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Life Well Wandered

Life Well Wandered

19 August 2018 · 4 Comments

13 Photos of Bruges That Will Make You Want To Visit ASAP

Belgium· Destinations

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Bruges, Belguim is absolutely adorable. It looks like it was taken straight from a fairytale. Hopefully, these pictures of Bruges, both from above and on the charming streets, will inspire you to make it your next destination ASAP.

Bruges from the Belfry

If you fancy climbing up about 400 steps in a spiral staircase, then consider visiting the Belfy in Bruges. From the top, you’ll see just how beautiful Bruges is, with its winding streets and orange rooftops. While we visited on a very foggy day, I still couldn’t help walking round and round the top taking in all the views.

bruges streets from above

Dating back to the 13th century, the Belfry is the most important tower in Bruges. At over 83 meters tall, it was an important status symbol in the Middle Ages. It formerly housed the treasury and city archives, in addition to a market for the town.

At the top of the tower, you’ll find a carillon—47 bells playable by hand with a keyboard—with bells ranging in weight from two pounds to 11,000 pounds. Historically, the bells were used not only to mark the passage of time but also to alert residents of fires, work hours, or important events. Today, if you visit at the top of the hour, you’ll get to experience the ringing of the bells.

view of bruges from the top of belfry

the top of the belfry in bruges belgium offers amazing views of the town

panoramic views of bruges belgium from the top of the belfry

views of the orange roofs in bruges from the top of the belfry

On the streets of Bruges

Although Bruges was very touristy in my opinion, I did enjoy the cute little streets. The main thoroughfares were packed on the grey, misty spring day we were there, but we managed to find some quiet side streets that made me fall for Bruges.

one of the main canals in bruges as seen from a bridge

a quiet, deserted side street in bruges

a square in bruges with restaurants and cyclists

view of a church and canal in bruges

Walking around, Bruges is really like a chocolate box town. Everywhere you turn you’re greeted with beautiful architecture, large plazas with waffle vendors, and side streets with chocolate shops all bearing signs stating that they sell the best chocolate in Bruges.

view of buildings on a canal in bruges with tourist boats
main town square of bruges on a foggy day
colorful chocolate-box buildings and shops in bruges

Stadhuis (City Hall) in Bruges

My favorite stop probably had to be inside of City Hall. We arrived during a wedding and were sent away but were able to enter upon a return visit later in the day, and I’m so glad we did!

Built in 1376, it is one of the oldest in the Low Countries and has been used as the seat of city government for over 600 years.

Inside City Hall is the beautiful Gothic hall. It was remodeled in the 19th century and decorated with beautiful murals and woodwork from floor to ceiling. The ceiling dates from 1385. The murals were painted in the 19th century and depict different people from Belgian history, including Jan Van Eyck, Brueghel, Rubens, and more. I could definitely see why someone would want to get married there!

See also  5 Reasons Why Strasbourg Needs to Be Your Next Destination

image of the gothic hall in bruges town hall

Overall, we spent a day in Bruges, which was the perfect amount of time for me. I would love to return on a sunnier (warmer) day and explore the side streets a little more because I can only imagine they get cuter the more you wander around!

Have you been to Bruges?

Bruges From Above: A Photo Journal

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Comments

  1. Tanja (the Red phone box travels) says

    22 March 2017 at 09:36

    yes! I loved it!! did the canal boat ride, climbed the Belfry, walked around, found the windmills, had waffles and chocolates..

    Reply
    • almathews says

      22 March 2017 at 18:01

      How was the canal ride? We were considering it but the queue was way too long! I had a waffle too and it was delicious :D

      Reply
  2. Jaime @angloyankophile says

    23 March 2017 at 06:30

    Wow – Bruges from above looks like a chocolate box! So pretty! We went with my family around Christmas-time a few years ago and … I didn’t really care for it, although my parents really loved it. I would have liked to get off the beaten path a bit more and I did appreciate it for the beautiful architecture and the pretty views, but I don’t think I’ll be going back again anytime soon. I overheard a couple saying that they visit Bruges FOUR TIMES per year! And my first thought was, WHY? But to each his/her own. :)

    Reply
    • almathews says

      23 March 2017 at 14:30

      I feel the same way! It was great to visit but I would have loved to find some quieter parts of it or go to a lesser known city altogether. It was very pretty but there have to be just as pretty places nearby. I’ve heard from so many people that it is their favourite city in Europe and I think why as well!! Like you said, to each their own :)

      Reply

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Welcome to my corner of the internet! Life Well Wandered is a travel blog where you'll find a little bit of everything. I love sharing itineraries from past trips, secret spots I've discovered on my travels, histories of places I find fascinating, and stories about my mental health.

