Tips for Bruges please

kb36

Heading off to Bruges at the end of the month and was hoping some of you may be able to give me a few pointers. Had a look at some old threads but was wondering if any of you could point me in the right direction for what to see and do, places to eat, shopping etc.
Thanks in advance

sportage1kia

Hi there
Many years ago we did a guided tour of Bruges, but the weather was not very kind, we all had our brollies up. Did not have them up for long though, there are enough cafes and bars scattered about. All good fun.
Enjoy.

sheilanick

Bruges is a beautiful town and one of my favourite places to visit

If it is your first visit, then be sure to take the canal tour, with english speaking guide.

You can also take a horse drawn carriage tour, very romantic;)

There is usually a weekend flea market long one of the canals, which is fun to browse.

There are numerous individual shops, and of course a fantastic selection of chocolate shops, my favourite ! For easy selection and good value,head for Leonidas on the main shopping street, where you can choose your own chocolates, but there are also chocolate shops that sell their own products, made on the premises.

Have a coffee sat in the main square, and for a good meal, wander around the side streets, where you must have the obligatory mussels.

Visit the main church, and wander around the park and streets behind the church as there are all sorts of interesting individual shops.

Finally don't forget your friends on here, I like the ganache choccies best:j

Lord_Lardington

Sheilanick covers it pretty well.

If you've got the legs for it you must climb up the Belfry tower in the main square. The view is amazing and it also holds the interesting "Carillon" instrument which you can hear chiming all over Bruges (there are even evening concerts at certain times of year.

Some of the locally provided maps (cheap or free) having walking tours outlined on them and can maximise what you see per miles walked.

Oh, don't forget to try the waffles (anywhere), they're fantastic.

jennyred

we went last month for a long weekend - the christams markets were out then so the usual markets wernt up and running.

I would strongly recommend going up the tower in the main market square (last admission is 3.45pm)- the view is spectacular! OH proposed at the top, just as the sun was setting!!

the choco story museum was very interesting although be warned it is on 4 floors although there is a lift. on the ground floor a chef does demonstations of making belgium chocolates and you get free samples!

if you have time there is a diamond museum too - this isnt every bodies idea of fun but if you like precious shiney things then you will love it!

the other recommendation is to avoid eating in the resturants in the main square - they are very over priced. get a good guide book/map and head to the Zand - its a square not far from the main square that has a fantastic water feature. they have some excellent resturants - we ate in that square every night in some where different and was not disapointed.

if you have any questions feel free to PM me - we had a fantastic time and would recommend it to anyone!

jenny

fifeken

As jennyred says about food in the main square, it's the same for drink. Go a few yards away into a side street and you'll get get your beer/wine etc for much less.

Edinburghlass_2

chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate

BobbieT

Do the brewery tour you get a glass of Belgium beer included!

Hollyberry

Ahhhhh - we'll be there again next month - can't wait!

We normally stay in Ghent, so only go for the day to Bruges. It's a fabulous place to explore - although the cobbles can be hard on the feet so choose your footwear with care. There are loads of chocolate shops, lace shops and beautiful architecture. Even the supermarket chocolate is fab.

I would definitely recommend the canal trip, and eating away from the main square. The Belgian beer is worth a try - even if you don't normally like beer! I like the fruit beers - Kriek (cherry) is lovely and varies from sweet to sharp, depending on brand. The OH likes Gueuze (sp?), (sounds like curs). If it's really chilly, then the late night snack van in the main square is a bit more adventurous than most of its kind.

Have a great time!

stick2000

Definitely climb the tower in the main square - tight stone steps but worth it! Oh and chips and mayo from the van mmmm!!!!!!

secretspender_2

whats the nearest airport to Bruges? :-)