Bruges | Belgium : A Quick Guide to Planning Your Adventure

My first Belgian waffle, topped with powdered sugar, ice cream and chocolate. Absolutely delish!

Don’t miss it

An afternoon cycling along the canals toward the coast. You’ll pass through many cute towns along the way, including Damme and Sluis. Take your lunch break on the beach — there are plenty of pop-up food and drink vendors.

There are several bike rental shops in town that are reasonably priced. Be sure to ask for a route map, although it is still a bit difficult to follow. We ended up getting lost, and an intended 10-mile back ride turned into 46-miles. More on that story in the travel journal. Needless to say, it was brutal, but the ride along the canals was absolutely enchanting. Mother nature is stunning!

Pretty cool

Many travelers climb the Belfry [bell tower] in the town square [approximately 12 euros]. I imagine the views from it are incredible. A local resident recommended that we, instead, take a brewery tour of De Halve Maan, which has an incredible rooftop view of this picturesque town. The view alone makes the small tour price worth it! Plus, you can enjoy a complimentary beer, Brugse Zot, after the tour. Cha-ching!

Must try food/drink

Chocolate, Belgium waffles, fries and Brugse Zot beer. Repeat.

Wish I had more time for

Another night or two to explore the night scene. Bruges has so many cool bars and a lot of delicious beer. I wish I had been able to check out a few more.

Here’s a hint

Don’t mention Nutella … Apparently, the Belgians aren’t the biggest fans.

Join a tips-based walking tour on your first day in Bruges. The knowledgeable guides will share the city/country’s history while showing you much of the city center. Most tours stop for a beer at the Bruges Beer Experience Museum. It’s educational and fun — and you never know who you will meet! We ended up chatting it up with a few Germans, who we later visited in Freiburg.

Accommodation

It’s hard not to laugh at the odd name but Snuffel Hostel exceeded all expectations. The decor is artsy, the dorm rooms are huge, the bathrooms are super clean, the lockers are large, and the lively bar was casual! So many great Belgian beers on tap, too. Whether you stay here or not, you can rent bikes from this hostel.