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My favorite stop in Bruges was City Hall. Built in My favorite stop in Bruges was City Hall. Built in 1376, it is one of the oldest in the Low Countries and has been used as the seat of the city government for over 600 years. 🤓
Inside City Hall is the beautiful gothic hall. It was remodeled in the 19th century and decorated with beautiful murals and woodwork from floor to ceiling. The ceiling dates from 1385. The murals were painted in the 19th century and depict different people from Belgian history, including Jan Van Eyck, Brueghel, Rubens, and more. 😍 #lifewellwandered
If you fancy climbing up about 400 steps in a spir If you fancy climbing up about 400 steps in a spiral staircase, then consider visiting the Belfry in Bruges. From the top, you'll see just how beautiful Bruges is, with its winding streets and orange rooftops. 😍
Dating back to the 13th century, the Belfry is the most important tower in Bruges. At over 83 meters (272 feet) tall, it was an important status symbol in the Middle Ages. It formerly housed the treasury and city archives, as well as a market for the town. 🏰
At the top of the tower, you'll find a carillon—47 bells playable by hand with a keyboard—with bells ranging in weight from two pounds to 11,000 pounds. Historically, the bells were used not only to mark the passage of time but also to alert residents of fires, work hours, or important events. Today, if you visit at the top of the hour, you'll get to experience the ringing of the bells. 🛎 #lifewellwandered
In March of 2015, I began my biggest trip around E In March of 2015, I began my biggest trip around Europe to date. We had about 5 weeks off (during which we were supposed to be revising for exams) so my friend and I took the opportunity to see as much of Europe as possible while also getting to know each stop as well as possible. A hard balance to strike, but we did the best we could! 🇪🇺
Our first stop was Bruges. We visited on the day of a solar eclipse, but it was already cloudy and foggy so the lack of sunlight wasn’t noticed. We spent our day in Bruges wandering around the streets and eating waffles - not a bad start to a trip around Europe that would be characterized by eating and wandering! 🍽 #lifewellwandered
The last stop on my series of day trips around Eng The last stop on my series of day trips around England was Windsor. I had been close to Windsor once before but had yet to visit Windsor Castle or the town. Windsor Castle was overwhelming. 🏰
It is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world, founded by William the Conqueror and the home of 39 monarchs. We spent hours walking around the various wings and exhibits, trying to absorb everything we could. Have you visited Windsor Castle before? 👑 #lifewellwandered
Bath is most famous for, well, its Roman baths. As Bath is most famous for, well, its Roman baths. As a Roman history nerd, Bath was on my to-visit list for ages and I spent my entire visit to the baths geeking out over all of the artifacts and ruins. 🤓
For thousands of years, 240,000 gallons of 115ºF water has risen into this spring, known as the Sacred Spring, daily. In Roman times, this phenomenon was believed to be the work of the Gods, so Romans built a temple dedicated to the goddess Sulis Minerva, a deity with healing powers, around the spring. Water from it feeds the Roman baths. 🛁 #lifewellwandered
Three churches have occupied the site of Bath Abbe Three churches have occupied the site of Bath Abbey since 757AD. There was first an Anglo-Saxon monastery, then a massive Norman cathedral (the foundations of which can be seen underground in one part of the Abbey) and then the present abbey church from the 1600s. ⛪️
The first King of England, King Edgar, was crowned here in 973 - his coronation set the precedent for the current coronation ceremony of all kings and queens of England. 👑 #lifewellwandered
I visited Winchester on what felt like the first w I visited Winchester on what felt like the first warm, sunny day in months. When you live in a place without regular sun, you always take advantage of beautiful days. Winchester made the perfect destination for a beautiful day spent walking around and exploring. 🤗
Winchester’s High Street is built along the original Roman street that led through the town. Today, it has buildings dating from the 16th century. The clock was presented after a visit from Queen Anne in 1713. 🕑 #lifewellwandered
Chances are, you’ve heard of the Knights of the Chances are, you’ve heard of the Knights of the Round Table. Did you know that the Round Table of King Arthur can be found in the Great Hall in Winchester? ⚔️
While this table was created around 1290, well after the death of King Arthur and his knights, it’s still impressive to visit. Weighing over one ton, it is thought to portray King Arthur on his throne surrounded by 24 places for his knights. King Henry VIII added a Tudor Rose during his reign. Swipe for a closer look at the table! 🤓 #lifewellwandered
In another edition of always visit the cathedral i In another edition of always visit the cathedral in the town you visit, I bring you Winchester Cathedral. One of the reasons why I chose to visit Winchester of all places was its connection to Jane Austen. Jane Austen spent the last weeks of her life in a house in Winchester and was laid to rest in its cathedral in 1817. ⛪️
Have you ever traveled somewhere because of a favorite author? 🤓 #lifewellwandered
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