A Different Way to See Bruges: One-Day Bike & Walking Itinerary Inspiration

Bruges is one of Belgium’s most beautiful cities, the whole place is straight out of the pages of a fairy tale.

If your only visiting for a day, it’s easy to end up following the same well-worn tourist routes as everyone else and miss out on some beautiful parts of the city that lie just beyond the busiest streets.

On my last visit to Bruges, part of an MSC Northern Europe Cruise that gave me one full day in the city, I explored by combining some family-friendly cycling with a wander through the historic city centre streets.

This made for a wonderfully relaxed and affordable way to explore Bruges. Looking for something specific? I’ve included a contents table, feel free to skip to what you need.

A canal cruise and few chocolate shops is lovely, but even with just one day it’s possible to see Bruges beyond the usual. Whether your in for the day from a cruise ship, staying in Bruges for a short break or stopping enroute to somewhere else, I hope these self guided itinerary suggestions will help you see the city at your own pace without the need to splurge on full day tours or transport.

We arrived in Bruges by train from the cruise terminal at Zeebrugge. This is a really easy connection: a 15/20 minute walk from the port to ‘Zeebrugge Dorp’ station, from where you board a direct train into Bruges. Expect to pay around €10 return per adult.

Bicycle Hire in Bruges

Bruges is an ideal city to explore by bike and you’ll have no problems renting one while you’re here. I’d advise renting from a Visit Bruges recommended location. We went to Fietspunt Brugge, located within the bike park facility behind Bruges Central Station.

The location adjacent to the main rail station makes this place easy to find and a very convenient start/end point. Staff are very friendly, English speaking and offer bike rental from a few hours to a full week.

Hiring three adult bikes for 4 hours/ half day came in at at reasonable €38 euros. Don’t forget your ID!

Your rental bike will come with a lock and there are many designated bike park areas in Bruges. You’ll see bike racks for public use across the city, plus there are two large bicycle garages; one at the station and one just off the main market square at Sint-Amandsstraat.

Arriving at Bruges Station you’ll see the ‘Blue-Bike’ stand. This is an app based bike sharing scheme where the pricing depends on what you sign up for. I personally find it too much hassle for a one off experience, but if you’re travelling more widely and cycling in Belgium, it might be worth a look.

The Perfect One-Day Bruges Mini Itinerary

Ramparts Route

If you have just one day in Bruges and want to see the city beyond the main square and the chocolate shops, I suggest starting by cycling the City Ramparts Route. This dedicated cycling route is set in a green belt that surrounds the city, making it a very safe and scenic option for a family ride.

The 7 km circular tour includes pretty canal side cycling, old city gates and tantalising glimpses across to the old city centre. It’s safe, it’s beautiful and it’s an aspect of the city that many visitors don’t discover.

Cycling this route, you’ll also meet the Bruges windmills. Several of these mills were built into the city ramparts and stayed in use until the 19th century. There’s only four left now, with just one- the Sint-Janshuis Mill- still working and open to visitors.

A little further on, you’ll reach the Lake of Love and Lovers Bridge. There’s a tragic love story associated with this corner of Bruges, but local legend says that crossing the bridge with your beloved means you’ll be together forever. Guess that seals the deal for Mr THL and I!

Jan Van Eyck Plein

Having cycled the City Ramparts, if you circle back to the windmills, then it’s easy to turn off past and head into the city via Jan Van Eyck Plein. This is a very pretty corner of the city, well worth a wander.

This square was named for painter Jan Van Eyck and is now watched over by a statue of the man himself, paint brush in hand.

Jan Van Eyck Plein is a quiet place now, but it wasn’t always so. Historically, this was a bustling and fashionable neighbourhood at the heart of the old port of Bruges.

It’s now a lovely spot to pause and enjoy some classic Bruges street scenes. I actually prefer Jan Van Eyck Plein to the super-busy, Instagrammable hotspot that is Rosary Quay

From Jan Van Eyck Plein, it’s a short cycle along the canal and through pretty streets to the Market Square (Markt). This is where we dismounted and parked our bikes to walk a while; the square and surrounding streets get very busy.

Exploring Central Bruges on Foot

Bruges has been awarded the title of UNESCO World Heritage City, and exploring the old city centre streets, it’s easy to see why. The best way to explore the historic centre, with its many monuments and medieval buildings, is on foot.

The Markt or Market Square is a great place to start. Lined with pretty buildings and dominated by the 83m high Belfry, it’s also a convenient place to stop for refreshments. We were in Bruges on a cold January day so went for the classic: A Belgian waffle and a hot chocolate.

We stopped by Cafe Central: Warm welcome, lovely food, definitely paid over the odds being on the Markt but great for people watching.

I highly recommend building in some time to just wander. There are more monuments, bridges, ornate buildings and pretty side streets than I could possibly ever list in a blog post.

If you’d like a tour without the need to join a group or keep to a schedule, I can recommend this self-guided Discover Bruges Tour. The two-hour tour makes your smart phone your guide- 32 points of interest, explore at your own pace and the ability to buy tickets in app should you wish to visit any attraction along the way. Click here to find out more.

The Burg & The Basilica of the Holy Blood, Bruges

The Burg is really what historic Bruges is all about. The grand old square is filled with landmark buildings, but if you only have time for one, I recommend making it The Basilica of the Holy Blood.

The Basilica is a place of two parts. The upper chapel is a an ornate beauty of jewel tones, the lower a simple and peaceful space.

If you like places that can be called, ‘a bit extra’, this is one for you. She is a beauty. There are strictly enforced ‘ No Photography’ signs about the place, meaning the pictures here are just a taster. It’s really a place to see for yourself.

Other Things to Do In Bruges

Visit The Belfry: Explore the history of Bruges and climb the 360 or so steps to the top of the tower for panoramic views across the Markt

Historium: A fun and interactive trip to medieval Bruges. A mix of audio guide, themed rooms and special effects take you back to the Golden Age of the city. After, climb the Historium Tower for spectacular views- if you get the angle right, you can get a selfie with the Belfry from here.

Choco Story Bruges: Think Bruges, think chocolate. This museum is the place to get to know about one of the things Bruges is best known for. A bit of history, a bit of hands on and lots of sampling. A great rainy day option. Combines well with…

The Frietmuseum: A museum dedicated to all things potatoes and fries. A bit bonkers but good fun.

Tip: If you plan to visit both the Choco Story and Frietmuseum, it is possible to purchase a combination ticket.

Where to Stay in Bruges: A Personal Recommendation

If you are looking for a place to stay, here’s a personal recommendation from me: Hotel Navarra. I’ve enjoyed several stays in this hotel and look forward to many more.

This four star boutique hotel offers a thoroughly modern stay in a beautiful and historic building. Here’s what I love about this hotel:

• Walkable location, Hotel Navarra is perfectly located for exploring on foot. If you plan to travel beyond the city, the railway station is just a 15/20 minute walk away.
• The beautiful interior, I especially love the curving swan-themed staircase
• Comfortable and modern rooms. If it’s a short stay or you don’t plan to spend a lot of time in room, a compact ‘Comfort Mini’ room is a great option: a bit less space, a lower nightly rate but the same Navarra experience.
• The hotel’s former wine cellars have been converted into a wellness zone with a pool and sauna. Perfect place to wind down post-sight seeing.
• Hotel Navarra is one of the few hotels in Bruges with on-site parking.

Click here to view and book Hotel Navarra

If you liked this post, maybe you’ll enjoy reading about one of my other favourite short break destinations in Belgium :

Pairi Daiza, Belgium: The Best Zoo in Europe

Helen x