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Jan Darthet/Visit Bruges

 Places that stir all your senses and that pluck your heartstrings are extremely rare. These are the places that touch you deeply, yet whose secrets you can’t unlock completely. Bruges happens to be such a unique place. Cultural and artistic, cosmopolitan, unashamedly Burgundian, mysteriously medieval, and a Unesco World Heritage site to boot. Strolling along the narrow alleys, picturesque canals and verdant ramparts you cannot help but fall hopelessly in love with its elegant mysteriousness.

River Reie Visit Bruges / Jan Darthet

History in a Nutshell

Although the Bruges region was already populated in Roman times, the city’s name appears for the first time in the 9th century, probably derived from the Old Germanic word ‘brugj’, which means ‘mooring’. Bruges has always had a special bond with the sea. After all, water played a crucial role in the city’s foundation. It was the place where several streams merged into a single river (the ‘Reie’), which flowed north into the coastal plain. This river was linked to the North Sea through a series of ‘tidal channels’, guaranteeing the city’s future welfare and prosperity.

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A Favourable Location

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The Golden Century

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Decline

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Revival

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Bruges Today

Belfry in 360° (front view) Visit Bruges & Poppr

Visit Bruges 360°

A virtual exploration of Bruges in all its glory – a 360° tour of at least 25 locations in the heart of the city.

Visit Bruges & Poppr

Bruges in 360°

Visit Bruges / Poppr

Triennial Bruges in 360°

Beguinage Visit Bruges / Jan D'Hondt

UNESCO World Heritage City

The Beguinage architectural complex was recognised as a world heritage site in 1998. One year later, the Belfry was also added to the world heritage list, followed by the entire historical city centre in 2000. Bruges boasts a valuable structural heritage and is a fine example of an architecturally homogeneous city, particularly famous for its brick Gothic buildings. What’s more, the authentic and organically grown medieval city fabric has remained well preserved, while Bruges also has served as the cradle of the Flemish primitives — Jan van Eyck and Hans Memling in particular. Reasons enough for UNESCO to grant Bruges the label of ‘world heritage city’, something the city and its people are rightly proud of.

The city’s intangible heritage is also greatly valued. Since as far back as 1304, the relic of the Holy Blood has been carried around the city in the Holy Blood Procession on Ascension Day each year. This folk tradition involves everyone in the city and was recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009.

In November 2014, Belgian carillonneurs were also given significant international recognition when Belgian carillonneur culture — and all the people committed to it — was recognised as best practice in order to safeguard it as Intangible Cultural Heritage. The sound of the carillons (a percussion instrument consists of at least 23 cast bronze bells and is played with a keyboard) can be heard all around Bruges throughout the year. One of the best places to listen is on the Market Square or in the Belfry courtyard.

In 2016, Belgium’s diverse beer culture was added to the Intangible Cultural Heritage list. The historic city of Bruges boasts two breweries and a beer museum, and Bruges’ woodlands and wetlands is home to many traditional brewers who are passionate about their craft. There are also many cafes, bars and restaurants in Bruges where you can appreciate beer culture.

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Bruges’ Historic City Centre

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Procession of the Holy Blood

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Bruges and the Carillon — a Shared History

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Belgian Beer Culture

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Belfry

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Beguinage

Dijver Jan D'Hondt/Visit Bruges

Highlights of Bruges

You’ve only really seen Bruges if you’ve visited the classics. From the Rozenhoedkaai Instagrammable hotspot and the Market Square, through the Lake of Love and the canals, to the Beguinage, the almshouses and much more. The iconic sites give the city its look and charm you instantly. Centuries old, dazzlingly young — but always exceptionally impressive.

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Rozenhoedkaai — a Typical City View

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Canals of Bruges — the Arteries of the City

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Markt — the Market Square

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Burg — the Burg Square

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Old Hansa Quarter — Stroll through History

Musea Brugge / Inge Kinnet

The Flemish Primitives

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Gruuthuse Museum — the Burgundian Splendour

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Beguinage — a Place for Quiet Contemplation

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Minnewater — Lake of Love

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Concert Hall — Culture with a Capital C

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Almshouses — Charity Set in Stone

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Church of Our Lady — a Work of Beauty in Brick

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Romantic Hotspots

Swans on the canals, a maze of medieval streets, the clatter of hooves, hidden parks, charming courtyards... There are no jarring notes to disturb this historic picture. Whether you picnic in Koningin Astridpark (Queen Astrid Park), linger on the Boniface Bridge, or savour the peace of the Beguinage — in Bruges, romance always hangs in the air. You’re sure to fall in love.

