Bruges: The Storybook Belgian City (and How to Beat the Crowds)

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If you only have time for one Belgian day trip, make it Bruges. Of the three cities we visited, this was my favorite by a mile — genuinely storybook, canal after canal, and the kind of place that makes you slow down and just look around.

Getting there (and why we went early)

We got up early and took the train from Brussels specifically to beat the crowds and the summer heat. The train is genuinely easy — worth upgrading to first class if you can swing it — and it’s a quick ride straight to Bruges, followed by a beautiful walk into the center. Two small things save you a lot of hassle: have your tickets ready to show, and go early. It’s the best decision we made all day.

Do the canal tour — but do it first

We deliberately bypassed a lot of sights on the way in so we could get to the canal boats before the lines built. We were on the second boat out; by the time we got back, the operator was quoting people a 45-to-50-minute wait. Going early in summer also meant a lovely breeze on the water instead of the midday heat. The tour itself is a wonderful way to see the city and pick up a bit of its history — highly recommend, just get there early.

Wander, and eat well

After the boat we wandered the Markt and Burg squares and just soaked it in. A few things I’d send you straight to: chocolate from Dumon and waffles from Laurence take-away were both excellent calls, and the mussels we had for lunch were delicious. This is a city that rewards a slow afternoon.

The takeaway

We took the train back to Brussels that afternoon and enjoyed a relaxing evening in. Bruges was worth every early-morning minute — if you do just one thing here, ride the canals first thing, then let the rest of the day unfold.

Comfort tip: the cobblestones here are charming and completely unforgiving on the wrong shoes. My two go-tos: the Skechers GO Walk Flex slip-in sandals — a cute, functional sandal that handles cobblestone beautifully, stays comfortable all day, and rinses off easily — and the New Balance 1080 v15 when I want more cushioning underfoot.

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Part of A Summer Grand Tour of Belgium, Luxembourg, Alsace & Switzerland.