What it actually costs
When to go
Day-trippers overwhelm the small centre. Bruges is a village-sized city — it cannot absorb crowds.
After 6pm when day-trippers leave, Bruges becomes magical — quiet canals, lit bridges, empty squares.
What locals know
Belgian beer: 2Be bar has 100+ beers with a canal-side terrace. Or visit De Halve Maan brewery (the only active brewery inside the walls) for a tour (€16 incl. beer).
Chocolate: skip the tourist shops. The Chocolate Line (Dominique Persoone) and Dumon are where locals buy.
Rent a bike and ride to Damme (7km flat cycle path along a canal). Charming village, no tourists, great lunch.
Canal boat tours are €12 for 30 minutes. Touristy but genuinely the best way to see the architecture. Go at opening (10am) for shorter queues.
Honest warnings
Bruges is tiny — you can walk the entire centre in 20 minutes. 1.5-2 days is sufficient. Don't overbook.
Restaurant prices are high for Belgium. Belgian fries from a frituur (€3-5) are a legitimate meal with sauce.
The Belfry tower climb (366 steps) has a strict capacity limit — queue early or late.
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