48 hours in Bruges
In 1134, a night storm was "culprit" in creating the well-known Zwin Canal, which connected the small town to the North Sea. A lucky event that made Bruges one of the most important ports in Europe. Although much time has passed since then, the former medieval splendor of the capital of West Flanders can still be seen in its imposing architecture, its beautiful squares and its bucolic canals. A magical journey that could well begin with a "Once upon a time..."
366 steps and 47 bells: the Belfort in Bruges
FRIDAY
4:00 p.m. The first destination to visit will be the Plaza Mayor or Grote Markt, where a statue stands in memory of two local heroes, Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck, remembered for defending the city from a French invasion in 1302. Presiding over the immense square is the bell tower or Belfort, with its 366 steps and 47 bells , and next to it the Provincial Palace and the Historium Brugge museum.
twenty : 00 a.m. For the first day, there is nothing like a traditional dinner, with history, but without pretensions. Although the Americans baptized them as French fries, French fries are one of Belgium's greatest prides. Its acclaimed friteries offer cheap food suitable for all palates (especially for the little ones), because... what is more universal than a hamburger and fries? Near the Plaza Mayor, there are two of the most popular: Chez Vincent (Sint-Salvatorkerhof, 1) and Friterie 1900 (Markt, 35).
twenty-one : 30 p.m. At night, there is nothing better than entering the most romantic spot in the city: Minnewater . Also known as the Lake of Love, it is located a few steps from the Bruges train station. It is a beautiful lake surrounded by willow trees, green meadows and elegant swans. , in which, according to legend, a young maiden named Minna committed suicide to prevent a marriage arranged by her father against her will. Her true love, Stromberg, found her dead on the shores of the lake and decided to bury her in its depths so that her love would remain in her waters forever.
Stroll around the Lake of Love and discover its legend
SATURDAY
9:30 a.m. It is often said that there is no place like home, but when our home is far away… there are places that make us feel at home. This is the case of the many guest houses that are in the same city or on the outskirts of Bruges. One of them is B Guest Bed & Breakfast (Oranjeboomstraat, 4), a charming two-bedroom house full of details and located next to the San Salvador Cathedral. Run by a young married couple, you won't imagine waking up in a better place than this intimate boutique hotel, especially for its rich breakfasts. Caroline, co-founder of the establishment, cooks at the moment everything you can imagine: fresh fruit salad, eggs in all its variants, American pancakes, bacon or the classic toasts with an immensity of jams and the iconic Speculoos spread.
11:00 a.m. After recharging your batteries, it is best to walk through the historic center of Bruges and discover its many squares. The itinerary starts with the Cathedral of San Salvador, the most important religious monument in the city , built between the 12th and 15th centuries. A few minutes away is the Church of Our Lady, in Gothic style, 122.3 meters high and inside which is the famous Madonna of Bruges, by Michelangelo . From there, it is easy to reach one of the most beautiful canals in the city, the Dijver, and the Rozenhoedkaai or Rosario quay, from where you can see the bell tower or the Belfort. The most photogenic corner of the Belgian city.
Communicated by the Callejón del Burro Ciego, we come across the historic Fish Market and then arrive at Burg Square, where Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance are found in the same space thanks to the Town Hall and the Basilica of the Holy Blood.
Its rich breakfasts are essential
1:00 p.m. One of the golden rules when traveling abroad is to adapt to the customs of the place, especially the schedules. In Belgium, the one for meals is from 12:00 to 14:00, so it is advisable to go around 1:00 p.m. if we do not want to eat in a hurry.
In the heart of Bruges is Cafedraal (Zilverstraat, 38), a Franco-Belgian restaurant that bets on local and seasonal products to present traditional dishes of the country, with great taste and a high degree of sophistication. Whether in its quiet rooms, located in an old 15th century manor house; as in its outdoor terrace (if the weather is good, of course) enjoying gourmand creations is more than guaranteed. Influenced by French cuisine, her menu highlights the salad with smoked duck, fresh figs with honey and raspberry vinaigrette; goose foie gras, fig compote, onion jam and hot brioche or its acclaimed pheasant accompanied by Belgian endives with apple, blueberries and potato croquettes.
If the weather allows it, get a spot on its terrace
4:00 p.m. . If the Guinness brewery is a must-see in Dublin, De Halve Maan (Walplein, 26) is in Bruges. This brewery founded in 1856 is a mecca for every beer lover and opens the doors of its factory and its museum through guided tours. In it, travelers can learn the secret of brewing and taste the only ones produced in the city of Bruges: Straffe Hendrik and Brugse Zot . While the first is identified by the drawing of a crescent, the second is the most iconic and easily recognizable by the image of a mischievous jester. Its name comes from an amusing legend of the fifteenth century. When Emperor Maximilian of Austria arrived in Bruges after marrying Marie of Burgundy, he described the Flemish city as "a madhouse". Since then, the inhabitants of the city have the nickname of Locos de Brujas (Brugse Zotten).
8:00 p.m. If you still want more beer, at De Halve Maan you can accompany a Brugse Zot with the classic carbonade flamande, a beef and onion stew slow-cooked with beer. Other options near the romantic canals are De Mosselkelder (Huidenvettersplein, 5) , where you can taste a wide variety of mussels or 't Huidevettershuis (Huidenvettersplein, 10) , located in the former house of the tanners' guild.
De Halve Maan, the must stop for beer lovers
SUNDAY
1:30 p.m. . One cannot leave this Venice of the North without entering one of the oldest establishments in the city : Cafe Vlissinghe (Blekersstraat, 2) . To discover it is to make an authentic trip to the past, specifically to medieval Bruges, with its wooden tables, its fireplace and its string of antiques piled up in strategic corners . Although the touch of authenticity is provided by the tavern dog, who at his advanced age seeks caresses, between nods and nods. And nothing better to warm up than the soups and purées of the day, like their onion soup with crispy parmesan. And for drink? There is only one answer to that question: beer. The Vlissinghe Tavern has its own beer since 1515 , which you can only taste there.
16 :00 a.m. To end our trip, what better than discovering an alternative route to the historic center of Bruges. Located on the outskirts, in the north of the city, Kruisvest Park is the favorite spot for those looking to get away from the bustle of tourists . Its green hills and winding paths, perfect for cycling or running, make this environment the place to enjoy a moment of peace and tranquility. Centuries ago, this area was surrounded by walls and mills, currently four remain standing, as a reminder of its commercial splendor. Sint-Janshuismolen is the most iconic of them all, dating from the end of the 18th century, and can be visited to see how it works and witness a little piece of Belgian history.
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Kruisvest, the place to get away from tourism
Two days in a fairytale city!