What to do · Bruges
The béguinage (Begijnhof) and the Minnewater
Information
- Price
- Free
- Duration
- 1 h
- Season
- All year; in spring, daffodils on the béguinage lawn
- Who it's for
- All ages, with a pushchair along the Minnewater paths
- With a dog
- On a lead around the Minnewater; not inside the béguinage precinct
The Bruges béguinage is an enclosed precinct of white houses around a lawn with trees, founded in the 13th century for the beguines, women who lived in community without being nuns. Today it is home to Benedictine nuns and is a World Heritage Site, along with the other Flemish béguinages. You enter in silence over a bridge across the canal.
The walk
From the béguinage you come straight out at the Minnewater, the old inner harbour turned into a lake with swans and a park, the quietest corner of the city. Head back towards the centre via the Wijngaardplaats, where the boats leave from, and the Church of Our Lady. From here, the train station is a ten-minute walk.
Tips
- Early or at the end of the day In mid-morning all the groups come through. At 9:00 or late in the day it is almost empty.
- Silence The béguinage is a residence: you don't go into the houses and you speak quietly.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to enter the Bruges béguinage?
The precinct is free.
Is it far from the Markt?
About fifteen minutes' walk south, on the way to the station.
With young childrenAs a familyWith a dog
