Our list of the things not to miss on a trip to Bruges, Ghent & Brussels
For our first European trip after our extended career break trip across the USA, we decided to take the Eurostar train from London to Belgium for a long weekend in Bruges and Ghent (as well as a brief pitstop in Brussels).
This is our list of the best places to visit and best things to do, as well as the best places to eat and drink whilst there.
Abounding with UNESCO World Heritage sites, Bruges, Ghent and Brussels are also home to the extensive range of delicious Belgian beers. This list includes some ‘must visit’ pubs, taverns and bars (most also offering decent food) where you can sample them. Rather than hijacking the list with endless images of different Belgian beers however, I have opted to write a separate article on the beers themselves.
Strolling Around – Bruges & Ghent
One of the principal joys of Bruges is simply walking around in a leisurely fashion and taking in the sights of this UNESCO World Heritage city. Bruges is very compact, and easily navigable on foot. Therefore, walking from one point of interest to another is certainly the best way to get around. Ambling around aimlessly is also very rewarding, with an abundance of pretty streets, historical buildings and canals.
The same can largely be said of the centre of Ghent, which is a larger city overall, but actually has a smaller historic core than Bruges. Therefore, walking around the areas of interest actually takes less time than in Bruges.
In Bruges, you really can’t go wrong, but first-time visitors should ensure that they take in the two main squares (the Markt and the Burg), each containing some truly wonderful buildings. Other key sites include the Vismarkt (the old fish market), The Begijnhof (an area of traditional houses around a central green) and the Jan van Eyckplein square.
Whilst visting the Burg in Bruges, it is also a good idea to enter the splendid Stadhuis as well as Heilig Bloed Basiliek next door for a taste of historic Flemish civic and ecclesiastical architecture respectively.
Part of the joy is punctuating the walk with the odd break to sample a Belgian beer or two (please scroll down for some great pub, tavern and bar suggestions).
Café Vlissinghe - Bruges
Quite simply, my favourite place in Bruges. Apparently dating back to 1515, Café Vlissinghe is all wood panelling, old paintings and historic charm. With a good selection of Belgian beers and some simple, but tasty food, this side-street tavern is the real thing.
The imposing fireplace and long wooden tables add to the charm, and when you add in the legend of Rubens supposedly having paid for his drinks here with paintings, then it is fair to say that I fell for Café Vlissinghe hook line and sinker.
The tavern that had previously sat on the same site had supposedly also been the scene of a romance between Charlamagne and the innkeeper’s wife! Oh, and there is also a nice garden terrace to the rear as well!
Grande-Place - Brussels
Sometimes high-profile attractions can either disappoint, or feel like slightly tawdry tourist ghettos. On other occasions however, they offer a pleasant surprise and experience. The latter is certainly the case with Brussels’ charming Grand-Place.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is located in the heart of the city’s Lower Town, and its luxuriant Baroque buildings are stunning in their scale and detail.
Even if you just pass through briefly for a quick photo opportunity, you won’t be disappointed. From the Grand-Place, you are also within striking distance of a good proportion of Brussels’ main sights, including a plethora of excellent and historic bars, cafes and restaurants.
The Markt – Bruges
The Markt is in many ways the centre of Bruges and the architecture alone demands a visit. You shouldn’t however just rush through just taking photos, as there are also some lovely options here to take a beat and relax.
Now, plonking yourself down to eat and drink in the main square of a European city isn’t always the most rewarding thing to do in terms of quality or value for money (my home city of London is a prime example of this). In Bruges however, you can do far worse than visiting the historic Café Craenenburg in the city’s Markt, or principal square.
We visited twice, and on each occasion the majority of customers appeared to be local. Combining fantastic views, good food and a sense of historic Flanders, this would be our number one choice for a lunch or dinner in the Markt.
Another enticing option for a drink in the Markt is the Duvelorium (owned by the Duvel beer company unsurprisingly), which is located on the first floor of the Historium building.
