Headed to Belgium and spending Christmas in Bruges?! I’m sharing all my favorite things to do in Bruges in the winter, as well as how to get there, what to eat, and tons of other helpful tips. Including, of course, the Bruges Christmas markets!
Bruges in winter is straight-up magical, a medieval mix of Amsterdam and Venice with a serious Christmas obsession to boot. There’s festive chocolate shops on every corner, rich hot cocoa and warm waffles, and charming markets bursting with gluhwein – we couldn’t get enough!
Doesn’t hurt that the whole city is packed with history and heritage, monuments and museums, and OMG all the fries and chocolate you could eat, haha. AND it’s a UNESCO World Heritage-listed city, so you know it’s gonna be even more enchanting than ever…
But do some research and you’ll find conflicting opinions about Bruges at Christmas time – some people say it’s super fake, lacks authentic charm, and feels a bit like Disneyland (hey, I do love theme parks, haha).
With that being said, I’m so, so glad we decided to spend Christmas in Bruges. I mean, greasy fries, Belgium beer, warm liege waffles, speculoos spiced cookies, and all the chocolate you can imagine – what could be better?! Plus, it’s just cozy AF – winter weather just makes me wanna snuggle up with a hot cocoa in hand.
After spending a few days of our European winter in Bruges, I can confirm it’s by far one of the most festive places we’ve ever been (on par with that of London in Christmas). I had the biggest grin on my face the entire time — I swear, it was permanently planted on my face and didn’t leave until we were headed back to the States.
Get ready for lots of gluhwein, cozy, fairytale town vibes, and Flemish architecture – here’s my Bruges Christmas guide. I promise, you won’t regret heading to Bruges in December.
Visiting Bruges in the Winter Logistics
Where is Bruges, Belgium?
Bruges is centrally located in north-western Europe, at the heart of the London, Paris, and Amsterdam triangle – yes, in between all those major cities! Meaning it’s easily accessible from tons of European hot spots.
It’s also just an hour’s train ride from Belgium’s capital, Brussels, which also connects you to the rest of Europe via its extensive rail network.
In terms of geography, Bruges is situated in the flat, low-lying region of Flanders in northwestern Belgium. The city is crisscrossed by a network of canals (that once served as major trade routes), giving the city the nickname the “Venice of the North”.
And around Bruges you’ll find lots of fertile farmland, windmills dotting the landscape, and the North Sea a few miles to the west.
How to Get to Bruges in the Winter
As noted before, Bruges is literally at the center of the London, Paris, and Amsterdam triangle, so getting here is a breeze. With fast connections to all the major European cities, you’ve got options galore. Whether you’re hopping off a train, catching a flight, or road-tripping by car, bus, or ferry, Bruges is super accessible.
From within Belgium
Train: Already in Belgium? Just take the train to Bruges! There’s direct trains to Brugge Station everyday from major hubs like Antwerp, Ghent, Hasselt, Leuven and Brussels. Find lots more info on the website of the Belgian Railways.
From Brussels, it’s a simple and straightforward hour train ride, with trains leaving every 30 minutes or so.
Drive: You can also drive, but with parking challenges and road restrictions, it’s probably easier to just take the train.
From Amsterdam, London, Paris, and Cologne
Since Belgium is well connected to major international cities in the area, taking the train is a great way to get to Bruges! Depending where you’re coming from, you’ll either take the Eurostar, NS (Dutch Railways), French Railways, and/or Belgian Railways. Note you’ll probably need to transfer at Brussels-South, the Belgian hub for international train traffic, in order to continue on to Bruges.
There’s also sleeper trains from Vienna (with ÖBB Nightjet) and Berlin (with European Sleeper) to Brussels-South, which is a good solution if you’d rather train than fly.
Since we flew back to London after visiting Prague, Cesky Krumlov, and Hallstatt, we took the Eurostar to Brussels from St Pancras and then a local train to Bruges. Our journey took a little over three hours and couldn’t have been easier (once we found our train, haha – those stations are massive).
