Things to Do in Bruges: Canals, Chocolate and Christmas Markets in Belgium

We’ve been to Bruges several times, always staying in Airbnbs near the center. It’s an easy city to explore on foot and feels quieter once the day visitors leave. The canals wind through narrow streets and every corner looks slightly different depending on the light. Bruges is small but there’s always something to see, even if you’ve been before.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend hotels we’d stay at ourselves.

Exploring the Old Town

The Markt is the center of it all with the Belfry rising above the square. The climb to the top is long but the view makes up for it. A few minutes away, Burg Square is smaller and calmer, home to the Basilica of the Holy Blood. Inside it’s dim and peaceful and worth a short stop.

We spent most of our time walking along the canals. Rozenhoedkaai is the most photographed spot in Bruges but it still manages to feel quiet in the morning. Boat tours run all day and give a good view of the city from below the bridges, though exploring on foot is just as nice.

The De Halve Maan Brewery is one of the few still brewing inside the old town. Their tour ends with a glass of Brugse Zot, best enjoyed on the rooftop terrace. They even have a pipeline that runs beer straight out of the city.

    • Shops and Chocolate

    It’s impossible to come to Bruges and skip the chocolate. The Chocolate Line and Dumon are both worth visiting and The Old Chocolate House serves hot chocolate made from melted bars stirred into warm milk. The small shops around the center sell lace, handmade soaps and local jams.

    Christmas in Bruges

    Bruges looks best in winter. The Christmas Market fills the Markt and Simon Stevinplein with lights and wooden stalls. The smell of waffles and mulled wine drifts through the air and it’s one of the few markets that still feels traditional. We always make time to walk the canals after dark when the bridges glow and the water reflects the lights. You can read more in our Bruges Christmas Market guide here.

    • Waffles and Beer

    2 things Belgium is famous for. Both times we went with family we did a waffle making class. The first we did waffles and beer, which included a tasting of 4 local Bruges beers. The second time was quite early in the morning and we did the waffles and hot chocolate. We loved this experience and will bring all our guests when we come. Find the experience here.

    Where We Ate

    We usually eat in Patershol, one of the oldest parts of the city. The streets are narrow, and every corner has another small restaurant. We tried waterzooi, a creamy chicken stew that started here, and it’s one of the dishes we now look for across Belgium. The food is comforting and the atmosphere feels local even when it’s busy. Also we thing the best drinks in town are at Groot Vlaenderen.

    • Where We Stayed

    We’ve stayed at the NH Hotel and an Airbnb, both close to the canals and main squares. The hotel works well for short trips, and the Airbnb gave us more space for longer stays. Ghent is small enough that you never need a car once you arrive.

    Know Before You Go

    When to visit: Spring and winter are best. Summer is busy, but mornings and evenings are calm.
    How to get there: About an hour by train from Brussels with easy connections from Ghent or Antwerp.
    Where to park: Paid parking is available near the edge of the center. Park once and walk.
    What to pack: Comfortable shoes for the cobblestones and a warm jacket if you visit in winter.

    Planning More Travel in Belgium

    If you’re traveling through Belgium, check out:
    Ghent – Canals, chocolate, and Christmas lights that make the city glow at night
    Brussels – Art, food, and day trips to nearby towns

    If you’re traveling for Christmas markets check out our market guides:
    Bruges Christmas Markets – Canals, chocolate, and Christmas lights that make the city glow at night
    Ghent Christmas Markets – Art, food, and day trips to nearby towns