Day 2: Bruges

Exploring Bruges: Day 2

St-Anna Windmills

A picturesque walk away from central Bruges offers an interesting insight into the industrious past of the St-Anna district. Home to the windmills of Bruges, there were originally 25 but now only a handful remain. You can visit two of the four, which still grind cereals into flour today and within each house a small 18th-century museum.

Arrive here early to get a perfect photo without herds of tourists in the background.

Opening times: 9.30am – 12.30pm / 1.30 -5.00pm (closed on Mondays)

Pricing: €3.00 (museum)

T’ Apostelientje

Shop for antique lace at this tiny shop, which sells both traditional and contemporary pieces. The owners are very helpful with recommending lace tailored to your budget. It’s a good place to help support the local craftsmanship of Bruges’ handmade lace industry.

Opening times: 9.30am – 12.15pm / 1.15 – 5.00pm (Weds – Sat, closed on Mondays)

Kantcentrum

Watch lace being made inside this lace museum where the story of Bruges lace is told.

Lace experts are at your service to help explain the various different types of lace and their origins.

Attend an afternoon bobbin lace session where you can watch experienced lace makers creating elegant pieces – it’s fascinating to see and you definitely realise how fiddly the process of lace making is, which puts into perspective the price of handmade lace!

Opening times: 9.30am – 5.00pm (closed on Sundays),

Demonstrations: 2.00 – 5.00pm (not on Sundays)

The English Convent

This convent was built in the 17th century by sisters. Here you’ll be greeted by Sister Francis (a long time resident of the convent) who takes you on an exclusive tour.

Visiting times are strict and on arrival, through a courtyard, you have to ring a bell to enter, where Sister Francis will lead you to the chapel – it’s a truly unique experience.

The chapel has a doomed roof, which at one time was very unique to Bruges.

Opening times: 2.00 – 3.30pm and 4.15 – 5.30pm

Address: Carmersstraat 85, 8000 Bruge

Late lunch: Friterie 1900

Back in the main Markt square grab some Belgian frites to go…

Belgian chocolate shops:

There’s so many chocolate shops in Bruges, here’s my top 3 choices to visit:

Moeder Babelutte

This shop has mastered the taste of sea-shell chocolate truffles. Located facing the bridge across the Djiver road (heading towards Markt square), the speciality is chocolate mussels here – the window displays and colour themes are distinctly eye-catching!

Opening times: 9.30am – 6.00pm (closed Wednesdays)

Chocolatier Dumon

This has to be my favourite Belgian chocolate shop, you can smell the chocolate as soon as you walk in, and can sample the different confectionary. FYI, the truffles are amazing. The hardest thing to do is make the decision of what chocolate truffles to choose!

Opening times: 10.00am – 5.00pm (closed on Tuesday)

Mary Chocolatier 

This Belgian chocolate house is supplier to the royal family of Brussels, and going by their presentation and the shop’s elegance you can see why!

Opening times: 10.00am – 6.00pm

Horse & carriage tour:

As touristy as it sounds, a 30-minute horse & carriage ride along Bruges’ historic winding streets is an experience not to be missed. The coachmen give excellent commentary, and it’s here you can really relax as you listen to the gentle sound of the horses’ hoof whilst winding around the picturesque corners of the city.

It is one of the more expensive things to do, but travelling through a medieval town like Bruges seems like the most appropriate via a horse-drawn carriage.

Opening times: 9.00am – 6.00pm daily (operates latter in the summer)

Pricing: €50.00 (price per carriage – 5 people)

Pre-dinner drinks: Café Rose Red

In my opinion this has to be the best beer cafe in Bruges.

Why is it called Cafe Red Rose? The bar is decorated with 100 red roses dangling from the ceiling.

Located along a quiet side street just off the main square, there’s seating inside and a pleasant courtyard. The staff know their beer and can recommend one to suit your taste.

Opening times: 3.00pm – 11.30pm (Mon – Thur)

11.00am – 12.30am (Fri-Sat), closed on Sundays

Dinner: De Stove

This small restaurant, run by husband and duo, is an intimate affair where fish caught daily is the house speciality.

Opening times: 11.45am – 2.00pm, 5.45 – 9.00pm (closed on Wednesday, Thursday)

If you want to extend your Belgian trip, Knokke-Heist is only an easy 22 min train ride. Experience an old genuine spa town with long stretch of sand and colourful beach huts.