Psst – the Eurostar is pretty expensive compared to other trains, so be sure to include the cost into your travel budget! And book early – you’ll find cheaper rates this way.
Once you make it to Bruges, take Bus 2 from the train station to get into town (only €2.5 per ticket).
Other ways to get to Bruges in Winter
Coach bus: FlixBus is a great bus service that has plenty of routes between Bruges and other major international cities, like Prague, Paris, London and Amsterdam (plus plenty more). We took FlixBus to get between Prague and Cesky Krumlov and can highly recommend the company. Check out Flibco.com if you’re looking for a way to get between Brussels Charleroi Airport and Bruges – there’s over 12 direct connections a day.
Flying: If you’re coming from further afield, fly into Brussels Airport (the country’s main international airport) and take the train to Bruges. You can also fly into Brussels South Charleroi Airport which is a popular regional airport that welcomes many low-cost flights from various cities around Europe. Perfect if you’re looking to save some cash.
It may make more sense financially to fly into a major city nearby (like Paris or Amsterdam, depending where you’re coming from) and take a high-speed train to Bruges with a connection in Brussels. Always check all your options!
Ferry: I had no idea until visiting, but Bruges is only a short distance from the port town of Zeebrugge. Meaning, it’s possible to take a ferry from the UK! Who knew?!
Driving to Bruges at Christmas
I wouldn’t necessarily recommend driving to Bruges in winter (or any time for that matter). The train system is too good to ignore, and parking/driving is kinda annoying since certain streets in the historic city center are car-free and/or have vehicle restrictions at specific times.
Plus, you don’t really need a car at all once you get to Bruges – all the major attractions can be seen on foot.
If you do decide to drive to Bruges, there’s a few underground paid parking lots, including the Centrum-‘t Zand car park and the Centrum-Station car park (about 20 minutes from Markt Square).
Day Trips to Bruges
If you’re coming from nearby Brussels, you could totally take a day trip to Bruges at Christmas. HOWEVER, if it’s your first time, you’ll probably want more than a day – Bruges in winter is OH SO festive, especially Christmas in Bruges (psst – there’s Christmas markets).
Coming from London, Paris, or Amsterdam? Don’t even think about a day trip, haha. You’ll spend far too long getting there to really make the trip worthwhile. Spend at least a night, or two like we did!
A note on over tourism in Bruges
You probably heard of Bruges after watching “In Bruges”. It’s an extraordinary comedy-drama that accurately depicts the utterly charming city, so no wonder everyone wants to visit.
I couldn’t publish an entire Bruges Christmas guide without touching upon over-tourism in the region. Unfortunately, like other places around the world (I see you Cinque Terre, Rome, and Santorini, etc), Bruges gets beyond packed and packed with tourists. And I get it – Bruges at Christmas is beyond festive and fun.
Bruges is visited by over 10 million people a year (insane, right?!), but only 3 million of those spend a night. Whoa.
With this being said, I highly encourage you to at least spend one night in Bruges. Over tourism is a huge problem here, and by staying a night and eating a few meals there, you’ll at least be contributing to the local economy. By visiting for only a day (either on a guided day trip or driving yourself), you’re not exactly pumping much money into the city (unless you spend a few hundred euros on chocolate, which is very much possible, haha).
How to Get Around Bruges
- On foot: Walking is without a doubt the best way to explore Bruges. The historic city center is compact and on a small scale. Just be sure to wear comfy shoes — those cobblestone streets are no joke!
- Public transit: There’s a public bus that runs up and down between the train station and the center of Bruges. We took this once to get into town, but once we checked into our hotel, we were able to walk everywhere!
Weather During Christmas in Bruges
In general, Bruges doesn’t experience extreme winter weather like other parts of Europe (Hallstatt and Tromso, I’m looking at you). It rarely snows, but it’s still downright cold with temps ranging from ~1°C to 7°C/34°F to 45°F (especially with the windchill near the canals).
