Seeing and Doing
Bruges might surprise you. While the main square offers the typical touristy medieval vibe, the real charm lies in the city’s North and East. Here, you’ll find quiet, cobblestone streets, charming brick and pastel cottages, and authentic, lived-in neighbourhoods free of crowds. It’s a picturesque maze perfect for wandering, with a wintry charm reminiscent of Amsterdam, but quieter. Opt in for the perfect history class by visiting “secret Bruges”.
Travel back in time in a little museum of nostalgia, situated in eight old houses, an old café and a new wing overlooking an outdoor courtyard. The charming Museum of Folk Life is filled with staged rooms, each featuring a different trade or craft shop from the 19th century (shoemaker, tailor’s shop, a pharmacy from 1930s etc.) with all the details.
Stumble upon an open door and nip into one of Bruges’s secret gardens. You can find a peaceful gem with no one around inside a welcoming convent at a number 6 Kortewinkel street.
Hop across the canal to Bruges’s best cabinet of curiosities. Depot d’O is where Kurt Michiels has been searching and selling unusual antiques and unique objects for years from across the world.
Around the corner, Madam Mim is a beautifully curated vintage shop selling mostly 1960s clothing and accessories, collectable bric a brac, antique lace and charming homeware.
Eating and Drinking
You can grab a Belgian beer anywhere, but for a hidden gem, head to De Garre near the Markt square. Look for a narrow doorway labeled “cookies,” and you’ll find this cozy bar tucked away in an alley. They serve a great selection of Belgian beers, including lambic (Belgium’s champagne beer) and their house brew, paired with Gouda cheese. Plus, it’s close to the Bruges Beer Museum if you want to learn more.
In a traditional Flemish building in the heart of our “secret Bruges”, find Tom’s Diner. Don’t assume American diner, but rather think of a romantic and upscale Belgian gastropub, serving some delicious sharing plates in front of a stone fire surrounded by cozy chalet-style wooden beams.
Tom’s has a sister restaurant to come back for, appropriately called (and located) NXTDoor. Get ready for an exceptional and creative street food experience where the concept is no menu, but lots of small tasting dishes for a very affordable €35 per head. But don’t be in a rush – this is a leisurely lunch that as a bonus, you’ll hopefully get to experience in the back garden, weather permitting.
It would be very foolish of us to talk about Belgium without mentioning chocolate. So how does this sound – step inside the Old Chocolate Shop, pick out your favourite type of chocolate and have them melt it for you into a giant cup of cocoa. It’s a chocolate experience not to be missed.
When in Bruges, skip the touristy waffle hunt and head straight to Otto Waffle Atelier. Nestled by the canal, this spot offers artisanal oat waffles with homemade, seasonal toppings. It’s a unique and authentic experience that’s a bit off the beaten path.
When you’ve been wandering around the city on your feet, and you feel like relaxing on a nice comfy sofa in a place that feels like your living room’s Danish alter ego, preferably with a great cappuccino, a tasty granola bowl or a healthy salad, head to The Gulliver Tree.
Where to Stay
Kind of OJ is perhaps the most luxurious bed and breakfast that you’ll find in Bruges, and it’s run by the warm and attentive, Jo. The interior designer’s childhood home has been turned into design perfection and you’ll fall in love with each piece of furniture, from the futuristic vases and organic hand moulded bath, sinks, and crockery, to the abstract paintings and chairs. The breakfast is also worth waking up for.
A slightly more affordable option would be a stay at Hotel Marcel, which is stylish and central.
Just outside of Bruges on the Dutch border, The Bunkers B&B is the kind of place you usually only see in architecture books. It’s isolated, set among serene natural scenery and is just a stone’s throw away from the coast. The surrounding former WW1 bunkers now function as a farm and guests
are welcome to pet the animals.