A city walk through the heart of Bruges
The nicest way to understand Bruges is simply to walk it. This route covers about 9 kilometres and links the well known squares with the quiet corners in between. Take it at your own pace, sit down whenever a terrace looks good, and cut it short wherever you like.
Starting at 't Zand
We usually send guests off from 't Zand, the wide open square on the west side of the centre. There is space, there are cafes, and from here the old town unfolds in one direction only, which makes the start easy.
Walk in and the streets narrow almost immediately. That change is part of the charm.
Through the shopping streets to the cathedral
The first stretch takes you along the shopping streets, busy with people and full of small window displays worth a pause. Keep going and you arrive at Saint Saviour's Cathedral, the oldest parish church in the city.
Step inside for a moment. After the noise of the street the space feels twice as big as it looks from outside.
The Church of Our Lady and Saint John's Hospital
Further on stands the Church of Our Lady with its tall brick tower, visible from most of the city. Across the street lies Saint John's Hospital, one of the oldest hospital buildings in Europe and now a museum.
This is a good point to decide how long you want to keep walking, because you are roughly halfway around the historic loop here.
The beguinage and Minnewater
A few minutes south you reach the beguinage, a walled courtyard of white houses around a green lawn. It is the quietest place on the whole route.
Continue to Minnewater, the lake at the edge of the old town, and walk the loop around the water. From here the route turns back north towards the centre.
Along the canals to Markt and Burg
The way back follows the canals. Small boats pass under the bridges, the water reflects the brick and the pace of the walk slows down on its own.
You come out on the Markt with the Belfry above you and the carriages waiting along the edge, then step through to the Burg with the old town hall and the Basilica of the Holy Blood.
The quiet side: Saint Anne and Saint Walburga
Most visitors turn back at the Burg. If you keep walking north east you enter a different Bruges, with fewer people and lower houses.
Here you find Saint Anne's Church and Saint Walburga's Church, plus a number of almshouses, small low rows built centuries ago for people in need and still lived in today. Look, but keep your voice down, these are homes.
Making it shorter
Nine kilometres is a full day if you stop often. It shortens easily.
- Skip the northern loop and finish at the Burg, which takes off roughly a third
- Walk out to the beguinage and take a canal boat back towards the centre
- Split the route over two mornings, museums on one day, streets and squares on the other
Practical, from the apartment
- From our building to 't Zand is about 2.5 km, so you can walk to the start or cycle there in a few minutes
- Rental bikes are available at the building, handy if you want to ride in and walk only the city loop
- Free parking is a two minute walk from the front door, so you can leave the car where it is all day
- Wear shoes you trust, the cobblestones are beautiful and unforgiving