And it’s often quite rainy this time of year, which we experienced on our first day in Bruges in winter. We arrived to a crazy rainstorm, but even that didn’t dampen our spirits once we saw all the festive decorations. The following days were a mix of bright sunshine and some clouds — we got so lucky!
Note that after the Bruges Christmas markets end (which coincide with Christmas vacation for students in early January), some tourism operators and museums/shops close their doors for a few weeks. Enough will be open for an enjoyable visit to Bruges in winter, but if there’s a particular attraction or restaurant you desperately wanna visit, check ahead of time.
Also, prepare for a very early sunset (around 4pm – yes, that early!), so plan to wake up early-ish to really take advantage of daylight hours. We find we love these early nights; there’s more time for festive Christmas market hopping and snuggling up in bed!
December
If I had to pick, I’d opt to visit Bruges in December, probably early-ish in the month. Why? Because it’s prime time for the Bruges Christmas markets, and the city is just starting to sparkle with all the holiday lights and festive decorations. Plus, the crowds are still manageable early in the month, so you can really soak in the cozy, magical atmosphere without feeling overwhelmed.
January
There’s a higher chance of snow in Bruges in January, adding a magical touch to the city’s medieval charm. For reference, we visited Bruges at the very beginning of January, right after New Years Day (specifically January 2-4). But sadly got no snow, haha.
And we timed it just perfectly – the Christmas markets in Bruges stay open later than others in Europe, so we still got the full festive experience despite visiting after Christmas!
I wouldn’t recommend visiting Bruges in winter after the first week or so of January since some spots close for a few weeks after the Christmas rush. Perfect if you wanna explore the charming streets without all the crowds though.
February
Although Christmas in Bruges is over by February, it’s still a FANTASTIC time to visit. The town goes all out for Valentine’s Day (especially all the chocolate shops), so still a great time for a Bruges winter weekend. Just don’t expect the Christmas decorations to still be up, haha.
When exactly is Christmas in Bruges?
Sounds like a silly question, but hear me out! Obviously the actual holiday of Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Day, but the festivities continue until the first week of January! Unlike other markets, the Christmas markets in Bruges stay open until the very beginning of January, so you can soak up that festive magic well into the new year.
A lot of hotels and shops (yes, that includes the chocolate shops!), close for 2 weeks after the markets are closed. The city is kinda dead, and then comes alive again at the end of January (for Valentine’s Day and the beginning of spring).
Where to Stay in Bruges
Bruges has got it all – distinctive boutique hotels, chic luxury hotels, lively youth hostels, and charming B&Bs.
First time to Bruges? Definitely stay near the Central Market Square – we loved being a few minutes walk from the Bruges Christmas Markets and fairytale buildings. And the canals and fries, haha.
We stayed at Hotel Biskajer, a stone’s throw away from the central market square with a super cute cafe/restaurant on the first level. It’s a beautifully decorated old-world hotel in the heart of Bruges, and at a great price point.
We also looked into Hotel Heritage Bruges, Hotel De Tuilerieën, and Hotel Van Cleef. Hotels get booked up (and fast!), so once you know when you’ll be visiting Bruges in winter, make a reservation!
What to Pack for Christmas in Bruges
Here’s my winter weather recommendations for what to pack for Bruges in the winter:
- Warm Winter Coat: For those frigid winter days, you’ll really wanna invest in an insulated parka. I’ve got my eye on this North Face parka (I currently wear one from 10+ years ago – it’s about time for a new jacket). Looking for one a bit less expensive? This one’s crazy popular on social media, and with the length and sherpa-lined hood, I can totally see why. However note that it’s only water resistant, not waterproof, so not the best choice for those crazy snowy days.
- Packable Puffer Jacket: I wear this one – it’s lightweight and water resistant, plus comes in a bunch of fun colors and the pockets are super deep (perfect for storing your phone). It packs down to almost nothing in the little included pouch – perfect for travel!
