Is Bruges Worth Visiting? My Honest Opinion About Belgium’s Fairytale City

On By saar.decosterIn Belgium

If you’re planning a trip to Belgium and can only choose a few places to visit, you might be wondering:

Is Bruges worth visiting?

Honestly?

If you have to choose just one place in Belgium, choose Bruges. Sorry.

And I promise I’m not saying that only because of my personal connection to the city.

My grandfather was from Bruges, and even though I never got to meet him, that obviously makes the city quite special to me.

But even without that connection…

Bruges is just ridiculously beautiful.

Think medieval streets, tiny bridges, canals, historic buildings, cobblestones, beautiful squares and little cafés everywhere.

It genuinely feels like the Belgian version of Venice.

Except smaller.

And much easier to explore.

If you’re actually planning a visit, I’ve also written my full Bruges Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat & See, where I go into much more detail about what to do, where to eat and drink, where to stay and my favourite spots around the city.

And while that comparison sounds cliché, once you actually see Bruges for yourself, you’ll understand exactly what I mean.

So…

Is Bruges worth visiting?

A thousand times yes.

If you’re planning to see more than just Bruges, check out my Belgium Complete Travel Guide: Cities, Food, Festivals & Local Tips for more ideas on where to go and how to plan your trip around Belgium.

So, Is Bruges Worth Visiting?

Yes. Absolutely.

If someone visiting Belgium asked me:

“Saar, I only have time for one Belgian city. Where should I go?”

I would probably say:

Bruges.

There are plenty of other Belgian cities I love.

Ghent has an amazing atmosphere and nightlife.

Antwerp is great for shopping, fashion and city life.

Brussels has incredible food, culture and a much more international atmosphere.

Ostend is perfect if you want the Belgian coast.

But Bruges?

Bruges is Bruges.

It has that magical combination of:

  • medieval architecture
  • canals
  • beautiful bridges
  • cosy cafés
  • Belgian chocolate
  • beer
  • brunch spots
  • restaurants
  • picturesque streets
  • historic squares
  • and that slightly unreal fairytale atmosphere

And the best part?

You don’t need a complicated itinerary to enjoy it.

Just walk.

Seriously.

Not sure which Belgian cities are actually worth prioritising? My Belgium Cities Compared: Which Belgian City Should You Visit? breaks down the most popular cities and what each one is best for.

Canal boat tour in Bruges, Belgium

Bruges Is Basically Belgium’s Venice

I know.

Every travel article seems to compare somewhere to Venice.

But in Bruges, I actually think the comparison makes sense.

The canals run through the historic centre, little bridges connect the streets, and historic buildings line the water.

Some of the most beautiful places in Bruges are actually the ones where you’re doing absolutely nothing.

Just standing beside a canal.

Walking over a bridge.

Sitting outside with a coffee.

Watching boats pass by.

Or having a drink while looking at the water.

Rozenhoedkaai is probably the most famous example.

It’s one of those places where you take one photo and immediately understand why Bruges is so popular.

And yes…

It is touristy.

Very touristy.

But we’ll get to that.

If you’re staying overnight, I’ve also put together a full guide on Where to Stay in Bruges: Best Areas & Hotels, including the best areas to stay depending on your trip.

Short on time?

Here are my 3 favourite hotels and favourite hostel in Bruges:

Why I Think Bruges Is Worth Visiting

1. It Is Genuinely One of the Most Beautiful Cities in Belgium

Let’s just get this out of the way.

Bruges is beautiful.

Not “nice”.

Not “cute”.

Actually beautiful.

The historic centre is packed with medieval buildings, canals, little alleyways and picturesque squares.

You can walk around for hours without really needing a specific destination.

And I think that’s one of the reasons I love it.

You don’t constantly feel like you need to tick things off your itinerary.

Sometimes you can just wander.

Cross a bridge.

Turn down a random street.

Find a quiet canal.

Take approximately 47 photos.

You know.

The usual.

2. You Can See a Lot of Bruges in One Day

Another huge advantage?

Bruges is small.

And I actually think that’s part of its charm.

