How To Spend 2 Days In Bruges? Perfect Weekend!
Spending a weekend in Bruges is the perfect way to escape the hustle and bustle of big cities and enjoy a picturesque medieval town, stroll cobbled streets, and admire the historic houses.
Bruges is one of my favorite Belgian destinations and I visited countless times. Still, I always find something new to see.
Since most people visit Bruges on a day trip, the city is especially charming at night and early in the morning without the crowds.
Here’s how to spend 2 days in Bruges!
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Is Two Days In Bruges Too Much?
You might be wondering if 2 days in Bruges is too long.
While you can visit all the main tourist attractions in Bruges in one day, spending a weekend in Bruges makes for a charming city escape.
Bruges is a beautiful town, and one of the best things to do is to wander the cobblestone streets and discover hidden gems and picture-perfect historic houses.
Two days will allow you to explore at a relaxed pace and enjoy the local restaurants. You can also use Bruges as a base to visit other Belgian towns!
Bruges Itinerary: DAY 1
The first day of this 2 days in Bruges itinerary focuses on exploring the historic city center.
Free Walking Tour
Free walking tours are my favorite way to explore a new city, and the one I took in Bruges was especially fun.
You’ll walk around the city with a local who will show you the main tourist attractions, point out hidden gems, and tell you stories about the city.
As you decide on the price of the tour yourself, it is also a great option for those traveling to Belgium on a budget.
Visit Market Square
If you’re not joining a walking tour, you should still start sightseeing from Market Square.
This is the main square of Bruges, surrounded by historic houses and the iconic Bruges Belfort.
TOP TIP: For the best free view of the square, head to the terrace of Duvelorium Belgian Beer Bar.
Climb Bruges Belfort
Bruges Belfort is one of several UNESCO World Heritage medieval bell towers in Belgium.
This 13th-century bell tower has stood the test of time. You can admire it from the outside or learn more about it in the museum within the tower.
One of the most popular things to do in Bruges is to climb the Belfry for the best view of the city.
The narrow, winding stairs to the viewing platform span about seven floors, but the breathtaking view at the top makes the climb well worth it!
Admire The Buildings Around the Burg Square
Next up is the majestic Burg Square!
It is one of my favorite spots in the city because the architecture is simply stunning.
Every building on this square tells a story of this once-wealthy medieval town, with intricate carvings and golden details on the facades.
The main buildings on the square are City Hall and Basilica of the Holy Blood, but you should also turn around when heading to the Blinde-Ezelstraat bridge to see the hidden archway.
See The Famous Rosary Quay
Rosary Quay is easily the most photographed spot in Bruges and for a good reason!
Sit on the low stone wall along the canal and admire centuries-old stone riverfront houses.
Everywhere you look you’ll see well-preserved medieval buildings, stone bridges, and the bell tower in the distance.
Take A Canal Cruise
Canal Cruises are one of the most iconic activities in Bruges. They allow you to sit back, relax, and admire the city from a different perspective.
These cruises start from the Rosary Quay, guiding you through the city as you pass under famous bridges and glide past iconic historic landmarks
Have Lunch
You’ll see many cozy lunch spots around the city, but my favorite is the Blackbird vegan restaurant.
Cross The Picturesque Boniface Bridge
Now that you’ve had enough time to relax and reenergize after lunch, it’s time to continue sightseeing.
Boniface Bridge behind the Church of Our Lady is one of the newest bridges along the canal, but it is also one of the most charming.
Visit Saint John’s Hospital
Saint John’s Hospital is one of Bruges’ hidden gems, with its beautiful architecture and interesting museum with an apothecary and medieval medical tools.
TOP TIP: If you like museums, consider getting a Musea Brugge Card that is valid for 72 hours, and you get a free entrance to the 11 most popular attractions in the city!
Explore the Bruges Beguinage
The final stop for day 1 is the tranquil Bruges Beguinage and its surroundings.
This is one of my favorite areas of Bruges, as it’s usually not very crowded, and you get to explore the grounds of this unique medieval religious housing.
I absolutely love the view from the Beguinage Bridge, with graceful swans gliding across the water and charming red brick houses lining the canal.
Beer Tasting Tour
You can spend a quiet evening with a dinner and a nighttime stroll, but Belgium is known for its beers, so why not learn more about it on this beer-tasting tour?
It’s a fun thing to do in Bruges at night, as you’re not alone and still get to enjoy the city’s nightlife.
🍺Belgium is famous for its beers: Book the Bruges beer-tasting tour with chocolate tastings here!
Bruges: DAY 2
On your second day in Bruges, you can enjoy a slow day in Bruges or go on a day trip.
Belgium has a fantastic railway network, and you can reach virtually any city in the country from Bruges.
You can easily spend half a day in Ghent or on the coastline if you’re visiting Belgium in the summer.
Have Brunch In That’s Toast
Ease into day 2 of this Bruges itinerary with a cozy brunch in That’s Toast.
