Adornes Estate & Jerusalem Chapel

The Adornes domain consists of the mansion of the rich Adornes family of merchants. The 15th-century Jerusalem Chapel (built by this family) and a series of adjacent almshouses. In the multimedia museum, you step back in time to explore the life of Anselm Adornes and the Burgundian world in which he lived. Also enjoy a pleasant break in the elegant and familial atmosphere of the Scottish Lounge.

• Web:

  www.adornes.org

• Address:

  Adornesdomein & Jeruzalemkapel , Peperstraat 3A, Bruges

• Phone:

  +32 50 33 88 83

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 10am–5pm, Sat 10am–6pm, Sun closed

Basilica of the Holy Blood

The 12th century Basilica of the Holy Blood consists of a lower and an upper chapel, dedicated to Our Lady and Saint Basil. The lower chapel has preserved its original character and is therefore a rare example of Romanesque architecture in the coastal region. The Neo-Gothic interior of the upper chapel is home to the relic of the Holy Blood and boasts a treasury with numerous valuable works of art. Owing to the special veneration attached to the relic, the church was elevated to the status of a basilica in 1923.

• Web:

  www.holyblood.com

• Address:

  Heilig-Bloedbasiliek, Burg 13, Bruges

• Phone:

  Daily 10am–5:15pm. The upper basilica is not accessible 10:45am–12:15pm on Fri, Sun & festive days, unless you wish to attend the Holy Mass

Beguinage

The 'Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaarde' with its white-coloured house fronts and tranquil convent garden was founded in 1245. This little piece of world heritage was once the home of the beguines, emancipated lay-women who nevertheless led a pious and celibate life. Today the beguinage is inhabited by nuns of the Order of St. Benedict and several Bruges women who have decided to remain unmarried. The Beguinage was recognised as a World Heritage site in 1998.

• Address:

  Begijnhof

Belfry

The most striking tower in Bruges dates back to the 13th century. It is 83 metres high and is protected as a world heritage site. Anyone who climbs all 366 steps will be rewarded with a stunning view over the city and its surroundings. On your way up, you can pause at the treasury, which held the city’s charters, seals and coffers during the Middle Ages. A few steps further on you will see the impressive music drum that operates the carillon and the keyboard used by the city carillonneur to play the tower’s 47 carillon bells. Bruges’ Belfry has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999.

• Web:

  www.museabrugge.be/en/visit-our-museums/our-museums-and-monuments/belfort

• Address:

  Markt 7, Bruges

• Opening hours:

  Daily 9am–8pm (until 6pm in winter)

• Tickets:

  Standard ticket €14

Belgian Fries Museum

This didactic museum sketches the history of the potato, belgian fries and the various sauces and dressings that accompany this most delicious and most famous of Belgian comestibles. The museum is housed in Saaihalle, one of Bruges’ most attractive buildings.

• Web:

  www.frietmuseum.be

• Address:

  Frietmuseum, Vlamingstraat 33, Bruges

• Phone:

  +32 50 34 01 50

• Opening hours:

  Daily 10am–5pm (last tickets at 4:15pm)

Bladelin Court

Pieter Bladelin, treasurer of the Order of the Golden Fleece, ordered the construction of this city palace in 1435. Before the end of the 15th century, a subsidiary of the Florentine Medici Bank was already housed here. The stone medallion portraits of Lorenzo de’ Medici and his wife, which are among the first Renaissance works of art in Bruges, decorate the atmospheric inner courtyard. Reverend Leon de Foere established his lace school here at the beginning of the 19th century and expanded the domain by adding a chapel in the Classical style. He also had paintings (late 16th/early 17th century), replicas from the Raphael Rooms in the Vatican, hung in one of the halls.

• Address:

  Hof Bladelin, Naaldenstraat 19, Bruges

• Phone:

  +32 472 01 74 51

• Opening hours:

  Inner courtyard: daily 2pm–5pm; halls and chapel: guided tours only with by appointment

• More info:

  Useful to know: the paintings cannot be viewed at the moment due to renovation works.