You don’t need public transport to get between attractions.

You don’t need to spend an hour travelling across the city.

Most of the main sights are within walking distance of each other.

You can easily walk from the Markt to Burg Square, continue towards Rozenhoedkaai, walk along the canals towards Dijver, cross Bonifacius Bridge, visit the Begijnhof and eventually end up around Minnewater.

All on foot.

And that’s why I think Bruges works incredibly well as a one-day trip.

If you’re organised, you can see the major highlights, have brunch, take a boat tour, stop for coffee or a drink, eat something Belgian and still have time to simply wander around.

I actually wrote a complete One Day in Bruges itinerary if you want to follow my route rather than figuring everything out yourself.

And honestly?

You don’t need a walking tour either.

I’ve done one myself, and I personally didn’t think it was worth the time.

Everything is so close together, and some of the information felt like things I could have easily read myself.

I’d much rather explore at my own pace.

Dijver canal in Bruges, Belgium

3. The Canals Are Even Better From a Boat

If there’s one paid activity I would recommend in Bruges, it’s the boat tour.

Definitely do it.

You can walk beside the canals all day, but seeing Bruges from the water is completely different.

The boats take you underneath the little bridges and past some of the city’s prettiest buildings.

It’s also one of those activities where you don’t have to think.

Just sit down.

Look around.

Take photos.

Enjoy.

A typical canal boat trip takes around 35 minutes, which is honestly perfect because it doesn’t eat up half your day.

And compared with many tourist activities, I think it’s actually one of the experiences in Bruges that’s worth paying for.

4. Bruges Has SO Many Cute Coffee & Brunch Spots

This is another reason I think Bruges is underrated beyond the obvious sightseeing.

The food and coffee scene is really good.

There are loads of cosy cafés, brunch spots, coffee bars, lunch places and restaurants scattered throughout the historic centre.

Some of my favourites include:

  • Benedict Café
  • Blackbird
  • Sweet L’Œuf
  • Koffie Kamiel
  • That’s Toast
  • Sanseveria Bagelsalon
  • Babette Bruges
  • Boho Brunch
  • Kottee Kaffee

So you can easily turn your Bruges sightseeing day into:

Brunch → canals → coffee → sightseeing → drinks → dinner.

And honestly?

That’s my kind of itinerary.

I also have a complete guide to the best coffee and brunch spots in Bruges if you want to know where I’d actually go.

5. Sitting by the Water With a Drink Is a MUST

Especially in summer.

One of my favourite things to do in Bruges isn’t really an attraction at all.

It’s just…

sitting somewhere by the water with a drink.

There are several cafés and bars where you can sit outside and watch people walk past while looking over the canals.

And when the weather is good?

It is SO nice.

You get that little European summer feeling where everyone is sitting outside, drinking something, chatting and taking their time.

Some of my favourite places for drinks include spots around Bakkersrei, the canals and the historic centre.

You could easily spend an hour doing absolutely nothing.

And I fully support that.

6. There Is More to Bruges Than Just Looking at Pretty Buildings

Obviously, Bruges is famous for its architecture and canals.

But there are actually quite a few things you can do here.

You can:

  • take a canal boat tour
  • climb the Belfry
  • visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood
  • explore Burg Square
  • visit the Church of Our Lady
  • see Saint John’s Hospital
  • walk around the Begijnhof
  • explore Minnewater Park
  • visit Brewery De Halve Maan
  • eat Belgian fries
  • eat approximately an irresponsible amount of chocolate
  • drink Belgian beer
  • visit museums
  • browse chocolate shops
  • explore the quieter neighbourhoods
  • take photos at the famous viewpoints
  • or simply wander around

And if you’re visiting in summer, there are also markets, terraces and plenty of places to sit outside.

One of my favourite little stops is the Dijver area, where you can also find a market during certain days and hours.

So don’t just walk past it without checking whether it’s happening during your visit.

And if you’re excited about trying Belgian food while you’re here, my Belgian Food Guide: 15 Foods You Need to Try covers the Belgian classics you shouldn’t miss.

7. Bruges Is Actually Great for Solo Travel

And I know this one from experience.