- Fleece Zip-Up: On those absolutely frigid days when you need a little something between your sweater and warm winter coat, a fleece zip-up (like this Columbia full-zip) will come in handy. There’s a reason it’s got 45k positive reviews!
- Base Layers: I’ve been wearing heat tech long sleeve tees ever since I went to Banff in winter a few years back, and they’ve saved me from those frigid temps! They’re super lightweight and perfect to wear under a sweater, and leave you feeling dry and warm without the bulk!
- Fleece-lined leggings: I used to layer two pairs of regular leggings, but now that fleece-lined leggings are a thing, I only wear those! They’re just as comfy as regular leggings, but keep your legs staying warm and toasty. I’ve worn these pairs a few times and they’ve been great, and come in a bunch of fun colors! If you’re looking for something to wear under jeans or snow pants, these come highly recommended (although too thin to wear on their own; more like a base layer).
- Chapstick: Cold and dry air make your lips susceptible to chapping super easily. Ugh, the worst! I’m low-key obsessed with this cocoa butter swivel stick – it makes your lips so super soft and it smells a tad like chocolate! My favorite! It also works wonders on dry, chapped skin. You’ll wanna reapply multiple times throughout the day.
- Power Bank: Batteries die out faster in the cold, so come prepared with a power bank to recharge your stuff on the go. This compact power bank gives up to 10 full charges! I always throw this tiny one in my bag also, just in case, as a backup. My phone is my life-line (especially when traveling solo), so I like to be extra prepared!
- Beanies: I’ve got this fleece-lined beanie (pom pom included) in a few colors, and always bring a thick headband along too for when I want to put my hair up.
- Warm Gloves: I like to take a few pairs of gloves with me – loving these wool-blend mittens and this pair that’s super lightweight and waterproof (good enough to go skiing in). Trust me, cheapie cotton gloves just ain’t good enough.
- Scarves: I tend to bring a few, since they’re so easy to accessorize with! This blanket scarf is one of my faves (a great neutral option that matches everything), and chunky-knit infinity scarves are oh so cozy!
- Waterproof Snow Boots: Gotta keep your feet warm and dry and comfy on the cobblestoned streets! And THESE Sorel waterproof boots are easily the best ones out there – they’re 100% waterproof, seam-sealed, and actually look pretty cute (unlike most snow boots out there). I practically lived in them 2 weeks straight and got zero blisters! Leave the heeled boots at home – you’ll want comfy flat boots for the cobblestoned streets.
- Polarized sunglasses: Since the sun reflects off the snow, you’ll need some polarized sunglasses – I’ve been wearing these exact ones for years and I just love ‘em.
How to dress: Wear multiple layers on both top and bottom. You’ll wanna wear your warmest winter coat, and all the winter weather accessories you can think of. We bundled up and were perfectly fine wandering around, but if not, our Christmas trip to Bruges would’ve been downright miserable.
Other FAQs about Christmas in Bruges
- Bruges vs Brugge: I was confused at first too, haha. “Bruges” and “Brugge” refer to the same city in Belgium, but the difference lies in language – Bruges is the French and English name while Brugge is the Dutch (Flemish) name for the city.
- Currency: Like the rest of Belgium, the local currency in Bruges is the Euro, but cards are widely accepted. I’d definitely carry a little cash since not all market vendors take credit cards (there’s lots of ATMs in the town center). Also note that tipping is not compulsory in Belgium, and most hotels and restaurants automatically add service to their prices.
- Language: Can you believe Belgium has 3 official languages?! Dutch, French and German! And where they’re spoken really depends on where in the country you are. Since Bruges is in the Dutch area, Dutch is therefore the spoken language. But most Bruges residents also speak other languages – yes, most likely English, especially if they work in tourism. We had zero difficulty communicating in Bruges thankfully!
- How long to spend in Bruges in the winter? We spent 2 nights and 2 full days in Bruges, and felt it was the perfect amount of time. The city isn’t huge by any means, but there’s lots to see and do and especially eat! You can get away with a day trip to Bruges if you’re coming from Brussels, but I personally wouldn’t feel satisfied with only a few hours in the city.
