Roseanna Sunley Travel

Main Menu

  • Home
  • My Travel Stories
  • My Travel Photos
  • My General Travel Tips
  • My Destination Tips

Roseanna Sunley Travel

Roseanna Sunley Travel

  • Home
  • My Travel Stories
    • chased by cows roseanna sunley travel blog

      My Cow Story - Taking on a Herd of Cattle!

      May 24, 2018
      0
    • bosley cloud trig point roseanna sunley travel blog

      *ATTEMPTING* To Finish Hiking The Gritstone Trail, UK

      May 24, 2018
      0
    • white nancy hiking the gritstone trail travel blog roseanna sunley

      *ATTEMPTING* to Hike The Gritstone Trail, UK

      May 16, 2018
      2
    • My Travel Withdrawal: The Travel Blogger Who Doesn’t Travel

      April 9, 2018
      2
    • my bruges story travel blog stories roseanna sunley

      My Bruges Story - Buses, Chocolates & Waffles

      December 23, 2017
      0
    • dublin travel story roseanna sunley travel blog

      My Dublin Story- Breakfast, Hammocks & Bicycles

      December 22, 2017
      0
    • roseanna sunley travel stories croatia zadar

      My Zadar Story - Time Outs, Sunsets & Philosophy

      December 19, 2017
      0
    • roseanna sunley travel blog my venice story

      My Venice Story - Compliments, Canals and Dancing

      December 19, 2017
      0
    • florence travel story roseanna sunley travel blog

      My Florence & Pisa Story - Sore Feet, Ripped Shorts And Lots ...

      December 16, 2017
      0
  • My Travel Photos
    • hiking with dog travel blog roseanna sunley

      29 Photos to Inspire You to Take Your Dog Hiking

      August 15, 2018
      0
    • the peak district teggs nose roseanna sunley travel blog

      24 Photos to Inspire You to Hike The Gritstone Trail

      May 27, 2018
      2
    • belgian waffle in bruges travel blog roseanna sunley

      17 Photos That Will Inspire You to Visit Bruges

      May 11, 2018
      0
    • roseanna sunley travel blog the peak district bosley cloud travel blog

      16 Photos to Inspire You to go Hiking in the Peak District, ...

      April 29, 2018
      0
  • My General Travel Tips
    • bosley cloud view roseanna sunley travel blog

      12 Things You Need to Consider Before Taking Your Dog Hiking

      December 12, 2018
      0
    • 4 Steps to Enjoy an AWESOME Weekend in a Holiday Cottage roseanna sunley travel blog

      4 Steps to Enjoy an AWESOME Weekend in a Holiday Cottage

      December 7, 2018
      0
    • hostel in zadar croatia roseanna sunley travel blog

      Simple Guide to VPNs for Travel (And How They Can Save You ...

      August 17, 2018
      4
    • My Inside Secret to Cheap Travel Money Roseanna Sunley Travel Blog

      My Inside Secret to Cheap Travel Money

      January 23, 2018
      3
    • cheap europe travel roseanna sunley travel blog

      How I Travelled Around Europe For 18 Days For Less Than €760 ...

      December 22, 2017
      2
    • Polarsteps

      10 Cool & Creative Ways to Document & Remember Your Travels

      November 30, 2017
      2
    • 4 Ways to Cut Costs and Travel For Less on a Shoestring ...

      November 28, 2017
      4
    • Roseanna Travel Hostel

      5 Genuine Reasons Why You Should Stay in a Hostel and Not ...

      November 24, 2017
      2
  • My Destination Tips
    • roseanna sunley travel blogger skydiving

      6 Reasons Why You Should Go Skydiving

      August 16, 2018
      0
    • bruges canals travel blog roseanna sunley

      21 Top Tourist Stops You MUST Make in Bruges (With Google Map)

      April 29, 2018
      0
    • beautiful bruges travel blog roseanna sunley

      7 Off the Beaten Track Tourist Sights in Bruges

      April 20, 2018
      0
    • Taking a P&O Mini Cruise from the UK to Amsterdam Roseanna Sunley Travel Blog

      Taking a P&O Mini Cruise from the UK to Amsterdam

      March 3, 2018
      0
    • the first timer's time to paris roseanna sunley travel blog

      The First-Timer's Guide to Paris

      February 15, 2018
      4
    • Colosseum roseanna sunley travel blog rome

      Top Tourist Sights That You Would Be Mad To Miss When Visiting ...

