Bruges with kids

Mini guide

Bruges is the capital of the Belgian province of West Flanders. The historic compact center is filled with beautiful medieval buildings and is easy to explore on foot. Just under a 3-hour drive from Utrecht, you’ll find this charming family-friendly city! In this blog, you’ll find everything you need for a successful weekend in Bruges with children.

Tip: Also read our blog about Belgium’s hidden gem: Maaseik with children, the best tips!

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Things to do in Bruges with kids

Climb the Belfry of Bruges

Start your day by climbing the Belfry. From this medieval bell tower, you have a beautiful view over the city. You do have to climb 366 steps first, which can be quite a challenge with small children. You can check opening hours and current prices here .

Visit museums with children in Bruges

Bruges has several fun museums to visit with kids. Here are the best ones!

The Historium Bruges

In the Historium Bruges, you journey back to the Bruges of the Golden Age through films, sets, and special effects. If the website is to be believed, it promises quite a bit of thrills. It seemed a bit too intense for our children (who were 1 and 3 years old at the time). However, it’s definitely a recommendation for older kids! For more information and ticket prices, visit: https://www.historium.be/nl/praktisch

Choco-Story museum

The chocolate museum immerses its visitors in the history of cocoa and chocolate, from the Mayans to the Spanish conquerors and contemporary food lovers. Children can explore the museum through a chocolate treasure hunt. Pralines are made and sampled on-site. You can find all the practical information here.

The Fries Museum

A fun little museum about Belgium’s delicacy: fries! The museum has a cafeteria and is open until 5:00 PM. We even had fries for dinner here, which was convenient with the kids! Practical info: https://www.visitbruges.be/nl/frietmuseum. You can use a combination ticket for Choco-Story/Frietmuseum.

Stroll along the most photogenic spots in Bruges

Rozenhoedkaai

The most popular spot in the city for taking photos has been an Instagrammable hotspot for centuries. In the past, rosaries were sold here, and today tourists flock to capture the most beautiful images of the city. So, this spot is definitely one you shouldn’t miss during your stroll through Bruges. It’s great for a family selfie!

Bonifaciusbridge

You wouldn’t think it, but the Bonifacius Bridge is the youngest bridge in Bruges. It’s a super popular spot, and it’s nearly impossible to take a photo here without other people in it. But we would still recommend giving it a try. Come early or late in the day, and you’ll probably have a better chance!

Take a boat tour on the canals of Bruges

See Bruges from a different perspective—on the water. There are many companies offering boat tours here, so there’s plenty of choice for everyone. The kids will definitely enjoy the boat ride and all the swans they encounter along the way. Here you can find the best boat tours in the city.

Let the kids burn off energy in the playground

Just like in other cities, there are many playgrounds for children to be found in Bruges. Simply enter ‘playground’ into Google Maps, and you’ll find all the fun playgrounds (often including photos) near you. In Bruges, we recommend Speelplein Bilkske and the playground in Queen Astrid Park.

How long to stay in Bruges

Bruges is a great destination for a long weekend getaway.

The best time to visit Bruges with children

The best time to visit Bruges is from May to September. During this period, the temperature is pleasant.

The most child-friendly hotels in Bruges

La Cle Brugge

La Clé Bruges offers accommodation in an ideal location, less than 1 km from the Basilica of the Holy Blood and an 11-minute walk from the Market Square. The property provides a shared kitchen, a common lounge, and luggage storage. The owner is super friendly and helpful. Highly recommended!

Average price for a family room: €126 – More information

House of Bruges

The recently renovated House of Bruges is located in a central position in the historic center of Bruges. This luxury guesthouse features a classic baroque façade and an interior with steel and glass. The historic city center of Bruges and the famous Market Square are just 200 meters away.

Average price for a family room: €140 – More information

Hotel Augustyn Bruges

Hotel August Bruges is located in Bruges, 500 meters from the Market Square. It features a bar and a common lounge. This property offers family rooms and a sun terrace. Additionally, the accommodation provides various other services, such as evening entertainment.

Average price for a family room: €216 – More information

Hotel Portinari

Hotel Portinari is located in the center of Bruges, 750 meters from the central market square with the Belfry of Bruges and a 2-minute walk from the concert hall ’t Zand. It is surrounded by numerous restaurants. Additionally, the hotel offers a terrace, bar, and an underground parking garage.

Average price for a family room: €240 – More information

The best restaurants in Bruges with kids

Le Pain Quotidien Brugge – www.lepainquotidien.com
In this old weaving mill, you can now enjoy artisanal and organic breakfasts, lunches, and snacks. They also have a cozy terrace! The oatmeal with forest fruits is highly recommended.

That’s Toast – www.thatstoast.com
A nice spot where you can have breakfast and sandwiches all day long. That’s Toast is known for, of course, its toasts. But also for its delicious coffee and slow juices. You can’t make reservations, so you need a bit of luck.

Blackbird – www.blackbird-bruges.com
Another lovely spot for breakfast, lunch, or a cup of coffee. Think pancakes, avocado toast, bagels, and pastries. We could easily eat here every day!

Chez Albert – www.chezalbert.be
You can’t leave Bruges or Belgium without having a waffle, of course. They say you can find the best waffles in Bruges here. We were happy to try them for you, and they were indeed delicious, warm, and fresh.

House of Waffles – www.thehouseofwaffles.com
If you prefer savory waffles or would rather sit down somewhere, visit House of Waffles. They serve waffles inspired by their grandmother’s recipe. You can order Brussels or Liège waffles topped with salmon, guacamole, a fried egg, or, of course, whipped cream.

NOMAD – www.nomadbrugge.be
Here you’ll find fresh and delicious breakfasts and lunches with a global twist. There is a special kids’ menu, and the restaurant is open on Friday evenings for the infamous Tapas Supper Club.

Sanseveria Bagelsalon – www.sanseveria.be
In the cozy vintage living room of Saneveria Bagelsalon, you can enjoy deliciously topped bagels for breakfast, brunch, or lunch.