The Best Things to do in a Day Trip to Bruges from Amsterdam:
Bruges (or Brugge) – the medieval city of beautiful storybook streets, enchanting canals and bridges, stunning Gothic churches and cathedrals, amazing food and friendly locals.
During my four days in Amsterdam, I took a day trip to Bruges, Belgium where I ate my weight in bier (beer), frites (fries), mussels, waffles and chocolate.
I also admired the beauty of the city from all different angles and viewpoints, visited the beautiful cathedrals and churches, learned a bit of the medieval history and met some great individuals.
If you are traveling to Amsterdam for a few days, I highly recommend making your way to Brugge for a day.
Discover the best things to do during a day trip to this picturesque Belgian city.
**Please note that this blog post uses affiliate links meaning that if you make a purchase via my affiliate link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only promote and talk about products and services that I have used and like.
Pin the Below Image to Keep Handy
Getting to and From Brugge, Belgium:
Since I was basing myself in the Dutch capital for four and a half days, I just did a day trip to Bruges from Amsterdam.
I didn’t rent a car during my time in Amsterdam, so I found a great Amsterdam tour company through TripAdvisor that takes travelers to Brugge from Amsterdam and back.
(If you are looking to do multiple day trips from Amsterdam, I highly recommend renting a car during your time there.)
You could also book train and bus tickets to get to Brugge from anywhere in Europe.
Even if you aren’t basing yourself in Amsterdam, you could definitely find great flights to Osten-Bruges International Airport.
For those traveling from far distances, you could find more flight options to Brussels, which is only 50 miles from Brugge. I always find great flight deals through Skyscanner
.
The tour company I did my day trip to Bruges from Amsterdam with had us take a 3-hour bus ride from Amsterdam Centraal train station to Bargeplein, the local bus stop before you enter the heart of Brugge.
Even though the bus ride was 3 hours long, I absolutely adored witnessing the best views of the countryside in both Holland and Belgium.
We passed the old windmills in The Hague, drove past fairytale farm towns in Belgium and even caught the most epic sunset from Antwerp through Rotterdam on our way back to Amsterdam. In addition, we also caught a rainbow as well!
Where to Stay:
During my time in Amsterdam, I stayed at Clink Hostels. Whether you are staying in Amsterdam, Bruges or anywhere near these two cities, you could find great hotel accommodations for all budget ranges through Hotels.com.
There are also a plethora of Airbnb and Vrbo options and you could also find great hostels throughout the Netherlands and Belgium.
Click here to read about my amazing experience staying at Clink Hostels.
Top Things to do During a Day Trip to Bruges from Amsterdam:
Since I was in Bruges for only a day, I was on a time limit, but I still felt like I saw everything I needed to see there.
Of course, it’s absolutely beautiful, so I could have easily just sat in the Markt for hours admiring the architecture, people watching and savoring the moments.
Below is everything you must experience during a day trip to Bruges from Amsterdam or anywhere else:
Get Lost in Brugge:
When I first arrived in Brugge, I absolutely fell in love with the beauty of the city and I adored how quaint and charming everything was. I automatically wanted to just wander and get lost.
Since Bruges isn’t a large city, it is easy to walk through most of it in a day trip. There are so many photogenic spots and I loved finding a cute bridge and watching the boats along the canals. The medieval architecture in Belgium is something to admire as well!
In addition, there are so many wonderful chocolate shops to walk into, clothing stores and boutiques, historical museums and small parks!
My favorite place in Brugge was the famous Markt located in the heart of the city.
Since the first century, The Market Square of Brugge (Markt) was where medieval festivals, fairs, tournaments, uprisings and executions took place. It was also a place where commercial ships could unload products for storage or sale at the market.
Nowadays, it is where locals meet up, street performances take place and there are plenty of wonderful restaurants, cafés and pubs for all to enjoy.
