“Bruges- quintessential Belgium” is the capital of West Flanders and the Flemish-speaking part of Belgium. It is one of the most beautiful and perfectly preserved medieval cities in Europe. The Historic centre of this small town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This quiet provincial city, having enjoyed the affluence during the middle ages, showcases plenty of architecture and art. But the true beauty of the city lies in its open spaces. The canals crisscrossing their ways through the town, edged by the cobbled streets make for an ideal postcard beauty. A cityscape that is abundant in cute narrow lanes, abandoned little stone bridges, adorable canal houses, and a swarming population of White Swans, is sure to make an everlasting impression in your heart and is the reason why Bruges is on my list of “The Most Romantic Destinations in Europe”.

A visit to Bruges is a visit past in time, where every stone path leads to its squares and the lanes are still trudged by horse-drawn carriages. The buildings alongside the canals give you a glimpse of its past glory. My love for the medieval cities of Europe and their architecture literally started with Bruges. It’s a city that has frozen still in time and looks no younger than 14^th or 15^th century. The Architecture pre-dominantly is Stone Gothic. The buildings with their burnt orange, yellow and brown toned bricks bring about the romantic essence. The elaborately carved stone facades and the crow-stepped gabled roof will hook you into the city’s charms. You will be hard-pressed not to feel romantic in Bruges or Brugge, as the locals call it.

Known for its Chocolate, Waffles, and Fries; Bruges is jam-packed with tourists in summer. Being only an hour train ride away from Belgium’s Capital Brussels; visitors mostly come for a day trip. But I would beg for you to stay at least a night. The charms and the magic of the place are quadrupled post the Touristy throng. There is nothing more romantic than a stroll on a deserted cobbled street beneath the calm canals when the sky rolls in its saffron hue. Feeling the soothing breeze by a small curved stone bridge, overlooking the town’s famous gabled architecture; is an irreplaceable memory.

Bruges is an all-rounder in terms of keeping you busy with its highlights. It has its share of beautiful churches, magnificent Art collections, and splendid ornate municipal buildings, which you should definitely do. (Here is a link to a Perfect One-day Itinerary and a Weekend-itinerary to Bruges). But today’s Blog is all about the crowning feature of Bruges, and that is the “City’s intimate relationship with Romance”. I have said it before and will repeat myself that the city will have an over-powering effect on you, which makes it so difficult to not feel romantic.

Here is a list of charmingly beautiful parts of the town that you have to visit in your upcoming trip to Bruges (which I highly recommend), as part of a Romantic-route, that passes through the most picturesque and delightful corners of the town. Sit back and enjoy as this blog is going to be an overload of photos and interesting facts alongside.

Few Pointers:

• For the convenience of visitors using local commute, the route starts from the Bruges Central Train station, which is going to be the ideal starting point for anyone visiting the city as part of a day-tour from Brussels or nearby cities.
• This is a walking route with every stop just a few minutes away from the previous one.
• This route is a total of 4.6 km long and easily doable in 2 hours or more (depending on how many selfies you take!).

 

Click to see the Animated Route Map

 

(1) Minnewater O Lago del Amor – Lake of Love

Address	Time	Price	Distance from previous point	Website
Minnewater, 8000 Bruges, Belgium	Recommended: At least 1 hour. (Open 24 hours)	Free	700m from Bruges Train station

 

The minute you get out of the train station, you are greeted with this scenic area. Cute little bridges connecting the various channels, medieval Flemish buildings bordering the body of water, several big trees giving a nice canopy to space and the peaceful weeping willows hanging on to the canal side; Minnewater is the perfect picture-postcard entry to this beautiful city. The area harbors a lake, literally called as the “Lake of Love” and according to the local beliefs, once a couple walks on the bridge over the lake, they will be bonded forever. Historically, however, this place used to be the entry point of the many trading ships that used to carry the valuable Lace made by the skilled craftsmen of this city; famous throughout Europe.

The Major highlights of the area (in the order of visiting includes):

Poertoren Tower

Or the Powder Tower, as the name suggests is the place where the city used to store its supply of Gun Powder, and is actually a remnant of the medieval city walls. Standing tall at a staggering height of 18 meters above the water line, this tower was built in 1401 by a famous Mason of the era named Jan van Oudenaerde. Well, particularly not very attractive but this tower marks the entrance to the minnewater area and takes us to the next point of interest.

