Holiday rentals in Bruges

Bruges — Brugge in Flemish — is a small portside city in northwest Belgium renowned for its picturesque canals, ancient buildings, and intricate lace making. Though Bruges’s cobblestoned alleys offer a range of hidden treasures in the form of galleries, boutiques, and street art, one of the best ways to experience this historic destination is by taking a boat trip along the many canals that wind around the city.

Bruges was founded in the Middle Ages as a trading port, and remains an important centre for European trade and fishing. Spared by bombs during the first and second world wars, most of Bruges’s medieval architecture is still intact, and the inner city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000. Aside from the city’s historical attractions, Bruges also has a thriving food scene, featuring chic cocktail bars, cosy cafes, and Michelin-starred restaurants.

Bruges is at its busiest, and most pleasant, during the warmer months of the year, from May to October. There’s minimal rainfall over this time, and the weather is ideal for al fresco dining and exploring the streets and city parks. July and August can become hot and humid around the middle of the day, so wear lighter clothing if you’re planning to spend the day outdoors.

Autumn brings cooler weather to Bruges, offering ideal temperatures for exploring the city’s streets and outdoor spaces. The cloud cover and showers increase in intensity and frequency during this time. In winter, temperatures can drop considerably, and it often snows around December. One well-loved holiday attraction is the city’s Christmas market, which features an ice-skating rink, craft and food vendors, and sparkling holiday lights.

Musea Brugge

Spread across 13 venues in the city centre, the Musea Brugge is a collection of museums that offer many ways to delve into Bruges’s rich history. The diverse venues include the Groeningemuseum art museum, the medieval St John’s Hospital, and the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk ter Potterie (Our Lady of the Pottery). The museums house more than 75,000 artifacts that range from paintings to furniture, silverware, contemporary design, and poetry manuscripts.

Brugse Vesten

The Brugse Vesten, or city ramparts, is a corridor of green that works its way around the edge of the city. A four-mile walking and cycling path will take you past historic windmills and several sets of medieval city gates, as well as the Lake of Love and the Coupure Marina. This green belt is one of the best places to get an elevated view of the city itself.

Vismarkt

Known as a destination for food-lovers, Bruges offers a range of markets selling local produce and the day’s catch. From Wednesday to Sunday, you’ll find freshly caught seafood at the historic Vismarkt, which is found on the edge of the canal near Burg Square. On Saturdays, there’s a vast market at ’t Zand Square and the Beursplein, where you can find fresh fruits and vegetables, clothing, and crafts. Additionally, for just three Sundays a year, this market expands into the very popular Zandfeesten, which includes live music and three miles of stalls selling antiques and secondhand wares.