years of restoration.  
• 51.21343.233224 Popular life museum (Museum voor Volkskunde), Balstraat 43, ☎ 32 50 448 743. 6 € (April 2018). Tue-Sun 09: 30-17: 00. Reconstruction of 17th century interiors, pharmacy and various shops plus a bedroom with period furniture. Extra-temporary exhibitions are held on the upper floor 

• 51.21453.237325 Guido Gezellemuseum, Rolweg 64. The birthplace of the Flemish poet-prelate Guido Gezelle (1830-1899), now transformed into a museum. 
• 51.20273.225926 Diamond Museum (Diamantmuseum), Katelijnestraat 43, ☎ 32 50 342 056. Individual € 6, Groups € 4.50, Students € 3. 10:30-17:30. The diamond museum has a wide range of exhibits ranging from mining to polishing and all the history in between. There is a polishing demonstration every day at 12:15 pm. 
• 51.20263.2241627 De Halve Maan Distillery, Walplein 26, ☎ 32 50 332-697. The admission price includes a drink of Brugse Zot or Straffe Hendrik and is served after the visit on the outside terrace or inside bar. € 12 including 1 beer (€ 11 if booked online). Apr-Oct: Mon-Sat 11: 00-16: 00, Sun 11: 00-17: 00. This brewery is the only remaining city brewery that still produces beer within the city walls. It is also a beer museum and offers a tour of the brewing process. A history of the brewery is provided and an overview of the city from its tower. The tour lasts 45 minutes and is a good way to get a feel for Belgian beer. Tours start at the exact time of the shift, you must be on site at least fifteen minutes early as there is a maximum number of people who can join. 
• Archeologisch, Mariastraat 36. 
• 51.2000583.22932328 Simbolik - Study and exhibition of the works of Nathalie Beelprez, Katelijnestraat 139, ☎ 32 495 307056. free. Tue-Sat 10 am-6pm, other days by appointment. A house, an open studio where thoughts and ideas are born, a place where Beelprez can mix these thoughts and feelings in a symbolic language of forms, his soul, his calligraphy, his world, his language. While working in his studio, his exhibition is open. There is a selection of handmade letters, wall objects, light objects, canvas paintings, ceramic letters, writing on walls, also works on request. Also, every first Sunday of the month at 3pm is Poëziene: a place where poets, musicians or artists bring their work to this place. 

• 51.2105563.22611129 Choco-Story Museum, Wijnzakstraat 2 (Sint-Jansplein), ☎ 32 50 612237. € 7. 10:00-17:00. This museum is a must see for chocolate aficionados as it describes the processing from cocoa to chocolate. Its tasty low-cost displays make it worth it (and Belcolade's mildly advertising marketing). Be sure to stay for the chocolate exhibit to get some excellent samples.  
• 51.20993.228230 Lucifernum (retsin's lucifernum), Twijnstraat 6-8. € 6. Sun 18: 00-21: 00. An amazing (private) art gallery with a gothic cemetery in a subtropical garden located in the old Freemasons temple (1756-1882). 1,000 m² of art and mystery in the historic center of Bruges. 

City gates

• 51.21253.2431 Kruispoort, Langestraat. Part of the ramparts of the second city from 1297. The current gate dates from the early 15th century.  

• 51.204443.2122232 Smedenpoort, Smedenstraat. The first entrance was built in 1297-1299, but was rebuilt in 1376-1378. Subsequently there were several changes to the building. The access is completely surrounded by water. A renovation in 2009 revitalized it.  
• 51.215563.2155633 Ezelpoort, Ezelstraat. Just like the Smedenpoort this entrance is completely surrounded by water. Nowadays it is only used by pedestrians and cyclists. The gate was formerly also called Oostendsche Poort (Ostend Gate) as the road through the gate led to Ostend.  
• 51.202783.2344434 Gentpoort, Gentpoortstraat. One of the four remaining city gates which form part of the second city ramparts from 1297. A museum is housed in the gate building.  

Events and parties

What to do

• Grote Markt and Belfry, Grote Markt (the central square). € 6 with Bruges card / € 8. 09:30-17:00. Climb the 366 steps that take you to the top of the 83 meter high tower from where you can admire the splendid panorama. 