The guild houses and buildings within the Markt are strikingly beautiful! The most prominent are the famous Belfry Tower, Cloth Hall, the Provincial Palace (now the seat of the West Flanders Provincial Court) and the 15th Century Bouckhoute House, which is the oldest home in the square.
Brugge is also a wonderful place to take a horse carriage ride and you could easily get one within the Markt.
Savor Belgium’s Best Foods:
Prior to traveling to Brugge, I was given a foodie bucket list by a good friend. She told me I had to get mussels and fries together because it is the best combination on Earth. I have to say that I definitely agree with her on that.
I am a HUGE seafood eater and since the North Sea is so close to Brugge, I knew I would be savoring a nice pot of mussels.
Since fries originated in Belgium, not France by the way, I had a feeling I was in for a real treat as well when it came to these fried potatoes.
During my time in Brugge, I enjoyed a late lunch at Poules Moules, located not too far from the Markt. This lovely restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating.
Since it was a beautiful spring day, I ate outside and enjoyed the stunning views of the mini square the restaurant was situated in.
On the menu, there are a variety of mussel options as well as salads, pastas, fish, meat, vegetarian/vegan dishes as well as dessert. They also have a nice drink selection too.
Since I knew I wanted to get mussels, I had a choice of getting them plain, in white wine, Brugge beer, with Ricard, fresh basil or even with a garlic and cream, Provencal, curry, Roquefort or mustard sauce.
I chose the mussels with white wine and it came with frites. I also enjoyed a local brew on the side. There was a lot of food on my table, so I didn’t finish it all, but this meal totally did not disappoint.
Since I checked off beer, fries and mussels, I wouldn’t leave Brugge without visiting a chocolate shop or waffle stand to get my Belgian waffle and chocolate fix.
About an hour before I got to the bus to go back to Amsterdam, I stopped at a chocolate shop that had fresh Belgian waffles, so I figured I’d get the best of both worlds.
At Pol Depla Chocolatier, I savored an amazing waffle with melted chocolate topped with rainbow sprinkles. It was the perfect snack to enjoy before my three-hour trip back home.
(You could find a variety of chocolate and waffle stands all throughout Bruges.)
Click here to discover more restaurants and cafés to visit in Brugge.
Take a Canal Cruise:
One of the most enchanting ways to experience Bruges in a day trip from Amsterdam is by taking a canal cruise.
Even though I didn’t actually get to do this myself, I could tell that it was a truly magical experience.
On a canal cruise, you could discover the secret gardens throughout Bruges, see the most picturesque bridges and catch stunning views of the outskirts of the city center. It is also the perfect way to enjoy nature.
Visit One of the Many Beautiful Churches:
Brugge is a city that is known to have some of the most beautiful and significant churches in Europe.
During my day trip in Brugge, I got to visit a handful of churches and cathedrals that struck me with its beauty.
Here is the list of churches to visit in Brugge:
Sint-Jacobskerk (St. James’s Church)
St. Walburgha’s Church
Basilica of the Holy Blood
Sint-Annakerk (St. Anne’s Church)
The Jerusalem Chapel and Adornes Domain
Sint-Salvatorskathedraal (St. Saviour’s Cathedral)
Church of Our Lady
Take in the Views of Bruges:
Because Brugge is such a stunning city, I highly recommend making your way up the Belfry Tower, which stands 272 feet tall above the city.
This amazing tower is a dominant structure in Bruges and you could find it in the Markt. The walk to the top is pretty tiring (since there are 366 steps), but you could always take breaks in between.
The Belfry Tower was part of a 13th century complex of halls, which served as a market hall in the Middle Ages. Nowadays, it is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Please note that to walk up the tower, you may need to wait in a line beforehand. It goes pretty quickly though and it is definitely worth it!
Learn About the History of Brugge:
Bruges has a lot of history behind it.
Since I was falling more in love with the city as I was strolling around, I decided to learn more about the city’s history.
As I was in the Markt, I went over to the Historium Brugge where I went up to the tower to catch a different perspective of the city. What was nice about this tower was that since everyone wants to take the trek up the Belfry Tower, the tower at the Historium was pretty empty. So, I was able to walk up the stairs without worrying about others getting in my way.
