Bruges

Bruges is a UNESCO-listed medieval city in West Flanders, roughly 100 km northwest of Brussels. Direct SNCB/NMBS trains run from Brussels-Midi, Central and Nord to Brugge about twice an hour, taking 55 to 70 minutes for around €17 one way, which makes the train the obvious transport choice. From Brugge station, the historic centre is a 20-minute walk or a short bus ride away. The compact core of brick gabled houses, canals and cobbled squares is best explored on foot, and nearly everything sits within a 15-minute radius of the Markt. The main sights are the Markt square with its 83-metre Belfry, the Burg square with the Basilica of the Holy Blood and the Gothic town hall, the Begijnhof, the Church of Our Lady with Michelangelo's Madonna and Child, and the quiet Minnewater lake. Canal boat tours depart from several jetties near the Rozenhoedkaai and last about 30 minutes, offering views of the city from the water. A workable day starts with an arrival around 09:30, before the tour groups fill the streets. The morning suits a climb of the Belfry, which has 366 steps, followed by the Burg and the Rozenhoedkaai viewpoint. Midday is a good moment for lunch around the Markt or in the side streets off Simon Stevinplein, where mussels, Flemish beef stew and waffles are typical orders. The afternoon can cover a canal boat tour, the Begijnhof and Minnewater, and chocolate shops along Wollestraat and Katelijnestraat, since Bruges is known for its pralines. Visitors who want a museum can add the Groeninge Museum, which holds Flemish Primitive paintings. An early evening train back leaves plenty of time, and services continue until late. The best window runs from April to October, when the weather is mild and canal tours run daily, though summer weekends and the pre-Christmas period are crowded. Winter visits are quieter, with markets and lights in December. A realistic budget including train, lunch and a couple of sights is €80 to €120.