Bruges… is it worth going?

[Deanno1dad]

Got a few days off in December and me and the missus were looking for a 2 night break and possibly a Xmas market.
Anyone been..is it worth the hype guys and what to do whilst there etc.
PS I dont mind beer and the wife likes chocolate

[Prisoner 24601]

Deanno1dad said:

Got a few days off in December and me and the missus were looking for a 2 night break and possibly a Xmas market.
Anyone been..is it worth the hype guys and what to do whilst there etc.
PS I dont mind beer and the wife likes chocolate

Yes go and enjoy yourself! Beer museum is there, but it's mostly strong stuff which I wasn't a fan of.

[Daz68]

Its fabulous and I miss going now Hull don't do a ferry crossing anymore.

[pidsy]

Will be very busy around Christmas but what a wonderful place to spend a few days to get in the spirit.

The Prinsenhof is a lovely hotel (now owned by the Dukes Palace opposite- has parking too.

The Beer is STRONG! Breakfast beers start at around 5-6%.

[thepritch]

We really enjoyed a 5 day trip there - was quite touristy, but didn’t feel we ran out of things to do either. Though my wife and I are content with sitting around coffee shops for hours on end so it really suited us. Very beautiful and charming!

[cliffords]

I think it's a great spot. But I think you do it in two days so just right for your trip

[2 GKC]

I found it pretty underwhelming, like everywhere I’ve been in Belgium. But everywhere is worth going once.

[TT1138]

Make sure you visit the alcoves. The nooks and crannies.

[spaximus]

I like it but never having been to a Christmas Market there I have no idea on that.

If you like history just down the road is Ypres and the Menin Gate ceremony which is humbling to witness.

[mikef]

TT1138 said:

Make sure you visit the alcoves. The nooks and crannies.

In the Koningin Astridpark? Yes, watch that movie and if you don’t want to visit Bruges then I’m not being funny but…

[Pebbles167]

Took my 12 year old daughter there for a weekend in June. Was a really nice trip, beer, chocolate, museums, boat trips, bell tower etc. Probably wouldn't spend much more than a day or two there, you'd have already seen it all.

We stayed at the Radisson Blu. It's located next to the bus station, otherwise 10-15 minute walk to the centre. Was far higher class than the price would suggest with an excellent bar/restaurant.

[Riley Blue]

I haven't been for a long while but always enjoyed Bruges at Christmas apart for the occasion I had a card cloned in one of the restaurants in the square. Ice sculptures near the railway station were worth a visit as was the Half Moon Brewery and we found some excellent restaurants tucked away; Gouden Karpel was a favourite.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

So many awesome hostel bars; bauhaus and one (can't remember but I always go there!) where Dom Joly visited in his series.

Last time I took my wife/sis in law right through to the back - they wanted a wine menu and the bar chap ripped them one

First time I went it was en route to Germany. I thought oh great a oldie stop off. Stop, sleep and leave. I stayed 2 days.

I've been back 5 times since.

Love it.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

https://www.brugsbeertje.be/en/home-2/

[pidsy]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

https://www.brugsbeertje.be/en/home-2/

Christmas 2017

[williamp]

The diamond museum is also worth a visit

https://www.diamondmuseum.be

And its very pretty, but you can get used to it. You can get a train to Brussels ans do two amazing museums

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autoworld_(museum)
The car museum, and the otger side of the building is a military/plane museum

[Hugo Stiglitz]

pidsy said:

Hugo Stiglitz said:

https://www.brugsbeertje.be/en/home-2/

Christmas 2017

Bars, cars you are a man of good taste Dave

[pidsy]

(Bruges Zot)

[55palfers]

Go.

Wear comfy shoes though.

[Harpoon]

pidsy said:

(Bruges Zot)

I went over with my brother-in-law for the Tour of Flanders cycling in March. We stayed on the edge of Bruges and rode the public version of the pro race on the Saturday. Sunday we got the bus into town and found a bar to watch the pro's.

Ended up in here https://goo.gl/maps/mxqE5FHEbBmpfaQ37 (great atmosphere) and asked for a local beer so got Bruges Zot. We started talking to a local (old boy - he said was 70-something) and ended up doing rounds with him. I must say table service and payment is so much more civilised than queueing at the bar. Anyway, by the time the race finished we were pretty hammered and had to escape for emergency pizza to try to sober up!