      December 21, 2017
      0
    • Tourist Guide: The Best Things to Do in Barcelona - With Handy ...

      December 21, 2017
      0
    • hungarian parliament roseanna sunley travel blog

      Best of Budapest: 13 Stops That You NEED To Make When Visiting ...

      December 15, 2017
      2
    • St-Stepens-Cathedral-Visiting-Vienna

      Don’t Miss These 9 Tourist Sights When Visiting Vienna

      December 12, 2017
      0
Destination Tips
Home›Destination Tips›21 Top Tourist Stops You MUST Make in Bruges (With Google Map)

21 Top Tourist Stops You MUST Make in Bruges (With Google Map)

By Roseanna Sunley
1427
0
bruges canals travel blog roseanna sunley

So then, you’re off to Bruges – well aren’t you in for a treat?

I explored Bruges at the end of 2017 and I would love to go back at some point.

One of the great things about Bruges is that everything is within walking distance of each other. Great for saving those pennies on transport and great for burning those extra calories that you’re probably going to consume in chocolate.

As with most of my touristy guides, here’s a handy Google map showing you the location of each of my recommended stops.

This helps you to plan your day accordingly and to locate each stop from your accommodation.

(If you’re a hostel goer like me, check out St Christopher’s Inn in Bruges. This is where I stayed during my visit and I do recommend it – especially the quirky bar and reception area.)

Right, back to Bruges.

Make sure to keep all hand and legs inside this vehicle as I take you on a whistle-stop tour of the 21 top tourist sights in Bruges.

1. Windmills

windmills bruges roseanna sunley travel blog

Originally there were 25 windmills that sat near the old borders of the city, but now only 4 of them remain.

The Sint-Janshuis Mill, built in 1770, is the only mill still grinding flour and between the months of April and September, it is open to the public.

Of course, you can still visit the outside of the windmills all year round.

2. Frietmuseum (Fry Museum)

friet museum bruges roseanna sunley travel blog

Bruges is not only famous for its beer and chocolate, it’s also famous for its fries. (Yes, I was as surprised as you are)

This museum is dedicated to the history of the potato and the French Fry (correction: Belgian Fry).

Walk from room to room as you learn about the production of the Belgian Fry.

At the end, you can sample some of said fries in their café. I was disappointed that the cost of these weren’t included in the ticket price, but you do get a small discount.

3. Choco-Story (Chocolate Museum)

choco story bruges chocolate demonstation roseanna sunley travel blog

This is a self-guided tour that teaches you all about the history of cocoa and chocolate and how it came to Bruges.

I’ll be honest that it’s not the most spectacular tour I’ve been on. You spend a lot of time reading paragraphs that have been plastered to the walls, but nevertheless, I enjoyed it.

When you have finished moving from room to room there is a live chocolate demonstration at the end, which is a lot more entertaining.

choco story chocolates travel blog roseanna sunley bruges

…you also get free chocolate!

4. Historium (History Museum)

historium bruges roseanna sunley travel blog

Located in a beautiful neo-Gothic building (that you cannot miss), the Historium is a unique museum that that takes you back to 1435 and medieval Bruges.

With the use of audio and video, it gives you a real multimedia experience and immerses you into the 15th century.

5. The Belfry

belfry market markt bruges roseanna sunley travel blog

Do you love a good view? Well, the Belfry has the best view in Bruges!

