A Weekend in Bruges: The Perfect 2 Day Itinerary

A Weekend in Bruges: How to Plan The Perfect Bruges City Break

Planning to spend a weekend in Bruges and not sure where to start? Don’t miss this step by step guide – everything you need to know for the perfect Bruges city break.

It’s no secret that I am completely and utterly enchanted by Bruges. Small and compact, but with plenty to do, it is the perfect city break destination.

I first visited the city six years ago – I spent a week wandering around Bruges, getting to know the different neighbourhoods, seeing all the big attractions, finding a few off-the-beaten track spots too. I’ve returned several times since – each time discovering a different side of the city, seeing it during different seasons. Each time coming away with plans for yet another trip.

But this isn’t about me, it’s about you. So you are planning to spend 2 days in Bruges? I’ll bet you have a lot of questions – how to get there, what to see, where to stay…

Don’t worry: I have you covered – the perfect weekend in Bruges itinerary, complete with handy and practical tips to help you plan your trip. Let’s go!

PS: Looking for a more in-depth guide to the best things to see and do in Bruges – read this.

Handy Tips for Planning Your Weekend in Bruges

Should You Book an Organised Tour or Book Your Weekend in Bruges Independently?

If you’re planning a Bruges weekend away, one of your first decisions is whether to go at it alone or join in an organised tour.

Both options have their merits and really depend on what you’re looking for out of your 2 days in Bruges.

I love travelling solo and have done it all over the world. There’s something so fabulous about answering to no-one and being totally in charge of your own itinerary.

Feel like sleeping in ‘till noon? No one’s there to judge. Planning on spending four hours just at the Frites museum? You do you.

Of course, there are some drawbacks to solo travel – it’s not all as easy as it looks on Instagram.

Solo travel means putting in the hard yards worrying about logistics like what plane to catch and organising tickets to attractions.

By contrast, organised group tours are a great way to maximise what you see during your 48 hours in Bruges. Someone else will take care of the boring stuff, while you just get to explore the city’s sights.

Plus, I love meeting other travellers on tours. It’s never easier to make new friends than when you’re off gallivanting around a new city.

One good compromise can be taking shorter tours or having an independent guide. This way you’ll keep the flexibility and independence of solo travel, while also letting an expert take care of the boring practicalities.

As with any European weekend break, there are many great places to find Bruges city break packages, whether they be all-inclusive tours or just accommodation packages.

Some of my favourites include Love Holidays, Easyjet, Lastminute.com and Expedia – you can also snap up some great savings if you book accommodation and transport through the same site.

Best Way to Travel for a Bruges Mini Break

If you’re planning 2 days in Bruges, then I feel it’s safe to assume you’re probably coming from Europe.

In this case, you have a fair few options for how to travel for your Brugge city break.

Flying is the obvious choice, and is often quick and easy from other European cities. The nearest airport to Bruges is Ostend-Bruges (often just called ‘Ostend), which is about 25 kilometres away.

Check flights on Skyscanner.

While flying is quick and convenient, there are other options – some of which are a little more carbon neutral.

If you’re nearby and with vehicle, then driving is a convenient option – particularly if you want to also head to a nearby destination like Ostend or Zebrugge.

If you’re coming from the UK, then there’s a ferry that goes directly to Belgium from Hull, but it is quite long.

Otherwise, you can get a ferry to Dunkirk or Calais from Dover, which are both short drives (less than an hour and a half) from Bruges with DFDS Seaways and P&O Ferries.

Your last option is to get the Eurostar, which is my personal fave.

It leaves from St Pancras International in London, and has you in Brussels within two hours. From there, it’s just a short onward journey to Bruges.

What to Pack for Your Bruges City Break

Be sure to check the weather forecast before you go, so you know exactly what to pack.

In general, however, I recommend packing at least one warm and rain-proof jacket as the climate is on the cool side, even during the warmer months.

The best way to get around Bruges is on foot, so make sure you bring some comfy shoes. Now is not the time to try to wear in those new Doc Martens.

A camera is another non-negotiable, and don’t forget your important docs like passport/identity card, money (a must, unfortunately) and any hotel bookings.

Looking for more information? Read my step-by-step Europe Packing List.

Where to Stay for Your Weekend in Bruges

There are a few options for where to stay in Bruges, but I highly recommend going central and staying around Markt or Burg.

This will mean you’re super central for all of the top Bruges attractions, including the city’s best restaurants and bars. Which are an important stop on any city break.

If you’re looking for something a little more budget-friendly or prefer to avoid the crowds, then the neighbourhood of Sint Anna is a little more residential.

The Hotel de Orangerie is one of the best hotels in Bruges, while the Novotel Centrum offers reasonably good value a short walk to the centre of town. You might also want to consider booking an Airbnb as an alternative.

I also love using Plum Guide to find places to stay – each property is hand-selected by the staff to ensure only the very best make it onto the site. Think swish, spacious, and light.

Useful Resources for Your Bruges Trip

Here are some of my favourite sites to help you plan your weekend trip to Bruges.

