Situated in West Flanders, the town of Brugge blends gothic charm and etherealism through its timeless architecture and winding canals. An escape nothing short of a storybook setting brought to life.
We spent a total of 3 days and 2 nights in Brugge. Though our accommodation wasn’t in the center of the city, we loved our 15-minute walks through the quiet neighborhood, with fall’s morning breeze pinking our noses.
Passing the infamous windmills we reached the Kruispoort: a gateway to the center of town – a whole different world behind it.
We started our day by visiting the classics. The Markt (market square) is exactly as its name suggests: bustling with people, teeming with life. One corner, you’ll find a poutine stall. Then a whiff to your left has you looking toward a pot of fresh mussels with frites on the side. More on that later.
Looming high over the square is the Belfry of Brugge bell tower. With its gothic details and crowned head, this medieval structure catches every eye. Some say that over time it started to slightly tilt to one side.
If you’re feeling extra motivated, why not scale its 366 steps and enjoy the panoramic view? The shot you’ll take will be one for the books.
Like veins to a heart, the Markt is where smaller straats and alleyways meet. I highly recommend you ditch the map and just wander. Let yourself peek through front windows, greet the local shopkeepers and pause to listen to the local violinist play Bach. Much talent line the streets. Granted, most shops have modernized. Yet the classic structures they are housed in still tell a secret story.
A morning of wandering calls for lunch. On the noontimes we spent in town, we visited two places: a Pho bar and a seafood resto. The Marco Polo Noodlebar is located in Katelijnestraat. We got beef pho and satay – the best way to keep warm and was worth the buck.
The next day, we visited the seafood resto right in the square. Not the mussels type, I opted for the flemish beef stew with apple sauce while my family ordered a pot of mussels. The stew was amazing, to say the least. But when I tasted the mussel? I tried remembering why I didn’t like them in the first place and failed. The mussels were sublime. A symphony of sweet and salty, melt-in-your-tongue kind of amazing. No hint of the fishy taste.
When we’d talk about our favorite food trips, these mussels would always come up. I highly recommend you try them out. They’re best with a Belgian ale. If you’re adamant like I was, I promise you, these will change your perception of them.
When we traveled Europe, relaxed was our favorite type of afternoon. And the canals were perfect for that. Though Brugge’s gothic architecture lends a hand to its storybook feel, the crawling canals seem to blur the gap between fiction and reality. Also known as The Venice of the North, these photos attest to its moniker – rivaling even its namesake
I suppose the autumn weather makes for a dreamier filter in itself.
Canals like the Groenerei (green canal) and the Dijver can be toured via boat tours. Scattered throughout the city are 5 accessible landing ports. Tours are given in English and last for approximately 30 minutes.
As we streamed through the town – at times ducking as we passed through low bridges – the tour guide pointed out details on the buildings we never would have noticed, like the oldest bridge or the smallest window in town for example.
It felt like we were floating through a book, every bend an enchanting turn of a page.
After the canal tour and a perfect way to end your day, I recommend you try out the infamous Chez Albert waffles located in the Markt on Breidelstraat. In reality, though, the sweet aroma carries over to nearby alleys. You won’t need a map to tell you where it is, your nose will! Do be patient, though. The queue line stretches until the end of the street on a regular day. You can’t miss it!
Take my word for it: the queue is worth the wait. Calling their dough butterballs, the waffles are light and chewy. They melt in your tongue with just the right amount of sweetness. Then when partnered with the sour of the strawberry and the smoothness of the whipped cream? Heaven. The sweet and sour symphony just sings.
We slowly walked home with our 2nd serving of waffles in hand, bellies full and hearts fuller. On the way, we couldn’t help but admire how life-like the chocolates were. Edible art, we like to call them.
The next day, we said goodbye to the city that quickly became part of our top 3 favorite European places. The days spent there were unlike any other. Belgium was one of the last 2 countries we visited in our European league. And it did tie the whole experience together. Though a small city, Brugge has an incredible amount of experience to offer. From the waffles to the chocolate truffles, to bustling squares and serene canals, this city exceeded all our expectations. A storybook town kept timeless amidst constant change.
QUICK NOTES AND IDEAS
Recommended duration of stay: 3-5 days. That way, you can visit the neighboring country of Luxembourg which is only 1.5-2 hours by train.
Accommodation: Though we enjoyed our walks to and from the square, I recommend you book a place right at the center.
Mode of transport: There are convenient bus stops scattered throughout, though the locals travel by bike most of the time.
Best time to visit: Between October and November. The autumn weather just hits different.
Restaurant and site prices: Rates are like most of Europe. At the lowest price, a good meal for one ranges between €10-15, without a drink.
Culture: Do note that restaurants expect each customer to order their own meal. Unlike Asian culture, sharing isn’t the custom.
hope to go to Belgium someday! 😊