Bruges - Belgium
A medieval town surrounded by canals, bridges, and swans, it is a city straight out of fairytales and legends...
Origin of Its Name
Its local name is actually Brugge, which translates to "Bridges". It is thought that during the Spanish presence, the name transformed phonetically into "Brujas" in Spanish.
A Brief History
Founded by Vikings in the 9th century, this medieval town was a flourishing port and financial hub for hundreds of years, until it was eventually overshadowed by the emerging nearby port of Antwerp. Forgotten over time, it became one of Belgium's poorest cities. It was later "rediscovered" in the 20th century, now admired by thousands of tourists who arrive daily to enjoy a city frozen in its glorious past.
Our Arrival
We arrived from Amsterdam by bus, as it was significantly cheaper and the travel time was similar to taking the train. An added bonus of taking the bus was seeing the city of Antwerp through our window, which we wouldn't have had time to visit otherwise. Another plus was that the bus was practically empty, allowing us to stretch out across two seats each for a very pleasant ride.
Upon arriving at the Bruges station, our first step was settling into the Ibis hotel located right next to it.
First Walk Around
Once checked in, our walking tour of the "enchanted city" began. Just across the avenue, we took a path along the river leading into Minnewaterpark (a former harbor mooring spot), which today is a romantic and beautiful green space.
The first things we saw were the Powder Tower, the Minnewater Bridge, and the Lake of Love (Minnewater). While it served as a merchant port in ancient times, today its waters are crossed only by beautiful swans.
This lake is tied to a legend of tragic love:
According to tradition, a young maiden named Minna lived in Bruges and fell in love with Stromberg, a young man of humble origin. Without her consent, Minna's father arranged a marriage between her and Morneck, a suitor of a social standing deemed more suitable. Upon learning of the arranged marriage, Minna fled into the forest. Stromberg set out to find her, but by the time he reached her by the lake's edge, she had passed away in his arms from exhaustion.
To keep their love eternal within its waters, he buried his beloved along the shore. That is why it is known today as the Lake of Love.
The SwansThe story behind why swans glide through the canals of Bruges dates back to the era of Maximilian I, Archduke of Austria.
Maximilian had raised taxes so heavily that during a visit to the city, the local populace took him hostage. Before his eyes, they executed his close friend and city administrator, Pieter Lanchals, in the central square.
When Maximilian I regained power, he ordered the execution of the protest leaders and punished the people of Bruges by obliging them to keep and feed swans on the canals forever. Swans were part of his friend’s family coat of arms, whose surname translated to "long neck" in Dutch. Every swan on the water served as a perpetual reminder to the town of the cruel loss of his friend.
Following the path further, we noticed houses built for retirees and low-income residents. Facing the lake stands a majestic building, which currently operates as a senior residence.
Begijnhof
Following the canal to where it forms a T-junction, turning left takes you inside the Begijnhof—a centuries-old spiritual retreat for women. Photos were not allowed inside, so we couldn't capture images of the interior grounds.
The Begijnhof was commissioned by the Countess of Flanders to house the beguines: widows and orphans of Crusaders who dedicated themselves to caring for the needy, crafting lace—famous and traditional to Bruges—and prayer, all without taking formal religious vows. There is a small museum detailing the history of this serene site, though we didn't linger long as there was still so much to explore.
Church of Our Lady
Bruges is so enchanting that we decided not to rush, savoring every corner of this fairytale city. We wandered across bridges and along canals until reaching the Church of Our Lady. Entrance is free, except for access to Michelangelo's famous marble sculpture, the Madonna of Bruges. We were struck by how miniature replicas of this statue could also be seen mounted above the entrance doors of various private homes throughout the city.
Gruuthuse Palace
The Church of Our Lady is connected to the residence of one of the city's wealthiest historic merchants, Lord Gruuthuse. So great was his wealth and influence that he had a private chapel built inside the church with direct access from his home, allowing him to attend mass without walking through the public streets. Michelangelo's sculpture is part of the art collection preserved alongside others in the church. Behind the high altar in the choir area stand the elaborate mausoleums of Charles the Bold (the last Duke of Burgundy) and his daughter, Duchess Mary of Burgundy. Both are depicted wearing crowns, with Charles depicted in full armor adorned with the Order of the Golden Fleece.
