6 Great reasons to visit Bruges

You must visit Bruges and sample one of its local beers, with more than 1,600 different varieties available. Even if you’re not a beer lover, Bruges has a diverse range of beers of different strengths and flavours to suit all tastebuds from chocolate to fruity notes and everything in between. Pay a visit to The Bauhaus, a Belgian bar in the heart of the historic Old Town, De Garre, a charming, old bar tucked down a narrow alleyway and Vlissinghe, the oldest pub in Bruges dating back more than 500 years.

If you love chocolate then you’ve come to the right place. Bruges is full of family-run chocolate shops and you’ll be tempted by the heavenly sweet treats that fill the window displays. Step inside and be greeted by the rich cocoa aromas before sampling the freshly made Belgian chocolates. Take your pick from creamy, buttery truffles to velvety, nutty pralines and be sure to take your favourites home with a mix-and-match box selection from Dumon. For another chocolate fix, try the hot chocolate in a local café, the perfect way to warm up on a winter’s day.

As well as Belgian beer and chocolate, Bruges is also renowned for its Belgian waffles, mussels cooked in Belgian beer and of course its fries, best eaten with mayonnaise or curry ketchup. For the best fries in town, stop by the food trucks infront of the Belfy, otherwise you can tuck into them at any restaurant or cafe. Bruges even has its own museum dedicated to potato fries, The Fritemuseum, the first and only museum of its kind.

A visit to Bruges at any time of the year is a charming experience, but one of the most magical times to visit is from late November to December for the festive Christmas markets. Held in the Market Square, set against medieval buildings and picturesque cobbled streets, visitors can stroll through the traditional wooden stalls selling everything from handcrafted decorations to scented candles and scarves, and admire the twinkling lights and illuminations at night. Enjoy ice skating on the ice rink under the glow of the moon and warm up with a mug of mulled wine.

The historical centre of Bruges was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 and houses many fabulous Gothic buildings and stunning architecture. Explore the Begijnhof, once home of the beguines founded in 1245 and the Belfry, one of the most important towers in the city standing 83 metres tall. For the best views, climb the 366 steps to the top for panoramic views of Bruges and listen to the 47 melodious bells of the carillon. Stroll along the cobblestone streets, discover historic canals and explore Burg Square with the Palace of the Liberty of Bruges, City Hall and the Basilica of the Holy Blood, a 12th century chapel.

Bruges is home to a rich array of art galleries including the Groeningemuseum, Bruges’ most celebrated art gallery. Here you can view fabulous Flemish Primitive and Renaissance art works dating across six centuries with works by Jan van Eyck, Hans Memling and Gerard David. Other art galleries worth a look during your trip to Bruges include the Absolute Art Gallery, an international contemporary art gallery housing impressive paintings, sculptures, installations and photographs, as well as the Museum Gallery Xpo Salvador Dali showcasing a collection of world-famous art and sculptures by the surrealist Spanish painter.