Brugge Hotels

Although the total city population barely tops 115,000, Bruges is a hive of inordinate commotion, with a slew of festivals and cultural events throughout the year.

Attractions

The historic quarters of Sint-Jozef and Sint-Pieters comprise the most obvious attraction in Bruges. The ancient heart of the city is one of the best examples of medieval preservation in Europe.

The Church of Our Lady is a superlative example of medieval brick-work architecture that survives today, despite incursions by France and Nazi Germany in the past. The cathedral contains a sculpture by Michelangelo of the Madonna and Child.

Was built between the 12th and 15th century, Sint-Salvador is now the city cathedral of Bruges. While the edifice has undergone several renovations over time, it still features a remarkable collection of Belgian art.

The medieval bell tower is the principal icon of the old city. For a superlative view, 366 narrow steps take you to the top. Longfellow wrote about the fabulous Gothic spire in his poem, “The Belfry of Bruges”.

For the best collection of Flemish Primitive art, with works by Jan van Eyck, Adrien Isenbrandt and more, the Groeningemuseum is a must-visit. The museum collection also contains fine examples from Renaissance and Baroque masters, in addition to Neo-Classical and Realist works.

De Halve Maan is the last family brewery left in Bruges. With a history of beer production that dates back five hundred years, a tour of the facility is both educational and provides a wonderful opportunity to sample superior local suds.

Events

A lively little cultural hub, Bruges has a number of great concert halls that put on regular classical and contemporary performances.

Notable festivals include Red Rock Rally, a free outdoor rock concert held on May 1.

Every March the Cinema Novo Festival shines the spotlight on films from Africa, Asia and Latin America.

For the best in local talent, check out Bruges Triple Days, a free festival held in the central market every July.

The Face of Lace celebrates the fabric Bruges is famous for, with events, workshops and exhibits that endure from November to March.

Jazz Bruges and the Bruges Festival of World Music take the city by storm in October and November, respectively.

Climate

Bruges has a seasonal climate with moderate precipitation. Temperatures rarely dip below 0°C in winter.

• Winter (November to February) 3-10°C

• Spring (March to May) 5-15°C

• Summer (June to August) 13-21°C

• Fall (September to October) 10-18°C