In Bruges, where you sleep decides how much of the city you see on foot. These are the areas we recommend, and who each one suits.
€€€€€€ Price levels compare the areas within this city.
01
Markt & Burg €€€ Higher prices
Best for: First-timers
The Belfry, the main squares and the canal boats at your door.
02
Sint-Anna €€ Mid-range prices
Best for: Couples and quiet nights
Windmills, canals and calm streets on the east side of the old town.
03
't Zand € Lower prices
Best for: Value and train travellers
Between the station and the centre, with good-value hotels and a big square.
Hotel shortlists
Three picks per question, chosen with our selection criteria, with price ranges and what nobody tells you.
The 3 best hotels on the canalsComing soon
The 3 best luxury hotels in BrugesComing soon
The 3 best value hotels near the centreComing soon
Airport to city
01
Train from Brussels Airport ≈ 1 h 30 min
About 1 h 30 min to Bruges
Direct or with one change in Brussels. Easy and frequent.
02
Bus from the station ≈ 10 min
About 10 min to the Markt
Buses run every few minutes; the walk takes 20.
03
Private transfer ≈ 1 h 15 min
About 1 h 15 min from Brussels Airport
Door to door, worth it for groups or heavy luggage.
Frequently asked questions
The 10 questions everyone asks before going, answered straight.
01Is Bruges safe for tourists?
Yes, Bruges is extremely safe and very small. The only things to watch for are cyclists, the uneven cobbles and the crowds of day-trippers at weekends.
02When is the best time to visit Bruges?
April to June and September are ideal. Summer weekends are packed with day-trippers. December is magical with the Christmas market, and winter is grey but romantic.
03What language is spoken in Bruges?
Dutch (Flemish). English is widely spoken, and many locals also speak French and German, although they generally prefer to be addressed in English or Dutch.
04How many days do you need in Bruges?
One to two days is enough, and staying overnight lets you enjoy the city when the day-trippers leave. With more time, add Ghent, Damme, the Flanders Fields or Brussels.
05What are the top 10 attractions in Bruges?
Markt and the Belfry
Burg Square and the City Hall
Basilica of the Holy Blood
Canal boat tour
Rozenhoedkaai
Church of Our Lady (Michelangelo's Madonna)
Beguinage and Minnewater
Groeningemuseum
The windmills on the Kruisvest
De Halve Maan brewery
06Which of these attractions can you visit for free?
The best of Bruges is free: the Markt, Burg Square, the Rozenhoedkaai postcard view and walks along the canals. The Beguinage courtyard and the Minnewater lake are free, as are the windmills along the old city walls seen from outside. The Church of Our Lady can be visited for free, although the area with Michelangelo's Madonna is paid. The Belfry climb and the boat tours are paid.
07Which museums are worth visiting in Bruges?
The Groeningemuseum (Flemish Primitives such as Van Eyck) and Sint-Janshospitaal (Memling) are the essentials. Add the Gruuthuse Museum, Choco-Story (the chocolate museum) and the Historium. The Musea Brugge pass covers several of them.
08What are the locals like in Bruges?
The Flemish are polite, reserved and practical, and most speak several languages. Service is included in prices, so tipping is optional; rounding up is enough.
09What is the typical food in Bruges?
Belgian fries with mayo, moules-frites (mussels and fries), waffles, carbonnade flamande (beef stewed in beer) and waterzooi are the classics. Chocolates and pralines are a must. To drink, Belgian beer, from the local Brugse Zot to the Trappist ales.
10Where should you stay in Bruges?
Markt and Burg put you in the heart of the medieval centre, at higher prices. Sint-Anna is quiet and canal-side, at mid-range prices. 't Zand, near the station, is cheaper and well connected.
Staying connected
An eSIM is a digital SIM you install on your phone before you fly. No plastic card, no shop at the airport: you land, switch it on and you're online.
Low cost: plans for a few days usually cost far less than roaming
Coverage in every destination on tips2trip, and worldwide
Data from the moment you land: maps, ride apps and your bookings
Book your airport-to-hotel and hotel-to-airport transfers in advance and forget about the taxi queue, the bargaining and the 'where do we go now?'. When you walk out of arrivals, someone is already waiting with a sign with your name on it, helps you with the bags and takes you straight to the door.
Fixed price, agreed before you travel
Flight tracking: they wait if you're delayed
Child seats and vans for families or groups on request