• Boat trips. € 7.60 plus tip to the guide / driver. You cannot miss a boat ride along the canals, a breathtaking spectacle thanks to which you can admire all the extraordinary beauty of Bruges and discover its history. By boat you can reach places otherwise impossible to see. Best to go early in the morning as soon as the tours start. 
• Carriage ride, Grote Markt. €39. They carry up to 5 people, the tour takes half an hour 
• Cycling. € 8 for 4 hours on average, € 12 per day. There are several places to rent bicycles, both in the center and just outside the station. It is a quick, safe and cheap way to get around the city (Damme village is about 5/6 km). 
• To run. If you can't give up your daily run, try the 7km around the medieval walls. 
• 51.23.21 Hot air balloon, Markt, ☎ 32 475 972 887. € 170,00. AM & PM. A hot air balloon ride is certainly an unusual but fascinating way to see the city. 
• Concertgebouw Brugge, 't Zand 34. One of the temples of culture in Bruges, classical music and dance concerts. the season runs from September to June and also hosts the MAfestival [1] in August . 
• A Zonzo Tour (Travel guide to Bruges and Belgium), ☎ 32 489748913, @[email protected]. They organize free tours of Brussels. Guided tours in Bruges, Ghent is Antwerp. 

Shopping

Steenstraat Geldmuntstraat and Noordzandstraat are the main shopping streets.

• Lace - The characteristic lace can be found in the most remote and hidden corners of the city on the wollestraat and Breidelstraat there are about 80 shops selling lace. Attention most of the lace is manufactured in China, Taiwan or by machine in France, if you want to buy handmade Belgian lace you have to specify it and they are very expensive.
• Chocolate - Pralinette in Wollerstraat 31a is a well known shop for the production of handcrafted chocolates.
• Beer - The woolstreet Company produces 200 types of beer for you to try.
• Diamonds - Contact the Brugs Diamanthaus in Cordoeaniersstraat 5.

How to have fun

Night clubs

There is no shortage of places to taste the famous Belgian beers.

• 51.20853.226111 De Garre, 1, De Garre, ☎ 32 50 34 10 29. Over 100 beers, some of which are artisanal. The house beer is there Triple de Garre, 11°. 
• 't Brugs Beertje, Kemelstraat. Excellent pub, recommended by most of the guides. 
• Curious (near the central square). Also nice place to go for lunch and enjoy a beer. 
• Herberg Vlissinghe (Cafe Vlissinghe), Blekerstrat 2, ☎ 32 50 34 37 37. closed Monday and Tuesday. It dates back to 1515. 
• The Druid's Cellar, St Amandsstraat 11 / b, ☎ 32 50 614144. Nice place to have a beer and listen to music. 
• Bean around the World, Genthof 5, ☎ 32 50 703572. American coffee house in the center. 
• ^{[link not working]}'t oost, Oostmeers 88 (Next to the train station), ☎ 32 50 689623. 3,5/22,5€. 8:00-17:00. 
• Délisa 'Délices & Saveurs', Jan van Eyckplein 7, ☎ 32 50 34 09 89. One of the best cafes in Bruges. 
• 51.20733.22712 2-be Bar, Wollestraat 53. On the courtyard of a former major's house, "all Belgian beers" are permanently exhibited. At the back of the wall, you can also drink a lot of those beers. The terrace in the summer is a great place to get beer by the canal. 

Where to eat

Restaurants aren't always cheap or even if mussels (mousse) and the frites or fricadellen with mayonnaise are outstanding. Stay away from the "Grote Markt" and Burg Square as tourists here are easily fooled. One tactic used is to present things like bread as free and then charge them with absurd costs (in some places they charge € 6 a bottle for water. The best places are in side streets and alleys, even better when you see few tourists and more local people who will be able to advise you.

Many places don't open until 6pm.

Moderate prices

• In't Nieuw Museum, Hooistraat 42, ☎ 32 50 331280. Belgian cuisine, off the beaten track, good prices. 
• De Bottelier, Ezelstraat (close to Sint-Jacobsstraat). Tue-Sat. Very popular with Bruges and at a good price. 
• Brasserie Medard, Sint-Amandsstraat 18. Excellent value for money for those on a budget. 

