A Day Trip To Bruges, Belgium
I have been hearing about Bruges so much anytime Brussels is mentioned. Everyone is always saying how Bruges is a must visit. With all the hype and talk I felt like I couldn’t go to Belgium and not see Bruges. Luckily Bruges is only an hour away by train from Brussels. So we walked to the train station, bought our tickets, and hopped on the train.
One main problem though, we got on the wrong train! The signage said the next train coming was to Bruges. We overheard others waiting for the train to go to Bruges and they got on this train as well. We even asked a few locals, who told us that was the correct train. Yet, my gut was telling me we weren’t.
Finally a lady came around to punch holes in the tickets and let a bunch of know that we were indeed on the wrong train. So what should have been a 1 hour train ride, turned more into around 2 hours. A little adventure never hurt! Once off the train it is about a 5 to 10 minute walk into the main area of this UNSECO World Heritage city.
Just like in Brussels the weather in Bruges was fickle. One moment it was hot and the sun was out, the next it was windy and slightly chilly, then clouds came and it looked like it would pour, but nothing ever fell from the sky. I definitely recommend a light jacket or sweater, unless you are going in the winter then just dress warm!
We began to just randomly walk around and explore. Noticing there was a canal and boats going by we made it a mission to find our way down to one. I was unaware that Bruges was considered the ‘Venice of the North’ because of the canals. It was nice to go up and down them listening to some of the history. Swans were in the water and sitting on the grass.
After the boat ride we continued to walk around and we lucked up on a small outdoor market that we had spotted from whizzing up and down the waters. My mom was drawn into looking at different rings and after trying several on she finally found one that fit. She walked away a happy person. More walking and without a guide I didn’t know all of what I was looking at, but it was pretty.
I was looking for the very center of town. I could tell I was getting closer because the streets began to smell like chocolate. I liked seeing the color fronts of the building and sat down to embrace it all. As we sat there, we realized we really liked Bruges and it was nice, but I wasn’t all that hype about it. I was actually over it after a while.
After sitting for a bit we wandered down a small street looking for a place to eat. We spotted one place and decided to try it out. I thought to give another beer ago since the first one I had in Brussels was only OK to me. So many beers to choose from in Belgium it was a tough one, but I picked a great one. This one was so good I actually brought some back home.
I had fish, salad, and Belgium fries. Delicious and filling. The atmosphere was nice and there was a nice view out of the window. People watching and relaxing. From there we walked around a little more before heading back to the train station as we were tired. A nice 10 minute walk as the sun came back out and we were back at the train station.
The attendant in the booth was very rude when inquiring which platform to head to. He thought it was obvious and after asking him could he just tell us the answer a few time he finally let us know. Glad we pushed him to answer because I would have gone to the wrong platform. We got seats on the nice comfy train and I was in and out of sleep and looking out the window. We were on the right train this time so we got back to Brussels in an hour.
Bruges was nice and I would go back to see it around Christmas time. Otherwise I wasn’t as excited about it as I thought I would be. I didn’t really get the fairytale vibe. We enjoyed riding up and down the canal and the beautiful architecture. Most of the people were very nice and I found a really good beer, which is major for a person who only drinks to try things.
Have you ever been to Bruges?
Beverley Goodsell
Oh it is a shame you are not excited with Bruges, we have not been before, but this has given me an insight to what to expect if we choose to travel there. Travelling on the Canals sounds exciting though. Oh the smell of chocolate sounds amazing as you wander around the streets, we have heard there is a chocolate factory there, and if we go there would have to stop at the factory just the thought of it is yum.
Holly Dayz
It was really nice, but I wasn’t as excited as I thought or expected to be. The canals were really nice. I always enjoy a nice boat ride with some history. The smell of chocolate was definitely amazing!
Clazz - An Orcadian Abroad
Sometimes I think it’s good to wander without any idea of where you’re going, but I guess for such a short trip it’s better to plan it out. I laughed at “I could tell I was getting closer because the streets began to smell like chocolate” hahaha. It looks like a beautiful place but sometimes you just don’t click with somewhere, and that’s okay!
Holly Dayz
Yea it has its upsides because you never know what you may stumble upon. Yea there was the smell of chocolate and I just knew I was headed in the right direction.
Brianna
I did a day trip to Bruges as well, and while it is quite a lovely town, it was insanely crowded when I visited! I much preferred Ghent.
Holly Dayz
It wasn’t too crowded when I visited thankfully, but there were a lot of people walking around. I passed Ghent on the train and if I had more time I would have stopped there.
Brianna
Sometimes Instagram can hype up a place too much but Brugges does look lovely. I’m all obout that Belgian beer though.
Holly Dayz
That does happen. I think I just heard so much about it from so many different people and then I was like oh ok it is nice, but not what I though. The beer was good!
vukojevic
That’s awful that you got on the wrong train but at least it was only an hour longer! Bruges looks like a lovely day trip and I’d love to go cruising on the canal 🙂
Holly Dayz
I am glad we were able to get off and get there without going too far off track. You would enjoy riding on the boat up and down the canal. It was really nice.
Thomas Mathys
What a bummer that your adventure started with the wrong train. But at least it was only one hour later 🙂 The look of Bruges which you captured with your pictures is absolutely pretty! I still have to try beer from Belgium, but isn’t it very delicious? What’s exactly the name of the one you had?
Holly Dayz
Yea, it was an adventure. Thank you so much, crazy thing is my camera broke the day before so I had to take all the photos with my iPhone. The beer was good, I brought some back home. The one I drank and brought back is called Bruge Zot.
Paige Wunder
Bruges is the number one destination in Belgium I want to visit. It’s good to know that the weather is fickle and it’s too bad that train situations at the beginning and end of the trip weren’t as good as they could’ve been, but luckily you were only delayed an hour on the way.
Holly Dayz
I really wanted to go so I understand. Although I wasn’t so hype about it once I was there, I was glad I got to see it. Yea it wasn’t too bad, I was glad we were able to find our way.
Ami Bhat
Somehow all those buildings remind me of Pixels 🙂 Maybe they were an inspiration for the movie. Bruges looks lovely and with that canal it definitely resembles Venice. Though it seems a lot more peaceful and charming compared to the real one. Loved it.
Holly Dayz
It was very peaceful. I liked seeing the swans too.
lucywilliamsglobal
Bruges looks beautiful through your lovely photos. Shame about the mix up with the trains! But it happens and it makes a good story! The architecture there is gorgeous, I need to take a quick trip there.
Holly Dayz
Thank you. Its was a pretty place. Yea it was cool, I had some different scenery outside the window.
Sandy N Vyjay
Bruges looks charming and has an architectural symmetry that is so appealing. A stroll through the town is something that I think I would enjoy. I always love the old world charm that cities like these have and love to soak in the atmosphere by walking around.
Holly Dayz
Walking around is really nice. It has its own charm.