Is Bruges worth visiting?
We loved visiting Bruges and, yes, it's absolutely a city that any traveler should visit. By the end of our time here, it felt like a second home. During our first trip to Bruges in 2022, we fell in love with its beautiful and charming old town and its wonderful beer scene. We've been back several times since then to experience it even more.
Whether you're a traveling as a family, a couple, or a backpacker, this city has a lot to offer. Any local will tell you what makes it special is the great historical sights and amazing museums and attractions.
It's often mentioned as one of the best places to visit in major publications, such as in BuzzFeed's Most Under-rated Travel Destinations For 2023.
For many people, Bruges is a highlight of their trip to Belgium. The medieval city has beautiful architecture, amazing food, and world famous breweries. The main square, Bruges' Markt, is at the heart of the city. Popular activities include canal boat rides and horse drawn carriage tours. The city is also one of the most touristy in the country, so you'll find plenty of tour groups and other visitors around town.
Bruges, Belgium
5 Reasons to Visit Bruges
1. Historical Sights
The old town is the main attraction, with its quaint cobblestone streets and beautiful brick architecture.
2. Museums and Attractions
The city is filled with charming hidden corners as well as notable landmarks. The main square is Bruges' Markt which is where you'll find the the Belfry Tower. Other must-see sights include the Historium, Groeninge Museum, the Town Hall, and Brugse Vrije Museum.
3. Food
From its world class breweries to its famous chocolate shops, there is plenty to eat and drink around town. In the old town prices can be a bit high, but the dishes and atmosphere are great. Popular local dishes include Belgian waffles, fries, mussels, and beef stew.
4. Nightlife
It's famous for its beer and breweries, so you'll find a number of places to gather in the evening. There is a lack of nightclubs, so if dancing and partying hard is your style, then this may not be your place. The vibes are generally chill and relaxed at night. Most places are concentrated around old town or near Kuipersstraat or Zilverstraat.
5. Shopping
The city offers plenty of shopping, whether you're looking for souvenirs, trendy European brands, or local items. It's more geared towards tourists than locals, and you want find the same diversity that you get in some of the larger nearby cities, but you'll find unique lace items and other local goods in the old town. The streets around Markt Square, Steenstraat, Geld Monstraat, and Jakobstraat are the main shopping areas.
Is Bruges worth visiting in the Summer?
Summer is the high season for travel in Bruges, so expect more visitors and higher prices. This is an extremely popular destination, and in the high season it's busier than usual as this is when most people are able to travel. Expect large crowds of tourists, longer lines, and higher prices for hotels. On the other hand, you'll find that everything is open and you'll have a wide array of activities, things to do, and places to eat.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during summer with average temperatures around 17°C (63°F).
You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable city, especially in the nice weather. You'll find plenty to do during summer, as you'll be able to browse through museums, browse around the old town, and take advantage of the local nightlife.
Summer Weather in Bruges
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 17°C (63°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| August | 18°C (64°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| September | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
Is Bruges worth visiting in the Autumn?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Bruges. As a very touristy destination, even in the shoulder season you'll see plenty of tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found at this time of year.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 12°C (54°F).
Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. Soaking up that old town charm in the autumn is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. During this season it's fun to experience the gorgeous scenery, the historic old town, and the famous sights and museums. Also, you can admire the quaint setting.
Autumn Weather in Bruges
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 12°C (54°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| November | 7°C (45°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) |
| December | 5°C (40°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Is Bruges worth visiting in the Winter?
The weather in Bruges can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 3°C (38°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
The low season for travel in Bruges is during the winter. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the low season you'll still see plenty of other travelers when you visit, but less than other times of the year. Good deals are to be found on hotels and tours because it's not the best time of year to visit.
This is a great time of year to browse the museums, taste delicious cuisine, and admire the historic sights. Also, you can check out the nightlife.
Winter Weather in Bruges
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 3°C (38°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| February | 3°C (38°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| March | 6°C (42°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
Is Bruges worth visiting in the Spring?
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Bruges. As a very touristy destination, even in the shoulder season you'll see plenty of tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found at this time of year.
The weather in Bruges can be quite cold during spring, and averages around 8°C (47°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
The scenery of the town this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. Soaking up that old town charm in the spring is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. You'll find plenty to do during spring, as you'll be able to find the best deals at the shops, spend time at the museums, and admire the quaint atmosphere. Also, you'll be able to take in the beautiful scenery, browse around the old town, and dance the night away.
Spring Weather in Bruges
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 8°C (47°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| June | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Bruges
Lots of Tourists
Bruges sees a high number of visitors every year, which means you might have to wait in line and deal with large crowds during your visit.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Bruges might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Bruges here or see if Bruges is expensive here.
Related
What is Bruges most famous for?
Bruges is most famous for its scenic old town, charming streets, local chocolate, and unique Christmas market. People visit this impressive city for its great historical sights. Also, it's known for museums and attractions and food. Many people love the nightlife and shopping, too. It is often described as charming, historic, cultural, beautiful, and historic.
What is the most famous sight in Bruges?
The most popular sight in Bruges is Bruges' Markt (The Main Square). You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Bruges on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for Bruges' Markt (The Main Square) and other attractions here.
How touristy is Bruges? Is it a popular city to visit?
Bruges is a very touristy city that attracts travelers from around the globe. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- "Edges of Brugge" Photo Tour - 2hr open city tour & workshop: $81
- Charlie's Private Highlights Tour (Bruges): $145
- Charlie's Private Chocolate Tour (Bruges): $174
- Bruges Beer Tour with chocolate pairing by a young local: $64
- BikeTour Bruges & Damme in Spanish and English: $98
- Best Bruges Tour Designed for Cruisers including Canal Cruise: $78
- Bruges Tour from Your Cruise Ship with Canal Cruse & Leisure Time: $79
- "Essential Brugge" Photo Tour - 3hr private city tour & workshop: $290
How long should I spend in Bruges?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Bruges is one to three days. Since Bruges has a variety of activities such as historical sights, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Bruges?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Bruges?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Bruges?.
For guided and organized tour options, check out The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Belgium and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Belgium.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Expert Advice from Local Travelers
We're asking our community members and registered users to contribute their experiences about Bruges.
Why would you recommend Bruges to budget travelers? Or, why not?
We loved the beautiful setting and great beer. Also try the mussels.