8 x spring in Bruges
The days are getting longer, the sun is getting stronger. Both nature and the city are coming back to life. It’s high time to explore Bruges, whether you're walking, shopping, cycling or museum-hopping. A break for a coffee or a fresh pint on a trendy terrace with a view of a piece of world heritage? Say ‘yes, yes, yes’ and let yourself be inspired by the following wholesome spring activities.
1. Experience Culture
One day out not to be missed is the Concertgebouw Circuit, an experience route with art and architecture. During Atelier Matinée on a Sunday morning, the kids are in charge in the Culture temple's entrance hall.
Travel back in time to mediaeval Bruges in Historium Brugge and let yourself go with the kids during the Family Trail, an interactive family route.
Discover even more tips, historical beauty and hidden gems during the exclusive ‘Bruges by Heart’ walk. You'll be sure to spot some street art, more and more Bruges façades and some fine examples of its art. But did you know that many façades also have stories to tell? If you look up in the shopping street Steenstraat, you'll notice that people used to trade from many of the properties: shoemakers (nr. 40), carpenters (nr. 38), bricklayers (nr. 25), bakers (nr. 19), etc.
2. Take a break in Bruges' green lung
The highlight of the greenery will always be the glorious Lake of Love Park. The Beguinage Garden, where around 8,000 daffodils bloom every spring, also needs to go on your bucket list. You'll have a unique view of the Duinenabdijkerk from the Ter Potterie neighbourhood park. The Guido Gezellewarande near the City Ramparts is a green oasis in the silence of St. Anne's Quarter and the Pastor Van Haecke Garden is the most well-hidden patch of greenery. Nestle in on one of the 700 green chairs or picnic benches spread around Bruges' parks and enjoy!
Visit Bruges in spring
Spring! Quietly the most beautiful season to discover Bruges. After a long autumn and a dark winter, again plenty of light, budding greenery and exuberant life in the city. Everyone comes out again, bicycles are taken out of the shed, people stroll, laugh, take a break in the many parks, eat and drink outside on cosy terraces. All this with a soundtrack of chirping birds, quacking ducklings in the canals, clatter of hooves and the carillon. Come and have your spring fever in Bruges!
3. Discover Bruges from below
We know what Bruges looks like from the top. But a great many valuable treasures are hidden below the streets and buildings, which only reveal themselves a piece at a time. In the Middle Ages, rich citizens had themselves buried in a brickwork tomb in the church. You'll be astonished at the graves with well-preserved fresco paintings in the Church of Our Lady, St. Saviour's Cathedral and the cellars of the Crowne Plaza hotel, where St Donatian's Church once stood. T
The exhibition ‘Tales from the underground, Bruges in the year 1000’ in the attic of the Gruuthuse Museum will throw you a thousand years back in time, displaying some major archaeological finds.
4. Go on a museum quest
To make a visit to a museum even more pleasant, Musea Brugge offers some funny and informative quests and treasure hunts. Go out and explore with the whole family to discover some wonderful and inspirational collections and venues.
Extra benefit: children younger than 13 can enter for free (save for Belfort).
Extra tip: visit the totally refurbished central museum shop and score a great memento.
5. Fragile! Year of the Glass
2022 has been declared International Year of Glass by UNESCO. In Bruges too, this very old and essential material has a range of applications and techniques. These include the many stained-glass windows in Bruges' churches, the ‘smallest window’ in the Gruuthuse Palace or the highly refined St. George's glass window, once made for the guild chapel for painters and stained-glass artists, which you can also admire at the museum.
Five of the Handmade in Brugge makers (Herbert Monsieur, Pia Burrick, Marcel Vlamynck, Annemie De Vadder and Birgit Verplancke) are adept glass artists. Glass blower Vlamynck and glass restorer Verplancke brought a number of artists together for a glass retrospective. This exhibition, ‘The glass canvas’ (2 to 29 April, St. Magdalene's Church) immerses the visitor in the history of glass: from glass-blowing, glues, constructions, restorations to modern glass.
6. Spring shopping with a cosy terrace stop
In Bruges, you won't just be shopping in a historic setting – what's on offer is unusually versatile too. While on your quest for the tastiest Fairtrade chocolate eggs, you'll be sure to pass by some specialist shops that are full of character, as well as art galleries and antique shops. Places that take the locals' fancy are easy to find thanks to #LocalLove.
Shopping sure makes you hungry and thirsty. Enjoy a drink and a bite in the open air on one of the many terraces. At one of the Lekkere Westen authentic cafés, you're guaranteed to be served up some genuine quality regional products with your glass of wine or local beer. Big beer fans are best off heading to the Bruges Beer Festival, which is taking place on 9 and 10 April 2022 at the new BMCC.
Discover more Shopping and Gastronomy >
7. Cycle through the flat polder country to the tremendous beach
It might not quite be optimum beach weather yet, but try to get over the spring fever and hop on your bike towards Zeebrugge. You can get there along the new, sign-posted Beach Cycling Route. This comfortable, safe and recreational route will take you to the north of the A11 along various rural roads. Stop off in the picturesque Lissewege on the way to experience the authentic village life. After about 15 km, you'll arrive at the widest beach on the Flemish coast and the cosy marina at the old Fish Market.
8. Bruges from the air, a unique experience
The most adventurous way of exploring Bruges is in an air balloon. Step into a balloon basket in the morning or the evening for an unforgettable flight above churches and towers, canals and bridges. A total experience that starts with building the balloon, a healthy bit of tension and nerves on the way, finishing with a glass of champagne. Simply tremendous!
