Bruges city breaks

It’s easy to imagine medieval life in full swing on Markt, Bruges’s grand central square. Its weekly market has been going for a good thousand years, and you can still grab picnic essentials here come Wednesday mornings. Look out for the neo-gothic Provincial Court on the eastern side of the square and the bronze statue of local heroes Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck. You’ll also find horse-drawn carriages for romantic tours of the city. Sint-Joris restaurant, on Markt’s northern side, is a good spot for a pit stop: expect friendly service, cold beer and classic Flemish fare.

North of the Markt, this atmospheric district has kept much of its historic character. Spanish traders settled on Spaanse Loskaai (Spanish Quay), while merchants from the Baltic Hanseatic League set up shop on Oosterlingenplein, or Easterner’s Square. Tranquil Jan van Eyckplein (named after the famous Flemish painter) was once a wealthy, cosmopolitan port. Views from the Spiegelrei canal towards the Burgher’s Lodge are some of the finest in town. See if you can spot the Toll House and the narrow Rijkepijndershuis, the porters’ house illustrated with figures carrying heavy loads

Built on top of the Cloth Hall, the Belfry (opens in a new tab) soars 83 metres high above the city, casting its long shadow over Markt below. It’s worth climbing the 366 steps to the top. The views over Bruge are beautiful, but even more impressive is the enormous musical drum used to run a complex system of gears, strings and 47 bells. Time your visit for one of the 11am Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday concerts to see the carillon in action and feel its full power. In summer, evening concerts take place on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9pm; grab a spot in the courtyard to listen.

A 15-minute walk south from Markt, this lovely lake and surrounding park feels a world away from the bustle of central Bruges. Its nickname – the Lake of Love – comes from the tragic story of lovers Minna and Stromberg. Legend has it that couples who cross the Minnewater Bridge will be blessed with eternal love. With its weeping willows and pairs of swans gliding gracefully over the water, it’s a perfect spot for a romantic stroll. If you’re less inclined towards romance, cross over to the Beguinage nearby: this community for emancipated single women is now home to Benedictine nuns.

After years of painstaking work, the brick-clad Church of (opens in a new tab)our (opens in a new tab) Lady (opens in a new tab) has been restored to full medieval glory. It’s easy to spot from the street, thanks to its tall distinctive steeple. Shipped from Siena by a wealthy Bruges family, a delicate Michelangelo marble of the Madonna and Child is the highlight, but you’ll find other treasures within. There’s a grand triptych of the Passion, plus the gloriously gilded mausoleums of Charles the Bold and his daughter Mary of Burgundy. Entrance to the church is free, but tickets are needed for the museum section containing most of these works.