Bruges

Bruges has been on my photography "bucket list" for years. It is a UNESCO world heritage site for good reason. Bruges is often called the Venice of the North with its photogenic waterways and fairytale architecture. The town is a photographer's dream with its beautiful canals and cobblestone streets that are beautifully lit at night.

I was fortunate to have had the chance to visit Bruges several times. It is well worth a visit. It is extremely picturesque yet not overwhelming. The town is very friendly, with delicious food, and everyone speaks fluent English, so it is also very easy to get around.

Oh, by the way, it is Belgium, so there is plenty of delicious chocolate, French fries, and beer.

The Visit Bruges website is a very useful planning resource. This guide will cover everything from where to stay and when to visit to the best places to eat and the must-visit photography spots.

Bruges or Ghent?

When you hear of Bruges, you often hear about about Ghent. There are often discussions about whether you should visit Bruges or Ghent. But why not both? They are only 45 minutes apart, yet very different, but both are undeniably beautiful. I would highly recommend going to both cities.

So Where is the Bruges Located?

Bruges is located in the Flanders area to the west of Belgium. It is about a 3-hour drive from Amsterdam. The closest major airport is Brussels Airport (BRU), so most visitors take the train to Bruges. The ride from the airport to Bruges is about 90 minutes. Only 100,000 people live in Bruges so while it is small, it is extremely charming.

How Long Should you Stay in Bruges?

Two to three nights is the optimal length of stay in Bruges. The best photography opportunities are probably early in the morning, and at night—day trippers miss out on the city's stunning nocturnal night photography opportunities. The best time to visit is in the Spring when daffodils and tulips carpet the city.

Where should you Stay?

Staying in the historic center of Bruges puts you right in the midst of its most beautiful and photogenic sites.

We stayed in an incredible small hotel called Hotel Van Cleef. The service in this hotel was just incredible. The hotel is an old mansion turned into a hotel. As you probably suspected, this used to be the home of the famous Jewelers, The Van Cleef family. It is located in the heart of Bruges on one of the canals. I would highly recommend staying here.

Here are some other accommodation options:

Luxury Options:

Hotel Dukes’ Palace Bruges - A five-star hotel set in a former ducal palace, offering luxurious rooms and a beautiful garden.
Relais & Châteaux Hotel Heritage - A luxury hotel in a 19th-century mansion with elegant rooms and top-notch amenities.

Mid-Level Options:

Martin’s Relais - Located along a picturesque canal, this hotel combines modern comfort with historic charm.
Hotel Navarra Brugge - A charming 17th-century mansion offering cozy rooms and a delightful courtyard.

Getting Around Bruges

Bruges is a compact city, making exploring on foot or by bike easy. Here are the best ways to get around:

Walking: The city’s small size and pedestrian-friendly streets make walking the best way to explore and photograph at your own pace.
Bikes: Renting a bike is a great way to cover more ground and discover hidden corners of the city.
Ride-sharing: While Uber and Bolt are not available in Bruges, the city has plenty of taxis if needed.

What to Eat?

There are 3 things you will not get enough of in Bruges: beer, Belgian fries, and chocolate. Bruges even has its own official city chocolate: the Bruges swan. Bruges is full of chocolate shops, cafes, and some wonderful restaurants. Our favorite meal was at a restaurant called De Verloren Hoek

Coffee Shops:

Vero Caffè: Known for its excellent coffee and friendly service, ideal for a quick caffeine fix.
I Love Coffee: A cozy spot offering great coffee and a lovely atmosphere for a relaxing break.
Li O Lait: This charming café is perfect for a mid-day coffee and cake break, with a unique interior and a welcoming vibe.

Photography Gear

My Canon R5 camera. Any good DSLR or Mirrorless Camera will do Nikon Z7, Fuji etc.
A wide-angle lens 15-35mm to be able to photograph the Churches and City Streets
A medium telephoto, such as 70-200mm. This will come in handy when you need to zoom in on the subject.
A good, sturdy tripod so you can take photos at sunrise and sunset.
Neutral-density filters (3, 6, and 10). You will be shooting near water a lot so long exposures are possible.

What to Photography

You can download my Google Map Here

Rozenhoedkaai

If you could only photograph 1 thing in Bruges, this would be it. I would try to arrive just before sunset and then stay until the end of Blue Hour.

Then, wait for it to get darker, and all the buildings will light up. As it gets darker it becomes more beautiful

But don’t leave just yet—it is beautiful at night

Once you are done if you walk around the corner you will find this locaton

Begijnhof

This is a charming area with beautiful white houses and a garden. The area dates back to 1245. This world heritage site was once the home of the beguines, (emancipated lay-women who led a pious and celibate life).

Basilica of the Holy Blood (BURGPLEIN)

While the courtyard is beautiful, the church on the left side has a very interesting history. It is believed that in the Chapel there is a vial of the blood of Christ.

Bonifaciusbrug (Bonifacius Bridge)

You cross the bridge to reach the magnificent Onze-Lieve Vrouwekerk church—the grounds of the area are full of tulips during the Spring.

Marktplaats Belfry

This is the main square of the city. This area is full of restaurants and cafes.

Jan Van Eyckplein

Located just to the left of the Rozenhoedkaai. It is perfect for night photography

Belfly

The Belfry of Bruges (Dutch: Belfort van Brugge) is a medieval bell tower in the center of Bruges, Belgium. It is packed during the day with people so its better to photograph at night.

The Canals

One of the best things to do in Bruges is to walk along the canals.

Night Photography

This is a city made for Night Photography so make sure to bring your tripod.

There are so many spots to take photos towards the Belfry.

Street Photography

Finally, it is always fun to take some street photots.

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Happy travels and happy shooting!

I hope you have found this Bruges photography guide helpful. My other photography guides can be found on this link.

Travel Photography

My Photography & Travel Guide to Bruges, Belgium