Have you ever had a perfect day trip? Our trip to Bruges was just that.
When I planned our Brussels weekend trip my husband suggested we spend a day in Bruges. I was against it since it was just a short trip but I’m so glad that he managed to change my mind. Bruges is a perfect picture postcard town. And it kind of reminded me of English countryside towns and I seriously love the English countryside.
So, on a beautiful Sunday morning we boarded our train to Bruges from Brussels Midi station. The train was packed full with tourists and somehow after walking through several carriages we eventually found ourselves a place to sit. It was only a short train ride since Belgium isn’t really big and on our way to Bruges we passed near several other tourist-worthy Belgian towns such as Ghent. There was an older Belgian gentleman sitting opposite me and he struck a conversation with me. I have to say that I speak some French and I tried to use my French as much as possible during this trip but everyone we met spoke good English. So we talked briefly about Brussels and Bruges and Belgian coast and about French and Flemish language representation in Belgium.
Soon we arrived to Bruges and followed the mass of tourists out of the train station and into the town. However, the groups of tourists dispersed quickly since everyone obviously had another idea of how to get to the strict center of the town.
We walked past a row of old small houses which looked more like they belonged in a fairy tale book than in a modern-day world. Passing the St.Salvator’s Cathedral we found ourselves in a busy street leading to the main square Markt. And what a sight to behold! The square is surrounded by colourful picturesque buildings from different periods. There’s also the majestic Provincial Court building which can be mistaken for a town hall and of course looming over the square is the 83-meter-high Belfry tower from 1248. There was also a kind of carnival at the square which I must say looked a bit out of odds with the beautiful square. You could spend hours at the square just admiring the beautiful facades of the buildings or watching the world go by from one of the many café terraces on the square. But the first thing we did in Brugge or Bruges was to climb 366 steps up to the top of the Belfry tower to see the whole town. However, it wasn’t an easy climb since the passage was often very narrow and steep and we had to wait in queue for half an hour before. There’s not much inside the tower except from the big wooden chest in the Treasure Room and the intricate clock/bells mechanism further up. Nevertheless, the view alone was worth the climb and the hefty 8 euros ticket.
![the cathedral](https://theredphoneboxtravels.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/img_4341.jpg?w=576&h=1024)
![at the main square Markt](https://theredphoneboxtravels.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/img_4396.jpg?w=900&h=506)
![the view from the Belfry tower](https://theredphoneboxtravels.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/img_4371.jpg?w=576&h=1024)
![the view of the Markt from the Belfry](https://theredphoneboxtravels.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/img_4386.jpg?w=900&h=506)
![the Burg square](https://theredphoneboxtravels.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/img_4376.jpg?w=900&h=506)
After descending the tower we looked around the square &shops and went to see another remarkable square Burg which looks like a smaller version of Markt square. Of course, there was a waffle stand too and a chocolate shop. The Burg square holds a special place in Belgian Catholics’ minds since there’s the Basilica of the Holy Blood which treasures a crystal vial which allegedly contains a drop of Christ’s blood brought back from the Holy Land during the Crusade Wars. The Town Hall is also at this square.
I still haven’t bought a box of Belgian pralines so we went through chocolate shops like mad searching for that perfect combination of great taste and reasonable price and authenticity because frankly I could get a box of Godiva or Leonidas pralines at any airport. But there were other things to do in Bruges apart from looking for chocolate& waffles. Just behind the Burg square is the canal and I saw some boats on it and wanted to go on a boat ride. We were lucky that we didn’t have to wait for long for our boat to come. It was probably one of the best 16 euros I have ever spent (I’ll write about the canal boat ride in my next post A fun boat trip in Bruges). After the great boat ride we walked a bit by the Djiver canal and I bought an ice-cream. It was very delicious but then as I was licking it it fell off the cone and onto the ground. I felt like I could almost cry; it was so good. The canals reminded me a bit of Cambridge but my husband said it was very similar to the Netherlands ( he went there, I still haven’t been).