Minnewaterbruge & Lago Minnewater

This bridge, also known as the Lover’s Bridge over the Lake is the pivotal part of the Minnewater experience. Bordering the Lake on one side, the bridge gives the perfect backdrop for many impressive photos. The view of the Kasteel Minnewater (The castle) from the bridge is a spectacular one. You can either walk along the lake or enjoy the view and the tranquillity from the many benches alongside the lake.

Minnewater Park

Close to the lake, this small park is an idyllic oasis in the middle of the bustling city. You will always find a quiet place for yourself amongst the colourful flower beds, close to the lake, with the whopping dwellers of the city, the Big White Swans!

(2) Sashuis 

Address	Time	Price	Distance from previous point	Website
Begijnhof, 8000 Bruges, Belgium	Recommended: At least 20 minutes	Free	190m from Minnewater Park	Link

Bruges has a knack for surprising you with delightful settings, set at every corner of the city. An example of such is the Sashuis, which is actually a house for the Lockkeeper (Something like Hagrid’s house in Potter movies!). It is a very pretty brick gabled house; equivalent of which can be seen throughout the city but what makes this place so beautiful, is its quaint setting. With the Minnewater Park on the background, canal on the side and plenty of beautiful swans nearby, this place is a magnet for photographers and couples alike. You will have umpteen opportunities of taking photos and can spend an hour just looking at the cute birdies resting, diving and floating on to the water or at the succession of boats passing by the canal.

 

(3) De Vos Almshouse (Begijnhof) 

Address	Time (Jan-Dec : 10 AM-5 PM)	Price	Distance from previous point	Website
Begijnhof 30, 8000 Bruges, Belgium	Recommended: At least 15 minutes	2 Euros PP	130m from Sashuis	Almshouses

     

The entrance to the Begijinhof, Bruges, Belgium

Built in the 14^th century, by the rich guilds for charity and social service, these series of one-storied white-washed row houses gave shelter to the poor, elderly, widowed or single women. While there are more than forty of such Almshouses in the city, this one near Sashuis is particularly interesting and pleasing. Separated by high walls from outside and a courtyard with beautiful gardens in the middle, entering into the complex instantly puts you at ease and delights your senses. The real charm of the place is in its sanctity and its simplicity. A stroll through this small complex is sure to make you feel rejuvenated. 

(4) Stoofstraat 

Address	Time (Open 24 hours)	Price	Distance from previous point	Website
stoofstraat, 8000 Bruges, Belgium	Recommended: At least 20 minutes	Free	350m from De Vos Almshouse

 

The next stop in our tour is actually a street, literally translated to “The Stove Street”. This lane does not exactly share a romantic past but rather a very notorious one. Rich and wealthy men used to frequent the rather infamous bathhouses, tactfully concealed in hidden alleys such as this, for pleasure. Closed by the church later, these narrow alleys now are thriving tourist attractions, with cute and small shops to match the size of the street. A walk through the street’s cramped, tapered and slender alleys gives you a new outlook to the city. At times the street becomes so narrow that you can touch on both sides of the walls at the same time. You will love the svelte feel of the street for sure and offers great photo ops too.

 

(5) Bonifacious Bridge 

Address	Time (Open 24 hours)	Price	Distance from previous point	Website
10, Groeninge 6, 8000 Bruges, Belgium	Recommended: At least 30 minutes	Free	350m from Stoofstraat

This is one of the hidden gems in the city worth seeking. Visiting the bridge in the dusk or dawn has a magical appeal and mystical allure. This small bridge is located in an exemplary location with rather remarkable views around it. Tilted canal houses with ivy-covered walls, views of the roofline of Bruge’s famous architecture, the string of boats passing by the bridge, and the lovely gardens of Arentshof beside the canal; this bridge demands slow pace. Just drop everything for few minutes, relax on the built-in seats and absorb the breath-taking panorama. Sometimes places and frames as stunning as these are lost out of the mind if you just pass by, give it some moments and you will be rewarded with a lifetime of incredible memory; not to mention the innumerable stunning photos coming back with you.

(6) Canal Boat Tour 

Address	Time (Mar-Oct : 10 AM-5PM)	Price	Distance from previous point	Website
Nieuwstraat 11, 8000 Bruges, Belgium	30 minutes	8 Euros PP	140m from Bonifacious Bridge	Bruges Canal Boat Tour

At this point, you should luxuriate in a relaxing canal tour. Sailing on the water is always so romantic and an unwinding experience for me. To top it off, if the ever-changing vistas of the city are so rustic and exquisite, there is no excuse to leave this escapade, while visiting Bruges. Rather a boat tour in Bruge’s canals happens to be the most fulfilling experiences than the boat tours in many other famous capital cities in Europe. Passing by the narrow canals on a small boat, crossing the houses so close, being almost in the level of the water with little duckies floating beside you, you feel being a part of the city already. 

