Bruges (Dutch “Brugge“), the capital of West Flanders, is situated in the northwest of Belgium.
By nightfall, this place turns into a real-life postcard, almost too good to be true! The night is so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The dim lights dancing on the water creating a reflection that was so mesmerizing, I almost forgot how to blink!
Bruges is home to the Basilica of the Holy Blood which safekept the relic of the Holy Blood, a vial that is said to contain the blood of Jesus Christ himself.
It is quite a distance from our last location, Toulouse, to Bruges. We had to journey to Paris Bercy Seine to wait for the next bus out.
Getting there – Warning – Paris Bercy Seine
- Avoid Paris Bercy Seine if possible.
- There are no washrooms fit for use at this bus terminal.
- The only waiting or sitting area is next to the bus bays. Travelers are not protected against the carbon monoxide released from vehicles.
- It is not safe for solo travelers alone as getting to the nearest washroom means having to walk through the quiet and dark park.
Our Flixbus dropped us at Flibco bus stop which is opposite Brugge train station. We walked from the Train station through Koning Albert I-park, Steenstraat Quarter and the City center to Ezelstraat Quarter. On foot with luggage took us approximately 30-45mins of a 2.1km walk.
Koning Albert I-park
Koning Albert Park (also known as Zuidpark) is a city park which leads the elegant city centre. I suppose there was some celebrations going on as the Park was turned into an amusement ground.
Information
- The train tracks are on a ground level higher. There is a mall in the station complex through to the Brugge bus terminal
- There is a bus number 6 from the Bus terminal to Ezelpoort bus stop which is located at the entrance of Ezelstraat.
Click here for The De Lijn website for updates of bus routes.
Market Square
Market Square (Markt) is a historical centre dominated by the 83-meters high Belfry. Market Square is like a city centre which is used as a meeting place, rest place, morning markets on certain days and a spot to hop in for a carriage ride.
Visitors and locals are spoilt for choices on places to dine or wine here. There are fast food restaurant, Burger King and Dunkin’ Brugge and there are pubs and cafes.
Bargain hunters Dining Tip
Fast food or Burger lovers, I dined at the Burger King at Grote Markt. I loved it to the max. The fries are freshly cooked. The burgers are juicy.
Here is my suggestion – Dine in. Order a small meal. Do not misplace your receipt even after you got you receive your food. Here is why –
- Coca Cola Freestyle is self-service free flow. So, if you are intending to save cash and try all the different drinks the machine has.
- You do not need to speak Dutch to order your food. They can speak English and there are self-order machines where allow language customization.
- Washroom at Burger King is exclusive to patrons only. The bathrooms are in the basement. Patrons are encouraged to retain the receipts from their purchases to be allowed to use the washroom. Anyone needing to use the washroom need to show the receipt before the numeric code is keyed to open the door.
Belfry of Bruges
Not all buildings with bell structures are churches. It is not difficult to spot the Belfry from the Market Square. Except that the Belfry could easily be mistaken as a basilica with large compounds.
The Belfry of Bruges was twice reduced to ashes and twice rebuilt. This prominent 83-metre high bell tower once served as an observation post for spotting fires and other dangers. The Belfry is a key component of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the historic centre of Bruges.
Information
- 366 stairs to climb for breathtaking view
- Opening hours: Daily 09:00hrs to 20:00hrs
- Fees chargeable: EUR13,00 (for 13yrs to 17yrs) and EUR15,00 (for 18yrs to 65yrs)
Tickets can be purchased online. For updates, click here for Museums Brugge Official site.
The Beer Wall
Not a fan of beer but Beer Wall fascinating. Lined on both sides of this alley are bottles and cans of beer. Beer Wall is actually a brewpub and bottle shop with a wall of beer exhibit.
Information
- Address: Wollestraat 53, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
- Open: Sunday to Thursday 10:30hrs to 19:30hrs; Friday and Saturday 10:30hrs to 20:00hrs.
Basilica of the Holy Blood
Basilica of the Holy Blood (known in Dutch as “Basiliek van het Heilig Bloed“) is famous for housing a relic of the Holy Blood of Jesus Christ. Catholics make a pilgrimage to this basilica to venerate this Precious relic.
The relic was brought to the city by Thierry of Alsace after the 12th century second Crusade. It was said that Joseph of Arimathea preserved the Precious Blood after he had washed the dead body of Christ.