![Basilica of the Holy Blood](https://theredphoneboxtravels.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/img_4415.jpg?w=576&h=1024)
![the canals](https://theredphoneboxtravels.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/img_4428.jpg?w=900&h=506)
![the Belfry tower in the back; the ice-cream which fell just moments after this shot was taken](https://theredphoneboxtravels.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/img_4463.jpg?w=576&h=1024)
We returned to the main square Markt and did some souvenir shopping and wanted to check out the Historium (interactive history experience) in the Provincial Court Building. We didn’t really want to pay for the entrance especially since this attraction boasted a superb view of the main square from the balcony when you could do the same from the balcony of Duvelorium grand beer café in the same building as we found out. At this point it was already afternoon and we were hungry so we wanted to have a proper sit-down meal. We usually avoid restaurants at the main squares since they’re always overpriced but we browsed the menus of the restaurants at Markt square and decided to give it a try since we were pleased with the prices. It was an excellent decision. We had a decent meal which consisted of an apéritif, the starter, the main and the dessert and all this for just around 20 euros per person sans the drinks. I had Kir Royal for apéritif and a melon&prosciutto starter while my husband had some sort of herring for his starter. We both had rabbit in prune sauce and fries for the main and I had an ice-cream for dessert while he had some sort of apple strudel. It was really nice to soak up the sun and sit at the main square while having a lovely meal.
![Duvelorium](https://theredphoneboxtravels.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/img_4409.jpg?w=900&h=506)
![the view of Markt (the main square) from Duvelorium's balcony](https://theredphoneboxtravels.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/img_4406.jpg?w=900&h=506)
![our starters](https://theredphoneboxtravels.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/p4118031.jpg?w=900&h=675)
![great meal!](https://theredphoneboxtravels.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/p4118033.jpg?w=900&h=675)
So, there was only one thing left to do in Bruges and that was to see the windmills. Originally I wanted to see the Beguinage too but there wasn’t time for it all. I guess windmills are a symbol of the Netherlands but you have them in Belgium too and since I’ve never visited the Netherlands when I saw some windmills on Bruges city map I wanted to go and find them. They’re not in the center so you get to do a nice walk away from all the tourists and see a different side of Bruges; a calmer and quieter side with charming old buildings and local pubs. And there was also a sense of calmness in the air which I liked. I enjoyed this walk tremendously and then we saw what looked like an old city gate and to the left of it was a big windmill. My heart skipped a beat as I approached the windmill and climbed its steps to take in a beautiful view of Bruges. And there was another windmill too. I was so happy 🙂 .
Returning to the main square Markt from our windmill search we stopped by at a small shop and my husband bought some beers while I bought a sweet spread called Speculoos. I love the spiced shortcrust biscuits from which it’s made but I forgot that I couldn’t take it on board and they found it in my suitcase at the airport security and threw it away. I was so sad. I could have bought a new jar at the airport shop but it was much more expensive so I had to return from Belgium without it. But I bought it less than two weeks later in France on a business trip and it was very delicious.
![the view of Bruges from the first windmill](https://theredphoneboxtravels.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/img_4471.jpg?w=900&h=506)
And right before we had to head for the train station I finally found a perfect chocolate shop and bought a box of Belgian pralines which I duly opened when I returned home. They were fabulous and I was sad that I didn’t buy some more. We finished off our visit to Bruges with another waffle (our last in Belgium) and went back to Brussels by train. It was again packed full because the train fare is half cheaper during the weekends than during the week so our return ticket was only 15 euros per person.
It was a perfect day trip and I was so glad that I exchanged a day in Brussels for a day in Bruges.
![I finally bought some Belgian pralines!](https://theredphoneboxtravels.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/img_4491.jpg?w=900&h=506)
Have you seen the movie In Bruges with Colin Farrell?
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Linking up this post for November’s (2016) Travel Linkup with theme A perfect…. with Emma, Angie and Jamie.
