Canadian seniors, visiting spring ( mid March) of 2027. We plan on spending a day or two in Belgium after Paris, on our way to Utrecht.
We are thinking of taking an early morning train to Brussels, do a self guided walking tour, have an early lunch, take the train to Bruges, spend the night and leave for Utrecht the next day after lunch. In Bruges we would probably not visit any museums, would do a Rick Steves self guided walking tour, maybe a canal tour in the evening, enjoy some chocolates( me) and Belgium beer ( my husband) . What are your thoughts? Too little time in Bruges? Is it too busy with crowds for only a 24 hour visit? This will be our first and probablly only time visitng Belgium and the Netherlands. Thanks for your thoughts.
Posted by
Maryland
1150 posts
You do not provide any information on your other planned activities or interests. I only spent a day in Bruges as a side trip from Brussels. Most of the top sites there could be done in one day, and of course, there are lots of things of chocolate, beer and mussels variety if you have more time. I did not spend an overnight which opens up a lot of additional possibilities I did not have. There are brewery tours which could be fun. Many Canadians I met in Belgium were also interested in Ypres/Flanders where the Canadian Army was involved during WW1. The Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres is quite moving.
Posted by
Wisconsin, USA
173 posts
Our plan is to visit Bruges from Ghent for the late afternoon and evening for the same sort of chocolate and walking. The chocolate shop websites that I have looked at say they close by 5 or 6 pm. The crowds are supposed to be less in the evening and early morning, so your plan to stay overnight would hopefully get some of that quieter time for the walking.
Posted by
Belgium
389 posts
Many Belgians limit their visit of Bruges to a daytrip (of course, we can drink Belgian beer and eat Belgian chocolate or waffles every day, so these aren’t part of our specific activities in Bruges).
24 hours in Bruges without museum visit is enough. There are no school holidays in mid-March, and if you were to choose a weekday, you wouldn’t find any Belgian family day-trippers, only foreign tourists (with the exception of any Belgian school groups on a school trip).
The crowds can be significantly affected by whether or not cruise ships dock in Zeebrugge.
maybe a canal tour in the evening
No canal tours in Bruges in the evening. Last boarding at 5.30pm
Posted by
San Diego, California
7030 posts
For me, Bruges is a great place just to be and slow down, soaking up the local charm. The mornings and evenings are magic, the day trippers are gone. We got some bikes and had a glorious trip along the canals and picturesque farmlands. Buzzing thru it for half a day just seems to be a contradiction. We stayed in a little house on a canal with beautiful gardens. I know everyone travels differently , just my opinion. Have a great trip!
Posted by
anyplace picturesque
81 posts
To answer the question as asked, 24 hrs is not too short to "sightsee" Bruges but it certainly merits more time if you're able.
Posted by
Franklin, TN, USA
1063 posts
Could not agree with Pat more……walk the streets and soak it in……looking out your B&B rooftop at dusk and early morning just settles your soul.