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The Bruges belfry above the houses of the MarktCEphoto, Uwe Aranas · CC BY-SA 3.0

What to do · Bruges

The Markt and the climb up the belfry (Belfort)

Tower · 366 steps · 1 h · from 15 € · free for under-7s · book a time slot

InformationFrom €15 adult
From
€15 adult
Duration
1 h
Season
All year; from 1 April to 2 November from 9:00 to 20:00
Who it's for
For those in good physical shape; the staircase is narrow and steep and there is no lift

The Bruges market square, with its step-gabled houses, is dominated by the Belfort, the 13th-century belfry that once held the city's charters. At the top, 83 metres up, is the 47-bell carillon and the best view of Bruges.

The climb

There are 366 steps, getting narrower and steeper, with no lift: only if you are fit. Musea Brugge recommends booking a time slot online, especially here, and being punctual, because the ticket expires. It costs 16 € (14 € concession) at weekends and from 1 April to 2 November, and 15 € (13 €) on weekdays in winter; under-7s go free. It opens from 9:00 to 20:00 in season and from 10:00 to 18:00 on weekdays in winter. In very strong wind it may close.

The museum card

If you plan to visit several of the city's museums, the Musea Brugge Card costs 49 € (37 € under-26s, 25 € under-18s) and is valid for 72 hours.

Tips

  • Climb first thing The queue and the staircase are worse in mid-afternoon.
  • Listen to the carillon It plays concerts several days a week; you can hear it just as well from the square.

Frequently asked questions

How many steps does the Bruges belfry have?

366, with no lift.

Do you have to book?

Booking a time slot online is recommended, because it is the monument with the longest wait.

As a familyWith teenagersWith friends

Opening hours and prices can change: check them before you go.

Round off the plan

Where to eat, where to stay and what else to do

To eat nearby

Wooden table in the Cambrinus dining room, with beer bottles on the shelf© CambrinusBeer café with Flemish food

Cambrinus

Restaurant · Bruges · two minutes from the Markt · €€€€

What to order: the Flemish beer stew with chips, and a beer from the list to go with it

Open every day from 11:00 to 22:00 · walk-ins welcome
Inside the Bruges shop, with the long praline counter and walls of chocolate bars© Pieter D'Hoop para The Chocolate LineCreative chocolatier

The Chocolate Line

Takeaway · Bruges · Simon Stevinplein, five minutes from the Markt · €€€€

What to order: a small box of mixed pralines to try the unusual flavours, and a bar of their Mexican criollo cocoa

Tuesday to Saturday 9:30 to 18:30 · Sunday and Monday 10:30 to 18:30 · open on bank holidays
Beer taps and a glass of Brugse Zot on the bar counter© 't Brugs BeertjeA Belgian beer bar

t Brugs Beertje

Bar · Bruges · Kemelstraat, near the Steenstraat · €€€€

What to order: ask for advice at the bar and try one of the draught beers, which change

Opens at 16:00 · closed on Wednesdays

To stay nearby

The hotel's half-timbered façade over the canal© Relais Bourgondisch CruyceSmall hotel

Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce

16 rooms · Half-timbered house on the canal · Breakfast with a water view · 24-hour reception

Why we like it: 16-room boutique hotel in a half-timbered house where two canals meet, by the Rozenhoedkaai; some rooms look onto the water.

The hotel's Renaissance garden© Hotel Jan BritoSmall hotel

Hotel Jan Brito

Four stars · 16th-century house · Renaissance garden · Dogs welcome

Dogs welcome

Why we like it: Four-star hotel in a 16th-century house with a Renaissance garden and private sauna, 500 metres from the Markt and outside the restricted traffic zone.

A private double room at the hostel© Snuffel Youth HostelHostel

Snuffel Youth Hostel

Youth hostel · Bar with gigs · Private rooms and 4- to 8-bed rooms

Why we like it: Youth hostel on the Ezelstraat, ten minutes from the Markt, with private and shared rooms, a bar with a terrace and free gigs.

Itineraries

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