So I spent some time with a friend Bouncing Around Beautiful Bruges. This gorgeous city is only a few hours’ train ride from our home in Germany. Bruges, Belgium, often dubbed the “Venice of the North,” enchants visitors with its timeless beauty and charming allure. Nestled in the heart of Flanders, this medieval city boasts a tapestry of cobblestone streets, picturesque canals, and impeccably preserved architecture.
Its UNESCO World Heritage status is well-deserved, with iconic landmarks like the Belfry of Bruges and the beguiling Market Square offering glimpses into its rich history.
But Bruges isn’t just a living museum; it’s a vibrant hub of culture and gastronomy. From indulging in exquisite Belgian chocolates to savoring the delights of its renowned breweries, Bruges tantalizes the senses at every turn. Whether you’re wandering the winding alleys or cruising its tranquil waterways,
Bruges captivates with its timeless charm, making it a must-visit destination for travelers seeking a taste of old-world romance. Here are some highlights from my last visit:
VISIT A MUSEUM:
Frietmuseum
Where else, but in Belgium, would one find a French Fries Museum? This was a fun experience. Touted as the first and only museum dedicated to the history of potato fries.
The exhibits are fun and colorful. With an interactive game where you can protect potato crops from invasive insects to potato characters performing a cabaret, you will not be bored.
The space is full of fun facts and entertaining visuals.
In the basement is, you guessed it a french fries cafe where you can sate your crispy salty cravings.
Choco-Story
The other major food group in Belgium is, of course, chocolate. The museum is an immersive experience and you get all the chocolate you can eat for the price of admission.
The museum is a private initiative driven by the Van Belle family, passionate chocolate lovers. They receive the support of Belcolade, the only chocolate manufacturer of authentic Belgian chocolate that is still in Belgian hands.
With a private collection of around 1,000 objects, the museum is unique of its kind in Belgium.
The museum tells the origin and evolution of chocolate through a unique collection of almost a thousand objects. The museum also shows how chocolate is made, with special attention to the varied raw materials and production processes of the past and present.
EAT:
House of Waffles
The restaurant’s history from their website: In 1929 Monique Van Waefelghem was born in one of the most charming houses of Bruges. She was the last person carrying the name Van Waefelghem in Bruges.
She was well known within the family but also far beyond for her warm and charming personality. Particularly famous were the regular get-togethers with the whole family where Monique was baking and serving the best and warmest waffles.
Monique passed away in 2015. Her closest family members, daughter Anne, son-in-law Dirk, and her grandchildren Julie and Charles joined forces to renovate parts of Monique’s birthplace and transform it into the “House of Waffles” (Waefelghem means “House of Waffles” in old Dutch).
Central in the approach was using one of “Mamie’s” tricks to make all waffles tasteful by adding the right quantity of her favorite beer into the waffle mix. Most importantly, the family wanted to recreate the warm and welcoming feeling that every guest always experienced when entering Monique’s house.
Amon
When you need a break from chocolate and french fries, this delicious Lebanese spot hits the spot.
Amon has an extensive menu, and friendly, fast service.
The dishes are well-priced and the restaurant has a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
TAKE A BOAT RIDE
A quintessential experience that allows you to see the city from a unique and charming perspective. You can expect Picturesque Canals: As you glide along the water, you’ll see medieval buildings, historic bridges, and lush greenery lining the canals.
The boat ride offers close-up views of Bruges’ stunning Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Many buildings date back to the Middle Ages, and you can see details not always visible from the streets.
Most boat rides come with a guide who provides commentary in multiple languages. They’ll share fascinating stories and historical facts about Bruges, pointing out landmarks and explaining their significance. Guides often share local anecdotes and legends, adding a personal touch to the tour. This can include information about local customs, traditions, and notable historical events.
The vantage point from the water provides excellent opportunities for photography. The reflections of the buildings on the water and the different angles available from the boat make for stunning photos.
