Enchanting Bruges
February 18, 2013 99 Comments
Romantic Bruges at night
To those who are hopeless romantics like me, there’s one city that never disappoints… Medieval Bruges in Belgium certainly has all the elements of a perfect romantic setting. A stroll through its narrow streets make you step back in time, its many canals are perfect for the moonlight boat ride with the melodies of Moonriver gently playing in the background.
I visited this city for the first time way back in 1997 and it is still a favorite after many trips thereafter. A week before Christmas, we were back again for the Christmas market and a much needed me-time after very busy months both on the home and work fronts.
Because Bruges is a very popular tourist destination, the weekend before Christmas is always very busy. Scouring the internet for hotel deals was quite a pain as even very small 2 or 3 star hotels were just too pricey at around the Eur 200+ price range. We found another option which turned out to be a great alternative — airbnb.com. We stayed for two nights at a renovated old house just a few yards away from the city centre. Weather was unusually warm (close to 10 degrees Celsius) so we enjoyed our evening walks without freezing.
Bruges by all accounts, has many things to offer — Chocolates and pralines, hand-woven laces, amazing choices of beers, etc.
The Mr. and me in Bruges
Canals at night
Bruges at night
Bruges at night
Bruges at night
Bruges at night
Bruges
Bruges
Romantic canals and bridges
Bruges
Centuries-old buildings
One can explore the city on horse-driven carriage
Centuries-old buildings
Canals
A favorite bridge
Boat rides
Us
Signage at the entrance of the Begijnhof
The Begijnhof was the place where women and children stayed while the men went on to fight in the Holy Land during the Crusades. Today, nuns are its residents.
Inside the church in the Begijnhof
The market square
One of the many streets leading to the market square
Chocolates and pralines for which the Belgians are known for the world over
A few of the hundreds of beer choices
Belgian beer
Belgian beers
Beer flavored cheese
Beer-flavored eggnog
Belgian pralines
Cupcakes
Horse-drawn carriages near the Begijnhof
Bruges
Hand-woven Bruges laces
One of the many churches in the city
Us
About Malou
So pretty!
Yes, lovely place.
I visited Bruges a couple of years ago it was certainly cold then (-2ºC) and absolutely beautiful! Thank you for sharing the beautiful pictures bringing back lovely memories
Oh, I know that -2C. I was there as well some years back with that temperature so I never managed to walk a few yards and headed back inside. This time with the balmy night temp, we could really see the city at night which was amazing.
Just beautiful, Malou! We were just looking at other pictures of Bruges this week; how lovely to be able to go on your tour! It looks like a wonderful city to visit!
Thanks Catherine. This city comes highly recommended as a must-see.
Incredible architecture, and the canals are so nice. I’d love to cruise them all.
Oh, you’ll fall in love at first sight with this city, John.
Thanks for the tour-what a beautiful city!
Don’t miss this city if you have the chance to see Belgium, Karen.
OMG your photos are amazing! Now I want to go there too!!!
Thank you. Go, go, go!
Hope so!!!
Amazing photos! Makes me want to book a ticket and fly over there right now
Go for it, Nikki.
It certainly looks like a fairy tale city. And one with so much history – it looks like you travelled back into the past.
Aptly said, this is one fairy tale city, Colline.
I see we have a shared love of Bruges, Malou:
http://rdougwicker.com/2012/04/30/in-bruges-part-1/
http://rdougwicker.com/2012/05/02/in-bruges-part-2/
http://rdougwicker.com/2012/05/04/in-bruges-part-3/
Love your blogs of Bruges, Doug. Happy to know that we’re kindred spirits in the love for this beautiful city.
Love the photos! Thanks for bringing back such wonderful memories of this story-book city. Had a chance to visit it many years ago and I especially remember the great chocolates
Your posts always bring each setting to life!
Thank you, Danny. If I didn’t control myself, I would have bought lots of chocolates. Belgian pralines are just irresistible but I tell myself now that they’re just a moment on the lips but a lifetime on the hips.
