Why Honeymoon in Bruges
Bruges is small enough to explore entirely on foot, which makes it easy to slow down. You can wander from the Markt to a quiet canal bend in five minutes and spend an afternoon without checking a map.
The art is remarkable for a city this size. The Groeninge Museum holds works by Jan van Eyck and other Flemish Primitives. The Church of Our Lady shelters a marble Madonna and Child by Michelangelo, one of the few of his sculptures to leave Italy in his lifetime. The Saint John's Hospital museum shows paintings by Hans Memling in a medieval hospital ward.
Add excellent chocolate, Belgian beer and canal views from your hotel window. It is easy to see why couples love it.
When to Go
May, June and September offer the best mix of mild weather and long evenings. Expect temperatures in the 60s and low 70s, with occasional rain.
July and August are warm and lively but bring the heaviest crowds, especially on weekends and when cruise ships dock at nearby Zeebrugge. If you come in summer, stay overnight and plan sightseeing for early mornings and evenings.
December is festive, with a Christmas market on the Markt and an ice rink nearby. It is cold and dark early, though the lights on the canals make up for it.
January through March are the quietest months. Hotels are cheaper and the city feels local again. Bring warm layers and a waterproof jacket.
Where to Stay
Stay inside the egg-shaped ring of canals that marks the old city. Everything is within walking distance and evenings are quiet once traffic thins out.
Hotel Dukes' Palace, a five-star hotel in a former ducal residence with a garden and spa, suits couples who want full luxury. Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce is a small boutique hotel right on one of the most photographed canal corners. The Pand Hotel, in a converted carriage house, is a cozy choice near the Dijver canal.
For quieter nights, look at small hotels and guesthouses near the Begijnhof, the Minnewater or along the canals east of the center. Ask for a canal-view room and check whether there are stairs, since many historic buildings lack elevators.
Romantic Things to Do
Take a canal boat tour as soon as the boats start running in the morning. You see the city from water level, slide under low bridges and avoid the midday queues.
Climb the 366 steps of the Belfry for views over the red rooftops and the carillon up close.
Walk through the Begijnhof, a peaceful courtyard of whitewashed houses that was home to a community of religious women, then continue to the Minnewater, often called the Lake of Love.
Rent bikes and ride out along a poplar-lined canal to Damme, a small village with good restaurants. In season, a paddle boat runs the route too.
At night, walk the quiet streets and canals. The lights reflecting in the water make it the best time to see Bruges.
Getting There and Around
Brussels Airport has direct trains to Bruges, which take about an hour and a half. From central Brussels, trains take roughly one hour and run frequently. Ghent is about 20 to 25 minutes away by train, making it an easy day trip or second stop.
The Bruges train station sits just outside the old city, about a 15-minute walk from the Markt. Buses and taxis also run to the center.
Inside the old city, walk. The center is compact and largely closed to coaches. Bikes are a great way to reach Damme and nearby countryside. Horse-drawn carriages wait on the Markt for a 30-minute tour.
If you arrive by car, use the large parking garage near the station and walk in.
Food and Drink
Belgian classics are done well here. Try mussels steamed with celery and white wine, served with fries. Order Flemish beef stew made with dark beer. Shrimp croquettes are a popular starter.
For something sweet, choose a Belgian waffle from a stall and visit a chocolatier for handmade pralines. There are dozens of chocolate shops; look for ones making chocolate on site.
De Halve Maan is the only brewery still operating in the historic center. It offers tours and is known for its underground pipeline that carries beer out to a bottling plant on the city's edge. Try their Brugse Zot.
For a special night, Bruges and the surrounding area have several Michelin-starred restaurants. Book well ahead.
Honeymoon Tips
Stay at least two nights to enjoy Bruges after the day-trippers leave. Morning and evening are the best hours, so plan big sights for early or late.
Book dinner reservations in advance at popular restaurants, especially on weekends.
Wear comfortable shoes. The cobblestones are uneven and you will walk a lot.
Check the opening hours of museums, which often close one day a week.
Pickpockets are rare compared with big cities but still work the Markt and Burg. Keep valuables secure.
Pack an umbrella. Rain can arrive at any time of year. A light waterproof layer beats a heavy coat for most of the season.