Beguinage

The 'Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaarde' with its white-coloured house fronts and tranquil convent garden was founded in 1245. This little piece of world heritage was once the home of the beguines, emancipated lay-women who nevertheless led a pious and celibate life. Today the beguinage is inhabited by nuns of the Order of St. Benedict and several Bruges women who have decided to remain unmarried.

• Address:

  Begijnhof, Bruges

Boniface Bridge

The very photogenic Boniface Bridge may be one of the youngest bridges in Bruges, but it sums up the city perfectly. A mysterious atmosphere, abundantly romantic and fabulous views that fight for your attention. Should you gaze at the little canals and overhanging half-timbered houses, or should you tilt back your head to admire the stately Church of Our Lady, or the adjacent Gruuthuse Palace? A magical place at every hour of the day, and one that must be seen to be believed. Close at hand stands the Gruuthuse Bridge with the white-painted House Arents — the only bridge in Bruges with a building standing on it.

• Address:

  Bonifaciusbrug, Dijver 16, Bruges

Brugse Vesten — Bruges City Ramparts

With its 26 hectares and over 3000 trees, the Vesten form broad green ramparts around the city. A protected view of the city and the perfect place to stroll. Or admire the city’s treasures from the secluded cycle path along the city walls during a pleasant circular ride around Bruges. Your route takes you past the Lake of Love, the Coupure marina, the Conzett Bridge and four medieval city gates. Perhaps you’ll take a break at the foot of the windmills? Walking or cycling, there’s plenty to see along its 7 km-long route.

• Address:

  Kruisvest 3 , Bruges

Groenerei

Each and every one of the city’s lovely canals is a jewel, but without doubt the loveliest is the Groenerei. One of the most charming spots in all Bruges. Framed by a beautiful skyline, surrounded by enough greenery to unwind, and complete with a romantic little bridge. Take a relaxing stroll by the water or settle on one of the waterside benches to soak up the atmosphere.

Gruuthuse Courtyard

This magnificent 15th century city palace was built to impress, and it’s been doing so in style ever since. The contemporary pavilion makes a striking contrast to the Gruuthuse Palace. On the right stands the Church of Our Lady, while to the left is one of Bruges' loveliest canals. So knowing where to look first is a bit of a challenge. Take your time and discover the many surprising corners in this special courtyard. With a high wow factor!

• Address:

  Gruuthuse binnenhof, Dijver 17C, Bruges

Jan van Eyck Square

Jan van Eyck Square was the Manhattan of Burgundian Bruges in the Middle Ages. A lively port where busy traders assembled from all over Europe, and you could hear every imaginable language. A tangle of people loading and unloading pressed around the Toll House and the Rijkepijndershuis while citizens and merchants watched approvingly from the Burghers’ Lodge. Today, the square is dominated by the stately presence of the world-famous master painter Jan van Eyck, and from here you can set off to discover peaceful, quiet working-class neighbourhoods.

• Address:

  Jan van Eyckplein, Bruges

Airbag Festival — Accordion festival

This international biennial accordion festival is already into its ninth edition, this time with accordion virtuoso Philippe Thuriot as the curator. Performances will take place in the Royal City Theatre, the Magic Mirrors marquee and various other venues spread throughout the city.

• Web:

  www.ccbrugge.be/agenda/themas/141/Airbag

• Address:

  Markt, Burg & Kruisvest

• More info:

  Saturday 7th May – Sunday 29th May 29 2022

Budapest Festival

A music festival with concerts by the celebrated Budapest Festival Orchestra, conducted by Iván Fischer, who also wants to use this festival as a medium to introduce classical music to young children.

• Web:

  www.concertgebouw.be/en/budapest-festival-2022

• Address:

  Concertgebouw, 't Zand 34, Bruges

• More info:

  Friday 3rd June & Saturday 4th June 2022

Cactus Festival

An atmospheric open-air music festival in the Minnewater Park, with a cocktail of contemporary music in all its diversity. Internationally famous, yet easy-going. A true people’s festival that stimulates all senses, both onstage and off, with a large selection of culinary treats.