GRAB A COFFEE
Bruges has many beautiful small cafes where you can take a coffee or tea break. Most have beautiful selections of luscious pastries.
Blackbird
This charming coffee bar also offers lovely healthy breakfast options. You can also opt for a delicious pastry. Loved the pretty decor and friendly service.
Cafuné
Known for its excellent coffee this cafe is also a coffee roastery. If you are looking for a bagel fix or a vegan pastry, this is your stop. The service is friendly and the place is bright and cheerful.
Make sure you give a gawk at the pink coffee roaster.
MAKE SWEET STOPS
Of course, chocolate is one of the A-list stars of Belgium in general. Bruges is no exception when it comes to the abundance of chocolate stops. I’ve highlighted one of my favorites and other non-chocolate sweet stops worth checking out.
Pralinette
I am picking this shop because of its visually stunning chocolates and innovative flavors. The shop is pure eye candy.
The shapes, colors, and flavors of their chocolate offering are fanciful and creative. It was hard to leave this place.
Brown Sugar Marzipan Shop
With quality nougat sourced directly from France, this beautiful shop also offers marzipan in many flavors. If you have been around this blog, you know how much I love and use marzipan in my recipes. Highly recommend a stop here if you have marzipan love.
Maison La Confiance
Delicious freshly baked biscuits and cookies. The ginger speculoos are divine. Also, check out their homemade chocolate and speculoos spreads. This is a great place to pick up sweet snacks for your hotel room or train and airplane trips as well as gifts.
Chocolaterie Der Burg
We stumbled into this charming chocolate and candy shop because it was down the street from out hotel. It was closed the first few times we passed. but. However, we did not give up because the window is like Willy Wonka’s. When we eventually were able to visit, not only were we delighted by the goods but the owner was so lovely. This is a generational family-owned shop. The place is packed with so many unique sweets and gifts. We schmoozed, sampled, and shopped.
La Belgique Gourmande
This store has multiple in Brussels and Bruges. The store has a beautifully curated selection of goodies from Belgian culinary artists. I am listing it here specifically because it is a great place to pick up Cuberdons. They have a large variety of flavors. Cuberdons are considered a specialty of Ghent, a city in the Flemish region of Belgium. The traditional flavor is raspberry, but modern variations are cherry, blueberry, and even violet. Cuberdons are made using a mixture of gum arabic, sugar, and fruit syrup, The mixture is poured into cone-shaped molds and left to set. The result is a candy with a hard outer shell and a gooey, jelly-like center.
Have a Cocktail or a Beer
Groot Vlaenderen Cocktail Bar
This sleek and sexy cocktail bar has a fantastic array of gorgeous cocktails. We even indulged in picklebacks.
‘t poatersgat
If you’re looking for beer, there are over 70 varieties. Here. I love the cave-like atmosphere. My apple beer was crisp and refreshing. The bar is underground in a rustic cavern-like atmosphere.
Delaney’s Irish Pub
I’m not a person who seeks out an Irish Bar. However, we found this place welcoming and perfect place for a pre-dinner cocktail. Delaney’s also has a decent menu so I’ve put this on my list for a return trip meal. Here is where I finally sampled a Brugse Zot.
Retsin Lucifernum
The ord eccentric does not even begin to cover this place. It’s a mix of a museum and a cocktail bar. The eclectic owner is a hoot. He entertained us by playing the piano and singing in several languages.
Norma makes fabulous Mojitos and Cuba Libres. The place is packed with floors of collections, art, and artifacts. Ask permission and take some time to wander. We went twice.
Stay in a Medieval Townhouse
We loved our hotel Martin Relais.
The hotel is comprised of 5 medieval townhouses. Each room is unique and so comfortable. The staff is lovely, The best part is it is within walking distance of everything.
Like this Bouncing Around in Beautiful Bruges Post? Also, check out some of my other travels:
HOUSEBOATING THROUGH THE ALSACE
6 STOPS IN GORGEOUS GHENT
5 UNIQUE EUROPEAN CHRISTMAS MARKETS