I’ve actually done a solo trip to Bruges.

Which sounds slightly ridiculous because I’m Belgian and Bruges isn’t exactly some exotic destination for me.

But honestly?

I had such a good time.

There’s something really nice about exploring Bruges alone.

You can walk wherever you want.

Stop for coffee whenever you want.

Sit beside the water.

Take a million photos.

Go into a random shop.

Have lunch.

People-watch.

And nobody cares that you’re alone.

I also found people really friendly, which made the whole experience even nicer.

It reminded me that you don’t always need to travel to the other side of the world to have that feeling of being on an adventure.

Sometimes a little solo trip in your own country does the job.

Historic city street in Bruges, Belgium, with medieval buildings and cobblestones

Planning your Bruges trip?

I created a Bruges Google Map with my favourite places and local recommendations, including things to do, coffee & brunch spots, restaurants, bars, shopping and more.
OR
Want to explore more of Belgium?
Get the Complete Belgium Google Map with 540+ saved places across the country.

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The Downsides of Bruges

Okay.

I obviously love Bruges.

But I’m not going to pretend it’s perfect.

There are a few things you should know before visiting.

1. Bruges Is VERY Tourist-Friendly

And by that I mean…

Very touristy.

This is probably the biggest downside.

Bruges is famous for a reason, and millions of people want to see those canals and medieval streets.

Especially during summer and around the middle of the day, the historic centre can get very busy.

You’ll see tour groups.

Day-trippers.

People taking photos.

People stopping in the middle of the street because they’ve just found the perfect Instagram angle.

You know the drill.

But honestly?

I don’t think this is a reason not to visit Bruges.

You just need to plan around it.

Go early.

Stay later.

Visit outside the busiest summer periods if you can.

And explore some of the quieter streets away from the main attractions.

The city feels completely different when the crowds disappear.

2. It’s Small

Yes, I just said this was an advantage.

And it is.

But it can also be a downside depending on what you’re looking for.

If you want a huge city with endless neighbourhoods, museums, shopping streets and nightlife, Bruges might feel a little limited.

You can cover a lot of it very quickly.

But personally?

I actually love that about Bruges.

You can see a lot without rushing.

And because everything is close together, you have more time to sit down, eat, drink and actually enjoy the city.

3. It Can Be Expensive

Because Bruges is such a popular tourist destination, prices around the main squares and canals can be higher.

Especially for restaurants and drinks in the most touristy locations.

But you don’t have to spend a fortune.

Walk a few streets away from the Markt.

Look for local cafés.

Compare menus.

And don’t feel like you need to eat directly beside the most famous landmark.

Sometimes the best places are slightly hidden away anyway.

View from a terrace over the historic centre of Bruges, Belgium

Is Bruges Better Than Ghent?

Okay, this is probably the Belgian city debate that will get me in trouble.

Because I am a die-hard Ghent fan. Seriously. If you ask me which Belgian city I personally love the most, Ghent is probably going to win.

But…

If you’re visiting Belgium as a tourist for the first time and you can only choose one?

I’d still tell you to go to Bruges.

I know.

Contradictory.

But I think there’s a difference between my favourite Belgian city and the city I’d recommend most strongly to someone visiting Belgium for the first time.

Bruges is more:

  • romantic
  • fairytale-like
  • picturesque
  • touristy
  • compact
  • focused on canals and medieval architecture

Ghent feels more:

  • local
  • youthful
  • lively
  • alternative
  • social
  • student-oriented

So if you want that classic “OMG, I’m in Belgium!” experience, I’d choose Bruges.

But if you’re staying longer in Belgium?

Please visit both.

They’re close enough that there’s really no reason not to.

And if you want to know exactly how I compare the two cities, I’ve written a whole guide about it:

→ Bruges vs Ghent: Which Belgian City Should You Visit?

Because honestly, choosing between these two deserves its own article.

Is Bruges Worth Visiting in Summer?

YES.

Summer is one of my favourite times to visit Bruges.

The terraces are full.

People are sitting beside the canals.

You can have drinks outside.