According to the Gospel of Matthew 27, Joseph was the rich and secret disciple of Jesus Christ. John 19, Joseph asked the Pilate for permission to take the body of Jesus which permission was granted. At that time, Joseph purchased a linen shroud and proceeded to Golgotha to take the body of Jesus down from the cross.
The Basilica comprises of the lower and upper chapel. The lower chapel, dedicated to St Basil the Great, is dark and of Romanseque style of 11th century. Visitors can venerate the Passion relic is in the upper chapel. The upper chapel is of 19th century Gothlic style.
Information
The Basilica is a place of worship site, please dress modestly.
Photography without the use of flash may be permitted at some places. If uncertain, it would be best to ask for permission.
- Opening hours: 10:00hrs to 17:15hrs Daily
- Celebration of the Eucharist: Fridays, Sundays and Festival days. Upper Basilica is not accessible between 10:45hrs to 12:15hrs unless you wish to attend the Holy Mass.
- Daily Eucharist at 11:00hrs except Monday
- Entry to the Basilica: Free of charge
- Entry to the museum: EUR5,00 – Free for children under 12.
The basilica and the museum closed on the following dates – 1st January and from 13 January 2025 to 18 January 2025.
Veneration of the Holy Blood relic
Every afternoon from 14:00hrs to 16:00hrs; and Fridays from 10:15hrs to 11:00hrs.
Important point to note: No photography is permitted at the segment of the chapel for Veneration of the Holy Blood relic. Please be respectful of that rule.
Adoration of the Holy Sacrament
Every Wednesday from 10:00hrs to 11:00hrs
Procession of the Holy Blood
Thursday 29 May 2025 (For updates on the procession, click here to visit the Procession of the Holy Blood official site.
For updates, please click here to visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood official site.
Final day in Bruges
We had time to wander around Bruges before our train departure at 23:23hrs. There are lockers within the station compound where we can store our luggage.
Reservations can either be online or reserve a locker on the day itself. Prices vary according to size and duration of storage. Click here for prices and its duration.
There are risks when making reservations ahead by solely relying on the measurements provided. However, it is a greater loss having already booked a locker to realise that there will be no refunds if the lockers are not utilised. It pays to either pay extra for the largest and let it serve its purpose to the maximum or be at the location and use a trekking stick as a measuring stick
Warning
Most travelers misinterpreted that the boxes have the capacity to store the various sizes of luggage.
Fact is that these are the actual dimensions of the box. That means if your luggage is approximately 44H x 33W x 60 D cm, reserving L-size locker will not fit. Either reserve XL or better XXL.
It takes at least 13hrs 45mins from Bruges to Innsbruck HBF by train. Initially, I went to the ticketing office to ask for information regarding my train and the platform ahead. The ticketing office manager on hearing our itinerary and our intention to wait 5 hours at the station in Liege for the next connecting train, immediately decided to assist us.
I have traveled Europe more than 3 times and this is the first time we encountered someone who is genuinely helpful. It is just fantastic.
Warning
It takes at least 13hrs 45mins by train from Bruges to Innsbruck HBF by train. There is a train from Bruges to Liege. However, there will be almost 5hrs wait for the next train to leave Liege to Munich for the train to Innsbruck will be. The temperature in April for Belgium is still considered quite cold and sunset is around 18:00hrs. We were advised against staying overnight at the station as the building compound will be locked and remaining passengers will be asked to exit the station.
Suggestion:
If you are reading this post when you have already purchased your tickets for an overnight at any stations, I suggest that it is never too late to approach a friendly staff at the Bruges ticketing office. They are very helpful and will do their best in making your travel safe by helping you change your ticket for an earlier train.
Online on the official web may should limited trains but the fact is there are trains available. No reservation of seats required for Bruges to Liege.
It is best to break the journey over two days. Book an accommodation nearest to the station for a night and continue the journey at dawn.
Sum up of my stay in Bruges
The prices of groceries in Bruges compared to other parts of Europe is more expensive. During our short stay in Bruges, I experienced winter and summer all in a day.
Despite the cold winds and rain, I enjoyed my stay in Bruges. The people are lovely and friendly. They sure know how to have fun and enjoy a little laughter without shying away.
The landscape of Bruges is unique. The warm lights escaping through the windows and curtains of buildings lined along the canal reflected onto the calm waters of the canals at nightfall creating a magical image of peaceful quiet towns. Not sure about many but this is definitely my dream to capture historic brick buildings by the end of canals.
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