It had been a few years since my last visit to Bruges, and definitely time to go back.  Despite it being winter, the city was packed – probably because it was opening weekend for the Christmas markets. 

The charming city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site, as it has most of its medieval architecture intact. The Church of Our Lady is easy to spot as it as a 400 foot tall brick spire (one of the tallest brick towers), as is the belfry.  The Belfry is definitely worth the climb – it dates back to the 13th century and if you are lucky, you’ll see (and hear) the carillonneur who is employed full time!

We roamed around the city on foot, but also took a canal tour which I highly recommend. It may be a bit cheesy, but it is a great way to soak in this picturesque city.

Aside from the sites, Bruge is also an epicenter for gastronomy with an extensive list of Michelin star restuarants. Given the amount of chocolate and street food we wanted to consume, we opted out of the multi-course Michelin star meals, and went for some more off-the-beaten-track foodie recommendations.  Do your research and book in advance to avoid getting stuck eating in a touristic restaurant on the square.

Generally speaking, it’s a great city to stroll around, visit the shops, sample chocolate, and enjoy some beers (and the Christmas markets are an added bonus with great food and gluwein!).