Skyscanner: my favourite platform for finding the fastest and cheapest flights to Bruges. You can even search the whole month to easily compare prices.
Eurostar: If you are looking to catch the train from the UK to Belgium, then Eurostar is where you need to go. It’s fast, comfortable and safe.
Rail Europe: If you are planning to visit Bruges from another EU country by train, then you can book your tickets via Rail Europe.
Booking.com: A popular website to book hotels and accommodation, Booking usually offers the best value of all the major sites.
Plum Guide: Handpicked, high-quality holiday rentals.
Hotels.com: Another great option with competitive deals and prices.
Tripadvisor: I’m sure you’ve heard of this one – the review site to end all review sites. But did you know you can also book hotels and accommodation through the site?
Get Your Guide: A great website to find activities and tours (from half-day to multiple days) in Bruges.
Viator: Another option for finding activities and tours in Bruges – Viator is an oldie but a goodie, with lots of choice.

Getting Around Bruges

One of the great things about Bruges is that it’s super easy to get around on foot. Most of the sites are in a pretty compact area, so you won’t be trekking for hours to find the notable spots.

There’s also a good public bus network that travels around the city and to stops including the railway station and airport.

Note that Uber does not operate in Bruges, however there are plenty of taxis that you can flag.

The Perfect Bruges Weekend Break Itinerary

What to do in Bruges in 2 Days – Day One

I recommend spending the first day of your Bruges city break (or mid-week soiree) checking out some of the main sights in the city centre.

Markt + Belfry of Bruges

Markt + Belfort Bruges — Markt and Belfort

You are not allowed to leave Bruges without checking out Markt and the Belfort – it’s kind of like leaving London without at least glancing at Buckingham Palace.

Markt is a beautiful old square that still harks back to its centuries as the main marketplace in Bruges. You can’t miss it and its charming buildings.

The most famous of all the buildings is the Belfort, a large medieval tower. It’s 366 steps to the top but it’s 1000% worth it for the view.

Burg

The city’s second most famous but equally beautiful square is Burg, and it’s a must see for your long weekend in Bruges.

It’s historic and atmospheric – no surprise, considering it is believed to have been inhabited since the 2nd Century CE.

Burg is probably my pick for a gorgeous spot to stop and enjoy a coffee during your 2 day break in Bruges.

Quay of the Rosary

All of Bruges is stupendously pretty, so to be considered a stand-out view it’s got to be pretty spectacular.

That’s what you’ll find with the Quay of the Rosary (Rozenhoedkaai). It’s a gorgeous scene, with canals and historic buildings to make you feel like you’ve been transported back in time.

Make sure you double check your camera battery before you visit.

Hop on a Canal Cruise

Bruges Canals — Hop on a tour of the canals

It’s obvious where Bruges gets its nickname “The Venice of the North” from. The canals that once formed an important lifeblood for the city’s trade, now offer visitors the chance to see the city at its very prettiest.

Cruises run between March and November – pick any one of the five landing stages to depart from, hop on and enjoy the half-hour long ride.

Groeninge or Gruuthuse Museum

It’s decision time peeps – there are two museums on this side of Bruges and you need to make your decision about which one you want to go to.

The first, The Groeninge Museum, is a walk through Flemish art throughout the centuries, with a heavy focus on art up to the 17th century. I’ve been and can’t say that I found it that thrilling.

The second is the recently-renovated Gruuthuse Museum, where visitors can peek into the life and home of one of Bruges’ former great merchant families, the Van-Brugghe-Van der Aa family.

2be Beer Experience

The Belgians do beer really, really well – so you’ve just got to give it a go while you’re enjoying your mid-week or weekend break to Bruges.

Part tasting centre and part museum, you’ll learn everything you need to know about beer here – and then plenty more.

Find out more about the history of beer in Belgium, as well as the intricacies of its production. And then once the learning is over, be sure to enjoy a glass or two.

Another option if you love beer is to take a guided tour of the city’s best breweries. This is a fun way to find out more about the beer scene in Bruges.

Love Belgian Beer? Check out my guide to discovering the best beer in Bruges.

What to do in Bruges in 2 days – Day Two

For the second day on our Bruges weekend break itinerary, I recommend heading out a little bit further to check out some of the city’s hidden gems.

Sint-Janshospitaal

Before the sweetness of Minnewater Park later today, it’s time to take a dark turn and visit Sint-Janshospitaal, one of Bruges’ more unusual attractions.

It’s one of the best preserved Medieval hospitals in Europe, and you can check out some of the old wards.

I swear, nothing will make you more grateful for modern medicine than a visit to this quirky attraction.

Minnewater Park

Bruges is all very sappy and romantic, but nowhere more so than Minnewater Park.

There’s a local myth that it’s where two secret lovers met, and it remains a favourite place for romantic strolls.

Of course, you don’t need a partner to enjoy its beauty. You can also head off solo and enjoy the sights, including the beautiful flora and still lake.

De Vesten

For some more beautiful sights (and to shake off the memories of that medieval medicine), I recommend a stroll around De Vesten – Bruges’ old city ramparts.

They create a large green belt all around the city, which are popular with joggers and walkers.

I particularly love them because along the way there are four beautiful windmills to admire and a couple of the old city gates still stand.

Beguinages

I highly recommend spending some time wandering around Beguinages, one of Bruges’ oldest and most beautiful spots.

The Beiguinages – one of the few remaining left in the country – used to act as a sanctuary for women who opted to live a celibate life, strictly adhering to the rules of the beguines, in exchange for somewhere to live. Today, the Begijinhof is home to a convent and offers a unique peek into the life of days gone by.