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[…] my London posts. I like some of my Christmas themed posts because Christmas season brings me joy. Bruges is still probably the best day trip I’ve ever had and San Marino was a gem and our first […]
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Tanja! It’s this! Oh my gosh, very nice pictures you got here. It must be so nice that spring. Now I’m missing Bruges more. 🙂 — Amor
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Thanks Amor
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[…] Bruges, Belgium […]
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[…] the other hand our day trip to Bruges was perfect in every sense and I fell in love with it. How could I not to? Picture perfect little […]
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Your lovely photos bring back fond memories of Bruges for me. I was really impressed with the Historium with their VR headsets so you could explore the town in the medieval era. I was a wuss (and it was also hot) so I didn’t climb up the big tower but did the smaller one across the street.You’ve captured the spirit of the place beautifully.
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Thank you. We really loved Bruges
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[…] grapes as the clock struck midnight, being in Venice for the carnival, the most perfect day trip to Bruges, watching my husband win at a roulette in Monte Carlo Casino, honeymoon in Portugal, eating Sacher […]
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Haha we took the same photo of the red & white house 😀 great minds! Love your photos, especially the windmill ones
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yes, I noticed we have a few same photos:))
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[…] cakes but when it comes to choosing a place that has left an everlasting impression on me… Bruges. I spent a day exploring historical Bruges and fell in love. Just like that. Last year I also left […]
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[…] Bruges, Belgium […]
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Looks like Bruges is really popular for a quick break! I can’t wait to visit!
Honey x The Girl Next Shore
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🙂 thanks for stopping by:)
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This post has made me excited for my upcoming trip to Bruges! Hopefully I’ll get the chance to climb the tower and do a canal cruise as well 🙂
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🙂 great! enjoy Bruges:)
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We loved Bruges too – must get back to Ghent soon!
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🙂 I’d like to go back to Bruges too:) Yes, I hear Ghent is charming too:)
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What a lovely read!! I’m desperate to go here and your pictures are beautiful
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thanks a lot:))
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What a full day in Bruges! I loved my short day in this charming little Belgian city.
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:)great! thanks
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thanks:) great!
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I’m not a fan of Brussels so had sort of written off Belgium, but Bruges looks like a pretty and quaint place, far nicer!
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🙂 yes, Bruges is very charming:)
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I’ve never been [nor seen the movie] but Bruges looks like such a charming city! thanks for linking up 🙂
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🙂 thanks for stopping by, maybe one day you too visit Bruges:)
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Ahhh Bruges! My favorite town in all of Europe! Makes me want to go back again! #travellinkup
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🙂 I want to go back too:)
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Oh, Bruges has been on my bucket list for a long time. Also, first rule of living: always buy more praline chocolates than you think you’ll need. They come in handy 😉
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:)) good advice:)
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Sounds like you really made the most of the wonderful food!
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🙂 yes, we did:)
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I just spent the weekend in Brussels and loved it, but Bruges looks so pretty! Will have to go there next time! x
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🙂 I preferred Bruges to Brussels:)
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Bruges is by far one of my favorite fairytale towns!