(If you have ever walked up a castle tower, or any tower for that matter, you know how steep and narrow the stairs are.)
Once I made it to the top, I had the tower all to myself! It was absolutely perfect for photo opportunities. Since I was alone and didn’t have my tripods on me, I couldn’t get a photo of myself, but I did get some pretty epic views of Brugge!
When it comes to history, Brugge goes way back!
The Vikings founded the city back in the 9th century. The name Brugge comes from a former Scandinavian word ‘Brygga’ meaning ‘harbor’.
The Zwin River linked Brugge to the North Sea and it became a worldwide trading port. Several countries in Europe such as Italy, Germany and Spain would come to Brugge to trade.
In the 15th century, Antwerp’s harbor began to dominate, causing Brugge’s wealth to decline. However, the city’s art and architecture flourished (which you could clearly see as you walk around Bruges).
Side Note: If you don’t already know, Flemish is the primary language spoken in Belgium alongside French and German. Flemish, on the other hand, is a different dialect to Dutch.
Get Your Nature Fix in Bruges:
One of the most romantic parks I’ve ever been to was Minnewaterpark in Bruges.
This enchanting park will totally make you feel like you’re in a fairytale. Right before I got on the bus to go back to Amsterdam, I took a stroll through the park and admired the gorgeous Lake Minnewater or so called ‘The Lake of Love’.
Belgian folklore talks about the story of a young girl named Minna who was in love with Stromberg, a warrior of a tribe nearby. Minna’s father did not agree with her romance choice and arranged her to marry a man of his own choice.
She escaped into the forest and when Stromberg finally found her, she died in his arms of exhaustion. Legend says that you will experience eternal love if you walk over the lake’s bridge with your romantic partner.
If there is one area in Brugge where you will 100 percent feel like you’re in a storybook, it is totally in Minnewaterpark! You will find gorgeous swans, stoned buildings that look like mini castles, ivy bridges and beautiful flowers.
Click here to discover more to see and do in Brugge, Belgium.
A Memorable Day Trip to Bruges from Amsterdam:
Overall, I was thankful to have done a day trip to Bruges from Amsterdam. I had such a lovely day strolling through this medieval city and eating some of the best Belgian food!
If you have any questions about my time in Brugge, Belgium, please send me an email at info@browneyedflowerchild.com.
Make sure to pin this post if you find it useful!
Basic Facts of Belgium:
Currency: Euro, Capital: Brussels, Time Zone: Central European Standard Time
*Anything could happen during your travels. Always make sure you are insured in case there are unforeseen circumstances such as lost luggage/theft, natural disasters, personal liabilities and more. Click here to get insured for your next trip.
Shop my Brugge look:
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The Best Things to do in a Day Trip to Bruges from Amsterdam:
Bruges (or Brugge) – the medieval city of beautiful storybook streets, enchanting canals and bridges, stunning Gothic churches and cathedrals, amazing food and friendly locals.
During my four days in Amsterdam, I took a day trip to Bruges, Belgium where I ate my weight in bier (beer), frites (fries), mussels, waffles and chocolate.
I also admired the beauty of the city from all different angles and viewpoints, visited the beautiful cathedrals and churches, learned a bit of the medieval history and met some great individuals.
If you are traveling to Amsterdam for a few days, I highly recommend making your way to Brugge for a day.
Discover the best things to do during a day trip to this picturesque Belgian city.
**Please note that this blog post uses affiliate links meaning that if you make a purchase via my affiliate link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only promote and talk about products and services that I have used and like.
Pin the Below Image to Keep Handy
Getting to and From Brugge, Belgium:
Since I was basing myself in the Dutch capital for four and a half days, I just did a day trip to Bruges from Amsterdam.
I didn’t rent a car during my time in Amsterdam, so I found a great Amsterdam tour company through TripAdvisor that takes travelers to Brugge from Amsterdam and back.
