Bruges Day Trips from Amsterdam
Bruges is the fairytale city that will complete your trip to Amsterdam and you can get there and back in just one day!
View of one of Bruges' canals | ©Neil Turner
Hop on the map to discover the charming city of Bruges in neighbouring Belgium. This small medieval city is only 3 hours from Amsterdam and is perfect for a day trip. Here is the best way to discover Bruges from Amsterdam:
Bruges Day Trip from Amsterdam
Discover the fairytale city of Bruges on this 1-day excursion.
Forget about planning and join this tour, which includes transport from Amsterdam, a guide who will take you to the most important sites in Bruges and a tasting of exquisite Belgian chocolate.
The best way to discover the magic of Bruges is to take this day trip from Amsterdam. This 12-hour tour organises the entire journey to Bruges by bus so you don't have to worry about a thing and includes an English-speaking guide.
You'll have the best possible itinerary so you won't miss anything of this medieval city and you'll also have a Belgian chocolate tasting in one of its famous chocolate shops. Irresistible, isn't it?
Recommended if... In addition to getting to know Amsterdam, you want to take advantage of your trip to explore the dreamy streets of this Belgian city, just 260 km from the Dutch capital.
What will I see on this trip to Bruges from Amsterdam?
The city of Bruges is, without a doubt, a fairytale place. If you think you can only get there from Brussels, you'd be wrong. This beautiful Belgian city is just as accessible from Amsterdam and this tour to Bruges from Amsterdam makes it easy, getting you there and back in the same day.
Bruges in the 21st century is a real trip back in time: although many of the structures you will see on your trip to Bruges have had to be renovated since 1900 due to the ravages of time and flooding caused by the Zwin River, the restoration was done in the neo-Gothic style of the time.
Here are some of the places you will see on the tour:
- Craft markets on the Grote Markt.
- Bruges' main square with its 85-metre high tower, the Belfort Tower.
- The idyllic Burg square, with the Town Hall
- A mysterious lake of love, Minnewater
- Tasting of the famous Belgianchocolate in a renowned chocolate shop
- The flower quay
Itinerary
Among the wonders you will discover on this day trip to Bruges are: the Minnewater Lake, the Begijnhof and its incredible women's history, the medieval houses in Stoofstraat, and you can also taste the best artisan chocolate in the Chocolalino chocolate shop.
Other tours to Bruges and the windmills of Zaanse Schans, Marken and Volendam
Want to make the most of your time near Amsterdam? Get to know the beautiful Belgian city of Bruges and add to that the more rural Holland. Everything you imagine when you think of Holland is what you will be shown on this two-day bus tour to Bruges and the Dutch countryside. On this tour you will see typical windmills, the making of famous cheeses, bucolic landscapes and typical 15th century houses.
- Bruges: Here you will spend a day accompanied by a guide, visiting some of the most fascinating attractions of the Belgian city, such as the Church of the Holy Blood, one of its most important squares, the Burg square, its Kantcentrum Lace Centre, which shows the history and importance of the renowned Bruges Lace School and the Groeningmuseum.
- Zaanse Schans: On the next day and on the way back to Amsterdam, you will get to know its postcard-perfect countryside. You will see authentic windmills in Zaanse Schans, a village on the banks of the river Zaan, dotted with traditional houses from the 15th century.
- Volendam: Volendam is one of the prettiest fishing villages in the area thanks to its colourful houses, narrow streets and beautiful harbour founded in the 14th century. There you can visit the cheese factory to learn about the country's cheese-making tradition and enjoy a demonstration of the special cheese-making process.
- Marken: From Volendam you will take a cruise, the Volendam-Marken Express, to visit the picturesque peninsula of Marken, another small fishing village, this one surrounded by the waters of Lake IJsselmeer and connected only by a 10-kilometre dike. In Marken you'll learn how the Dutch live below sea level, see a demonstration of how another Dutch icon, the clog, is created, and walk over beautiful bridges over small canals between wooden-fronted houses.
To find out more about these cities, read our post on How to visit Zaanse Schans and its windmills from Amsterdam.
Why is Bruges worth a visit?
Bruges is one of those places you have to visit at least once in your life. This Belgian city is a real delight for the senses. Bruges repeats Amsterdam's nickname of "Venice of the North". It could not be otherwise, as the name itself gives us a clue as to what it has to offer.
In Dutch 'brug' means 'bridge' and this city is named with the plural of the term: 'bridges'. Like Amsterdam, this small town of 117,000 inhabitants lives and beats among numerous canals crossed by charming and numerous bridges, as well as cobbled streets, pretty squares and beautiful houses, some dating back more than six centuries.
A bit of history
It was these busy waterways that made Bruges, founded in the 11th century around a fortress, a hub of northern European trade until the 15th century, making it one of the most prosperous cities on the continent.
Today, Bruges' greatest treasure lies in its historic centre, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 as one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the world. Welcoming more than 3 million tourists a year (it is the most visited Belgian city, even ahead of Brussels), Bruges is an unforgettable place to visit on your trip to Amsterdam.
Where to eat in Bruges?
As the tours I recommend do not include meals, I would like to recommend a few places where you can enjoy yourself and satisfy your appetite after so many hours of sightseeing. And despite what you might think, Bruges' gastronomy goes beyond waffles, beer, mussels and chocolate. The 7 best places to eat in Bruges:
- At Tattie's. The best sandwiches in town. 2. Café de Gilde. For typical Belgian dishes in this home-cooked restaurant. 3. Chez Albert. Sweeten your visit with the best waffles in Bruges. 4. Beers Yesterday's World. The best place to taste the famous Belgian beer. 5. Chez Vincent. Famous for its potatoes with gravy and burgers. 6. Soup, the healthier option with delicious soups. 7. De Karmeliet, the best restaurant in Bruges, with 3 Michelin stars. Reservations are necessary.
Typical Bruges dishes
Don't want to leave the Belgian country without trying some of its most typical dishes? Then prepare your stomach for delicious, but not exactly light, meals and don't miss the following list of succulent and tasty delicacies:
- Flemish carbonara. A veal stew with beer sauce, this is Belgium's most iconic dish. 2. This typical Flemish stew with vegetables, fish or chicken is ideal for cold winter days. 3. Rabbit with cherry. Different and delicious, often served with apple puree. 4. Knuckle of knuckle with mustard, reflecting the Germanic influence in its gastronomy. 5. Mussels, a must. They prepare them in a multitude of ways, although the most typical ones are with celery and white wine. 6. Beer, of course. In Belgium it can be even cheaper than water. The most typical beer in Bruges is the Brugse Zot, but there are dozens of great varieties. 7. Leave some room to try their famous waffles!
Other interesting activities in Amsterdam
If you feel like discovering more of Amsterdam's surroundings, I recommend you explore the day trips that can be done from the city. Here's a guide I've written with what I think are the best things to do in the Netherlands: 5 Best Day Trips from Amsterdam.
If, on the other hand, you prefer to make the most of the Dutch capital, I recommend renting a bicycle or joining one of the many guided tours. I'll tell you all about it here: 6 Best Amsterdam Tours.
And last but not least, the complementary activity that every beer lover should take into account: the Heineken Experience Tickets and Tours in Amsterdam.