Bruges Solo Travel Guide
Solo travel to Bruges is a great idea at any time of year. In the Winter, there are charming Christmas markets and cozy bars where you can soak up some Belgian culture (and hearty Belgian cuisine). In the Summer, there are lovely terraces to enjoy a refreshing Belgian beer, and boat rides through the canals to marvel at the city’s architecture. Bruges is an ideal city for solo travel, as it’s a safe city with a low crime rate, a walkable city centre, and a great mix of historic, culinary, and natural sites to explore.
This trip was planned in collaboration with Visit Bruges. Some of the experiences mentioned in this blog were press invitations.
Transportation
Belgium is accessible by train from many European countries. The Eurostar is a quick and easy way to get from The UK to Belgium. The journey from King’s Cross to Bruxelles Midi is just under 2 hours. With your Eurostar ticket, you can upgrade your ticket to carry on your train journey in Belgium within 24 hours of arrival.
There are also direct connections to Brussels from France, Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Germany. The trains within Belgium are frequent but can run late, so definitely factor this in if you need to transit between Brussels and Bruges.
Once you get to Bruges, there is really no need for public transit if you are staying within the city centre. The city has great bike paths and limited traffic within the centre.
Solo Dining in Bruges
Belgium has a unique cuisine, with regional differences from city to city. If there’s one dish you have to try, it’s carbonnade – a Flemish hearty beef stew made with a beer broth. Some of the fine dining restaurants in Bruges can get quite popular, so it will be essential to book in advance. Two restaurants I can recommend that have great local food are: Restaurant ‘t Gezelleke and Brasserie Cambrinus. Although solo travelling can have some downsides, it can also have advantages for getting into some of these popular restaurants at a prime time. I didn’t have a reservation at Brasserie Cambrinus, but I could squeeze into a single seat at the bar when it was a full house.
Bruges also has a fantastic selection of street food. Some things to try include Belgian specialties like hot chocolate, waffles, and fries. This is an excellent option if you don’t want to sit down for a formal meal while solo traveling in Bruges.
Solo Travel in Bruges: Hostel Accommodation
Belgium has a great supply of high-quality youth hostels. For solo travel in Bruges, St. Christopher’s Hostel is a wonderful option. The city is extremely walkable, and the hostel is located in the Sint-Anna district, less than 15 minutes from most attractions. The hostel runs social events like beer tastings and walking tours. They also had a luggage storage facility two doors down, which seemed quite secure. I visited in the Winter, but the hostel had bike rentals available for the warmer months.
Some of the key features I look out for when selecting a hostel are:
1.Curtains for each bunk
2. Electrical outlets for each bunk
3. A bar in the hotel
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Activities
Walking Tour
There are a few different activities that really make a trip to Bruges. A walking tour is a great way to meet new people on a solo trip to Bruges. Visit Bruges runs a walking tour in multiple languages. Their tour allows access to the concert hall’s roof, which gives panoramic views of the city.
Brewery Tour
It wouldn’t be a trip to Belgium without visiting one of the many breweries. Many of the traditional breweries that sit within the city limits have closed over the years, but De Halve maan remains. The tour lasts about an hour, and includes a pint of beer in their taproom at the end. Another highlight of the tour is visiting their rooftop for beautiful views of the city.
Museums and Exhibits
Choco-Story Bruges is a unique culinary experience in Bruges. It details the history of the cocoa bean, from the rainforests of the Amazon, its journey across the Atlantic with the Spanish, and its popularity within French high society. I especially liked the demonstration at the end which included little dispensers with unlimited chocolate.
Groeningemuseum is a fantastic way to learn more about Flemish artists. The museum holds works from celebrated artists, such as Jan van Eyck.
Boat Tour
There are five docks dotted around the Bruges Canals where you can pick up a boat tour. They all operate for the same price and take a similar route. This was one of my highlights of the trip, and you really got to see the city from a new perspective.
Sites
The Begijnhof
If you’re looking to find some peace and quiet in the city, look no further than the Begijnhof. It was once home to a community of beguines, groups of women who chose to live a life of religious devotion. Unlike nuns, these women did not take a religious vow to the church. Nowadays, the beigijnhof is owned by the city and is home to the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict.
Lake Minnewater
Lake Minnewater is also referred to as the Lake of Love, and a go-to place to find some green space. There are families of swans congregating in the waters of Lake Minnewater, and it’s just a great place to snap some photos
Quay of the Rosary
This is one of the best photo spots in Bruges, and it’s just as beautiful at night. I’d highly recommend grabbing some hot chocolate or waffles and enjoying them while watching the canal boats whizz by.
If you’re looking for more travel inspiration, look at my list of 1000+ bucket list ideas.
