What to do for free in Bruges?
Bruges or Brugge, is a medieval city taken from a fairy tale, it is a must-see during your trip to Belgium. You can also visit it if you fly to Amsterdam, from there getting to Bruges is very easy, in a few hours by train you will be in the city.
Its historic center full of canals, cobbled streets and romantic houses have made it the most visited city in Belgium, and you cannot forget to try its gastronomic specialties such as chocolate, craft beer and French fries, we are sure that you will love.
And since there are so many things to see in Bruges, we have made a compilation of the most important things to do for free in one of the most romantic cities in Europe. So get your camera ready and don't miss any detail!
Grote Markt (Main Square)
The historic center of Bujas, in neo-Gothic style, was declared a World Heritage Site at the beginning of the 21st century. If this is your first visit to the city, a good option to learn more about the history is to take a free tour like this one that we recommend:Free Tour Bruges Essential
Burg Square and the Basilica of the Holy Blood (Heilig-Bloedbasiliek)
Near the Market Square you will find the Burg Square where you can also find some of the most emblematic buildings of the city such as the Town Hall, the Burgse Vrije and the beautiful Basilica of Holy Blood.
The 12th-century Basilica of the Holy Blood is made up of two churches, one on each floor. On the upper floor, a vial is kept as a relic that they say contains a few drops of Christ's blood.
Visiting hours of the basilica: Monday to Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The entrance to see the two chapels is free, although if you want to see the treasure the entrance costs two euros.
View the facade of the Stadhuis, Bruges Town Hall
The Bruges Town Hall or Stadhuis from the 14th century is considered one of the oldest in Europe and stands out for its Gothic-style exterior and its two interior rooms: the Gothic Room and the Historical Room.
On the other hand, the Palace of Justice is an 18th century manor house that stands out for its façade with golden statues. If you want to enter you have to pay four euros, but you can see its beautiful façade for free.
Jan Van Eyck Square
Jan Van Eyck Square is one of the most photographed areas in Bruges. The statue of the artist Jan Van Eyck is located in the center of the square that used to be the old customs office of the city. The views of the canal in this area are beautiful.
Let yourself be enchanted by the Bruges canals and the Rosario Quay.
The city of Bruges is also known as the “Venice of the North” due to the canals, bridges and islands that are in the city.
You cannot leave the city without taking a photo at the Rosario pier. One of the most photographed places!
Minnewater Park
It is one of the most romantic in Bruges, known as the Lake of Love and is located south of the historic center. We recommend that you take a walk through the park and see its beautiful lake full of swans.
Beguinage or begijnhof of Bruges
In the southern part of the historic center, very close to the Lake of Love, is this building, also known as the “monastery”. of the Vineyard”. It is separated from the city by a wall surrounded by a moat. It is ideal to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and get closer to the stage of the middle ages of the city. This Bruges beguinage is part, along with the rest of the Flemish beguinages, of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The monumental portal, dating from 1776, is accessed by a three-arched bridge over the Minnewater River, on your way you will come across a statue of Elizabeth of Hungary, patron saint of some beguinages.
Near the entrance, one of the houses has been turned into a museum about the daily life of the Beguines. You can see paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries, period furniture and work instruments of the Beguines, especially embroidery and lace making.
Schedules and prices:Begijnhof: Monday to Sunday from 06:30-18:30.
Museum-House of Beguina: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sundays from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Price:
Begijnhof: Free admission.
Beguine House-Museum: Adults: €2, over 65s: €1.50, students: €1.
St. Salvator's Cathedral (Sint Salvatorskathedraal)
It is the oldest church in the city, it was built in the 9th century, and has a mixture of Roman, Gothic, Neo-Gothic and Flowery Gothic styles. It has a 100-meter-high tower from the 12th century topped by a Gothic spire. Inside there are several works of art in the form of tapestries, sculptures, tombs, paintings and a beautiful altar.
Cathedral visiting hours: Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday until 3:30 p.m. Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission is free.
Church of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk)
The Church of Our Lady of Bruges or Vrouwekerk is a Gothic building with a brick tower over 120 meters, the second tallest brick tower in the world. Inside it houses the marble Madonna by Michelangelo.
Admission is free.
Church visiting hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 09:30 a.m. to 05:00 p.m. Sunday from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Brugse Vesten and the Donkey Gate
Another of the stops that we recommend on your visit to Bruges are the city walls and the Ass Gate. Also known as Ezelpoort. It was rebuilt in 1369 and was rehabilitated on several occasions until the 17th century. The superstructure eventually collapsed, but the lower part remained standing. In 1906, the Gate was restored. Today, the Puerta del Asno is the headquarters of the Anima Eterna Brugge orchestra.
Kruisvest Park
To conclude your trip to Bruges, we recommend that you visit the Kruisvest park. This place is perfect for a relaxed stroll.
The Kruisvest mills are located in the north, on the green meadows near the Kruispoort (Gate of the Holy Cross). The most notable is the Sint Janshuil mill, from the 18th century and is in its original place. Others, such as the Koelewei mill, were located in different parts of the city and were moved to this location in 1996, thus creating the beautiful park that can be visited today.
If you want to see the inside of the mill, you can do it every day from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last access half an hour before closing). Admission is €2; young people up to 25 years old and over 65s, €1, children under 5 years old, free.
