Bruges, the capital of heritage
The heart of Bruges, surrounded by an almost continuous ring of canals, is the best preserved example of medieval Flanders. The city centre is so picture perfect, that it is nigh on impossible to take a bad photograph. All the stunning beauty and culture of this unforgettable city can be easily explored on foot, by boat ride along quiet canals, or by horse-drawn carriage over cobblestone streets. Although Bruges is a small city, it will easily take more than one day to explore all of its architectural and artistic treasures, folklore, chocolate shops, lace boutiques, and local restaurants.
More about Bruges
The historic centre of Bruges is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is teeming with places of interest. Bruges is so magical that it's akin to a film set. This seems appropriate given that the 2008 film In Bruges was filmed on location in the city. This film, starring Ralph Fiennes and Colin Farrell, features two hit men holing up in the city after a difficult job. During Bruges’ Golden Age, the 15th century, the fine arts prevailed. In the wake of the prestigious Burgundian dynasty, the great Flemish Primitives made a name for themselves. The world-renowned works of Jan Van Eyck, Hans Memling and those of other prominent Flemish Masters can be admired at the Groeninge Museum, St John’s Hospital, St Saviour’s Cathedral and the Church of Our Lady.
Our suggestions:
- EAT Bistro Bruut (Meestraat 9) has had a radical facelift; its dining room now combines vintage industrial-style lampshades and reclaimed-wood tabletops. The honest Franco-Belgian cuisine at Assiette Blanche (Philipstockstraat 23-25, assietteblanche.be) is a hit with the chic local crowd.
- SHOP Family-run chocolatier Dumon (Eiermarkt 6) occupies a dollhouse-like shop near Markt Square, while BbyB (Sint Amandstraat 39) features chocolates from top chef Bart Desmidt in minimal Pantone-style packaging. There is no accounting for taste, but at Goûts et Couleurs (Ezelstraat 5), they know their stuff. Furniture by Hay, accessories with a Scandinavian or Belgian twist, quality retro designs and mini gadgets you can treat yourself or others to. Optiek Hoet (Vlamingstraat 19): No trendy look, whether it's that of a designer, advertiser or woman in the media, is complete without Hoet glasses. This is the place for Hoet’s own design classics. Fashion for trendsetters. Popular the world over, but with its cradle in Bruges.
- LATER Venerated 't Brugs Beertje (Kemelstraat 5) offers 300 different beers, including Brugse Zot ('the fool'), the city's only official home brew. Comptoir des Arts (Vlamingstraat 53) is a hip and atmospheric cellar jazz bar with a roaring fire. The latest hype in Bruges is called Groot Vlaenderen (Vlamingstraat 94), a wonderful and particularly elegant cocktail bar where every cocktail is prepared right in front of you in an expert fashion.