If you are considering taking a trip to Belgium, you could be understandably thinking about paying particularly strong attention to Brussels and Antwerp, where tourists tend to flock.
However, as Time Out notes, “Bruges is actually the biggest city in Belgium — and it’s full of great stuff to do too.” Furthermore, the city is still small enough to enable you to pursue all of the following exciting activities there in a single weekend.
Visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood
This Roman Catholic Basilica contains a phial said to hold a cloth soaked in Jesus Christ’s blood. This blood is said to have been collected by Joseph of Arimathea and carried from the Holy Land to Belgium.
However, regardless of faith, the basilica is a visually stunning place to visit — as you will be able to particularly see for yourself when you come across the building’s colorful Gothic upper level.
Travel by Boat around Canals
Canals snake through not only Bruges’ historic centre but also further afield within the city. Taking a boat across canals in Bruges can therefore present you with an ideal opportunity to admire beautiful buildings as well as rugged skylines reflected in the water.
Boats depart from jetties during both daytime and evening hours, and are manned by captains happy to share a wealth of engrossing information.
Walk across the Lovers’ Bridge with your Partner
If you are indeed romantically attached and will be visiting Bruges with your partner in tow, the two of you could cross the Lovers’ Bridge, which itself crosses what has been referred to as the Lake of Love, located in Minnewater Park.
Rumor has it that, if you and your partner do cross this bridge and kiss, your love will be everlasting.
Browse Bruges Market
A weekly market has been held in this market square since 1985. Though the regular market takes place on a Wednesday, it is in the winter that the square becomes especially magical, with a festive market — including seasonal stalls and an ink rink — running from November to January.
You don’t have to worry too much about the logistics of getting to this Christmas market — as, online, it’s easy to book P&O cruises that stop at Bruges during the time this market is held.
Buy some chocolate from Chocolatier Dumon
Belgium is, of course, strongly associated with chocolate. There are many places in Bruges where you can buy it, too. Still, one chocolatier you should prioritize visiting in the city is Chocolatier Dumon.
This esteemed chocolate brand runs a tiny but charmingly higgledy-piggledy shop just off Bruges Markt.
Climb to the top of the Belfry
You will need to ascend 366 steps to reach that summit. However, Culture Trip enthuses that the 83m-high, 13th-century building and UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Belfry “offers breathtaking views over the entire city of Bruges and its surroundings”.
Inside the tower itself are the old treasury along with 47 impressive bells. All in all, the Belfry is the most crucial building in Bruges’ history.
Read More: What is the Best Time to Sell Land?