(If you are looking to do multiple day trips from Amsterdam, I highly recommend renting a car during your time there.)
You could also book train and bus tickets to get to Brugge from anywhere in Europe.
Even if you aren’t basing yourself in Amsterdam, you could definitely find great flights to Osten-Bruges International Airport.
For those traveling from far distances, you could find more flight options to Brussels, which is only 50 miles from Brugge. I always find great flight deals through Skyscanner
.
The tour company I did my day trip to Bruges from Amsterdam with had us take a 3-hour bus ride from Amsterdam Centraal train station to Bargeplein, the local bus stop before you enter the heart of Brugge.
Even though the bus ride was 3 hours long, I absolutely adored witnessing the best views of the countryside in both Holland and Belgium.
We passed the old windmills in The Hague, drove past fairytale farm towns in Belgium and even caught the most epic sunset from Antwerp through Rotterdam on our way back to Amsterdam. In addition, we also caught a rainbow as well!
Where to Stay:
During my time in Amsterdam, I stayed at Clink Hostels. Whether you are staying in Amsterdam, Bruges or anywhere near these two cities, you could find great hotel accommodations for all budget ranges through Hotels.com.
There are also a plethora of Airbnb and Vrbo options and you could also find great hostels throughout the Netherlands and Belgium.
Click here to read about my amazing experience staying at Clink Hostels.
Top Things to do During a Day Trip to Bruges from Amsterdam:
Since I was in Bruges for only a day, I was on a time limit, but I still felt like I saw everything I needed to see there.
Of course, it’s absolutely beautiful, so I could have easily just sat in the Markt for hours admiring the architecture, people watching and savoring the moments.
Below is everything you must experience during a day trip to Bruges from Amsterdam or anywhere else:
Get Lost in Brugge:
When I first arrived in Brugge, I absolutely fell in love with the beauty of the city and I adored how quaint and charming everything was. I automatically wanted to just wander and get lost.
Since Bruges isn’t a large city, it is easy to walk through most of it in a day trip. There are so many photogenic spots and I loved finding a cute bridge and watching the boats along the canals. The medieval architecture in Belgium is something to admire as well!
In addition, there are so many wonderful chocolate shops to walk into, clothing stores and boutiques, historical museums and small parks!
My favorite place in Brugge was the famous Markt located in the heart of the city.
Since the first century, The Market Square of Brugge (Markt) was where medieval festivals, fairs, tournaments, uprisings and executions took place. It was also a place where commercial ships could unload products for storage or sale at the market.
Nowadays, it is where locals meet up, street performances take place and there are plenty of wonderful restaurants, cafés and pubs for all to enjoy.
The guild houses and buildings within the Markt are strikingly beautiful! The most prominent are the famous Belfry Tower, Cloth Hall, the Provincial Palace (now the seat of the West Flanders Provincial Court) and the 15th Century Bouckhoute House, which is the oldest home in the square.
Brugge is also a wonderful place to take a horse carriage ride and you could easily get one within the Markt.
Savor Belgium’s Best Foods:
Prior to traveling to Brugge, I was given a foodie bucket list by a good friend. She told me I had to get mussels and fries together because it is the best combination on Earth. I have to say that I definitely agree with her on that.
I am a HUGE seafood eater and since the North Sea is so close to Brugge, I knew I would be savoring a nice pot of mussels.
Since fries originated in Belgium, not France by the way, I had a feeling I was in for a real treat as well when it came to these fried potatoes.
During my time in Brugge, I enjoyed a late lunch at Poules Moules, located not too far from the Markt. This lovely restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating.
Since it was a beautiful spring day, I ate outside and enjoyed the stunning views of the mini square the restaurant was situated in.
On the menu, there are a variety of mussel options as well as salads, pastas, fish, meat, vegetarian/vegan dishes as well as dessert. They also have a nice drink selection too.
