Tucked in the northwest corner of Belgium, Bruges is that dreamy medieval town that looks like it fell out of a storybook—and somehow stayed perfectly preserved. With its winding canals, charming squares, and towers that lean just enough to make you curious (but not concerned), it’s no wonder people fall head over heels for it.
Getting here is a breeze—Belgium’s pretty compact, so whether you’re coming from Brussels, Ghent, or even the Netherlands, you’ll be sipping hot chocolate by a canal before you know it.
Did you know Brugge has more swans than traffic lights? Okay, that might not be entirely true, but it sure feels like it when you’re strolling along the dreamy canals. And speaking of canals—yes, this is basically the Venice of the North, but with better chocolate, fries (with mayo, obviously) instead of overpriced pizzas, and far fewer gondolas blocking your selfies.
So lace up your comfiest shoes, bring your sweet tooth, and prepare for cobblestones, swans, and enough postcard views to crash your camera roll. Let’s Brugge it up! 🇧🇪🧇🍺
Brugge Begins!
Bus ride from Utrecht? Check. Departed at 8:50, rolled into Brugge around 13:00. And just like that—poof—I was in Belgium’s fairytale city.
A short stroll later and I found my newest home: an old, medieval-style house turned into a cozy hotel. I was up on the second floor—no elevator, but hey, who needs one when the views from the window make you feel like you’ve stepped into a postcard?
Want to read more about my stay?
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The sun was shining bright—thankful for those sunglasses I packed last minute. I unpacked quickly (somehow always faster when you’re excited), and hit the streets.
And oh, what streets. Enchanting, winding cobblestone paths lined with more chocolate and waffle shops than I could count. Add some legendary Belgian fries and beer to the mix, and you’ve got a city that wants you to indulge with every step. 🍫🍟🍻
I wandered through beautiful squares, marveled at the medieval charm, and finally found myself by the canals—those dreamy waterways that earned Brugge its nickname: the Venice of the North.
No plans. No rush. Just soaking it all in. Let the Brugge magic begin. ✨
Armed with my trusty Google Maps walking plan (yes, I’m that kind of tourist), I hit the streets with a mission—see everything. Well… almost everything. Truth be told, I wandered off the path more times than I can count, but only because Brugge kept distracting me with another beautiful canal, hidden alleyway, or postcard-perfect bridge. The plan had all the main sights marked, but the heart wanted to stroll wherever beauty called. 😅
And those canals… oh man. Twisting and turning like a storybook river, lined with quaint houses, ivy-covered walls, and the occasional swan gliding by like it’s on a mission to photobomb your shots. Every turn felt like a scene from a movie. The cobbled streets whispered tales of old merchants and horse-drawn carts, and every little corner was a blend of medieval charm and chocolate-scented air. 🍫🧱✨
What a day. Seriously.
Now, about dinner… Lunch? Oops. Totally skipped. I was way too mesmerized to think about food. But come evening, hunger struck like a medieval siege.
Luckily, the hotel had a sweet setup—a deal with a local restaurant that delivered straight to your door. No joke, I barely had to move. So naturally, I went with a personal classic: bitterballen (my newfound love from Utrecht), crispy Belgian fries (it would be illegal not to), and on my way back, I picked up some rich Belgian pralines (my favorite chocolate ever) and a bottle of orange juice. 🍊
Low effort. High reward. A perfect end to my magical Brugge day.
A Museum Crawl You Can Eat
The next day was all about museums—but not the kind where you quietly stare at paintings and pretend to understand brush strokes. Nope. Today’s theme was fun museums. And with the weather forecast looking like a wet mess, it was the perfect plan: Fries, Chocolate, and Beer. Aka: the Holy Trinity of Belgian Delights. 🍟🍫🍺
Luckily, I had already spotted all three locations during yesterday’s “unplanned detours” (a.k.a. getting beautifully lost in Brugge), so I knew exactly where to go.
Each museum followed a pretty similar pattern:
→ A little history (surprisingly interesting)
→ How it became a thing in Belgium (spoiler: fries are Belgian, not French!)
→ A deep dive into local pride and tradition (Belgian pralines are practically an art form)
→ And finally, the moment we were all waiting for… tasting time!
Yes. Yes, I tasted. Or maybe the better word is devoured. I left the Fries Museum stuffed, the Chocolate Museum sugar-high, and the Beer Museum… well, let’s just say slightly wobbly on my feet. Just a tiny bit tipsy. All in the name of culture, of course.
At the Chocolate Museum, they even showed us how pralines are made—and I was that guy who asked the question everyone was thinking: “Uhm… can we try them now?” (You’re welcome, fellow tourists.)
It was a cozy, delicious, wonderfully indulgent day—and totally worth the rainy weather.
A few pics in the gallery below—scroll at your own risk (may cause sudden hunger or thirst). 😅
Sea, Sand, and Surprise Windmills
Come my last full day in Brugge, and guess what? I slept in like a champ. But hey—I’m on vacation, and lazy mornings are part of the deal!
Even though I was still in Belgium, I had this itch to see the sea. And thanks to a great tip from a coworker back home, I knew exactly where to go. Destination: Zeebrugge! (Yes, you guessed it—just add Zee to Brugge.) A quick and cheap train ride later—only 5.90€, booked via my trusty Omio app—I was on my way. Efficient, right? 😉
The sea breeze hit me the moment I arrived, and man, it felt good. Endless sandy beach stretching out in both directions, the sun was out, and—wait, what? Windmills in the middle of the sea? Yep, I swear I saw them spinning away out on the horizon! Belgium, you’re full of surprises.
I took my sweet time strolling the beach, soaking in the salty air and the sound of waves. It was a bit chilly thanks to the wind, but with sunshine like that? No complaints.
Suddenly, the sky above the beach filled with kites. Not just a couple—dozens! It looked like some kind of spontaneous kite festival. Colorful, whimsical, and totally unexpected. Just look at the photo—words don’t do it justice.
Eventually, lunch called. Found a beachside restaurant and settled in with a view. I ordered a dreamy combo: cheese and shrimp croquettes (yes, both), fries (obviously), a fresh mixed salad, and a tall glass of orange juice. Heaven on a plate.
Returning to Brugge, I wrapped up the day with a quick souvenir run—fridge magnet, postcard, and of course, the classic 30ml shot glass to add to my growing collection. Tomorrow’s another early one, as I head to a brand new stop: Luxembourg 🇱🇺!
A new country awaits, but for now… 🇧🇪 Brugge 🇧🇪, you were a beachy dream. 💙
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