Walk up 366 steps to the top of the bell tower and enjoy 360-degree views.

view from belfry bruges roseanna sunley travel blog

I have two small warnings for this one.

Firstly, there is no elevator. You have to put in the work and climb all the 366 steps. And they’re not large steps either! They are very narrow and spiral up the tower.

befry bruges stairs roseanna sunley travel blog

It does come a bit difficult at times as people are trying to walk up as others are walking down. You’ll very often find yourself having to bury yourself in a corner to allow other people to squeeze past.

staircase belfry bruges roseanna sunley travel blog

My second warning is that you are indeed in a bell tower – with bells (surprisingly). And all 47 of them are on active duty. Meaning that you may feel like the Huntchback of Notre Dame when they all start chiming.

bells in the belfry bruges roseanna sunley travel blog

6. Market Square (Markt)

market square markt bruges roseanna sunley travl blog

The Market is a square in the centre of Bruges and, as you would imagine, they hold markets.

On a Wednesday you’ll experience true local atmosphere – screaming vendors, roasted chicken and fresh fruit, cheeses, meats and flowers.

market markt in bruges travel blog roseanna sunley

TIP: Cheapest just before 13.30.

7. Burg Square

burg square bruges horse carriage travel blog roseanna sunley

This kind of isn’t a stop – although at the same time, it kind of is.

As the name suggests, it’s a square.

burg square roseanna sunley travel blog

You’ll probably end up passing through this square several times throughout the day as you explore Bruges, therefore, I did question whether this needed to be a stop on this list.

burg square bruges town hall roseanna sunley travel blog

But just in case you go wandering off somewhere else, remember to come and see Burg Square at least once.

8. Basilica of the Holy Blood

basilica of the holy blood bruges roseanna sunley travel blog

Built in the 12th century, this small and ornate basilica sits in the corner of Burg Square (I told you that you would pass through).

It is famous for a small vile containing a piece of fabric that is believed to hold the blood of Christ himself.

Each day it is brought out and put on display.

inside basilica of holy blood roseanna sunley travel blog

(Personal note: I am not a religious person, but I could still appreciate the importance of the artefact and felt slightly moved when inside the basilica.)

9. Retsin’s Lucifernum

The Lucifernum is the private house of self-described ‘vampire’, Don Retsin.

Open to the public on Sunday’s between 8pm to 11pm, I dare you to ring the bell and step inside.

You’ll experience strange portraits, strange artefacts, interesting live performances and an overall bizarre night out.

Think Edgar Allan Poe.

10. Beer Experience

An interactive tour telling you everything you need to know about beer.

You get to smell, touch and taste the ingredients of beer whilst learning about the brewing process.

You’ll also find a Tasting Room (which is open to anyone) where you can sample up to 16 different types of beer whilst taking in a delightful view of the Markt.

11. Canal Boat Trip

canal boat bruges travel blog roseanna sunley

What better way to see Bruges than by boat?

The city reminds me slightly of Venice with its network of canals.

canal boat ride bruges roseanna sunley travel blog

There are several places where you can grab a tourist boat. I have located the place where I took a ride on the map above.

12. Groeningemuseum

Housing a comprehensive collection of six centuries of Flemish and Belgian paintings, the Groeningemuseum is built on the site of a medieval abbey and is Bruges’ most celebrated art gallery.

The highlight is a collection of Flemish Primitive art.

13. Bonifacius Bridge

Bonifacius Bridge and canal boat bruges roseanna sunley travel blog

Yes, this is just a small pedestrian bridge – but it is probably one of the most picturesque places in Bruges (and in such a beautiful city, that’s saying something!)

Bonifacius Bridge bruges travel blog roseanna sunley

The perfect place to stop, take a breath and enjoy the romantic views of the canal and architecture.

14. Church of Our Lady

church of our lady bruges travel blog roseanna sunley

Not just a church, this sacred place also holds a valuable art collecting, including the world-famous Madonna and Child by Michelangelo.

