10 weekend ideas around Bruges

Discover the surroundings of Northern Venice with our 10 weekend ideas around Bruges.

Located in the Flemish region of “plat-country”, Bruges is a wonderful small museum town. Indeed, the medieval town is full of small secret streets and iconic buildings.

But Bruges also has the advantage of being close to the Belgian coast, some large Flemish cities and the Dutch border. Thus, it is possible to escape the time of a weekend to discover some must-see places in the area.

Are you ready for the Flemish adventure? This is our guide of the 10 weekend ideas around Bruges.

1. Ostend and his Mu.ZEE

Direction the West Coast to discover the charming seaside resort of Ostende. First, you can start a walk on the seaside, with the cries of the seagulls and deflection waves. Here, feel in peace: the beach is so vast that you quickly believe yourself alone! You will also see many small huts nestled in the sand.

Also, you will cross the path of a few cuistax, these funny pedal vehicles you can rent. Also, don’t hesitate to eat, drink a drink or a coffee on the seaside! The atmosphere of the Ostende coastline is particularly pleasant and family-friendly.

After a lunch based on fries because it is tradition, you can discover a strange building: the Mu.ZEE. The latter is a must-see during a weekend around Bruges. There you can admire the art from the 19th to the present day. And why Mu.ZEE? For “Kunstmuseum aan Zee”, or art museum at the sea!

Finally, to finish your weekend around Bruges, take a walk in the streets of the city of Ostende. You will pass in front of the Ensor House, a mini-museum of art. Also, you can discover beautiful churches, Wapen Square and shop Kerkstraat Street.

2. Flemish countryside

Bruges' first advantage is its proximity to the countryside. Its second is that roads are generally very flat. This is the ideal opportunity to take a bike getaway during a weekend around Bruges! Indeed, the two-wheel is a means of transport privileged by the premises in Belgium. It is economical and remains an ideal alternative to the car!

There are at least 20 bike routes worth the detour. It is therefore up to you to see according to your time and your desires. Moreover, you will have to make your itinerary yourself! For example, you can start a quarantine-kilometre loop that runs along the coast through the town of Knokke and some Dutch windmills.

3. The city of Ghent

Ghent, or Gent in Dutch, is a must-see city during a weekend around Bruges. Thus, the Flemish city is full of medieval treasures and will delight history and heritage lovers. You can admire old bridges overlooking the canals and buildings of another age. But don’t be misunderstood by its “poussia” aspect: Ghent is a student city where we go out and where we celebrate!

To start your trip to Ghent, you can stroll through the pedestrian streets of the centre. In particular, you will find a belfry classified as UNESCO World Heritage, but also some religious buildings such as a cathedral and churches. Before continuing, make a stop in a booth, this traditional Belgian candy that tastes with or without hunger.

After walking, place to navigation. Like Bruges, his neighbor, Ghent can go by boat. So, navigate the Lys and enjoy an enriching course on the city. Indeed, you will pass through some iconic places of Ghent like the castle of the Counts or its medieval port. The boat ride is a must for a romantic weekend in Ghent!

4. The seaside resort of Blankenberge

This seaside resort is only a few minutes by train from the centre of Bruges. As for Ostend, start your visit by the beach and especially the “pier”: a pontoon on the sea. There you will enjoy a nice view of the Belgian coast. You can then continue walking along the beach to reach Zeebrugges, a wilder spot.

In short, a real health trip to relax and relax! And if you want to eat, go to the side of the old port to find some old breweries that serve fresh fish. After the coastal walk, explore Blankenberge city centre. In particular, you will find small houses with traditional Flemish style and houses dating from the Belle Époque as the Majutte door.

Beyond its charming alleys, the centre of Blankenberge also has places of art to be discovered. Are you a fan of surfing or water sport in general? Blankenberge is a coveted spot!

5. ♪ Netherlands

Among the weekends around Bruges, there is the discovery of a neighbouring country: the country of tulips! Indeed, from Bruges, you can drive a little half an hour and discover the charming Dutch countryside. Go to L’Écluse (Sluis in Dutch), where you can test the Bizarium Museum, a kind of modern curiosity cabinet named in the category of “European Museum of the Year 2020”.

