Bruges (Belgium) > Reviews > Beautiful Brugge

Author's product rating:   

Value for Money
Sightseeing
Shopping
Nightlife
Ease of getting around

Advantages:	Scenery, Great hotels, food and shopping
Disadvantages:	Can be crowded in Summer

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I have visited Brugge or Bruges to the French, in the Flanders region of Belgium many times. I have to say it is probably my favourite European city.

There are two parts to Brugge, the new and the main residential exterior area, and the old walled medieval town and haunt for the many tourists that are drawn to it.

Brugge dates back hundreds of years but detailed history of it starts around the 13th century, hence there is some marvellous architecture to observe, including the 272 foot high Belfry, located in the central Markt and main square. If you fancy the exercise, scale the 370 odd steps to gain a superb view of the town.

There are great and inexpensive places to eat and drink in Brugge. If you like Belgian beer, try the local golden ales, that in some cases will literally blow your head off. The beers are served to you in ornate decorated glasses, worthy of a country who place beer above wine as their favourite tipple. Belgian food is also very varied and excellent quality, and generally you can get a very good basic meal of mussels or steak with a huge bowl of frites in most of the bars for a very reasonable price.

Brugge is rare in that you feel safe to roam around its narrow cobbled streets late at night without fear of a complimentary gang rape, or knifepoint robbery. The Belgians are a very courteous people, and make their towns and cities safe and welcoming and clean.

As the old Brugge town is surrounded by canals, you can take an inexpensive boat trip along those peaceful waters, or take a horse-drawn carriage with multi-lingual guide for a tour of the town, this is expensive(about 900 BF for half an hour) but well worth it, and you can arrange to be picked up from your hotel.

Shopping is fantastic, and not as expensive as suggested, you can choose from Belgian chocolates to Belgian lace with a huge variety in fashion, jewellery and antiques in between.

Brugge is easy to negotiate, and easy to get to, being only a short train journey from either Ostend or Brussels, and has an excellent selection of hotel accomodation. English is widely and well spoken, although a few words of Flemish not French! will endear you to the locals!

It is no London or Amsterdam so if you are looking for 'action' it's not for you. If you want a peaceful time in quality and scenic surroundings Brugge could be.