Since I knew I wanted to get mussels, I had a choice of getting them plain, in white wine, Brugge beer, with Ricard, fresh basil or even with a garlic and cream, Provencal, curry, Roquefort or mustard sauce.
I chose the mussels with white wine and it came with frites. I also enjoyed a local brew on the side. There was a lot of food on my table, so I didn’t finish it all, but this meal totally did not disappoint.
Since I checked off beer, fries and mussels, I wouldn’t leave Brugge without visiting a chocolate shop or waffle stand to get my Belgian waffle and chocolate fix.
About an hour before I got to the bus to go back to Amsterdam, I stopped at a chocolate shop that had fresh Belgian waffles, so I figured I’d get the best of both worlds.
At Pol Depla Chocolatier, I savored an amazing waffle with melted chocolate topped with rainbow sprinkles. It was the perfect snack to enjoy before my three-hour trip back home.
(You could find a variety of chocolate and waffle stands all throughout Bruges.)
Click here to discover more restaurants and cafés to visit in Brugge.
Take a Canal Cruise:
One of the most enchanting ways to experience Bruges in a day trip from Amsterdam is by taking a canal cruise.
Even though I didn’t actually get to do this myself, I could tell that it was a truly magical experience.
On a canal cruise, you could discover the secret gardens throughout Bruges, see the most picturesque bridges and catch stunning views of the outskirts of the city center. It is also the perfect way to enjoy nature.
Visit One of the Many Beautiful Churches:
Brugge is a city that is known to have some of the most beautiful and significant churches in Europe.
During my day trip in Brugge, I got to visit a handful of churches and cathedrals that struck me with its beauty.
Here is the list of churches to visit in Brugge:
Sint-Jacobskerk (St. James’s Church)
St. Walburgha’s Church
Basilica of the Holy Blood
Sint-Annakerk (St. Anne’s Church)
The Jerusalem Chapel and Adornes Domain
Sint-Salvatorskathedraal (St. Saviour’s Cathedral)
Church of Our Lady
Take in the Views of Bruges:
Because Brugge is such a stunning city, I highly recommend making your way up the Belfry Tower, which stands 272 feet tall above the city.
This amazing tower is a dominant structure in Bruges and you could find it in the Markt. The walk to the top is pretty tiring (since there are 366 steps), but you could always take breaks in between.
The Belfry Tower was part of a 13th century complex of halls, which served as a market hall in the Middle Ages. Nowadays, it is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Please note that to walk up the tower, you may need to wait in a line beforehand. It goes pretty quickly though and it is definitely worth it!
Learn About the History of Brugge:
Bruges has a lot of history behind it.
Since I was falling more in love with the city as I was strolling around, I decided to learn more about the city’s history.
As I was in the Markt, I went over to the Historium Brugge where I went up to the tower to catch a different perspective of the city. What was nice about this tower was that since everyone wants to take the trek up the Belfry Tower, the tower at the Historium was pretty empty. So, I was able to walk up the stairs without worrying about others getting in my way.
(If you have ever walked up a castle tower, or any tower for that matter, you know how steep and narrow the stairs are.)
Once I made it to the top, I had the tower all to myself! It was absolutely perfect for photo opportunities. Since I was alone and didn’t have my tripods on me, I couldn’t get a photo of myself, but I did get some pretty epic views of Brugge!
When it comes to history, Brugge goes way back!
The Vikings founded the city back in the 9th century. The name Brugge comes from a former Scandinavian word ‘Brygga’ meaning ‘harbor’.
The Zwin River linked Brugge to the North Sea and it became a worldwide trading port. Several countries in Europe such as Italy, Germany and Spain would come to Brugge to trade.
In the 15th century, Antwerp’s harbor began to dominate, causing Brugge’s wealth to decline. However, the city’s art and architecture flourished (which you could clearly see as you walk around Bruges).
Side Note: If you don’t already know, Flemish is the primary language spoken in Belgium alongside French and German. Flemish, on the other hand, is a different dialect to Dutch.