The city feels lively.

And everything just looks even prettier when the sun is shining.

The only problem?

The crowds.

So if you’re visiting during summer, I’d try to arrive early.

You can have brunch, explore the city before the biggest crowds arrive, take your boat tour and then spend the afternoon sitting somewhere by the water.

And honestly?

That’s a pretty perfect Bruges day.

If you’re deciding when to visit Belgium, my guide to the Best Time to Visit Belgium: When Should You Go? explains what each season is like and when you can expect the best weather and events.

Is Bruges Worth Visiting for a Day Trip?

Absolutely.

Bruges is one of the easiest cities in Belgium to visit as a day trip.

You can arrive by train, walk into the historic centre and immediately start exploring.

You don’t need a car.

You don’t need public transport within the centre.

And you don’t need multiple days to see the main highlights.

That said…

I’d still recommend staying overnight if you have the time.

The biggest reason?

The crowds.

Once the day-trippers leave, Bruges becomes much quieter.

Early morning and evening are when the city really shows its charm.

If you’re combining Bruges with other Belgian cities, my guide to Getting Around Belgium: Trains, Buses & Public Transport explains how easy it is to travel around Belgium without a car.

So… Is Bruges Worth Visiting?

YES. A MILLION TIMES YES.

If you’re coming to Belgium and you’re asking me to pick one place?

Bruges.

Sorry to every other Belgian city.

And yes, part of my love for Bruges comes from my family connection. My grandfather was from here, so the city will probably always have a special place in my heart.

But that’s genuinely not the only reason I love it.

Even without that connection, I would still tell you:

Go to Bruges.

It’s beautiful.

It’s walkable.

It’s full of canals.

The architecture is incredible.

There are loads of amazing coffee and brunch spots.

You can sit by the water with a drink.

You can take a boat through the canals.

You can eat chocolate and waffles.

You can drink Belgian beer.

You can explore it solo.

You can have a romantic weekend.

You can visit for a day.

You can stay for a few nights.

And you can basically just wander around and have a great time.

Yes, it’s touristy.

Yes, it’s small.

Yes, some places are expensive.

But honestly?

I think those are pretty small downsides compared with how beautiful the city is.

I’ve been to Bruges with family.

I’ve been there alone.

I’ve explored it as a Belgian travelling around my own country.

And every time I leave, I’m still like:

“Yeah… I’d come back here.”

And I think that’s probably the best answer I can give.

My Final Thoughts on Bruges

If you’ve read any of my other Belgium guides, you’ll know I’m not someone who thinks you need to visit every Belgian city.

Belgium is small, and you can see a lot in a relatively short amount of time.

But Bruges is the one I’d make sure you don’t skip.

It’s the kind of city that looks almost too perfect.

The canals.

The bridges.

The medieval buildings.

The little streets.

The cafés.

The chocolate shops.

The terraces beside the water.

It really does feel like a little fairytale.

And yes, sometimes you’ll be sharing that fairytale with approximately 10,000 other tourists.

But wake up early, stay until the evening and wander away from the busiest streets, and you’ll see another side of Bruges.

A quieter one.

A more local one.

And that’s the Bruges I love.

So if you’re planning a trip around Belgium and wondering “Is Bruges worth visiting?”

You already know my answer.

Go.

And while you’re there, take the boat tour, get brunch, eat a waffle, grab a Belgian beer, sit beside the canal and just enjoy it.

You don’t need to overcomplicate Bruges.

It’s already pretty perfect.

Planning Your Trip to Belgium?

Planning a trip to Belgium can be surprisingly difficult, especially when you’re choosing between historic cities, lively student towns, coastal destinations and smaller hidden gems.

That’s why I’ve created my Belgium Travel Guide, where I share destination guides, things to do, local tips and my personal experiences from travelling around Belgium.

→ START HERE: Belgium Travel Guides
→ GET MY GOOGLE MAP: Belgium Google Map

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FAQ: Is Bruges Worth Visiting?

Is Bruges worth visiting?

