La city of Bruges It is one of the most charming destinations on the old continent, because its medieval old town is very well preserved and offers a unique experience compared to other more modern cities. If you search 'Bruges Belgium'on Google, you will have many ideas to find accommodation and what to visit. Here we will make a summary so you know what is the main thing and what not to be missed.
But in addition to being clear about what we want to see in the city of Bruges, we will have to plan the trip. There are certain guidelines that must be taken into account, so as not to arrive and find ourselves with surprises. You always have to be guided by the advice of those who have already been there and know the ways to get around to see all the points of interest.
How to get to Bruges
There are many aviation companies that offer low cost flights to Brussels, because it is here where we will find the main airports closest to Bruges. Both Ryanair and Vueling offer cheap flights to take advantage of and enjoy this beautiful city, which arrive at two airports: Charleroi is the one that usually hosts low-cost flights, although there is also the main one, Brussels-Zaventem. From both you can take public transport to go to Bruges, the train being the fastest and recommended. In the event that it leaves us in Charleroi, you have to take a train or bus to the center of Brussels and from there a direct train to Bruges.
Stay in Bruges
Before arriving in the city you will have to look for a suitable accommodation. One of the best things you can do is stay in the historic center, since it is one of its most picturesque and beautiful areas. In the Hotel Academie Bruges you will find yourself in the old town, from which you can move to the main points of interest while enjoying the quiet atmosphere of the old town.
When it comes to moving around the city, you have several options. It is a small city, whose places can often be reached on foot, but if you want to feel like part of the city, you can use a bicycle, rented at the hotel or at different points. There is also an efficient network of well priced buses each way.
To see the museums and monuments, you can previously purchase the Bruges City Card, a tourist card like there are in many other cities with which you can access many places while saving. It gives access to almost all the museums and also includes discounts on important places and attractions in the city.
What to see in Bruges
All these cities have a Plaza Mayor or Grote Markt, and Bruges could not be less. This is the central square, where there is always movement and where we will also find the Belfort or bell tower from which you can see the entire city. Very close to this square there is another that we cannot miss, the Burg Square, where the Gothic-style City Hall building is located with its famous Gothic Hall with murals, the Basilica of the Holy Blood and the Brugse Vrije with a Renaissance hall. An architectural ensemble that we cannot miss to see the most beautiful and impressive buildings in Bruges.
This city is also known as the Venice of the north, so watching their channels is a must. Something included in the tourist card is a boat trip through these canals to see the city from another perspective. An experience that we cannot miss, and there are five piers from which trips depart each day. The Groenrei canal is the most important, because it passes through one of the most photographed spots in the entire city, the Rosario dock or Rozenhoedkaai.
You always have to shop around main museums of the city to know the history and works of art, especially when we are talking about European cities with so much art behind. In the Groeningemuseum we can find the works of the first flamingos famous for their art such as Van Eyck or Hugo van der Goes. Nearby there is another museum that can be visited with the same ticket, so you have to take advantage of it, the Arentshuis.
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There are also unique experiences, such as picking up a map 'Hand made in Brugge' at the tourist office, an initiative by which the city's artisans want to make their works known to the globalized market. Thus you will find craft shops with exclusive things, getting to know the art of flamingos. It is a way of seeing everything that the city can offer us, even in terms of shopping. We will be able to see lace craft shops, shoe shops, tailor shops and also delicious pastry shops with the famous chocolate. The best chocolate shops are also in this guide, making it a map worth exploring to enjoy the best of Bruges.