Also, L’Écluse is a pretty traditional commune in the region of Zeeland, which discovers the time of a weekend. You can admire its belfry and fortifications. Don’t hesitate to take a tour of the small shops in its city centre and restore yourself to the terrace. Because the city is renowned for its good culinary addresses!

6. Raversyde

Do you like history, with a great H? So don't pass your path on this step to make for a weekend around Bruges. Raversyde is located in a natural reserve and gathers vestiges of the two world wars. For example, you can find the Atlantic Wall Museum (Atlantikwall).

In this place, it is possible to explore some war bunkers and other blockhouses. Also, the place gathers many former trenches that the soldiers dug during the conflicts. If you are interested in this section of contemporary history, you will find in Raversyde all the necessary resources. Before you go there, visit the website of the place to learn more about current exhibitions.

On the sidelines of the museum visit, you have the opportunity to explore Anno 1456. This place is actually a village of missing fishermen, now from an archaeological site. Some houses still serve as a vestige and allow us to have an insight into the coastal life of the past.

Finally, Raversyde houses the property of Prince Charles of Belgium. It allows to enter into the privacy of this great forgotten Belgian monarchy, who died in 1983. Why visit this house? Because it brings together a good number of works of art.

7. Knokke-Heist

Another seaside resort? Yes but Knokke-Heist is different from Ostende or Blankenberge. Indeed, located near the Dutch border, Knokke-Heist is above all a city of culture, history and gastronomy. It is ideal for a weekend around Bruges that would laugh with relaxation and epicureism.

There you can enjoy the waffles of Mother Siska, in the form of a five-hearted clover. You will also find very old restaurants, some of which date back to the late twentieth century. Knokke-Heist is also a high place for seasonal festivals. This includes the international photo festival, a carnival or a few sporting events such as triathlons.

8. The city ofAntwerp

Antwerp can easily visit the time of a weekend around Bruges. Although the city is large enough, it is possible to gather some must-sees to enjoy without running. Already, you will admire a large number of religious buildings like the great Gothic Cathedral of Our Lady. The latter is a few steps from the Grand Place, which is also a place to discover.

Then lose yourself in the surrounding streets and let yourself be surprised by the richness of architecture. Visit the Maison de Rubens, an old house of the 16th century painter Pierre Paul Rubens. This museum testifies to another time with period furniture and works of art. Take the Avenue De Keyserlei to reach La Meir and its palace.

You still have a little time for this weekend around Bruges? A museum can please you: the Plantin-Moretus museum. The latter dates from 1877 and is in fact an old printing shop. In this building you will find old books or very old maps, as well as the Gutenberg Bible.

In addition, if you want to save your time, it is possible to visit Antwerp with the Antwerp City Card or opt for guided cycling tours for example. And if you arrive by train, admire the wonderful train station that is a place to visit in itself!

9. Zwin Natural Park

Ornithologists in grass, this part concerns you first! The Zwin Natural Park is located north of Belgium. It thus represents an original idea of weekend around Bruges. Embark on your twins and camera to observe the many migratory birds. Because the Zwin Natural Park is above all a place of passage! The latter is called “International Bird Airport”.

In January, you can watch whistle ducks. In March, the white stork admired (from far). And at the beginning of September, you can see one fly balbuzard (not to be confused with Pokémon). The entire ornithological program is located on the park site.

If you decide to try the adventure, check the weather in advance. We also advise you to focus on spring where some rare birds show the tip of their beak.

10. Plopsaland Park

We all have a soul of a child in us, don’t we? Then direction Plopsaland for a weekend around Bruges that looks light and entertaining. In this amusement park located in De Panne, you will enjoy all kinds of attractions. Fans of sensations will be satisfied by the Russian mountains.

If you prefer not to have the heart in your heels, quieter rides are available. In fact, you can sail by boat, take a steam train, go in fake safari or even enjoy an exhibition “Anno 1952”. Also, “Plopsa” retains its Flemish soul by offering, for example, attractions on the theme of mills, navigation and local castles.

So what idea of the weekend around Bruges holds your attention? Tell us a comment!