• Web:

  www.cactusfestival.be

• E-mail:

  info@cactusmusic.be

• Address:

  Minnewaterpark, Bruges

• More info:

  8, 9 & 10 July 2022

Carillon concerts

Throughout the year, you can enjoy free, live carillon concerts in Bruges on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to noon. From mid-June to mid-September, evening concerts also take place on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 pm to 10 pm. The inner courtyard of the Belfry is a good place to listen.

• Web:

  www.carillon-brugge.be

• Address:

  Belfry, Markt 7, Bruges

Cirque Plus

A free circus festival featuring artists from home and abroad in a unique location: the garden of the Major Seminary.

• Web:

  www.cirqueplus.be

• Address:

  Major Seminary, via Peterseliestraat, Bruges

• Opening hours:

  2.00 p.m. - 10.00 p.m.

• More info:

  Thursday 21st July — Sunday 24th July 2022

Film festival Mooov

This 10-day film festival, screened in Cinema Lumière and Cinema Liberty, shows the best new films from Africa, Asia and South America. The programme covers both artistically innovative movies and films with a social conscience.

• Web:

  www.mooov.be

• Address:

  Cinema Lumière, Sint-Jakobsstraat 36, Bruges

• More info:

  April 19 — May 2 2022

Almshouses — Charity Set in Stone

Villages within the city. That’s how you can best describe these residential centres, which originated in medieval times and are still occupied today by senior citizens. The almshouses were first founded centuries ago for charitable purposes. Today, with their picturesque gardens, their white-painted gables and their perfect peace and quiet, they are amongst the most tranquil places in Bruges.

• Web:

  www.visitbruges.be/en/godshuizen-almshouses

• Address:

  Scattered throughout the city, 46 Godshuizen (Almshouses) church complexes have been preserved

Beguinage — a Place for Quiet Contemplation

Some places are so beautiful that they leave you speechless. The Beguinage is just such a place. This is where the beguines — emancipated women who lived pious and chaste lives without taking holy orders — once lived together in harmony. This walled oasis of religious peace, with its delightful inner garden, wind-twisted trees and white-painted gables, can charm even the most cynical of souls with its deafening silence.

• Address:

  Begijnhof

Burg — the Burg Square

The Market Square is the heart of Bruges, but the Burg Square is its soul. For centuries this has been the centre of power in the city, and Bruges city administration still occupies the 14th century Gothic Town Hall. This grand, majestic square is lined with monumental landmark buildings. These were built over the centuries, and reflect the building style of their age. A handy architectural guide assembled in a single square! From the Basilica of the Holy Blood through the Liberty of Bruges to the Deanery. Immerse yourself in the riches of Bruges.

Church of Our Lady — a Work of Beauty in Brick

The Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk (Church of Our Lady), with its imposing 115.5-metre high brick tower, is not only a fine testimony to the skill of the Bruges master builders of yesteryear, but is also the second tallest brick church spire in the world. Inside the church visitors will be moved by the magnificence of Michelangelo’s white marble Madonna and Child.

• Web:

  www.museabrugge.be

• Address:

  Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk, Mariastraat, Bruges

Concert Hall — Culture with a Capital C

This tall and stately culture temple on ’t Zand gives the largest square of Bruges its own unique dynamism. In the soberly decorated auditorium, visitors can enjoy classical music and contemporary dance in the best possible setting. During the day, you can explore this remarkable building by following the Concertgebouw Circuit, an original and entertaining experience route that ends with a fantastic view of Bruges from the roof terrace.

• Web:

  www.concertgebouw.be/en

• Address:

  Concertgebouw Brugge, 't Zand

Gruuthuse Museum — the Burgundian Splendour

Discover the Burgundian splendour at the site of the Gruuthuse Museum. In this luxurious 15th century city palace you can explore the 500 years of Bruges history through a rich and varied collection. Particularly eye-catching is the intimate private chapel that connects the palace with the Church of Our Lady. In this way, the lords of Gruuthuse were able to follow the religious services in comfort and privacy. The church’s showpiece is the beautiful white marble statue of the Madonna and Child by Michelangelo, which leaves no visitor unmoved.

• Address:

  Church of Our Lady & Gruuthuse Museum (Dijver)