Bruges & the Zandfeesten: A Weekend in Belgium's Most Beautiful City
Bruges really is one of my favourite cities, and this was our third visit. We first came in 2018 to experience the famous Zandfeesten, before returning the following year to stay at a different hotel and enjoy the event once again.
After a gap of a few years, it felt like the perfect time to return, this time meeting friends for the July Zandfeesten. Alongside exploring one of Europe's most beautiful medieval cities, we were looking forward to browsing the antiques and vintage stalls that make this event so special.
There are still several hotels on my list to try in Bruges, but for this visit we decided to return to Duke's Palace. Rather than staying in the historic palace building as we had previously, we booked a room in the contemporary Pavilion Wing, which opened in 2023, giving us the opportunity to experience a different side of this remarkable hotel.
Rozenhoedkaai, Bruges' most photographed canal viewpoint.
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Why Visit Bruges?
Bruges is one of Europe's best-preserved medieval cities, renowned for its picturesque canals, cobbled streets and beautifully restored historic buildings. Compact enough to explore on foot, it's a destination that effortlessly combines history, culture and world-class dining with luxury hotels and boutique shopping. Whether you're visiting for a romantic weekend, the famous Zandfeesten antiques market or simply to soak up the atmosphere, Bruges is a city I find myself returning to time and time again.
Canal cruise through the heart of medieval Bruges.
How to Get to Bruges
We've travelled to Bruges both by air and by rail, and each has its advantages.
On previous visits we've flown with British Airways into Brussels Airport before taking the train to Bruges. The journey is simple, with regular direct services from the airport to Bruges taking around 1 hour 25 minutes, making it an easy option if you're arriving by air.
For this trip, however, I wanted to travel by Eurostar again. We took the train from London to Brussels-Midi, before connecting onto a direct SNCB Intercity service to Bruges, which takes just over an hour. The connection was straightforward and made for a relaxed and enjoyable journey.
If you're travelling from Scotland, Brussels Airlines also operates direct flights between Edinburgh and Brussels. The timings didn't work particularly well for us on this occasion, but it's another convenient option to consider.
On the return journey, we travelled directly from Bruges to Brussels Airport by train, avoiding the need to change trains in central Brussels and making the journey home just as easy.
The trains between Brussels and Bruges were modern and very efficient. On our outward journey, the upper-level First Class carriage was particularly comfortable.
Best Hotels in Bruges
Bruges has a surprisingly strong selection of characterful places to stay, from grand historic hotels to intimate boutique properties and beautifully designed guesthouses. On this trip we returned to a hotel we already knew, but also took the opportunity to look at a few other properties that have been on my radar for future visits.
The peaceful rear gardens at Duke's Palace Bruges provide a welcome escape from the city's busy streets, with plenty of space to relax after a day exploring Bruges.
Duke's Palace Hotel
This was our second stay at Duke's Palace, although this time we stayed in the more contemporary Pavilion Wing overlooking the gardens. The Castle and Abbey rooms and suites offer a more traditional experience and are a great choice if you want to stay in the historic part of the hotel. A full hotel review is coming soon.Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce
We have stayed here before and loved it. For fans of In Bruges starring Colin Farrell, this is a must, as the hotel is instantly recognisable from the film and enjoys one of the most picturesque canal-side locations in the city.EVERELMUS Bed & Breakfast
We were invited for a tour of EVERELMUS and were so impressed by what the owners have created from a former family home. With just four individually designed rooms, it offers a much more intimate experience than a hotel. The Garden Room was particularly special, while the stylish interiors and excellent location beside BRUSK and opposite the Dijver market make it a real hidden gem.Hotel Van Cleef
We sailed past Hotel Van Cleef during our canal cruise, and it has been on my radar for some time. Its peaceful canal-side setting and elegant boutique feel make it one of the Bruges hotels I'd most like to experience.Le Foulage
Although we didn't stay here, we did visit the excellent Bulles Speakeasy Bar, which forms part of the hotel. If the quality and atmosphere of the bar are anything to go by, Le Foulage is certainly a property I'd consider for a future visit.
Best Restaurants in Bruges
One of the highlights of any visit to Bruges is the food. The city is famous for its chocolate, waffles, Belgian beer and traditional frites, but don't leave without trying the delicious Old Bruges cheese croquettes, which quickly became one of my favourite local dishes. From cosy cafés to excellent restaurants and hidden cocktail bars, there's plenty to discover.