The façade of this building is truly stunning, and when we had initially walked past, I had assumed that the people on the balcony were city worthies attending a function at some municipal building. In fact, it is open to all, and offers a spectacular vantage point from which to enjoy your beer!
Den Turk – Ghent
In a city dominated by pleasant canal-side watering holes and restaurants, Den Turk offers a compelling reason to step a few streets away from the water. Considered by many to be Ghent’s oldest bar, Den Turk has that intangible atmosphere that seems to capture the spirit of an older Flanders, and an older Europe.
Whether you opt to sit in the dark and atmospheric interior or on the outside terrace opposite the beautiful Stadhuis (town hall), the setting and wide range of available drinks are likely to ensure a pleasant visit.
Boat Trips – Bruges & Ghent
Whilst exploring these two beautiful cities on foot is in itself magical, the short and reasonably-priced canal boat trips are also well worth doing. Even if you have walked along some of the canals that the boats journey down, the different views and perspectives available from the boat add something different.
In both Bruges and Ghent, you will come across a number of different embarkation points with nominally different companies, but the cost, length and experience are reasonably uniform across them all.
Place Ste Catherine – Brussels
This pedestrianised square in front of the beautiful Ste Catherine Cathedral is full of good-quality cafes and restaurants.
The aspect alone makes for a pleasant place to sit, but when you factor in the central location and relatively tranquil atmosphere, it really is one of the most rewarding places to eat in the whole city.
‘t Poatersgat - Bruges
For those who prefer their drinks by candlelight in historic cellars, ‘t Poatersgat will be a firm favourite. For those ambivalent about such charms, they will probably be converted by what is one of Bruges’ most famous pubs.
As you might expect, ‘t Poatersgat has an extensive range of bottled and draught beers, and this is really a place where you can lose all track of time!
Poechenellekelder – Brussels
In Brussels, the Lower Town has a wide selection of authentic and historic taverns, bars and pubs including Aux Bon Vien Temps, À la Bécasse and A l’Imaige Nostre-Dame. On our most recent visit however, a number of these were closed, either temporarily or because it was a Monday. One name remaining on our list of places to go however was the Poechenellekelder, which my wife had visited about a decade ago.
This quaint and historic pub located a stone’s thrown from the famous Manneken Pis statue is an absolute gem. Whilst there is a very pleasant outdoor seating area, the interior is a real treat and is filled with beer, brewing and puppet paraphernalia. There is also an excellent and extensive list of Belgian beers to choose from.
De Garre – Bruges
Centrally located between the Markt and the Burg, De Garre is tucked away down a narrow side street. Like many hidden things however, this ancient tavern is worth looking for.
Split across two levels, De Garre offers a genuinely excellent range of Belgian beers, some very good food and snacks, friendly service and a relaxed atmosphere supplemented by classical music.
Het Waterhuis aan de Bierkant – Ghent
Fantastic canal-side setting with open-air seating? Check. A menu with over one hundred types of Belgian beer? Check. There isn’t much more than needs saying about this perennial favourite.
Located smack bang in the centre of Ghent (and next to a boat trip jetty), it really would be a shame not to stop by.
Food
When it comes to proper restaurants, it must be said that one of the joys of spending time here (and Bruges and Ghent in particular) was the near absence of chain restaurants. The quality of food was consistently good everywhere we went, and therefore whilst we have highlighted some particular favourites, there is no need to drive yourself mad looking for the perfect place.
Bruges for example abounds with pretty squares and side streets with numerous solid options. The right choice will therefore largely depend on whether you are seeking to sit inside or outside, and on how busy of a place you prefer.
Even if you don’t have time for a deep dive into some of the meat and game-heavy traditional Flemish cuisine, one dish to make sure you sample is the classic Belgian dish of Moules Frites, or mussels with chips / fries if you prefer. Options abound, and in our experience the freshness and quality is very much what you would hope and expect for such an iconic national dish.
Oh, and of course some Belgian waffles!
PS. Wondering which is the best credit card to use whilst travelling abroad? Read our review of the Curve card to learn more about something that we always travel with.
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