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| Bruges has some of Europe's prettiest canals |
Head to the Belgian canal city for Flemish art, world-class chocolate and secret bars.
Why go now
The summer tourist crowds are ebbing away, easing the pressure on sights and museums, while the city’s arts festival continues until mid-September (triennalebrugge.be/en/) and the pop-up eateries and floating installations will still be in place. Connections from the UK to Brussels include Eurostar (eurostar.com), (ba.com) and easyJet (easyjet.com/en). Trains from Brussels to Bruges take around 55 minutes.
Stay here
The Hotel Dukes’ Palace (1) is the only five-star hotel in Bruges: smart, central and polished. Doubles from £155 (telegraph.co.uk/tt-dukespalace). More homely is ’t Geerwijn (2), a long-standing B&B in elegant, traditional style. Rooms from £71 (telegraph.co.uk/tt-geerwijn).
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| Burg Square |
8Telegraph expert rating
You are in reliable hands at this well-located, well-priced property – the oldest continuously active bed and breakfast in Bruges. This experience is evident in the neatly-presented bedrooms, in the elegant, traditional style of the public rooms, and in the warmth and professionalism of the hospitality. Read expert review From £73per night Rates provided by Booking.com Walk here
Start at Markt (3), Bruges’ medieval market square. After admiring the Cloth Hall and soaring Belfry Tower, head down Breidelstraat, passing the Bruges Beer Museum (4) on your left. Soon you emerge on Burg Square (5) with its magnificent Gothic town hall. Take a right and cross over a cobblestoned bridge, glancing back at the Basilica of the Holy Blood. Turn right again, following the canal alongside the Renaissance townhouses of Rozenhoedkaai (6) and Dijver, until you reach the Archaeology Museum (7).
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| Get acquainted with the great masters of Flemish art at Groeninge Museum |
Shop here
The main shopping area is centred on Steenstraat (10). The Chocolate Line (thechocolateline.be/en) is widely considered to be one of the best chocolate shops in the world.
Drink here
Descend a stone staircase on Kuipersstraat to Bruges’ most secret bar. Inside the 800-year-old vaults of Le Trappiste (11) (letrappistebrugge.com) you can choose from an impressive selection of local brews from around €4.
Eat here
Tucked away just off Markt Square, De Stove (12) (restaurantdestove.be) is a perfect introduction to the best of modern Belgian cuisine. Specialities include mussels in coconut cream with lemongrass. Expect to pay around €28 a head, including wine.