Absolutely! Bruges is one of Belgium’s most beautiful cities, famous for its medieval architecture, canals, bridges, historic squares and charming atmosphere. It’s also compact and very easy to explore on foot.

Is Bruges worth visiting for one day?

Yes. Bruges is small enough to see the main highlights in one day. You can visit the Markt and Burg Square, walk along the canals, see Rozenhoedkaai and the Begijnhof, take a boat tour and still have time for brunch, coffee, chocolate or a drink by the water.

Is Bruges touristy?

Yes. Bruges is very touristy, particularly around the Markt, Belfry and Rozenhoedkaai during the middle of the day. However, visiting early in the morning, staying into the evening and exploring quieter streets can make a huge difference.

Is Bruges better than Ghent?

It depends on what you’re looking for. Bruges is more picturesque, romantic and fairytale-like, while Ghent has a more youthful, local and lively atmosphere. If you’re visiting Belgium for the first time and can only choose one, I’d personally choose Bruges.

Is Bruges walkable?

Very! Bruges is one of the easiest Belgian cities to explore on foot. Most major sights are only a few minutes apart, so you don’t need a car or public transport to explore the historic centre.

Is a boat tour in Bruges worth it?

Yes! A Bruges canal boat tour is one of my favourite things to do in the city. It takes around 35 minutes and gives you a completely different perspective of Bruges and its medieval buildings.

Is Bruges good for solo travellers?

Yes. I’ve visited Bruges solo myself and had a great time. The city is compact, easy to navigate and full of cafés, restaurants, shops and attractions where you can comfortably spend time alone.

What should you do in Bruges?

Some of the best things to do in Bruges include taking a canal boat tour, visiting the Markt and Burg Square, seeing Rozenhoedkaai, walking across Bonifacius Bridge, exploring the Begijnhof and Minnewater, eating Belgian chocolate and waffles and having a drink beside the water.

Where should I eat brunch in Bruges?

Some of my favourite brunch and coffee spots include Benedict Café, Blackbird, Sweet L’Œuf, Koffie Kamiel and That’s Toast. Bruges has loads of great cafés, so it’s worth exploring beyond the main tourist streets.

Is Bruges expensive?

Bruges can be more expensive than some other Belgian cities, particularly around the main tourist attractions. However, you can keep costs down by eating a few streets away from the main squares and comparing menus before choosing a restaurant.

What is Bruges famous for?

Bruges is famous for its medieval historic centre, canals, bridges, Belfry, chocolate, Belgian beer and picturesque streets. It’s often described as one of Europe’s most beautiful medieval cities.

How many days do you need in Bruges?

One day is enough to see the highlights, but I’d recommend one or two nights if you have the time. Staying overnight allows you to experience Bruges early in the morning and after the day-trippers have left.

Is Bruges worth visiting in summer?

Definitely. Summer is especially nice because you can sit outside at cafés and bars, enjoy drinks beside the canals and experience the city in warm weather. The downside is that summer is also one of the busiest periods, so arrive early if possible.

Can I visit Bruges from Brussels as a day trip?

Yes. Bruges is very easy to reach from Brussels by train, making it one of the most popular day trips in Belgium. Start early to make the most of your day and avoid the busiest period in the historic centre.

Should I do a walking tour in Bruges?

Personally, I wouldn’t. I’ve done a walking tour myself and didn’t think it was particularly worthwhile. Bruges is compact and easy to explore independently, and I’d rather spend that time wandering around at my own pace.

What Belgian food should I try in Bruges?

At minimum, try Belgian waffles, chocolate, fries and Belgian beer. Bruges also has plenty of great brunch, lunch and dinner options if you want something beyond the classic Belgian treats.

What is the best time to visit Bruges?

Early morning and evening are my favourite times because the city is generally much quieter and more atmospheric. If you’re visiting during summer, starting early is especially useful because Bruges can become very busy later in the day.

Is Bruges worth visiting if I only have a few days in Belgium?

Yes. If you have very limited time in Belgium and can only choose one destination, Bruges would be my personal choice. It gives you the canals, medieval architecture, Belgian food and classic fairytale atmosphere that many first-time visitors are looking for.

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