(7) Sint-Jan Nepomucenus Bridge 

Address	Time (Open 24 Hours)	Price	Distance from previous point	Website
Dijver, 8000 Bruges, Belgium	Recommended: At least 5 minutes	Free	230m from Nieuwstraat

After finishing the boat tour and walking next towards the most famous corners of Bruges, you will come across this beautiful bridge. The bridge is named after Saint Jan Nepomucenus, known as the patron saint of bridges and protector from floods. The bridge has a statue of the monk from Nepomuk, with five twinkling stars over the head, signifying the stars that shone in the waters of the Vltava on the day of his death, according to the folklore. Even if the bridge itself is not very grand, but the views unfurling around are beautiful. The gothic townscape nearby and the view of the Rozenhoedkaai is brilliant and gives you a new angle to try out the typical Bruges must-have picture.

 

(8) Rozenhoedkaai

Address	Time (Open 24 Hours)	Price	Distance from previous point	Website
Rozenhoedkaai, 8000 Bruges, Belgium	Recommended: At least 30 minutes	Free	41 m from Sint-Jan Nepomucenus Bridge

 

If there is just one place that you have time to visit in Bruges, then it has to be definitely this. Rozenhoedkaai is the meeting place of the Groenerei and Dijver canals, which brings about a beautiful mise en scène for this short stretch of street. Hugging the canal this street makes for the most-photographed frame in Bruge’s. Every day no matter shine or rain, winter or summer, this place is packed with visitors trying to immortalize their perfect postcard selfie in Brugge. A stroll in this area is customary, which you have to do, during your visit to Brugge. Just the view of the street with the majestic medieval buildings all around rekindles your senses and you are sure to spend hours just looking at the raw magnetism of the place. I would strongly recommend coming back to this place once in the night or in the Dawn, where there are virtually no one around. The charisma of the place which looks straight out of a fairy-tale medieval setting is sure to hypnotize you. You will have an uninterrupted time in this timeless beauty which will leave an eternal impression on you. Visit the place at dusk, and you have a separate story altogether. A festive feeling will surround you with all the happy people around, local artists showing off their talents, beautiful musicians filling the atmosphere with their warm tones; it is a place to celebrate and express your love and had to be in our Romantic route.

 

(9) The Markt

Address	Time (Open 24 Hours)	Price	Distance from previous point	Website
Markt 20, 8000 Bruges, Belgium	Recommended: At least 30 minutes	Free	300 m from Rozenhoedkaai

 

This part of Brugge is in all its 12^th to 15^th-century glory. The Golden era of Brugge, with all its power and richness, is displayed in the market square. Houses of various guilds from different centuries, trumpet ornately decorated facades; boasting their past repute proudly. The market is archetypal Belgian. This Historic centre of Brugge also gives a glimpse of all the cultural influences it welcomed and infused, at a time when Brugge used to enjoy being the economic and commercial capital of Europe. The best example of such amalgamation is the Brick Gothic architecture, which I am a big fan of. An outstanding example of the architectural excellence of the medieval times, the Market square of Brugge, will take you back in time and set your pace to a primordial one. Go with the flow and immerse yourself in the marvel of the pastel coloured brick houses and gaze at their splendor.

 

(10) Jan Van Eyck Square

Address	Time (Open 24 Hours)	Price	Distance from previous point	Website
Jan van Eyckplein 8000, 8000 Bruges, Belgium	Recommended: At least 20 minutes	Free	400 m from The Markt

View of the neighborhood surrounding Jan van Eyck Square, BrugesJan van Eyck square, as the name suggests is a piazza dedicated to the famous world-renowned painter Jan van Eyck, who revolutionized the history of painting from 1420-1441. Having spent a majority of his life in Bruges, the town showcases its proud lineage via a statue dedicated to the painter. But this square is so much more than just about the artist himself. This nneighbourhood used to be a major hub for hard-working porters and traders, as it served as a pivotal port in the medieval times. Now, however more like a working-class zone, the locale offers you with the same enchanting roofline of magnificent facades as anywhere else in Bruges, but without the hustle of regular tourists, as a lot less really make the effort to meander beyond the marketplace. Walking those extra blocks, helps you see the unadulterated parts of a town still untouched by the glimmer of tourism. Take a walk along the canal and marvel at some of the most exquisite gothic buildings at this side of the town.

