Bruges attractions

Historium Brugge lets you travel back in time and experience Bruges as it was during its Golden Age. Through multimedia and special effects, medieval history comes alive in this interactive museum—one of the city’s most popular attractions—as you explore themed rooms with an audio guide, climb a Gothic tower, and peruse historical exhibits.

A historic event center that's used for everything from business meetings to private functions, the Old St. John Site (Site Oud Sint-Jan) is also a tourist attraction. Along with a variety of temporary exhibitions held by XPO Center Bruges, the site attracts visitors with a permanent exhibition featuring hundreds of works by Picasso.

One of Bruges’ most distinct churches, the Jerusalem Church (Jeruzalemkerk) is part of the Adornes Estate, built by a wealthy merchant family 600 years ago, and still in the care of the family’s descendants. Consecrated in 1429 and said to be inspired by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the chapel is an architectural standout.

There are two cities synonymous with the diamond trade in Belgium: Antwerp and Bruges. Diamonds have been polished and traded in the city of Bruges for centuries—and in fact, the technique of polishing diamonds is thought to have been invented in the city in 1450. Learn more about this history of the Diamond trade in Belgium at Bruges’ small yet informative Diamond Museum.

Belgium is famed for itsfrites (fries), and the Frietmuseum in Bruges pays homage to this quintessential—and delicious—national dish. Founded in 2008, it claims to be the world’s only museum dedicated to potato fries and offers visitors the chance to learn about the history of the ever-popular snack.

With roots dating back to 1765, the Bourgogne des Flandres Brewery is a Bruges icon. Though it left the city after World War II, new doors swung open in 2015, bringing its famous red ale back to the canal-lined streets of Bruges’ Old Town. Visitors out for a pint, a picturesque beer garden, and a Belgian beer education need look no further.

With its maze of cobbled streets and squares, striking old buildings, and network of scenic canals, the UNESCO-listed Historic Centre of Bruges is undeniably picturesque. A boat trip down the romantic canals of Bruges should be at the top of your bucket list for visiting Belgium. There’s no better way to experience this beautiful city than from the water’s edge.

Situated in old Bruges— a city renowned for its lace—the Lace Center (Kantcentrum is a small museum dedicated to the history and techniques of lacemaking. True to its theme, the center is housed in a 19th-century building that was one of Bruges’ original lace schools.

One of Bruges’ top family-friendly attractions, Boudewijn Theme Park and Dolfinarium is known for its dolphin, seal, and sea lion shows. In addition to marine mammals performing tricks, the park also has 20 outdoor attractions, including a roller coaster and pirate ship, as well as 10 indoor attractions suitable for a rainy day.