Average prices

• The estaminet, Astrid Park. 
• Romagna, Braambergstraat 8. Italian cuisine also for vegetarians. 
• Marieke van Brugghe, Mariastraat 17, ☎ 32 50 343360, @[email protected]. Fixed menu for € 19. Small but good restaurant. 
• Tom's Diner, West Gistelhof 23. 
• Kok au Vin, Ezelstraat 19/21. Well known, reasonable prices and good quality. Reservation recommended. 
• Restaurant Aneth. Just 7 tables. 
• t 'Gulden Vlies, Mallebergplaats 17, ☎ 32 50 334709. Menu from 16 €. 19:00-03:00. 
• Cambrinus, Philipstockstraat 19 (near the market place), ☎ 32 50 332-328. Meal € 25/30, courses from € 17/19, set menu € 26. 11:00-23:00. Very famous for the selection of beers, 440 in total. The set menu "Menu van de Brouwer" includes several Trappist beers. Reservation recommended. 
• Le Pain Quotidien, 21 Philipstockstraat. A chain founded in Brussels but which is now found in several countries. 
• Maximiliaan van Oostenrijk, Wijngaardplein 16-17, ☎ 32 50 33 47 23. Oysters and meat cooked in different ways. There isn't much for vegetarians. 
• Grand Cafe Passage, Dweersstraat 26, ☎ 32 50 340232. Traditional cuisine. 
• ^{[link not working]}Trattoria Trium, Academiestraat 27, ☎ 32 50 333060. Italian cuisine. 
• Bittersweet, St Amandstraat 27 (near Grote Markt and Belfry), ☎ 32 50 348769. Very nice and reasonably priced, better than many restaurants on the square. 
• Den Gouden Harynck, Groeninge 25, ☎ 32 50 337637. 
• Ribs' n Beer, Ezelstraat 50, ☎ 32 50 707677. 15/25€. Reservation recommended. 
• ^{[link not working]}De Vuyst, Simon Stevinplein 15, ☎ 32 50 342231. Characteristic bistro. 
• 51.2158513.2370121 De Verloren Hoek, Carmersstraat 178, ☎ 32 50 69 80 19. Restaurant and brewery a short distance from the windmills. 

Where stay

Moderate prices

• 51.20653.26221 Camping Memling, Veltemweg 109, ☎ 32 50 355 845. 
• Snuffel Backpacker Hostel, Ezelstraat 47-49, ☎ 32 50 333133. €15. Check-out: 10:00. Breakfast and internet included, a few steps from the Markt. 
• Martin's Relais, Genthof 4a, ☎ 32 50 341810, @[email protected]. 

Average prices

• Fevery, Collaert Mansioenstraat 3 (Next to the church of St Gillis in the historic center of Bruges). Family-run hotel with 10 non-smoking rooms. Free access to the network via Wi-Fi. Free car park but with limited spaces 
• 't Keizershof, Oostmeers 126 (Close to the train station), ☎ 32 50 338 728. 7-room hotel with shared bathroom. Free car park. The price includes the 1st breakfast. Reputed as one of the best hotels in Bruges within its category (cheap) 
• Lucca hotel, Naaldenstraat 30, ☎ 32 50 342 067. Prices for the double in 2009: from 53 to 88 € for the one with private bathroom. A romantic hotel in a mansion that belonged to a 14th century merchant from Lucca. The rooms have vaulted ceilings and thick stone walls. Breakfast is served in the cellars which are also in medieval style. 
• De Markies, 't Zand 5, ☎ 32 50 348 334. Hotel with 18 spacious rooms furnished in a modern style and with private bathroom. 
• Asinello B&B, Ezelstraat 59a. €100-150. Check-out: 11:00. Bed and breakfast with 3 rooms all with bathroom. 
• Bonifacius, Groeninge 4, ☎ 32 50 49 00 49. 
• 51.1965343.2041822 Brugge-man Bed & Breakfast, Azalealaan 4 (Just outside the center), ☎ 32 50 67 08 62. 
• De Wilde Wingerd, Elf julistraat 37, ☎ 32 475 59 51 49. €70-140. Check in: 12:00, check-out: 10:00. It accommodates up to 11 people. 
• ^{[link not working]}Domus Brugensis, Vuldersstraat 106, ☎ 32 473711045. €85. In the center, the managers are tour guides. 
• Hotel de Goezeput, Goezeputstraat 29, ☎ 32 50 342694, @[email protected]. Single 60 €. Modern and comfortable, close enough to the station. 
• ^{[link not working]}Floris Karos hotels (address = "" Hoefijzerlaan 37), Hoefijzerlaan 37, ☎ 32 50 341448. 59. 3-star hotel just a few minutes from the central square. 
• Hotel Prinsenhof, Ontvangersstraat 9 (Close to the Grote Markt), ☎ 32 50 342690, fax: 32 50 342321, @[email protected]. from € 155. Elegant 4-star hotel with private parking. 
• Salvators Hotel, St.-Salvatorskerkhof 17, ☎ 32 50 331921, fax: 32 50 339464, @[email protected]. from € 90 per night for a double. Housed in an old restored building, it offers various services including bicycle rental. 
• ^{[link not working]}Hotel 't Voermanshuys, Oude Burg 14, ☎ 32 50 341396. € 60 for a double. Check in: 13:00, check-out: 11:30. 
• ^{[link not working]}Hotel 't Zand, 't Zand 21. €105. Check in: 15.00, check-out: 11.00. Small hotel in the center, easy to reach. 
• Martin's Brugge, Oude Burg 5, ☎ 32 50 445111, @[email protected]. 3 star hotel a stone's throw from the Grote Markt and Belfort. 
• ^{[link not working]}MS Watergeus, Kolenkaai 5 (10 minutes from the center), ☎ 32 473 67 33 42. € 75 per night. Breakfast € 7 each.. Made from a barge. 
• Walwyck Hotel, Leeuwstraat 8 (next to Leeuwebrug), ☎ 32 50 616360. double: € 100, single: € 90 including breakfast. Check in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. In the heart of the medieval city but in a green area. 

High prices

• Exclusive guesthouse Bonifacius, Groeninge 4, ☎ 32 50 49 00 49, fax: 32 50 49 00 46, @[email protected]. 
• The Pand Hotel, Pandreitje 16, ☎ 32 50 340 666, fax: 32 50 340 556, @[email protected]. 
• ^{[link previously not working]}Die Swaene, Steenhouwersdijk (On the Groenerei canal), ☎ 32 50 342 798. Small hotel that is reputed to be one of the most romantic in Europe. Each room is furnished differently from the others. The hotel restaurant received positive comments. It specializes in regional cuisine and fish dishes. 
• 51.20443.22613 Canalside House, Groeninge 16, ☎ 32 50 977 900, @[email protected]/. 191€. Housed in a 17th century building, overlooking the canals. 

Safety

Bruges is a very safe city.

How to keep in touch

Around

From Bruges you can take several day trips:

• Dam me - 6 km north-east of Bruges, Damme was the port of Bruges in the 13th century. Every day there are boats that leave for this quaint and picturesque village (it takes an hour to arrive). It can also be reached by bicycle thanks to the cycle paths or by bus.
• Ypres (Ieper) - An important site of fierce battles during the Great War, today there are cemeteries and monuments, very popular with history buffs. By train it takes about an hour and 40 minutes changing in Kortrijk (40 minutes waiting time).
• Ostend (Oostende) monumental beach resort built by King Leopold II (1865-1909) before he actually destroyed the old Brussels to make it the new capital. About 15 minutes by train.
• Antwerp is Ghent are famous tourist destinations, they deserve to be visited.
• Near Ostend, about 10 minutes by train to Raversijde, you will find the Atlantic Wall: 2 kilometers of trenches and tunnels dating back to the period of the two World Wars.

Useful information

Diversi Ostelli della Gioventù e probabilmente la stazione ferroviaria e le informazioni turistiche offrono una mappa utile con alcuni luoghi molto interessanti, "non turistici" da vedere durante il giorno e alcuni luoghi unici da visitare di notte. Offrono un buon modo per ottenere un'atmosfera autentica per la città, evitando i punti di interesse turistico e permettono di trovare alcune gemme nascoste.

• 51.2091813.22495310 Ufficio informazioni, Markt 1, ☎ 32 50 44 46 46. Lun-Dom 10:00-17:00. 
• 51.2041943.21817211 Ufficio informazioni, 't Zand 34, ☎ 32 50 44 46 46. Lun-Sab 10:00-17:00, Dom 10:00-14:00. 

Other projects

• Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Bruges
• Commons contains images or other files on Bruges
• Wikiquote contains quotes from or about Bruges

Usable : the article respects the characteristics of a draft but in addition it contains enough information to allow a short visit to the city. Use i correctly listing (the right type in the right sections).