Get Your Nature Fix in Bruges:
One of the most romantic parks I’ve ever been to was Minnewaterpark in Bruges.
This enchanting park will totally make you feel like you’re in a fairytale. Right before I got on the bus to go back to Amsterdam, I took a stroll through the park and admired the gorgeous Lake Minnewater or so called ‘The Lake of Love’.
Belgian folklore talks about the story of a young girl named Minna who was in love with Stromberg, a warrior of a tribe nearby. Minna’s father did not agree with her romance choice and arranged her to marry a man of his own choice.
She escaped into the forest and when Stromberg finally found her, she died in his arms of exhaustion. Legend says that you will experience eternal love if you walk over the lake’s bridge with your romantic partner.
If there is one area in Brugge where you will 100 percent feel like you’re in a storybook, it is totally in Minnewaterpark! You will find gorgeous swans, stoned buildings that look like mini castles, ivy bridges and beautiful flowers.
Click here to discover more to see and do in Brugge, Belgium.
A Memorable Day Trip to Bruges from Amsterdam:
Overall, I was thankful to have done a day trip to Bruges from Amsterdam. I had such a lovely day strolling through this medieval city and eating some of the best Belgian food!
If you have any questions about my time in Brugge, Belgium, please send me an email at info@browneyedflowerchild.com.
Make sure to pin this post if you find it useful!
Basic Facts of Belgium:
Currency: Euro, Capital: Brussels, Time Zone: Central European Standard Time
*Anything could happen during your travels. Always make sure you are insured in case there are unforeseen circumstances such as lost luggage/theft, natural disasters, personal liabilities and more. Click here to get insured for your next trip.
Shop my Brugge look:
13 Comments
Looks so amazing! One day I hope to visit.
I heard many great things of Brugge and it looks indeed so beautiful! Sounds like you had an awesome day there 🙂
I absolutely love Brugge and your gorgeous photos reminded me of all the fun I had when visiting a few years ago! I am definitely missing the waffles and chocolate!! There is a beautiful chocolate shop there that I bought way too much chocolate from but I don’t regret it one bit!
Thanks for sharing your lovely travels Taylor!
Sounds like you had such a great experience Taylor! Belgium has never really called my attention but your photos look amazing. Especially the chocolate and waffles would make me want to go hahah also, the architecture is stunning!
Brugge looks so romantic! I need to add this to my bucket list! 🙂
The mussels in Bruges were by-far the most delicious I’ve ever had. I didn’t have much of an issue eating the whole dish! Lol
I need to get to Belgium and, in particular, Bruges. Great post, Taylor!
Leave a Comment
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Looks so amazing! One day I hope to visit.
It was such a wonderful day trip! 🙂
I heard many great things of Brugge and it looks indeed so beautiful! Sounds like you had an awesome day there 🙂
I had such a memorable day! The food was definitely the best 🙂
I absolutely love Brugge and your gorgeous photos reminded me of all the fun I had when visiting a few years ago! I am definitely missing the waffles and chocolate!! There is a beautiful chocolate shop there that I bought way too much chocolate from but I don’t regret it one bit!
Thanks for sharing your lovely travels Taylor!
Aw thank you Marisa! I am definitely missing the chocolate and waffles as well 🙂 I’d love to go back again and also see Ghent!
Sounds like you had such a great experience Taylor! Belgium has never really called my attention but your photos look amazing. Especially the chocolate and waffles would make me want to go hahah also, the architecture is stunning!
It definitely was memorable for me! Thank you so much Maria, you would love Belgium. 🙂
Brugge looks so romantic! I need to add this to my bucket list! 🙂
It was absolutely wonderful! You definitely have to visit. You would love it. 🙂
The mussels in Bruges were by-far the most delicious I’ve ever had. I didn’t have much of an issue eating the whole dish! Lol
Oh yes, they were amazing! I’m dreaming about them right now!
I need to get to Belgium and, in particular, Bruges. Great post, Taylor!