Is Bruges worth visiting in 2026?
- Jess Touhig
- Jan 15
- 4 min read
Is it worth the trip?
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Bruges is a city that doesn’t feel like a city, with its quaint, medieval streets and beautiful canals. However, some say that although picturesque, Bruges has little else to offer, and it's packed with too many crowds to be enjoyable. At Sightseekr, we pride ourselves on honesty, so here’s our truthful review of whether Bruges is really worth visiting in 2026.
The beauty of Bruges is absolutely undeniable, we’re sure you won’t find anyone who disagrees with how stunning this city is. If you’re looking for picture-perfect scenery, and gorgeous streets to wander through for a few days, you certainly won’t be disappointed with a trip to Bruges in 2026. .
Here’s some pictures from our most recent trip to Bruges, which we absolutely loved!
This fairytale town isn’t just pretty, it has a lot of history to it too. And there are lots of spots to explore it, see the historical sites for yourself, and learn more about the background of Bruges. For example, you can explore and climb the Belfort tower, first constructed in the 13th century, when the city became a popular settling point for merchants from all over Europe! It was generally used to proclaim official messages, or used as a watch tower for the city.
You can also head to Markt square to see a range of historical architecture, and the Bruges Historium centre, which guides you through the history of the city through fictional characters.
For a full guide of all the points of interest in the city, as well as an all-you-need-to-know digital information pack about Bruges, have a look at our downloadable Bruges Travel Toolkit. It even comes with an interactive map so you can find the best attraction, cafe, or restaurant close to you when you’re on the go in Bruges.
One thing that puts people off from visiting Bruges is the crowds. Of course, it’s a small city, and attracts millions of visitors every year, so it is going to be busy. We recommend travelling to Bruges in off-peak or shoulder season, to avoid the hectic feeling that might come if you visit in the middle of the Christmas markets or in the height of Summer.
A great time to visit is September to November, when the crowds from Summer have died down, but the weather isn’t too bitterly cold or wet. Alternatively, just before the peak Summer season begins, in March and April, is a lovely time to visit, and see Bruges in the Spring.
You’ll find the fewest crowds in the city in January and February, but these are also the coldest and wettest months in Bruges, so make sure you pack a good coat!
Something we absolutely love about Bruges, which many people might not have even considered when deciding if Bruges is worth visiting, is the food and drink scene. Restaurants aren’t particularly cheap to eat in, probably a similar price to the UK or a bit more, but the quality of food and drink that you receive is absolutely incredible! A must-try is the Flemish beef stew, the perfect warming dish with tender beef cooked in dark Belgian beer that instantly melts in your mouth.
We’ve had amazing steaks, chicken dishes, and even international dishes like pasta and pizza. But nothing compares to the classic Belgian fries - there’s just something about the way they are cooked or seasoned that makes them the best fries you’ll ever eat!
You can’t forget about sweet treats either - Belgium is known for their waffles and chocolate. We think Bruges is worth visiting in 2026 just to try some of those!
In our Bruges Travel Toolkit, you’ll find a full list of all the must-try dishes and drinks in Bruges, as well as the best restaurants, bars and cafes to go to to find them. Save yourself hours of researching, scrolling through reviews, and a fortune on wasting money in tourist trap cafes! We’ve tried and tested everywhere that we recommend to make sure it’s a perfect fit. They’re all saved to an Ultimate Map which shows you your own location compared to all the attractions, so you can find the best spot for food and drink closest to you.
We took a Belgian Chocolate Truffle cookery class which was so much fun, and we’ve used the recipe regularly to make gifts since - but you can also take classes to make waffles, or even do a guided Belgian beer tasting experience.
There's plenty to do in Bruges to occupy all different tastes. From shopping on the high street, to exploring the countless beautiful churches and cathedrals, to boat trips along the canals, museums, guided walking or cycling tours, or even taking a short train ride to another city close by such as Brussels or Ghent, we truly don't think it's even possible to be bored in Bruges.
So overall, our opinion is pretty certain. Bruges is definitely worth visiting in 2026, but we recommend visiting outside of the peak season to make it more affordable, and less crowded.
For all of our travel tips, recommendations, and a list of the must-see spots, hidden gems, and the best restaurants and bars in Bruges, download our Bruges Travel Toolkit - a digital guide to Bruges with everything you need to know before you visit . Alternatively, reach out to us about our personalised travel planning service, where we create an itinerary for you based on your travel dates and preferences.
