Brilliant Bruges

When you arrive in Bruges you might get the feeling of stepping back in time. Willow lined canals, cobbled streets and old whitewashed almshouses all evoke a sense of times gone by and this perfectly preserved city is the ideal place to lose yourself in.

The experience you have in Bruges will differ depending on the time of year you decide to visit. The climate in Belgium means summers are mild with an average temperature of around 16ºC. Winters are cold due to the icy winds that blast down from the Baltic.

Bruges summers are the most pleasant time if you fancy a little sunshine to accompany you on your travels and make the perfect time for outdoor activities. In winter time you can sometimes skate on the canals and have the city almost to yourself as summer is peak tourist season.

Once you arrive in Bruges the best way to get around and explore is to walk and as many of the major attractions are located within the circle of boulevards that mark the line of the old city walls it is easy to make sure you do not miss out on anything.

The city centre is very compact and flat so it is easy to navigate. The flat terrain also makes cycling popular and many of the roads have cycle lanes.

Take a horse-drawn carriage ride from Markt Square for a traditional way to see the city streets. A canal cruise is a relaxing and enjoyable way to get your bearings when you first arrive and you could easily mistake the city for Venice with its maze of waterways and romantic bridges.

Part of Bruges age old beauty is its bridges, of which there are around fifty. The Peerdenbrug is the most ancient whereas in stark contrast lies the contemporary Conzettbridge, named after Swiss architect Jürg Conzett.

Other sights you will not want to miss out on include Michelangelo's Madonna and Child in the Church of Our Lady (Onze Lieve Vrouwkere), a 13th century church with a 122 metre tower which was built over three centuries in various different styles.

Many recitals and one-off productions also take place in the city’s centuries-old churches and Koninklijke Stadsschouwburg is a good one to visit during our time in Bruges. Music lovers would also enjoy a trip to the sleek and modern Concertgebouw which offers an array of opera, dance, classical concerts and theatre.

When it comes to museums, the Groeninge is a firm favourite due to its collection of Flemish art dating back to the 15th century.

There are several different ways to travel to Bruges and you can even catch a high speed train from Britain which will whisk you there in just under two hours leaving you with more time to enjoy your time in one of Belgian’s finest cities.