It is one of the most popular brunch spots in Bruges, and they also have vegan options!
Go On A Cycling Tour
As you might know, I love living in cycling cities, so one of my favorite things about Belgium is how locals rely on bikes since the historic center is a car-free zone.
Cycling is naturally the most popular way to get around Bruges.
You can feel like a local by joining this cycling tour and seeing some of the city’s hidden gems with a local guide.
🚲Want to explore the city like a local? Book the Bruges Cycling Tour Here!
See Bruges Windmills
Even if you don’t go cycling, you can walk to some of the Bruges Windmills.
The closest one is about 20 minutes walk from the city center, and it’s actually quite interesting to see!
Join a Class
Another cozy activity for your second day in Bruges is joining one of the fun workshops!
Belgium is famous for its waffles and chocolate, so why not take it a step further and learn to make them yourself?
This Belgian waffle-making class is one of the most popular activities in Bruges!
You’ll learn how to make traditional Belgian waffles from scratch and then get to eat as many as you want.
Alternatively, you can learn more about the art of making chocolate!
This Belgian Chocolate workshop is my favorite as they also offer vegan alternatives, but remember to notify them in advance.
Day Trip From Bruges
If you feel like you’ve done everything there is to do in the city, you can go on a day trip!
Bruges has a train station in the city center, so you can take a train and get to Ghent or the coastline in 20 minutes.
Explore Ghent
Ghent is a perfect day trip from Bruges, as it is just 20 minutes away by train.
While I found Bruges and Ghent somewhat similar, there are so many reasons to visit Ghent even for a couple of hours!
One day in Ghent is enough time to visit the main tourist attractions, enjoy the laid-back atmosphere, and try these absolutely delicious cinnamon rolls.
Visit the Coastline
Belgium is probably not the first beach destination on your bucket list, but the country does have a coastline!
In fact, I found the Belgian coastline quite charming!
One of the top activities is taking the coastal tram from Oostende to Knokke-Heist, but you can also simply stroll along the beach and enjoy the sun.
Where To Stay In Bruges?
Bruges is a small town, so you’ll be good wherever you stay in the city center.
The historic center is the best area to stay, and there are accommodation options for every budget.
The city is walkable, and staying in the historic center allows you to enjoy its peaceful charm during the quieter mornings and evenings.
Best Places To Stay in Bruges
- TOP Pick: The Notary (It’s absolutely majestic!)
- Best Mid-Range Option: Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce (location is unbeatable!)
- Best Budget Pick: Hotel Patritius (great value for money!)
- Best Hostel: St Christopher’s Inn Hostel at The Bauhaus
How To Get To Bruges?
The easiest way to get to Bruges is by train. However, you can also get there by bus!
Flying to Bruges
Bruges doesn’t have an international airport, so you can reach it by train or bus.
Don’t worry if you’re flying to Belgium, it is easy to reach Bruges from both Brussels airports.
If you’re going directly to Bruges from Charleroi Airport, you’ll take one of the Flibco shuttle buses. It takes about 2 hours from the airport, and you can book your ticket online.
If you’re flying to Zaventem Airport, you can take a train directly from the airport to Bruges! The train takes about an hour.
Getting to Bruges by train
The easiest way to get to Bruges is by train. You can reach Bruges by train from most places in Belgium.
Bruges train station is just a short walk from the historic center.
Getting to Bruges by bus
You can also get to Bruges by bus.
The bus station is right next to the train station, and taking a Flixbus is usually the most affordable way to travel to Belgium from neighboring countries.
Bruges Travel Budget
A weekend break in Bruges will cost on average €200 to €300 per person.
The total cost will depend on how many nights you stay in Bruges, whether you are sharing a room with someone, how many paid activities you take, and how many meals you have out.
Also, that’s not including getting to Bruges, which is wildly different depending on where you’re coming from.
Well-rated mid-range accommodation options are around €80 per night, while solo travelers can also stay in a hostel for around €30.
A meal out will cost you around €15 for a main dish in most restaurants, but you can also grab a quick poke bowl or a wrap for €10 to €12.
Coffee or matcha is €5 to €6 in most cafes, while alcoholic drinks are anywhere from €6 to €15.
The activities budget is entirely personal, as you can enjoy Bruges without paying for tours or entry tickets.
This Bruges itinerary suggests some paid activities which are around €40 per person, so you can pick and choose which ones you’re interested in.
However, if you enjoy visiting museums and historic attractions, most entry tickets are around €10.
Summary: Bruges 2 Day Itinerary
Bruges is the perfect city break destination, with a charming historic center, lively nightlife, and plenty of things to do.
Most people visit Bruges on a day trip, so staying the night allows you to have the city all to yourself once the day trippers leave or early in the morning.
With 2 days in Bruges, you’ll have enough time to visit all the tourist attractions, join some fun classes, and enjoy the atmosphere of the city.
Now that you know how to spend a weekend in Bruges, what other cozy autumn breaks in Europe are on your travel wishlist?