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Rozenhoedkaai — a Typical City View

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Minnewaterpark — Lake of Love Park

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Beguinage

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Boniface Bridge

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Gruuthuse Courtyard

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Groenerei

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Queen Astrid Park

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Tanners Square

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Jan van Eyck Square

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Brugse Vesten — Bruges City Ramparts

Discovering Bruges: Bonifaciusbrug Visit Bruges / Jan Darthet

Discover Bruges

With Bruges, it’s love at first sight! Bruges is mysteriously medieval and unashamedly joyful. Though a city of human proportions, it takes a while to explore its wealth of treasures. The city owes its greatness to history and now wears its UNESCO World Heritage Site label with pride.

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Hidden Gems

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Streets and Squares Full of Stories

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Green All Around

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Bridge-hopping in Bruges

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Bruges by Boat

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Bruges by Horse-drawn Carriage

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Bicycle Carriages

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Bruges by Bike

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Bruges by Hot Air Balloon

Markt Jan D'Hondt/Visit Bruges

Do & See

Some places are so special, so breathtaking or so unique that you simply have to see them. Bruges is filled to the brim with wonderful witnesses of a prosperous past, whether they be peaceful and picturesque, spiritual or, on the contrary, extremely entertaining.

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Groeninge Museum

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Saint John's Hospital

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Gruuthuse Museum

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Belfry

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City Hall

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Church of Our Lady

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Beguinage

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Saint Saviour’s Cathedral

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Basilica of the Holy Blood

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St. Magdalene’s Church

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St. Anne’s Church

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St. Giles’s Church

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St. James’s Church

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St. Walburga's Church

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Concertgebouw Circuit

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Bladelin Court

Stad Brugge / Matthias Desmet

Sacred Books | Secret Libraries

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Adornes Estate & Jerusalem Chapel

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Lace Centre

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Brewery De Halve Maan

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Bruges Beer Experience

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Choco-Story — the Chocolate Museum

Diamantmuseum Brugge / Jan D'Hondt

Bruges Diamond Museum

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Belgian Fries Museum

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Historium Bruges

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Lumina Domestica Lamp Museum

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Museum-Gallery Xpo Salvador Dalí

Dining in Bruges Visit Bruges / Jan Darthet

Dining

To savour and to feast, that’s what Bruges is all about. A land of plenty for lovers of the finest delicacies. Nowhere else will you find so many appetising culinary delights in such a compact area. Indeed, the citizens of Bruges themselves are mightily fond of authentic food and drink.

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De Jonkman

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Zet'Joe

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Sans Cravate

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Den Gouden Harynck

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Goffin

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Auberge De Herborist

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Bistro Bruut

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L.E.S.S. Eatery

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Patrick Devos

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Floris

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Tête Pressée

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Le Mystique

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Bistro Refter

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Bonte B

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Franco Belge

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Tanuki

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Assiette Blanche

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Bistro Rombaux

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Cantine Copine

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De Mangerie

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Goesepitte 43

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Komtuveu

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La Buena Vista

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La Tâche

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Lieven

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Réliva

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Laissez-Faire

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The Blue Lobster

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Tom's Diner

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Tou.Gou

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't Werftje

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Rock-Fort

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Parkrestaurant

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De Florentijnen

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Duc de Bourgogne

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Huyze Die Maene

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Kwizien Divien

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Locàle by Kok au Vin

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Weinebrugge

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‘t Apertje

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Quatre Mains

Eiermarkt Jan D'Hondt/Visit Bruges

Cafés, Bars & Nightlife

Looking for a cosy drink or a night on the town? Discover the many cafés & bars in Bruges.

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27B flat

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't Brugs Beertje

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Bar des Amis

Stad Brugge

Bauhaus

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Blend Wijnbar

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’t Brugs Beertje

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Café De Reisduif

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Café Rose Red

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Café Vlissinghe

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Cambrinus

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Charlie Rockets

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Concertgebouwcafé

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Craenenburg

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Cuvee

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Delaney's Irish Pub

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De Garre

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Lokkedize

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De Republiek

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Bistro Du Phare

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L'Estaminet

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Groot Vlaenderen

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't Hof van Beroep

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't Hof van Rembrandt

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Joey's

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't Klein Venetië

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Punta Est

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't Risico

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De Vino

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Wijnbar Est

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't Zwart Huis

Shopping Visit Bruges / Jan Darthet

Shopping

Although Bruges is often associated with the virtuosity and mastery of craftsmen from the past, today’s city is still a breeding ground for creative entrepreneurs of all kinds. You can find dozens of authentic shops, each offering that little extra something, often nestled alongside the more traditional and reputed art galleries and antique emporia.

