A weekend in Bruges Itinerary : Things to do for 2 days and 1 night
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
How to enjoy a short city break to this beautiful city!
Just so you know, some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you book something through our link, it won't cost you any more, but we might get a small commission.
Bruges is the perfect quaint city for a romantic or historic weekend break away. It’s small enough to be very walkable, and yet feels like you’ve really explored and learnt a lot, even if you’re only there for a short period of time.
We’d say that ideally, you’d like to spend three full days and nights in Bruges to truly explore the city and have free time to relax too. That’s why the itinerary that’s included in our Bruges Travel Guide is longer than this one, with more hidden gems and food & drink stops mentioned. But, to see the highlights and enjoy the atmosphere, you can even just visit for two days and one night.
Here's a summary of your itinerary for a weekend away in Bruges:
Day one of your Weekend in Bruges Itinerary:
You’ve just arrived, but it’s time to jump straight into your jam packed 2 days in Bruges itinerary! Drop your bags off or check into your accommodation, and head straight towards the beautiful Markt Square, which is right at the heart of the city.
This square is home to so many historical and cultural landmarks, but the main one is the Belfort tower. It’s absolutely stunning and really stands out against all the other buildings in the market square. You can get tickets to enter, and climb the 366 steps to the top (tiring, but worth it) for a panoramic view of the city.
After that climb, you absolutely deserve a sit down and a refreshment. Stop off at one of the bars in the Markt square, such as Craenenburg Bar, which has a view of the Belfry tower and the whole square, so you can people watch for a while. Chill here and enjoy a well deserved drink (preferably a local, Belgian beer).
Your next stop is in the same square, so don’t worry, not too much of a walk after all those stairs! Head to the Historium and see the brilliant architecture, and head inside for brilliant museum exhibitions if you’re interested.
Now you’ve seen some of the culture and history, it’s time to head to an even more picturesque part of the city called Rosary Quay. This is a stunning area with canal views and access to take a sightseeing boat tour of the city, to see all the main sights from the water and relax as you listen to an audio guide explaining facts about the city.
Once you’ve taken your sightseeing cruise and taken all the pictures your heart desires, it’s time to enjoy an evening meal at a beautiful Belgian restaurant.
We recommend heading to 'T Schrijverke as it has a view of Sint-Salvatorskathedraal from its heated, covered outdoor terrace.
Their Flemish beef stew is delicious, and a must-try while you’re in the city!
Depending what kind of evening you’re looking for, we have plenty of different bar recommendations or evening activities listed in our full Bruges Travel Guide. It also includes a list of all the must-see landmarks, hidden gems across the city, cultural, historical and language information. Plus, you’ll even receive a custom-made online map of Bruges with all of our recommendations pinned to it, to save you scrolling through your phone looking at reviews and what’s nearby every time you want to eat, drink or sightsee!!
Finish your night at The Republic in Bruges, a huge space where you can relax and enjoy the atmosphere of this community hub. Whatever time of day it is, and whatever drink you’re looking for (or food if you’re not full), you’ll absolutely find something you love here. The selection is huge, prices are affordable, and the atmosphere is warm and cosy. It’s one of our favourite spots in Bruges!
Day two of your Weekend in Bruges Itinerary:
Start your second day of your two days in Bruges itinerary with a delicious brunch from Willa Brunch Cafe, which will set you up for a day of exploring! They offer a selection of different options from full breakfast boards to simple toasts or granola bowls.
To us, in Bruges, it’s an absolute must to take a cookery class or workshop, as they’re so fantastic, and you’ll be making a classic food you’ll truly want to replicate at home. It’s also a great idea for an activity to do when the weather is less than perfect. We highly recommend a class in chocolate making, particularly Belgian Chocolate Truffles. They’re the perfect gift for loved ones back home (although, in our case, they were gone in a matter of hours!)
Get some Belgian fries or a waffle for a quick snack if you’re hungry, then continue your day exploring.
