BRUGES

Welcome to Bruges, UNESCO World Heritage City 

Bruges and its history

Bruges is a special place. A warm and friendly city with a small-town feel. A city full of history giving it a well-deserved classification as a Unesco World Heritage site. A city with countless beautiful sights and attractions. A city to visit, explore and relish! First of all, there are the famous museums such as Groeninge, Gruuthuuse, Old St-Jan Hospital with their world renowned artworks from the Flemish Primitives Jan van Eyck and Hans Memling. There is the world famous Madonna with Child by Michangelo in the Church of Our Lady, definitely worth a visit.  Modern art also is on display in several locations around the city as are other arts & crafts in for example the Diamantmuseum, Chocolate Museum,…. Also worthwhile is a visit to the family owned authentic brewery De Halve Man on the picturesque Walplein where they make the famous Bruges City beer the Brugse Zot! Known well beyond our borders!

Sightseeing in Bruges

You can’t leave Bruges without having been to the beautiful and peaceful Beguinage with its typical white-coloured houses idyllically located in a tranquil walled garden full of springflowers just next to the Minnewaterpark.  Another unrivalled spot in Bruges is the Rozenhoedkaai, one of Bruges’ most romantic places alongside the canals; This is also where you can embark on a boattrip on the canals. Obviously there is also the famous Market square, the lively centre of the city with restaurants and bars with terraces all around; each year from End of November onwards you will find on this location the Bruges’ Christmas Market with lots of different stalls offering handmade products and even an ice skating ring! The carriage rides along Bruges’ historic winding streets also trot off on the Market. On the Market you will also find the Belfry tower. When you feel up to it you can climb 366 steps up to the top where you will be rewarded with a beautiful vista over Bruges and it surroundings;

Just a few steps away from the Market, you will find the square 'de Burg' hosting the Medieval Townhall with its special Gothic Room and to the right you will find the Basilica of the Holy Blood, where the relic of the Holy Blood is kept.

Welcome to Bruges anno 2019!

Clearly Bruges is more than just its history; Bruges anno 2019 is a city where people live, go shopping, have diner, do some dancing, …. ! There are many nice bistro’s, top gastronomic restaurants, trendy boutiques and hip interior shops. All of them at walking distances of the holiday houses Diephuys 14!

My favourite places for shopping, lunch, diner...

I have listed some of my favourite places, but obviously there are many more good addresses. Don’t hesitate to let me know if you are looking for something specific.

• For breakfast: Black Bird, Gulliver Tree, Vero Caffé, Pain Quotidien,...

• For lunch: Quatre Mains, Rock-Fort, De Belegde Boterham, ...

• For afternoon tea: Hotel Orangerie, Les Merveilleux, ...

• For diner: Quatre Mains, Rock-fort, Bij Lieven, Goffin, Brasserie Raymond, t' Zwart Huys,...

• For some serious shopping therapy: Lilola, Dame de Pique, Ruth, Adhémar (kids),...

• For inspirational interior stuff: Frederiek Van Pamel, La stanza de Stefanie, De Munt,...

A lot is going on in Bruges all year round

Whole year round, there are also many activities planned in and around Bruges. The swinging Cactus festival in July with many national and international top acts. The culinary festival KOOKEET in September,….. Bruges’ impressive Concert Building and the Stadschouwburg, one of Europe’s best kept city theatres, entertain with a broad programme. Check the calendar to know what is happening in town!

Sports in Bruges

If you are more the sport type, there are also several possibilities; Maybe you like running? In that case the 'Vesten' on the outer walls of Bruges is the place to go. Or maybe you prefer to catch up on some history while working out, then the people of Tourist Run Bruges can help you out; an experienced running guide will come and meet you at the holidayhouse and will take you along for a nice run. Clearly Bruges has many sport facilities. Just let me know what you are looking for!