10 things to do in Bruges (see locations on a map)
- Church of Our Lady
- Belfry (Belfort)
- Museum of Folklore
- Beguinage (Begijnhof)
- The Chocolate Museum
- The Markt
- Town Hall and Burg Square
- De Gouden Boom Brewery Museum
- Boudewijn Amusement Park
- The Chocolate Line
Bruges Restaurants
- De Bocarme
- Sacré Coeur
- B-in
- Oud Brugge
- Curiosa
- Patrick Devos
- Tom Pouce restaurant
- Den Goulden Karpel
"The name Bruges/Brugge stems from the Old Norse Bryggja, meaning 'port' or 'dock'"
More on Bruges
Bruges has most of its medieval architecture intact. The historic centre of Bruges is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000. There are many worth-seeing medieval buildings, including the Church of Our Lady, whose brick spire - at 122m - makes it one of the world's highest brick towers/buildings. The sculpture Madonna and Child, which can be seen in the transept, is believed to be Michelangelo's only sculpture to have left Italy within his lifetime.
Bruges is also famous for its 13th-century Belfry, housing a municipal Carillon comprising 47 bells. The city still employs a full-time bell ringer, Aimé Lombaért, who puts on regular free concerts.
Belgian chocolates
Bruges` very own chocolate museum, with live chocolate-making sessions and chock-a-block with the history of the cocoa bean. Who can resist?
A visit to Belgium just wouldn`t be right without finding out all there is to know about the famous Belgian `pralines` and the history of chocolate as we know it today.
Bruges nightlife
Bruges makes no attempt to be a wild nightspot (for big clubs and the bright lights it is better to make the short trip to Ostend) but there is a very good variety of bars, and a choice of livelier music and dancing venues mainly centred on 't Zand. Most of the 'action' takes place in the streets in and immediately around the old centre of the city - arounbd almost every corner, it seems, there is an inviting bar tempting the casual stroller to indulge in some of the many excellent Belgian beers.