Shopping in Bruges is a veritable voyage of discovery, ranging from original and trendy newcomers, through vintage addresses that exude nostalgia, to classic establishments that have been run by the same family for generations.

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Market Days

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Traffic-free Shopping

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Where to Shop?

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When to Shop?

Bruno Gouwy/Visit Bruges

Local Love — A Fine Selection of Authentic Shops

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Art and Antiques

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Handmade in Brugge

Events on www.visitbruges.be Bruno Gouwy/Visit Bruges

Events

There is no better way to fraternise with the townspeople of Bruges than to immerse yourself in the infectious ambiance at the innumerable events that sweep through the whole city.

Visit Bruges

Procession of the Holy Blood

Visit Bruges - Jan Darthet

Triennial Bruges 2024

Toerisme Brugge / Jan D'hondt

Carillon concerts

Visit Bruges

Airbag Festival — Accordion festival

Concertgebouw

GOLD — Polyphony festival

David Samyn

Budapest Festival

Stad Brugge / Matthias Desmet

Zandfeesten

Toerisme Brugge / Jan Darthet

Cactus Festival

Stad Brugge / Matthias Desmet

Cirque Plus

Cel Fotografie Stad Brugge

Moods!

Visit Bruges

MAfestival

VRT Geert Van Hoeymissen

Iedereen Klassiek (Everyone Classic)

Brugge Plus

Winter Glow

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Tour of Flanders

mooov vzw

Film festival Mooov

Cel Fotografie Stad Brugge

Pageant of the Golden Tree

VZW Razor Reel

Razor Reel Flanders Film Festival

Visit Bruges

Snow & Ice Sculpture Festival

Station Brugge Jan Darthet/Visit Bruges

Travelling to and in Bruges

Bruges is well connected nationally and internationally to the rest of the world. In close proximity to three airports and served by a robust railway network. You can also easily reach the city by car and leave your vehicle in a parking garage — try to explore the narrow streets on foot or by bike.

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By Car / Coach / Ferry

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By Train

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By Plane

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International Coach Services

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Taxi

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Public Transport

Tourist Information Office 't Zand (Concertgebouw) Visit Bruges / Jan Darthet

Tourist Information

Emergencies

European emergency number: tel. 112. This general number is used in all countries of the European Union to contact the emergency services: police, fire brigade or medical assistance. The number operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Medical help
» Doctors, pharmacists, dentists and nursing officers on duty: tel. 1733
» S.O.S. Emergency Service: tel. 100
» Hospitals:
A.Z. St.-Jan: tel. +32 50 45 21 11
A.Z. St.-Lucas: tel. +32 50 36 91 11
St.-Franciscus Xaveriuskliniek: tel. +32 50 47 04 70
» Poisons Advice Centre: tel. +32 70 245 245

Police
» General telephone number: +32 50 44 88 44
» Emergency police assistance: tel. 101
» Working hours
Mon–Fri 8am–5pm and Sat 9am–6pm you can contact the central police services at Kartuizerinnenstraat 4
» After working hours
you can access the police station on 3, Lodewijk Coiseaukaai from Mon–Thu 7am–9pm and continually from 7 pm on Friday to 9 pm on Sunday. For urgent matters, the police station has a 24-hour telephone service.

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Passport / Visa

Belgium can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country.

International (non-Schengen) travellers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.

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Website: dofi.ibz.be/en

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Post Office

bpost
You can make use of one of the post points (advice, dispatch, stamps, etc.) or stamp shops (stamps only) that you can find in several of the shopping streets.

Address: Smedenstraat 57, Bruges

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Website: www.bpost.be/en

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Climate

Bruges enjoys a mild, maritime climate. The summers are warm without being hot and the winters are cold without being freezing. During spring and autumn the temperatures are also pleasant and there is moderate rainfall throughout the year, with the heaviest concentrations in autumn and winter. So remember to bring your umbrella!

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Telephone

Country code: +32

Area code: (0)50

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Electricity

In Belgium, types C and E are the official standards. The electrical plugs are compatible with type F plug with two round pins. The standard voltage is 230 Volt and the frequency is 50 Hz.

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