One of my very favorite places on the planet!
The feeling is mutual.
We were just there a few months back and loved it! Great city to walk around and get “lost” in! The chocolates are also amazing! May I ask what beer store you went to? I went to a few in Brugges but nothing compared to the selection I see from your pictures!
Can’t remember the name of the store but it was one of those close to the centre. Pretty huge one and they have a basement where I saw hundreds and hundreds of the different Belgian beers with their respective glasses/mugs. My husband felt like he was in heaven at the incredible choices.
Ah, the picture-perfect Bruge… I’ve been longing to go there for years. Thank you for the reminder as to why.
Yes, you should go and visit as there are numerous reasons why.
We just put Bruges on our wish list
Very good!
Bruges is one of my favorite towns in Europe! It looks like you both had a wonderful time!
Yes, we really enjoyed this weekend away with just the two of us.
Looks like a beautiful place to visit any time of the year!
True, any time of the year is wonderful in this city.
Beautiful, like a dream, and beautifully photographed.
Thank you. The night time scene really charmed me and I’m glad that I could capture them this time on my cam.
It’s just magic, isn’t it – brings back memories of a wonderful time I spent there, years ago. Thank you for sharing!
Pure magic as this city will just keep you under its spell every time.
Beautiful photos. Magic
Thank you, Norma.
One of my favourite places along with Antwerpen. Een prachtige plek.
I completely agree with you, Mike. Antwerp is also very charming. I used to have a different view of Antwerp because I used to just pass by and see it from the train. However, on an outing with friends, I got to discover the Antwerp has so much to offer too, oozing with charm as well.
We are going to Belgium in September and are planning to visit Bruges. Would you recommend the place where you stayed? We’re thinking of staying for a few days. Your photos are lovely, especially the night scenes.
Wow, you must be looking forward to your holiday. The place we stayed was simple and the bathroom was quite small but OK. I can definitely recommend that place because it was nicely located, a short distance away from the city centre with many nice restaurants close by. I’m checking on airbnb if it is available but I can’t find it at the moment. I guess the owner must be having further work done at the moment. Still, there are many wonderful choices on airbnb which you can consider.
We’ll find something. I haven’t started looking yet.
Thank you for sharing – what a wonderfully generous post!
Glad to know that you like this post.
What a beautiful city! To tell the truth, in the past, whenever I thought about Bruges, it was in connection with the Korngold opera “Die tote Stadt”. I never imagined the city could be so beautiful. I must add it to my list of places to visit. Your photos are gorgeous.
Oh, thanks for mentioning that opera. Something for me to check out because I’ve not seen that before. This city is definitely worth a visit.
Bruges is one of my gems …. been there so many times, when living in Dover – took the HoverSpeed to Ostende and then a short train ride. Love it .. so pretty and it’s like going back in time. Great mussels too. Amazing that all the old house hanging over the canals are still inhabited. Bruges is just what you said; enchanting. The Begijnhof – never heard about before … you have manage to get some fantastic evening shots.
Brussels laces … the most famous and the most expensive in the world. Diana Ross wedding dress was made of Brussels laces. Thank you taking me back – have been thinking of doing a post about Bruges for ages.
Oh, I can imagine that you must have visited this city so many times while living in the UK because of the good connection across the channel. Saw a lot of British tourists over there and many were hoarding the beers and chocolates.
I’ve heard that the traditionally woven laces are facing tough competition from those “Made in China” ones which come in cheap. I really love the tradition that this city is trying to keep alive and well.
It is a couple of years since I was there now – 6 years ago.
And their mussels are to die for – it’s a such beautiful and well keep place, so romantic too.
Everyone I have taken with me to Bruges …. just love it. I think that anyone that has been in Bruges want to go
Enchanting indeed! Especially beautiful at night!
Oh, night time Bruges is just magical.
Reblogged this on All About Travel.
Okay, now Bruges is on my list of “must sees.” Thank you!