Gruuthuse made his fortune selling gruut (a blend of herbs), which served as the primary bittering and flavoring base for beer prior to the widespread use of hops. He was a passionate patron of art and rare manuscripts. Today, his palace operates as a museum showcasing period artwork, intricate tapestries, historical artifacts, and even a historic guillotine. Though named a nobleman of Bruges, his grand story carries mixed historical accounts regarding his efforts to preserve his family legacy through arranged marriages.
St. Boniface Bridge and Its "Legend"
Exiting the palace grounds brings you to one of the most photographed spots in the city: St. Boniface Bridge (also known as the Bridge of Love). Despite its ancient appearance, it was actually constructed in the early 20th century. Legend has it that if you kiss your partner while standing on the bridge, your love will last forever; however, if you look back before completing your crossing, the relationship is said to be doomed!
Rozenhoedkaai (Rosary Quay)
Continuing along the route, we arrived at the iconic Rozenhoedkaai (Rosary Quay)—a picturesque setting featuring medieval facades, outdoor cafes, and a weeping willow dipping into the water.
Canal Boat Tour
From there, we set off to take a guided boat tour along the canals, passing a large wall map of the city crafted in traditional bobbin lace near the dock. Beyond offering a welcome rest for our feet, taking a canal tour is an absolute must: it offers a completely different perspective of the city from the water.
It is wonderful to watch swans swimming right alongside your boat, gliding under historic stone arches past centuries-old brick structures—giving you the feeling of stepping right into a storybook or a movie set!
Market Square and the Belfry Tower
We continued exploring the charming side streets, browsing local shops for famous Belgian chocolates and handmade lace, until arriving at the Market Square (Markt). As one of the main town squares, it features historic guild houses now housing lively cafes and restaurants, alongside the famous Belfry Tower (Belfort). We arrived just as a musical performance at the base of the tower was concluding and the entry to climb the tower had just closed for the day—a pity, as we had hoped to take in the panoramic view of the city skyline.
Standing at 83 meters (272 feet) high, the tower remains one of the city's most iconic landmarks.
Interesting Facts About the Belfry
🔹 It served to oversee the city for fires and hazards, while its bells regulated working hours and daily town life.
🔹 The initial structure dates back to the 13th century; lightning strikes caused fires in subsequent centuries, leading to rebuilt and refined iterations.
🔹 The tower anchors the central Market Square, surrounded by historic civic structures and city halls.
🔹 Visitors can climb to the top via a narrow staircase of 366 steps.
Basilica of the Holy Blood & Burg Square
We strolled around Burg Square, admiring the detailed guild emblems on the building facades. After enjoying the atmosphere, we grabbed refreshments and headed toward the nearby administrative center, Burg Square, where the Basilica of the Holy Blood is located in the corner. Though closed at that hour, we were able to admire the intricate architecture of the surrounding plaza.
This 12th-century basilica houses a venerated relic: a cloth said to contain the blood of Christ brought back after the Crusades.
Completely enchanted by Bruges, we originally planned to dine at a highly recommended local restaurant, but found it fully booked. Instead, we returned to our hotel, picked up pizza on the go, rested for a bit, and then ventured back out to experience Bruges by Night before turning in.
While many travelers visit Bruges purely as a day trip from Ghent or Brussels, staying overnight proved to be one of our best decisions!
At night, architectural illumination highlights the textures of the stone and brickwork. The magical reflections along quiet canals without daytime crowds offer a completely distinct and serene experience.
Second Day in Bruges
We spent the morning of our second (and final) day taking a relaxed final walk through town—watching swans glide along the banks and soaking in the peaceful atmosphere.
Below are several recommended activities and tours in Bruges:
Renting a Car?
You can read about our car rental experiences and tips in this article.
To compare prices across major rental agencies, you can use the price comparison tool below:
Where to Next?
By midday, we boarded our bus to Brussels to continue our Eurotrip!
Follow along with our next stop via this link.
Instagram Posts
Here are our Instagram posts featuring more photos and details from our trip: