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Bruges

Bruges' old town has preserved its medieval appearance and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nicknamed the "Venice of the North," it offers picturesque views of canals winding through narrow streets.

Updated August 15, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors

Bruges
Gateway airport
Brussels Airport (BRU)
Best season
May–Oct
Time zone
Europe/Brussels
Sights covered
44 places

Sights worth seeing

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Church of Our Lady

Museums & galleries

Church of Our Lady

The Church of Our Lady in Bruges is a Roman Catholic church with the tallest spire in the city, built between the 13th and 15th centuries. Its brick spire, among the tallest in the world, is a striking sight to look up at.

Groeningemuseum

Museums & galleries

Groeningemuseum

A municipal art museum in Bruges, built on the site of a former medieval monastery. It's a great stop to admire the collection while exploring the city.

Belfry of Bruges

Museums & galleries

Belfry of Bruges

A medieval belfry in the heart of Bruges and one of the city's iconic landmarks. In the past, it also served as a watchtower, storing treasures and documents and keeping watch for fires and other dangers.

Museum van het Heilig Bloed

Museums & galleries

Museum van het Heilig Bloed

A historic church in Bruges, originally built in the 12th century as the chapel of the Counts of Flanders. It houses a relic said to contain the Holy Blood of Christ, making it a place of deep religious significance.

Sint-Salvatorskathedraal

Museums & galleries

Sint-Salvatorskathedraal

This is Bruges' Roman Catholic cathedral, dedicated to the Holy Saviour and Saint Donatian. It's a historic church well worth visiting while walking through the city center.

Bruges City Hall

Museums & galleries

Bruges City Hall

A late Gothic building on Burg Square in the heart of Bruges' old town. Built from the late 14th to early 15th century, it is regarded as one of the oldest city hall buildings in the former Burgundian Netherlands.

Markt

Parks & gardens

Markt

A roughly one-hectare square in the heart of Bruges, surrounded by the city's iconic belfry and historic buildings. It's a great place to also explore landmarks like the Provincial Court and Cranenburg House.

Frietmuseum

Museums & galleries

Frietmuseum

The world's first museum dedicated to French fries, located in Bruges, where you can explore their history and production process. It's a fun way to see one of Belgium's iconic foods from a new perspective.

How many days do you need?

Routes grouped by travel distance so each day stays comfortable.

Average temperature by month

5-year average

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
13° May
17° Jun
18° Jul
19° Aug
16° Sep
13° Oct
Nov
Dec

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Getting around the city

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