For the next part of your weekend in Bruges itinerary, head to the edge of the city centre to see the windmills of Bruges. You can take a relaxed riverside walk across all of the windmills, maybe even going inside the one which has been converted to a museum - called Sint-Janshuismolen. On a good, windy day you can even see the machinery in action!
From here, continue your chilled, riverside stroll all the way to the pretty Minnewater Park. Along the way, you’ll see mediaeval structures such as city gates, guard towers and water towers dotted around the circumference of the city centre.
To finish off your weekend in Bruges itinerary, if you’re in the city for a second evening, head back into the city for a drink before your meal, at Bruges Pub. This is an underground pub known for its friendly and helpful staff, as well as a great selection of drinks.
From here, you can head to an absolutely incredible restaurant in Bruges called Ribs ‘n Beer. The clue’s in the name - they specialise in ribs and beer, but there’s a twist that makes it particularly attractive to visitors! For a set price, you can order unlimited ribs, a quarter of a rack at a time, in lots of different flavours. They go from standard flavours like bbq to the weird and wonderful options like wasabi, or even chocolate flavoured!!
For your final spot, end your night at the lively Bar des Amis for a final Belgian beer, if you can fit anything else in, that is. This is a bar in a bustling area of the city in the evening, and feels a little more local and authentic than some of the other bars across the centre.
You can download a longer itinerary spanning 3 full days and evenings in Bruges for free here. Or, for access to our full Bruges Travel Guide and Ultimate Map of the city, with all of our personally tried & tested recommendations pinned to it, download our Bruges Travel Toolkit. You’ll be supporting a small travel business if you do!
Here’s some more practical information to use on your weekend city break to Bruges:
How do I get to Bruges for a two day city break?
Bruges is easy to access by road or rail, as it doesn't have its own international airport.
If you're travelling from the UK, take a short flight to Brussels airport, which only takes around 1 hour, and run several times per day. From there, a short coach or train can get you to Bruges.
Where should I stay in Bruges for a weekend away?
We stayed in Hotel Le Bois de Bruges which we couldn't recommend more. They were central to Bruges.
If you don't fancy this one, don't worry, there are plenty of other options for accommodation in Bruges. Have a look for something that will suit your group size and budget below:
Do I need a visa to visit Bruges/Belgium?
Citizens of most countries do not need a visa to visit Belgium for a stay of up to 90 days. Read our Schengen Agreement post to find out more details about this rule.
The rules of entering Europe are changing. Take a read of our handy European travel rules post for more information.
What's the currency in Belgium?
The currency of Belgium is Euros. You can change money when you arrive or withdraw from ATMs, but be aware of high conversion fees! Some ATMs may charge you to withdraw money, even if your bank doesn't. It's always best to pay in local currency.
We found that almost everywhere takes both cash and card in Bruges.
What languages are spoken in Bruges/Belgium?
The official languages of Belgium are French, Dutch and Flemish, but English is widely spoken as it is a major tourist destination. It's always polite to learn a few phrases, though!
What's the weather like in Bruges?
Bruges is close to the UK, and therefore can be windy throughout the year. It may be warm in the daytime in spring and Summer, but the temperature drops on an evening so be sure to bring a jacket.
Always make sure to check the forecast before your trip so you pack the correct clothing. This is the current weather in Bruges:
What's the time zone in Belgium?
Belgium is in the Central European Time zone, normally an hour ahead of the UK.
What are the best things to do in Bruges for a weekend or two day itinerary?
We always try and give you a few great recommendations of things to do on our Sightseekr Inspiration posts but if you're looking for a more detailed, personalised itinerary, check out our MakeTheMost travel planning service.
For a detailed guide of all the best things to do and see across Bruges, activity & excursion ideas, tried and tested bar, restaurant and cafe recommendations plus culture and language information, you can download our Bruges Travel Toolkit.
It even gives you access to our Ultimate Map of Bruges which pins all our recommendations to a custom-made interactive map, saving you wasting precious time over your short weekend in Bruges scrolling on your phone.
Or, if you're just looking for an activity to fill an extra day in our outside of Bruges, have a look for the best activities, excursions and other things to do in Bruges with a provider like GetYourGuide.
