Bruges’ historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and rightly so. The city flourished in the Middle Ages as a trading hub, and its wealth is still visible in the ornate guild houses and towering belfries. Stepping into Bruges feels like you’ve wandered into a medieval storybook with cobblestone lanes and winding canals. It is dubbed the “Venice of the North”.
What did we do?
Bruges is compact and walkable, making it ideal for slow exploration. The historic center is a labyrinth of Gothic architecture, boutique chocolatiers, and lace shops that haven’t changed much in decades. Horse-drawn carriages clatter about, while swans glide silently through the canals—yes, it’s that picturesque.
Basilica of the Holy Blood: A serene Romanesque-Gothic chapel housing a relic said to contain Christ’s blood.
Beer OMG so good
Bruges Beer Experience was much more than just a museum it was an experience.
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| A wall of beers |
Did you know? We were tested on our knowledge of beer 🍺
1. Which beer ingedient belongs to the same botanical family as cannabis?
Barley, Wheat, or Hops
2. Which is the oldest type of beer that continues to be brewed in a traditional manner?
Porter, Lambic, or Trappist Beer
3. Rocky Mountain Oyster Stout contains a most peculiar ingredient, which is it?
Oysters, Testicles, or Mountain Goats' Blood
4. When was the first lager beer brewed?
1742, 1842, or 1942
5. Who is the Patron Saint of Brewers?
Saint Arnold, Saint Hubert, or Saint Amand
How did you do?
1. Hops 2. Lambic 3. Testicles 4. 1842 5. Saint Arnold
We passed the test and now it is time for our tasting.
Belfry Tower: We chose not to climb the 366 steps for the panoramic views, but we did walk around the courtyard.
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| For the Welkom Brusk Festival a 13-metre-high, 37-tonne giant spider was placed on the Belfry |
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| We were able to get a picture our last day without the giant spider |
Boniface Bridge
Bruges City Hall
Canal Boat Tour where you glide past medieval facades and underneath charming bridges with 20 of your new best friends.
It was a nice short boat ride.
Chocolates OMG so many choices.
The Chocolate Line
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Chocolatier Dumon
Chocolaterie Mary
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| We found it |
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| We got our "get out of jail" free card. Actually it was our get a free drink card. |
Wished I would have recorded sooner
Time to trade in our "free card".
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| The only place in the world to enjoy an unfiltered and unpasturized Brugse Zot |
The biggest achievement in the history of the brewery was the construction of a beer pipeline. In 2016 the pipeline was fully operational, making it the world's first underground beer pipeline. It has a total length of 32 km, connecting the brewery with their bottling plant outside the city.The pipeline allows them to transport their beer between the two locations saving a lot of time and money in transportation costs.
Godshuis Goderickx Convent In 1383, Margaretha Rym, widow of Everaart Goderickx, founded an almshouse on Geerwijnstraat for seven poor widows.
Huidenvettersplein a little square with restaurants and bars
Jeruzalem Church was built in the first half of the 15th century by descendants of Opicius Adornes, who came from Genoa, Italy
Laundry is always an experience, but this one was pretty easy.
Markt Square: The beating heart of Bruges, framed by colorful guild houses and the iconic Belfry.
Rozenhoedkaai (Rosary Quay) The city’s most photographed spot.
Sint-Annakerk Saint Anne's Church built in the 17th century.
Statues
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| The Lovers |
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| Simon Stevin |
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| One of The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse |
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| Statue, Zeus, Leda, Prometheus and Pegasus |
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| Horse Fountain |
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| Flandria Nostra |
Random pictures from around the town including Doors, Doors, Doors 🚪
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| Gunpowder Tower (Poertoren) |
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| Love the knocker |
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| Reminded me of my Nephew |
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| Stedelijk Conservatorium |
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| Blinde-Ezelbrug Blind Donkey Bridge |
Where did we dine?
De Garre this was our favorite place for drinks. If you are not paying attention you will definitely miss the small alleyway.
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| Drinks are served with cheese |
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| Cheese & Pate |
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| Sausages |
De Gastro
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| Rob orders a beer 🍺 and a glass of wIne🍷. The reaction he gets from the waitresses is hysterical. |
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| Sole Meuniere with frites and a salad |
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| Fishstew 'Zeebruges' |
Plaza Cafe located at the Crowne Plaza
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| Beef Carpaccio |
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| Shrimp Croquettes |
Restaurant Diligence offers authentic French-Belgian bistro cuisine. The food, service and atmospere were outstanding.
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| Flemish Stew |
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| Mussels |
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| The frites were so good I got another 1/2 order |
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| Mussel remnants |
My rule is usually only visit a restaurant once especially when there are so many good ones, but we came back a second time for lunch.
Where did we stay? The Crowne Plaza Brugge located right on Burg Square in the heart of Bruges’ historic center. It was a prime location for exploring the city’s medieval charm and canals. We were upgraded to a junior suite and our room was available when we arrived.
Pro tip If traveling with suitcases take an Uber or a taxi from the train station as the streets are all Cobblestone. Ask Rob how much he enjoyed the 25 minute walk dragging two suitcases.
How did we get there? We took a train from Amsterdam Central to Brussels Midi Train Station. We then took another train into Bruges.
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| Breakfast on the first leg |
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| Brussels Midi |
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| Our last train was so packed we couldn't even make it up the stairs to the 1st Class car |
When did we visit? September 19-23, 2025
📸 Most people visit Bruges for a day trip from Brussels. I highly recommend spending a few days to explore and enjoy the area, especially in the evenings after the day tourist leave. It’s a destination that invites you to slow down, savor, and step into history. OMG the beer and frites are amazing.
"Hours had passed away like minutes; and, before I was aware, Lo! The shadow of the belfry crossed the sun-illumined square"
Dear diamond 💎, we all know who is really a girl's best friend!
Sincerely yours Chocolate
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