Bulles at Le Foulage
A wonderful speakeasy-style cocktail bar with both indoor and outdoor seating, creating a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere. It was also my first opportunity to try The Gardener Gin, created by Brad Pitt, Tom Nichol and the Perrin family, and it certainly didn't disappoint.Reliva
One of the culinary highlights of our trip. Run by a husband-and-wife team, with the wife leading the kitchen, the restaurant offers a choice between its seasonal tasting menu and a vegetarian Garden Menu. Wine pairings are available, and there's also a lovely garden terrace that's perfect for a pre-dinner cocktail.Wijngaert
Located in one of Bruges' most historic areas, Wijngaert is an excellent choice for lunch. The Old Bruges cheese croquettes were superb and are something I'd highly recommend trying during your visit.Pause
Whether you're in the mood for Belgian frites or something sweet, Pause is well worth seeking out. Choose from a range of speciality fries, including an indulgent version served with Belgian chocolate sauce, or treat yourself to one of their excellent ice creams with a choice of chocolate coatings and toppings.La Dentellière
A lovely spot for lunch overlooking one of Bruges' most picturesque streets near the Minnewater. It's a great place to enjoy classic moules-frites while watching the horse-drawn carriages pass by.In Dish
Just a short walk from Duke's Palace, this small local Indian restaurant was a really pleasant surprise. Friendly service, excellent food and a welcome alternative if you're looking for something different during your stay.Mozart
A long-established Bruges restaurant that came highly recommended by our friend, who studied in the city many years ago. The waiter seemed slightly amused when I ordered a hot chocolate in the middle of July, but it made for a memorable visit all the same!
One of the standout dishes from our dinner at Reliva in Bruges. The restaurant focuses on fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from local producers, with beautifully presented dishes that were a highlight of our stay.
Best Things to Do in Bruges
Bruges is a city that's best explored at a leisurely pace. Wander through its cobbled streets, cross the historic bridges, stop for a coffee beside the canals and simply enjoy the atmosphere. These were some of the highlights from our visit.
A canal boat tour offers one of the best perspectives of Bruges, revealing medieval bridges, historic waterside buildings and quieter corners that can't be appreciated from the streets alone.
Canal Boat Tour
One of the best ways to discover Bruges is from the water. The official canal boat tours provide a completely different perspective of the city, with excellent commentary about its history, canals, bridges and famous landmarks. It's something I'd recommend doing early in your visit.
Zandfeesten
One of the main reasons we keep returning to Bruges, the Zandfeesten is one of Belgium's largest antiques and vintage markets. Held on selected Sundays throughout the summer, hundreds of stalls line the canals selling everything from antiques and ceramics to vintage furniture, books, artwork and collectibles.
BRUSK
Bruges' impressive new museum and exhibition space brings international exhibitions to the city in a striking contemporary building. It's well worth visiting, particularly if you enjoy art and architecture.
Groeninge Museum
Just a short walk from BRUSK, the Groeninge Museum houses one of the finest collections of Flemish Primitive paintings, alongside works spanning several centuries of Belgian art.
Belfry of Bruges
Standing proudly over the Markt, the Belfry is one of Bruges' most recognisable landmarks. Climb the 366 steps to enjoy panoramic views across the city's rooftops.
Dumon Chocolatier
One of my favourite independent chocolate shops in Bruges. Family owned and tucked away in a small side street, it's the perfect place to pick up beautifully made Belgian chocolates.
Markt
The heart of Bruges, surrounded by colourful guild houses, cafés and restaurants. It's always busy, but a great place to soak up the atmosphere of the city.
Burg Square
Home to some of Bruges' most impressive historic buildings, including the Town Hall and Basilica of the Holy Blood. It's one of the city's most beautiful public squares.
Rozenhoedkaai
Probably the most photographed spot in Bruges, and somewhere we found ourselves returning to several times during our stay. It's just along from the Dijver market, EVERELMUS Bed & Breakfast and around the corner from Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce. It's also where we joined our canal boat tour, making it a great place to begin or end a walk through the historic centre.
Minnewater
Often referred to as the Lake of Love, this peaceful area is perfect for a quieter stroll away from the busiest streets and is particularly beautiful in the early morning or evening.
Horse & Carriage Rides
Horse-drawn carriages remain one of the classic Bruges experiences and are a lovely way to see the city from a different perspective, particularly around the Markt and Burg.
Shopping
From independent boutiques and artisan chocolate shops to antiques, lace and homeware, Bruges offers plenty of opportunities for a leisurely afternoon of shopping.
Belgian Beer
Even if, like me, you're not a huge beer drinker, Bruges is one of the best places to experience Belgium's brewing heritage, with countless cafés serving an incredible selection of local beers.
Evening Walks
Once the day visitors leave, Bruges becomes noticeably quieter. It's my favourite time to explore the canals and historic streets, with many of the city's landmarks beautifully illuminated after dark.