15. Sint Janshospitaal (Old St. John’s Hospital)

old st john's hospital Sint Janshospitaal roseanna sunley travel blog

Previously a medieval hospital where nuns and monks cared for travellers, pilgrims and the poor.

old st john's hospital Sint Janshospitaal bruges roseanna travel blog

Now a museum, you can visit the wards, view medical instruments alongside an impressive collection of artworks.

bruges old st john's hospital Sint Janshospitaal travel blog roseanna

16. Diamond Museum

Sadly, I didn’t get to attend this stop, but the Diamond Museum uncovers how Bruges was the first diamond city in the world.

As far as the 14th century, diamonds were traded and polished in Bruges.

With temporary and permanent exhibitions along with a diamond polishing show, this could be an interesting stop.

17. De Halve Maan Brewery

The Halve Mann Brewery is the home of Straffe Hendrik and Brugse Zot and is located in the centre.

It’s a family business that stretches back six generations.

In an effort to reduce the traffic in Bruges, an underground pipeline was built in 2016 to connect the brewery with it’s bottling plant that is two miles away.

During the guided tour, you can view this pipeline which allows it’s bottling plant to fill no less than 12,000 bottles per hour.

18. Minnewater Lake

minnewater lake of love in bruges roseanna sunley travel blog

Also called the Lake of Love, legend has that if you walk over the lake bridge with your partner you will experience eternal love.

lake of love minnewater bruges travel blog roseanna sunley

Enjoy the beautiful scenery and take a stroll through Minnewaterpark.

19. Beguinage

Beguinage bruges travel blog roseanna sunley

Today the ‘Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaarde’ is populated with nuns by the Order of St. Benedict.

It was founded in 1245 and was the home of beguines – religiously dedicated groups of women who took no vows, remained celibate and supported themselves by manual labour in a time when most women were a keeper at home.

It is still a female-only place to live and when the gates close at 18:30 the women cannot invite in male guests.

You can get a good idea of what life was like in the 17th century by taking a look around one of the Beguine’s houses.

20. Go Chocolate Shopping

chocolate shop bruges roseanna sunley travel blog

You cannot leave Bruges without shopping and sampling some of their finest chocolates.

You’ll be spoilt for choice as almost every street you turn down will house a chocolate shop ready to tempt you inside.

21. Belgian Waffles

belgian waffle in bruges travel blog roseanna sunley

And last but not least, a trip to Bruges would not be complete without sampling a genuine Belgian Waffle.

I got mine (picture) from a small waffle cart in Burg Square and, if I remember correctly, I paid €3 after I jazzed it up with cream and chocolate sauce.

Even better, I watched it be freshly made and it was still warm. (oh, this is making me want to go back just for the waffles).

That’s a wrap…

Unfortunately, that brings our tour to an end.

But if you want more, don’t forget to check out my other post, 7 Off the Beaten Track Tourist Sights in Bruges.

And don’t forget to come back and tell me about your trip to Bruges, and if there is anything that you think I’ve missed from this list, please do let me know.

Safe travels.

Roseanna Signature

 

 

 

Related Reads: 

  • My Bruges Story – Buses, Chocolates & Waffles
  • 7 Off the Beaten Track Tourist Sights in Bruges
  • 24 Adventure Travel Ideas That Should Be On Your Bucket List
  • 10 Cool & Creative Ways to Document & Remember Your Travels


Previous Article

7 Off the Beaten Track Tourist Sights ...

Next Article

16 Photos to Inspire You to go ...

Roseanna Sunley

Currently winging my way through life and putting most of it on the internet. On this blog, I share my personal adventure stories and photos along with some handy travel and destination tips.