Brief History of Bruges
Bruges, often called the “Venice of the North”, has a rich history that dates back to the 9th century when Vikings settled along the river Reie – yes, during the Middle Ages! The city quickly became a major trading hub because of all the canals, and was actually one of Europe’s wealthiest cities by the 12th to 15th centuries.
But in the 16th century, Bruges hit an unfortunate rough patch. The Zwin River, which connected the city to the sea, became clogged with silt, cutting off its access to ocean trade. This led to a slowdown in the economy. Surprisingly, this helped preserve the city’s medieval look.
By the 19th century, tourists rediscovered Bruges (thank you tourists!), and today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site visited by people from all around the world (including us!).
Things to do in Bruges at Christmas and in Winter Weather
Bruges Christmas Markets
The Bruges Christmas Markets are by far the best things to do in Bruges in December! And to say we LOVED them is a massive understatement. Must be because Bruges has the best Christmas market in all of Belgium – yes, it’s a fact!
There’s two Christmas markets in Bruges – Markt Square and Simon Stevinplein.
The main Christmas market is set up in Markt Square, where those iconic stepped gable roofs make for the ultimate Insta-worthy backdrop. Here there’s aisles of wooden chalets selling freshly baked waffles, Christmas trinkets (so many nutcrackers, knit scarves, and candles!), and of course steaming mugs of gluhwein. It’s like stepping into a holiday movie scene with the charming fairytale buildings in the background!
The smaller market can be found at Simon Stevinplein, and we actually preferred the food here, but they’re honestly pretty similar.
For reference, the market typically opens the last week in November and ends early January (January 7 in 2024 and January 5 in 2025, just FYI).
What to try at the Christmas markets in Bruges:
- cheeses, charcuterie, and pates
- Belgium chocolates
- Gluhwein (hot spiced wine)
- Hot chocolate
- Baked gingerbread
- Belgian Frites
- Bratwurst
- Warm waffles and crepes
We found ourselves at both Bruges Christmas markets multiple times, especially since they’re only a 5 minute walk apart!
The Christmas markets in Bruges are part of Winter Glow (Wintergloed), an annual winter festival packed with Christmas decorations, ice skating, a cozy winter bar, and even a light experience trail.
Take a Carriage Ride
Too cold to walk around?! Bundle up on a horse and carriage ride!
Tours start in Markt, the main market square, and cover pretty much all of the major sites in Bruges. It’s one of the most expensive things to do in Bruges at Christmas though – at a whopping 70€ for 30 minutes. We decided to skip this and saved the euros for a few extra speculoos truffles and liege waffles, haha. But you do you!
Psst – there’s also a City Bus Tour if you’d prefer that instead of the horses!
Find the best chocolate shops in Bruges
It wouldn’t be a proper visit to Bruges in winter (or anytime really) without stuffing your face with tons and tons of chocolate! At least that’s what I did, lol. I mean, Bruges is famous for its high-quality chocolate… so it’d be a shame not to try a bunch.
There’s a reason Bruges is known as the “Chocolate Capital of the World” afterall! There’s traditional pralines, artisanal truffles, unique chocolate flavors (like wasabi and bacon), and way more.
What makes the chocolate in Bruges really stand out? The fact that most of the chocolate shops are run by master chocolatiers who use traditional methods and high-quality ingredients. Think REAL butter, local cream, and other premium ingredients.
It’s also the birthplace of pralines! Who knew?! In 1912, Belgian chocolatier Jean Neuhaus invented the praline – a chocolate shell filled with a soft, creamy center. This innovation totally set Belgian chocolate apart, and led to a boom in chocolate production in Bruges.
We found TONS of chocolate shops just strolling around town – I swear, there’s a chocolate shop on practically every corner. Popular shops include The Chocolate Kiss, The Chocolate Line, Dumon, Olivier’s Chocolate Shop, and La Belgique Gourmande. Some shops even have DIY hot chocolate, where you get to pick out the chocolate and sugar levels.