 

(11) Gouden-Handrei

Address	Time (Open 24 Hours)	Price	Distance from previous point	Website
Gouden Handrei, 8000 Bruges, Belgium	Recommended: At least 15 minutes	Free	280 m from Jan van Eyck square

 

Magnificient Artchitecture around Gouden-Handrei , BrugesI have always found that there is much more to a city than the ones just published on the tourist map. Hidden places aka the locally known pretty corners of a town usually make me more excited and have never disappointed me in giving me that one last perfect shot, which has not already been clicked. Gouden-Handrei is one such destination in our route. Quays in Bruges are plenty, but the only one that’s mostly visited is the famous Quay of Rosary or the Rozenhoedkaai. While that’s a favourite spot of mine as mentioned in the route already, but the sheer amount of tourists might make your perfect pic by the quay a little difficult. If you want an equally attractive romantic place but quieter and peaceful one, Gouden-Handrei may be it. Just reach there by sunset or before to get that flawless nonphoto-bombed pic of you with the vintage Bruges.

 

(12) Sint-Annarei 

Address	Time (Open 24 Hours)	Price	Distance from previous point	Website
Sint Annarei, 8000 Bruges, Belgium	Recommended: At least 15 minutes	Free	300 m from Gouden Handrei

If you thought Gouden-Handrei was the only one hidden gem that we could fit in this romantic route of ours, then let me just correct you there. The thing is, with genuinely beautiful places like Brugge, it’s actually hard to keep the list smaller than otherwise. Another such soothing and relaxed nook is Sint-Annarei. More than the place, I really like the walk from Gouden-Handrei to Sint-Annarei. Much broader channels of the canal with benches on the sidewalk; the ideal thing would be to just lounge and let the world pass by you. This way you can traverse the route according to your pace. You will see more even if you miss a place or two in the route.

 

(13) Sint-Janshuis Mill 

Address	Time  (Open 24 Hours)	Price	Distance from previous point	Website
Kruisvest 3, 8000 Bruges, Belgium	Recommended: At least 30 minutes	Free	800 m from Sint-Annarei	Sint-Janshuis Mill

A lovely windmill in the midst of town, sitting on its mound and surrounded by a little park, Sint-Janshuis Mill is a perfect getaway from the crowd.  There are four windmills in the town that remains from the dozens that were used before for providing flour to the entire town. These are (from north to south) Koelewei Mill (Coelweymolen – 1765 moved here 1996), Nieuwe Papegaai Mill (1790 moved in 1970), St Janshuis (Sint-Janshuismolen – 1770), and Bonne Chiere Mill (1844 rebuilt 1911). These well-restored wooden stilt windmills can also be visited from inside for a small fee. But I found the park around the mill to be more than occupying and gave us a good picturesque atmosphere and some relaxing stroll.

(14) Kruispoort gate 

Address	Time (Open 24 Hours)	Price	Distance from previous point	Website
Langestraat 191, 8000 Bruges, Belgium	Recommended: At least 15 minutes	Free	350 m from Sint-Janshuis Mill	Kruispoort gate

Back in the 13^th century, the whole of Brugge was a fortified city with a city wall around the canal. Even though everything has been demolished now, the ones surviving are the four gates of that era. Kruispoort gate was built at the beginning of the 15^th century and gives an attractive background photo opportunity. Being minutes away by walk from the windmill, this gate is easily accessible. The path leading to the gate from the mill is alongside the canal and takes you through another windmill. However, if you have time, or if you are taking a bike to do this tour, you should not miss the more attractive and old Ezelpoort gate. As it is a bit further away (around 3km along the canal) we kept it off this route.

 

(15) Groenerei 

Address	Time	Price	Distance from previous point	Website
Groenerei, 8000 Bruges, Belgium	Recommended: At least 20 minutes	Free	850 m from Kruispoort gate

The last spot in this tour is by far the most beautiful and best corner of Bruges, according to me. Still near to the heart of the old town, but at a conveniently spaced less-crowded zone, Groenerei Street has quite a few of my favourite spots in the town. The first is the street itself, which runs as you guessed, alongside the canal! It has the most beautiful brick gothic almhouses alongside. The view of the Meestraat Bridge from the street is amazing.

All in all, it’s a really good way of ending this romantic route. I am sure by the end of this route you have touched and seen everything that this pretty little town has to offer.