Related articles More from author

  • Destination Tips

    Tourist Guide: The Best Things to Do in Barcelona – With Handy Google Map

    December 21, 2017
    By Roseanna Sunley
  • the first timer's time to paris roseanna sunley travel blog
    Destination Tips

    The First-Timer’s Guide to Paris

    February 15, 2018
    By Roseanna Sunley
  • beautiful bruges travel blog roseanna sunley
    Destination Tips

    7 Off the Beaten Track Tourist Sights in Bruges

    April 20, 2018
    By Roseanna Sunley
  • Temple Bar Dublin Roseanna Sunley Travel
    Destination Tips

    15 Tourist Stops That You Don’t Want to Miss When Visiting Dublin

    December 1, 2017
    By Roseanna Sunley
  • roseanna sunley travel blogger skydiving
    Destination Tips

    6 Reasons Why You Should Go Skydiving

    August 16, 2018
    By Roseanna Sunley
  • Budapest on a Budget Roseanna Sunley Travel
    Destination Tips

    Visiting Budapest on a Budget: Less Than $15 Per Night All-In

    December 5, 2017
    By Roseanna Sunley

Leave a reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

More where that came from...

  • Colosseum roseanna sunley travel blog rome
    Destination Tips

    Top Tourist Sights That You Would Be Mad To Miss When Visiting Rome

  • dublin travel story roseanna sunley travel blog
    My Travel Stories

    My Dublin Story- Breakfast, Hammocks & Bicycles

  • Budapest on a Budget Roseanna Sunley Travel
    Destination Tips

    Visiting Budapest on a Budget: Less Than $15 Per Night All-In

  • Recent

  • Popular

  • bosley cloud view roseanna sunley travel blog

    12 Things You Need to Consider Before Taking Your Dog Hiking

    By Roseanna Sunley
    December 12, 2018
  • 4 Steps to Enjoy an AWESOME Weekend in a Holiday Cottage roseanna sunley travel blog

    4 Steps to Enjoy an AWESOME Weekend in a Holiday Cottage

    By Roseanna Sunley
    December 7, 2018
  • hostel in zadar croatia roseanna sunley travel blog

    Simple Guide to VPNs for Travel (And How They Can Save You Money)

    By Roseanna Sunley
    August 17, 2018
  • roseanna sunley travel blogger skydiving

    6 Reasons Why You Should Go Skydiving

    By Roseanna Sunley
    August 16, 2018
  • hiking with dog travel blog roseanna sunley

    29 Photos to Inspire You to Take Your Dog Hiking

    By Roseanna Sunley
    August 15, 2018
  • hostel in zadar croatia roseanna sunley travel blog

    Simple Guide to VPNs for Travel (And How They Can Save You Money)

    By Roseanna Sunley
    August 17, 2018
  • the first timer's time to paris roseanna sunley travel blog

    The First-Timer’s Guide to Paris

    By Roseanna Sunley
    February 15, 2018
  • 4 Ways to Cut Costs and Travel For Less on a Shoestring Budget

    By Roseanna Sunley
    November 28, 2017
  • my rome story roseanna sunley travel blog

    My Rome Story – Dirty, Crowded & Feeling Unsafe

    By Roseanna Sunley
    December 15, 2017
  • My Inside Secret to Cheap Travel Money Roseanna Sunley Travel Blog

    My Inside Secret to Cheap Travel Money

    By Roseanna Sunley
    January 23, 2018

Sponsors


Find me on Facebook

My Latest Posts

  • December 12, 2018

    12 Things You Need to Consider Before Taking Your Dog Hiking

  • December 7, 2018

    4 Steps to Enjoy an AWESOME Weekend in a Holiday Cottage

  • August 17, 2018

    Simple Guide to VPNs for Travel (And How They Can Save You Money)

  • August 16, 2018

    6 Reasons Why You Should Go Skydiving

Useful Pages

Home
My Personal Blog
My Book Blog
Contact Me

Social Media Central

Copyright © 2018-2019 Roseanna Sunley
Privacy Policy
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links that are included on this website are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I highly recommend all the companies listed and if you would like to support this website in some way, using these links will help you do exactly that. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
This website uses cookies
This website uses cookies to improve your experience.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Necessary Always Enabled