Our favorite was Chocolates & Happiness – great value and I can confirm the chocolates are absolutely heavenly. I bought SO many truffles here, haha. My favorite? Speculoos, by far!
Visit The Burg Central Plaza
De Burg is one of the main squares in Bruges, that’s seen tons and tons of history (everything from royal ceremonies to public executions).
This ancient cobblestone square is surrounded by impressive Gothic buildings like the Town Hall (Stadhuis) built in the 14th century and the Basilica of the Holy Blood, which houses a relic believed to contain the blood of Christ (whoa!).
Climb to the Top of Belfry Tower
The Belfry Tower is one of Bruges’ top attractions. It was originally built in the 13th century, and has since served a whole slew of different purposes – a watchtower, a treasury, and a place where important city documents were stored.
Visitors can now climb to the top for spectacular panoramic views of the entire city below – just be prepared to tackle a steep, narrow spiraly staircase of 366 steps! Not great if you’re claustrophobic or have a fear of heights… we decided to skip the climb as we had just climbed enough towers in Prague for our lazy liking, haha.
Psst – Winter in Bruges is basically the only time you can see sunset from the Belfry Tower, since the sun sets oh so early (around 4pm… with the last entrance to the tower at 5pm). Just something to keep in mind!
The views are indeed spectacular, BUT I think the view from Duvelorium Belgian Beer Bar is honestly better as you can see the square easier (since you’re not as high up)… and you only need to climb about 20 steps instead of 366.
Better yet, it’s completely free (and there’s Belgium beers to enjoy!). I have to admit we skipped out on the Belfry Tower climb and sipped some beers with a view instead, haha.
Frietmuseum (Fry Museum)
If you’re a French fry lover (like my husband, haha), go discover how French fries came to be! The Frietmuseum is super quirky and unique, and the only museum in the world that focuses on the beloved Belgium fry (locally known as “frites”).
We were surprised how much fun we had wandering around the rooms – we even learned about the History of the Potato and The Birth of the Fry, haha. And yes, Belgians firmly believe they were the first to fry potatoes in the 17th century. Of course it wouldn’t be a proper tour without taste testing some yourself – thankfully there’s freshly made fries in the cafe (although we found them kinda overpriced).
Psst – the Fry Museum is located in the Saaihalle, one of the oldest buildings in Bruges, dating back to the 14th century!
ChocoStory Bruges (Chocolate Museum)
Belgium is known for their famous chocolate, so get outta the cold and go learn about the history of this sweet stuff! ChocoStory Bruges is a kitschy museum with a chocolate making workshop as well.
Since we visited the Frietmuseum, we decided to skip the Chocolate Museum (plus, I’ve visited Antigua, Guatemala in the past and learned all about chocolate there, haha).
FYI – You can get a slightly less-expensive combo ticket with the Fry Museum if you wanna visit both!
Hot Chocolate at The Old Chocolate House
Sure, Bruges has truffles and pralines, but it’s also got some pretty spectacular hot chocolate. And The Old Chocolate House is hard to beat – there’s a reason it’s the most famous hot chocolate in town.
The space is oh so cute (kinda resembles an antique tea shop), and the cozy vibe makes it the perfect spot to warm up. We tried some hot chocolate bombs (my speculoos bomb was delicious), but there’s also your typical hot chocolate on the menu too.
Orders come with steaming hot milk, chocolate bits of your choice (in a chocolate cup no less!), and a whisk in an extra large mug, so you kinda make your own! Easily the best hot chocolate in the entire city. A huge sugar rush, but well worth it!
Note that there’s sometimes a very long line – we got there on the earlier side and only had to wait about 15 minutes or so. Simply amazing – do not miss this on your winter trip to Bruges!
Wander Around the Canals and Take a Canal Cruise
Bruges is nicknamed Venice of the North, so you know the canals are something special (although the city reminded me way more of Amsterdam, haha).