Suggested Itinerary
We spent three nights in Bruges on this trip, which I think is the perfect amount of time. It's an easy city to reach from both the UK and Brussels Airport, and there's more than enough to fill a long weekend. With a great choice of hotels, excellent restaurants, fascinating museums, scenic canal walks and plenty of shopping, it's somewhere you can explore at a relaxed pace without ever feeling rushed.
Historic canal houses along one of Bruges's most picturesque waterways.
My Highlights
Duke's Palace – Pavilion Wing
Having previously stayed in the historic part of Duke's Palace, it was great to experience the contemporary Pavilion Wing. The modern design complements the historic palace beautifully, while still offering easy access to all of the hotel's facilities.
The Food
Bruges has so many excellent places to eat, but my standout discovery was the delicious Old Bruges cheese croquettes. Along with the city's chocolate, waffles, Belgian beer and frites, they're something I would definitely recommend trying.
Exploring on Foot
Simply wandering around Bruges remains one of my favourite things to do. Around almost every corner there's another picturesque canal, historic building or hidden square waiting to be discovered. Taking another canal boat tour also reminded me just how different the city looks from the water.
BRUSK & the Groeninge Museum
One of the highlights of this trip was visiting the new BRUSK art gallery. We saw two excellent opening exhibitions: Refik Anadol: Latent City, an immersive AI-powered digital art experience that transforms millions of images into constantly evolving installations, and Bigger Picture: Connected Worlds of Bruges 900–1550, which explores how Bruges became one of medieval Europe's most important international trading cities through more than 250 remarkable artworks and historical objects. The combined ticket also included the neighbouring Groeninge Museum, offering a fascinating contrast with its outstanding collection of traditional Flemish masterpieces. I'd highly recommend allowing at least half a day to experience all three.
Easy to Reach
Whether travelling by Eurostar via Brussels or flying into Belgium, Bruges is remarkably easy to reach. The straightforward rail connections make it an ideal destination for a long weekend from the UK.
Historic guild houses lining Bruges Market Square.
Practical Information
The official tourism organisation for the city is Visit Bruges, whose website is an excellent source of information when planning your trip. I'd also like to thank Visit Bruges for kindly hosting some of the sightseeing experiences featured during this visit, helping us discover even more of this wonderful city.
Peaceful Bruges canal at dusk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bruges worth visiting?
Absolutely. Bruges is one of Europe's best-preserved medieval cities, combining picturesque canals, cobbled streets, historic architecture, luxury hotels and excellent restaurants. It's a destination I've now visited three times and one I would happily return to again.
How many days do you need in Bruges?
I think three nights is ideal. It gives you enough time to explore the city at a relaxed pace, enjoy a canal cruise, visit the museums, sample some excellent restaurants and still leave time for shopping and simply wandering through the historic streets.
When is the best time to visit Bruges?
Bruges is a year-round destination, but I particularly enjoy visiting during the summer when the Zandfeesten antiques markets take place. Spring and autumn are also excellent times to visit, with fewer crowds and pleasant temperatures.
What is the Zandfeesten?
The Zandfeesten is one of Belgium's largest antiques and vintage markets, held on selected Sundays throughout the summer. Hundreds of dealers line the canals selling antiques, ceramics, books, artwork, furniture and collectibles, making it a fantastic event for anyone who enjoys antiques or simply browsing.
What's the best way to get to Bruges from the UK?
I've travelled both by air and rail. Flying to Brussels Airport before taking the direct train to Bruges is straightforward, while Eurostar to Brussels followed by a direct SNCB train to Bruges makes for a relaxing and enjoyable journey.
Where should you stay in Bruges?
Bruges has an excellent choice of accommodation, from luxury hotels such as Duke's Palace and Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce to smaller boutique properties like EVERELMUS Bed & Breakfast. The best choice depends on your budget and preferred style of stay.
What are the best things to do in Bruges?
Don't miss a canal boat tour, the Belfry, BRUSK, the Groeninge Museum and the city's famous chocolate shops. I'd also recommend simply wandering through the historic streets and spending time around Rozenhoedkaai, one of Bruges' most photographed locations.
What food should you try in Bruges?
Bruges is famous for Belgian chocolate, waffles, beer and traditional frites, but my favourite discovery was the delicious Old Bruges cheese croquettes. They quickly became one of the culinary highlights of the trip.
Is Bruges easy to walk around?
Yes. The historic centre is compact and almost all of the main attractions, restaurants and hotels can be reached on foot, making Bruges one of Europe's easiest cities to explore.
Flower-lined Bruges canal during golden hour.
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Church of Our Lady in Bruges.
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One of my favourite features of Duke's Palace Bruges is its surprisingly spacious garden. Despite being just a few minutes' walk from the Markt, it feels quiet, secluded and is the perfect place to enjoy a drink or meal outdoors on a sunny day.
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