Langestraat 133-137 From chocolate munching to diamond crunching, Bruges is a hotbed of fun things to see and do, whatever time of year you’re in town. Here to help you fill your trip is our hand picked selection of activities and attractions.
There’s no better way to explore Bruges and the nearby Flemish countryside, than by bike. When you stay at the Bauhaus, you can hire one from the hostel reception. From Minnewater lake to traditional windmills, there is so much to see on two wheels, just visit our reception desk to start exploring on two wheels, from just 8 euros!
Non-guests: €15 for all day / €10 for 4hrs
Hostel Guests: €12 for all day / €8 for 4hrs
Open 7 Days / week from 8am to 8pm
Bruges has a small body of water dubbed ‘Minnewater’ or ‘the Lake of Love’. Legend goes that the beautiful sailor’s daughter Minna died in the arms of her star-crossed lover, the young warrior Stromberg, at this very spot.
Non-guests: €15 for all day / €10 for 4hrs
Hostel Guests: €12 for all day / €8 for 4hrs
Open 7 Days / week from 8am to 8pm
It’s an easy cycle to the beautiful coastal towns of Zeebrugge, Blankenberge and Knokke, just 90-minutes away using pedal power. You can also cycle along the scenic tree lined canal taking in medieval Damme, en-route to the historic Dutch border town of Sluis.
Non-guests: €15 for all day / €10 for 4hrs
Hostel Guests: €12 for all day / €8 for 4hrs
Open 7 Days / week from 8am to 8pm
A relaxing fun ride north to the Dutch border, along tree-lined canals, peaceful country lanes, past quaint Flemish villages (including Damme) and through the beautiful flat Polders farmland dotted with windmills. A memorable afternoon!
Non-guests: €15 for all day / €10 for 4hrs
Hostel Guests: €12 for all day / €8 for 4hrs
Open 7 Days / week from 8am to 8pm
When you walk in you get a free chocolate, when you walk through you smell the fresh chocolate, at the end you get to watch chocolate being made and on the way out you are given more free chocolate. Need we say more? Between cocoa cravings it's worth sitting through the movie upstairs which narrates the fascinating history and production process of our favourite treat. This one is just north of the city centre on Wijnzakstraat.
For good food don't miss the market on 't Zand. Saturday mornings are when the best offers come out to play but if you're also around for the first half of Wednesdays, you can have stall based fun in Market Square too. There's fresh fish, fruit, vegetables, roasted nuts, wine and more cheese than you can handle - at both. Try a free sample at every stall - just like the locals.
Located in possibly one of the oldest European prisons, "De Oude Steen" ("The Old Stone") this museum brings a gripping exhibition of cruel instruments of torture. There are more than a hundred torture and execution devices in the museum that are placed in their historical context - an ideal place to visit if you’re intrigued by the more gruesome aspects of Bruges’ history.
For something sweet between biking and beers, head to The Chocolate Line on Simon Stevinplein. At this chocolaterie every single mouth-watering treat is made on site, using only the finest ingredients, imported from around the world. At the top of your list to try should be the heavenly salted caramels! Alas these treats don’t come cheap, so if you’re looking to gift the guys back home, grab some cheaper chocolate at the supermarkets on Oude Burg, Langestraat and Noordzandstraat! These are the 5 Best Chocolate Shops in Bruges
At the Diamond Museum you can enjoy a hilariously entertaining polishing session, at midday, everyday. Diamond master Devos Jan scares the life out of the ladies by pretending to destroy their wedding rings, but also teaches you everything you need to know about these precious rocks. The highlight has to be Jan’s unabashed account of how canary cut monstrosities get on the fingers of the rich and famous. Find the museum on Katelijnestraat.
The Legends of Bruges team have the highest rated walking tours in the city, why not take a stroll with them in the daytime to enjoy an informative and fun walk through Bruges’ history and legends, or join them for the alternative night time tour to explore the darker side of the city - the night tour will even bring you back to the Bauhaus bar for a free beer!
Bruges is a small enough city but, like most places with narrow cobbled streets and reasonably tall buildings, it’s easy to get lost. To combat this problem, jump on a boat tour and get your bearings. They start out from the canal just south of Burg Square and all tours are priced around the twelve euro mark, complete with multilingual guides.
This staple in the Flemish cultural diet is always home to the best exhibits and with affordable tickets, it won't wipe out your travel budget. You’ll find the museum just off Dijver - near the city centre.