Our hotel was practically on the edge of a canal (Spiegelrei), so we took plenty of early morning canal strolls. Just be careful and don’t walk too far – the canals keep going and going and going, haha. There’s lots of great canal views, but our favorites in town were:
- Viewpoint Passage Bourgondisch Cruyce: kinda a secret spot across from Rosary Quay
- Meestraat Bridge: an old stone bridge featured in the movie “In Bruges”!
- Rozenhoedkaai View/Rosary Quay: where the Dijver Canal and the Groenerei meet – one of the most popular spots for photos in Bruges!
But if you really wanna experience the canals (and all the medieval architecture and picturesque scenery), don’t miss a canal cruise!
The canals wind right through the heart of the city, so you’ll get to see some of Bruges’ best sights from the water. We loved getting a different perspective of the city, going under a whole bunch of Medieval stone bridges, including the Peerdenbrug and Beebrug.
Canal cruises start at Rosary Quay – our boat ride was about 30 minutes or so and took us along plenty of canals in Bruges. This is a popular thing to do in Bruges at Christmas; be prepared to wait in line for a bit. Most of the canal boats are open-air, so bundle up!
Minnewater Park and Lake of Love
Minnewater Park along the Lake of Love is one of those romantic hot spots in Bruges that feels like it’s straight out of a fairy tale. I mean, SWANS! We spent a quiet morning there before heading back to London, and it was surprisingly uncrowded – a nice break from the busy city center.
The park is located on the southern end of the city center, and the walk over is just as charming. You’ll pass by some adorable white-washed buildings and might even spot a few Almshouses — those tiny, historic houses that were originally built to support the poor and elderly. And there’s the most charming ice skating rink in the winter!
Wander and Go Shopping!
One of my favorite things to do in Bruges in the winter? Just go for a wander! All the streets are so charming and picturesque; every corner feels like a postcard. I swear, the whole city feels like it’s been dipped in fairy lights, especially at Christmas time.
Bruges was larger than we thought, which was a pleasant surprise after spending time in the tiny towns of Hallstatt and Cesky Krumlov the week before.
Bruges is famous for its lace and chocolate (which we covered before, haha), and it’s hard to resist picking up a few goodies as you stroll. The main shopping streets are Noordzandstraat, Zuidzandstraat, Steenstraat, and Geldmuntstraat.
Don’t miss some Christmas shopping at Käthe Wohlfahrt (there’s two locations in the city) – it’s like Christmas threw up in there!
Sip some Belgium beer
We’re not huge on beer (I actually can’t stand it…), but my husband proclaimed the beers he had at Duvelorium Belgian Beer Bar were actually quite tasty! He even went back the next day for another round! Coming from someone who tends to prefer a stiff Manhattan and downs Old Fashioneds, that really says a lot.
Sit outside on the balcony if it’s not too cold. I mean, beer overlooking a medieval square?! Yes please! Psst – find this spot on Floor 1 of the Historium Bruges (you don’t need to pay to walk up).
Indulge in all the waffles
Mmmm.. I’d go back to Bruges in winter just for the waffles alone. Liege waffles are most popular here – they’re more dense and chewy and actually have sugar cubes in them (and they’re my favorite… I much prefer them to actual Belgian waffles, haha). Did you hear, sugar cubes! Crunchy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside! Always make sure to get a fresh one – never one that’s been sitting around for a while.
They’re absolutely delicious plain (since they’re slightly caramelized), but you can also get them loaded with toppings – I’m a sucker for strawberries and dark chocolate, but sour cherries and whipped cream are popular too!
A few spots to check out:
- House of Waffles: try a Brussels waffle here (different than a liege waffle)
- Chez Albert: so, so yum, especially covered in chocolate!
- Otto Waffle Atelier: order a la’ mode if you’d like!
- Laurence Take Away: said to have the best liege waffles in Bruges
So there ya have it – all the info you need to plan a winter weekend in Bruges at Christmas! Send me home some speculoos truffles, will ya?!
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