Yes, highly recommended.
how beautiful and very romantic.
Aptly said.
Wow! That city is on our travel list, and it’s good to know airbnb is available there. We really liked using that website when in Amsterdam last October.
airbnb is a wonderful option especially in very popular places like Bruges or Amsterdam. How did you find Amsterdam?
Very beautiful. How nice that you enjoyed such a charming vacation.
Thanks Shimon. It was just for the weekend but a good break after very busy months.
Lovely photos of a beautiful place. Last time we went to visit was in 2010. We took a day trip from Paris. We had left early in the morning and we came back late at night. It was a lovely day. You captured what stood out in Paris for us too—the beer, the chocolates, the lace, and the place. Even Begijnhof! We came home and watched the movie “In Bruges” again! Thanks for the memories!
Glad to know that you visited this city too. So much to see and experience here and I guess the one day was not enough. Come back again next time and take your time. Bruges and nearby Ghent are just wonderful to explore.
your photos are always fun and interesting!
Thank you.
What a beautiful city! Thank you for sharing, Malou!
And that is um . . . a very interesting Belgian Beer label!
You must visit this city and I can tell you that the collection of beers are far more interesting than what I can post here. That’s just a teaser.
Pingback: More Pictures of Bruges from a Fellow Blogger | R. Doug Wicker — Author
I so love your blogs.
Thank you.
Oh my goodness! I will definitely have to add Bruges to my list of must see places.
Certainly worth the visit.
Hi Malou,
Nice pics, brought our memories back ..:-)
thanks,
Vic
Thank you, Vic. Glad to know this post brought back happy memories.
Beautiful shots!!! Lovely place to travel!!, Visit my website: capturaviaje.com. Many thanks
Thank you.
I haven’t been to Bruges in years, but your wondeful photo essay reminds me how scenic and romantic is is. Thanks for the reminder. All the best, James
Must be time for a return trip to this lovely city, James.
Ah, such a gorgeous city, Malou! Though I’ve never been, it’s almost as if I had, thanks to your many beautiful images! Thanks so for this sharing…the entire post made me smile, a lot!
You must visit this city, simply captivating.
Gorgeous city!! I love your photo essay. I can’t wait to walk down the same streets and explore the city… and that cupcake shop!
You’ll love this city and will definitely enjoy the gastronomic angle as well.
mmmm….. Architecture, flavorful food, history, & a splash of romantic atmosphere = perfect!
What amazing adventures you guys go
Love that you got night shots of the city! I can’t decide if it’s more beautiful at night or during the day HAHA!
Day or night, Bruges is amazing. At night it was simply magical!
Beautiful, beautiful photographs and you both look so happy on your trip! I’ve never been to Bruges; just added it to my places to visit before I die list. Still loving your blog.
Thank you, Sally. Go and see Bruges, definitely worth the visit.
stunning photos
Thanks cyberbonn.
Your photos are wonderful. My mum went to Bruges last year and loved it; I must visit myself sometime soon.
Thank you. A must-see place, I can tell you.
Hi Malou, forgive the intrusion. I chanced upon your site and what a great adventure! Thanks for taking me to these wonderful and charming places. Bruges is a big dream for me which I hope and pray to realize it someday. You have a beautiful family and Your pictures are amazing! Thanks again.
Glad to know that you like what you find here in my site. Bruges is really such a lovely city which I am sure you will get to love on first sight. I hope that one day soon, your footprints will also grace this beautiful city.
Thanks to your wonderful images I have yet another place to visit!
Thanks for stopping by my blog…much appreciated!
This place comes highly recommended, Craig.
Bruges saved my marriage 4 years ago!! had a second honeymoon there and it rekindled eevrything for us, such a magical memorable place, going back for the day in june can’t wait, love this blog thanks for showing us some great memories
Wow! That’s a very positive experience of Bruges but then who won’t find that rekindled emotions in such a very romantic city.
Yeah exactly , we found especially at night walking along the canals heavenly