The Fashion Matters- Travel & Fashion blog | Instagram: TheFashionMatters
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🙂 it’s lovely, yes:) thanks for stopping by
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This looks like such a lovely trip! Sad story about the icecream though haha 😦
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it was a really lovely day trip from Brussels. yes, the ice-cream was great!:(
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[…] so perhaps I could give it a second try to see how I like it on my next trip. On Sunday we went to Bruges and when we returned to Brussels we got off the train at Brussels Central station which is […]
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[…] finally had proper Belgian waffles. I had Brussels waffles in Brussels and I had Liège waffle in Bruges. The second type is that usual type of waffles that can be seen in a lot of places. I only wish […]
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[…] character).We only spent Friday afternoon and Saturday in Brussels because we decided to go to Brugge on Sunday. If we hadn’t done that, we would have definitely gone to one of the […]
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[…] enjoyed very much. In the end I bought my Belgian pralines in a cute shop in Brugge (read my other post). We also had our obligatory portion of Belgian fries which are slightly different to so called […]
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[…] the Cathedral were colourful and tall but narrow and they reminded me a bit of the houses I saw in Bruges. We entered the Cathedral (Storkrykan) from the 14th century. It is the oldest building in […]
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[…] year ago my husband and I visited Brussels and spent a day trip in Bruges. It was really my husband’s idea to visit a city famous for chocolate and beer and made even […]
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We had a great time in Bruges – although we didn’t make it up the Belfry (we had our daughter who was two at the time with us) so really appreciate seeing your pictures from the top. The chocolate there is something else! You did a lot in just a day trip – definitely worth sacrificing a day in Brussels! Thanks for linking to #citytripping
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thanks! I totally fell in love with Bruges:)
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I do love Bruges – such a gorgeous place and somewhere I’d love to go back to. I think I might leave it a few years until my daughter’s old enough to appreciate it (and won’t go utterly beserk from the chocolate).#citytripping
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🙂 well, she might go crazy when older too:)))
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We somehow missed Bruges last time. We’ve to get there next time #CityTripping
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I hope you do:)
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I do prefer Bruges to Brussels. The streets are so quaint, and it’s wonderful that the windmills are so close to the centre. We spent a lovely day there once, cycling around.
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great! I do like Bruges very much. I’d like to go back and spend a few days there:)
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I just love the architecture and windmill! #CityTripping
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thanks:)
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[…] Bruges: Bruges have actually visited this town because of the movie […]
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Olá, adorei a descrição de seu dia em Bruges, estou indo em março de 2016, como faço para chegar nos moinhos? Como eles se chamam?
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Hi! I understood half of your comment, but I’m not sure about your questions, so I google translated it and got a question about factories?:)
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Obrigada pelo retorno. Como faço para ir até os moinhos?
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Ok, well it’s not that difficult, it’s like 20 mins on foot from the main square.I had a map of the city and I just followed the streets to the windmills:)
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[…] somewhere you’ve been or something you did that you didn’t expect much of, but ended up loving? Bruges. I really didn’t want to waste the precious little time we had in Brussels by going […]
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Woooow! So gorgeous Tanja! Glad you manage to climb in the Belfry Tower! I really enjoy reading your aticles, as well as your wonderful pictures! Glad to find you here! Thank for giving me new ideas! 🙂
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Thank you!you’re welcome:)
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[…] I’ve mentioned in my previous post on Bruges ( A perfect day in Bruges) we took a boat trip along the canals. It cost 8 euros per person and lasted for half an hour. The […]
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Bruges is a beautiful town. I love all those massive towers. It has to be in running for the greatest density of chocolate shops anywhere on earth. LOL If you can stay overnight I highly recommend it. Bruges becomes a totally different town when all the day trippers leave.
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Yes, it really is. Well, I hope to visit it some time again and then I’d definitely stay overnight.
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I love Bruges! It looks like a fairy tale! We were there during winter and it was so cold that we had to duck into every other chocolate shop for a hot beverage. It looks like you got much more enjoyable weather on your trip.
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Well, we were there in April this year, on a sunny day. But hey I’m sure Bruges is wonderful during winter too and I don’t think that you minded too much having to hide from the cold in the chocolate shops 🙂
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Your photos are so beautiful, makes me want to jump on the next plane there to visit 🙂
http://www.mintnotion.com
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Thanx, Bruges is really stunning!
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Bruges does look really lovely and ohhhh the foooooood!!!! 😉
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🙂 🙂
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The buildings in Bruges are adorable, they almost look pixelated. So, as a fellow choco-holic, I have to know, what chocolates did you end up buying?
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I bought a box of mixed pralines, they were different flavours. It’s the last photo in the post 🙂
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I wish I got to Bruges when visiting Brussels … I’ve heard such great things! Looks beautiful!! 😀 xxLauren
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Well, there’s always next time 🙂 X Tanja
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