Visit Bruges in 2 days

Where to Stay in Bruges

For a short, two-day visit to Bruges, location matters more than anything else: the city is compact and best enjoyed on foot, so choosing a base inside or just beside the historic centre saves time and stress. If you want to be in the heart of the action, staying within easy reach of the Grote Markt puts you a minute or two from the Belfry, cafés and evening atmosphere; if you prefer quieter mornings and canal views, a room closer to the Dijver will feel more peaceful when the day begins.

Bruges is organised as a tight medieval core of winding streets and canals surrounded by a broader residential ring. The main visitor sites — the market, the church squares, the brewery and the Beguinage — are all walkable from each other, but each pocket of the centre has a different character. Expect cobbled streets, low traffic, and lots of short bridges; that’s charming, but it also means baggage-friendly choices and a short walk to your front door matter more than being “on a main road.”

If you like to be cultural and central, aim for the area around the Stadsschouwburg and the Markt where theatres, eateries and nightlife meet. For a more local, slightly offbeat base, the lanes around the De Halve Maan brewery give you access to a working brewery visit and friendly neighbourhood bars within a few minutes’ walk. For tranquil mornings or photography, the streets leading to the Ten Wijngaerde Beguinage and nearby gardens are quietly delightful and only a short stroll from the busiest squares.

Transport-wise, Bruges is wonderfully walkable: arriving by train puts you a 10–20 minute walk from the centre, and local buses are useful only for outer suburbs. Taxis exist but are less common than in larger cities, and bicycles are readily available if you want to cover more ground. Be prepared for cobbles and occasional narrow sidewalks — smaller wheeled luggage and comfortable shoes make transfers easier.

Finally, relax about your choice: for two days pick a location that matches your rhythm — lively and central for cafés and evening life, canal-side for quiet views and morning light. Book early in high season, choose a room on a quieter street if you’re sensitive to noise, and remember that no matter where you stay in the centre, Bruges’ compactness means you’ll reach the main sights fast and comfortably.

Getting Around Bruges

Bruges is delightfully compact, which makes public transport feel refreshingly simple even if it’s your first visit. The city center is best explored on foot, but when you need to go further you’ll find a small, reliable network of De Lijn buses and frequent regional trains at Brugge Station. The operators keep routes straightforward and stops are well signed, so you won’t need a local decoder ring to get from the Grote Markt to a brewery or a theater. Think of the buses as a helpful supplement to walking — easy to use and friendly when the weather or your feet say “time to ride.” 🎫

Practical tip: buy tickets before or as you board. You can pay with cash or card on many buses, but the smoothest option is the mobile ticket via the De Lijn app or use single-ride tickets from a kiosk at big stops. A typical single fare is modest (roughly a few euros), and if you plan several short hops a day, a day pass or multi-ride option will save you money. Keep your ticket handy; inspectors do check, and it’s always nicer to present a ticket than a sheepish apology.

Use Google Maps for real-time directions — it reliably shows walking times, bus lines and platform info in Bruges. Enter your destination and switch between walking and public-transport routes to compare times; often the map will tell you that a 10–15 minute walk is faster than waiting for the next bus. The app also helps you spot the nearest stop and gives you turn-by-turn guidance so you’ll never stand on a corner guessing which direction to face. 🗺️

Money-saving mindset: because Bruges is so compact, prioritize walking between clustered attractions and save the bus for longer hops or when you’re short on time. If you’ll be traveling out to nearby towns or arriving by train, consider buying a regional ticket or a return to Brugge Station instead of multiple single tickets — sometimes a simple round trip is cheaper and less fuss.

I remember one afternoon when we wanted to get from the Stadsschouwburg to the De Halve Maan brewery. We checked Google Maps, saw a pleasant 12-minute walk along canal streets, and chose to stroll — stopping for photos and a waffle — rather than wait for a bus. On a rainy day later that week we hopped a De Lijn bus; the driver sold us a ticket, we were seated within minutes, and we stepped off two stops from the brewery without a single missed turn. Knowing both walking routes and the bus options made the whole city feel wonderfully accessible and stress-free.

What to Pack for Bruges

Bruges is compact but deceptively active — cobbled lanes, chocolate shops, biergartens and a few evening concerts means you’ll be up and about a long day. I’ve done two full days there twice, and both times I came home wishing I’d been smarter with a couple of small things. Below are the essentials I pack every time, with exact reasons and little stories so you know why each item matters.

1. Comfortable walking shoes (required): I always bring a broken‑in pair — e.g., Merrell Moab 2 or Allbirds Wool Runners — because I once walked about 12 miles (≈19 km) in a single Bruges day, from Markt to the windmills to a riverside beer garden. Firm soles for cobbles and a little ankle support saved my knees; flip‑flops would have ended the day early.

2. Cross‑body bag (anti‑theft style): A small cross‑body with a zip and slash‑resistant strap kept my passport, wallet and camera safe while we stood shoulder‑to‑shoulder in the Markt. Pickpockets aren’t rampant, but crowded squares and concert lineups are perfect opportunities — wearing it in front means hands free and peace of mind.

3. Weather‑appropriate layers and a light waterproof: Belgian weather flips fast. On one visit I left the hotel for what I thought was a 6‑hour stroll and ended up out for 10+ hours; a sudden drizzle turned into a steady rain. A thin merino base, a light sweater and a packable rain jacket kept me dry and comfortable without bulking up my bag.

4. Power adapter (Type E/C) and a short charging cable: Belgium uses Type E (230V). I once forgot an adapter and paid €20 at a tourist shop — annoying and unnecessary. A small universal adapter and a short cable mean you can top up phones between stops or at a café table without lugging a travel cube.

5. Power bank (10,000 mAh+): Photos, maps, and mobile tickets drain batteries fast. A 10,000–20,000 mAh power bank kept my phone at 70–100% through a 14‑hour day of photos, a canal boat ticket QR scan, and an evening concert — no hunting for outlets mid‑itinerary.

6. Optional but helpful: Packable umbrella or reusable water bottle: On rainy days a tiny umbrella or poncho saved the camera; on sunny strolls a refillable bottle kept costs down and hydration steady. I carried a 500 ml collapsible bottle once and it clipped to my bag — small thing, big convenience.