The Burg is the historic civic and religious heart of Brugge in Belgium's Flemish Region, a small square just off the Markt reached through Breidelstraat. It occupies the site of the original 9th-century fortress of the Counts of Flanders, and today it is lined with buildings from several centuries. The star is the Stadhuis (town hall) at Burg 12, completed around 1420 and among the oldest town halls in the Low Countries. Its Gothic facade is decorated with statues of counts and countesses of Flanders, and the upstairs Gothic Hall, which visitors can enter, has a polychrome vaulted wooden ceiling with hanging pendants and 19th-century murals of Bruges history. A visit to the hall is part of the Stadhuis ticket, at about EUR 8-10, and can be combined with the neighbouring Brugse Vrije, whose Renaissance Hall holds a carved chimneypiece. Next door stands the Basilica of the Holy Blood, and the Provinciaal Hof and a former Gothic gate fill the edges of the square. Visitors can walk through a small archway to the Blinde Ezelstraat and reach the fish market and Huidenvettersplein in a couple of minutes, a route that also gives a good view of the Stadhuis side facade. The best photographic angle is from the centre of the square with the Stadhuis and basilica in one frame, ideally in the soft light of the morning. A walk around the square takes only ten minutes, while the Gothic Hall adds roughly 30 to 45 minutes in total. The square is busiest between about 11:00 and 16:00, when tour groups funnel in from the Markt, and quietest early in the morning and in the evening, when the stone facades are lit and the square is almost empty. The Burg also hosts occasional events, and civil weddings are held in the Stadhuis, so the building can close to visitors at short notice. The square itself is open at all hours and free to enter.
| Admission | Adult Stadhuis Gothic Hall about EUR 8-10 (~$9-12); square free · Child Reduced rates for under 26 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Square open 24 hours; Stadhuis Gothic Hall daily about 09:30-17:00 |
| Typical visit | 45 minutes |
| Best time | Morning |
| Getting there | On foot, 2 minutes from the Markt via Breidelstraat |
| Address | Burg 12, 8000 Brugge |
Location
Burg 12, 8000 Brugge
51.2088, 3.2268 View on map
Highlights
- Gothic Hall of the Stadhuis with its vaulted polychrome wooden ceiling
- Statues of the counts and countesses of Flanders on the Stadhuis facade
- Neighbouring Basilica of the Holy Blood and Brugse Vrije
- Quiet evening views of the floodlit facades
Tips for visiting
- Visit the Gothic Hall early in the day to have the room almost to yourself
- Check opening hours, since weddings and official events can close the hall
- Combine the Stadhuis with the Basilica of the Holy Blood in a single 90-minute stop
- Walk through the archway on the south side to reach Huidenvettersplein and the canals
- The square is free and open 24 hours, so an evening stroll costs nothing
When to visit
Morning before tour groups arrive, or the evening when the facades are lit. Midday in summer is busiest.
Accessibility
The Burg is paved with cobblestones, which can be bumpy for wheelchairs but is level and open. The Gothic Hall is on an upper floor and access depends on current lift arrangements, so check with the city before visiting.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to the Burg and Stadhuis take?
The square takes about ten minutes to see; the Gothic Hall adds 30 to 45 minutes. In total plan on roughly 45 minutes.
Is the Stadhuis worth visiting?
Yes, the Gothic Hall is one of the best-preserved medieval civic interiors in Belgium and is quick to see. It is smaller than most museums, so it suits a short stop.
Is photography allowed?
Photography is generally allowed on the square and in the Gothic Hall, without flash or tripods where posted.