Ultimate Guide to Bruges Christmas Markets
Bruges is one of the absolute dreamiest cities in Europe at any time of year, but Christmas truly makes this whole town feel like a storybook. I absolutely adored Bruges and cannot recommend visiting enough. Bruges is filled with charming alleys, and picturesque buildings, and during Christmas everything is decorated! Two of the main squares become markets, but buildings, streets and shops everywhere are decked out for Christmas.
If you’re visiting Brussels Christmas Market (often highlighted as being the better option) I higly recommend taking some time to visit Bruges! Overall, I preferred Bruges way over Brussels!
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Jump To:
- Bruges Christmas Market Map & Location
- Tips for Visiting Bruges Christmas Market
- Bruges Christmas Market Dates & Hours 2024
- What to Eat at Bruges Christmas Market
- Where to Stay in Bruges
- Getting to Bruges
- Bruges Christmas Market Overall Ranking
- Bruges Christmas Market Gallery
Bruges Christmas Market Map & Locations
Bruges has tow main Christmas Markets, but the whole city is worth exploring at Christmas, each square and street was decorated! Two other Christmas activities in Bruges, that aren’t markets but are worth explring are the Minnewater Park Ice Rink & the Winter Glow Light Experience Trail
Market Square (Grote Markt) Christmas Market
Bruges has two Christmas markets located in the main city center. You can easily walk between the two. The main market on “Market Square” in front of Belfort Tower is the larger of the two. The “Wintergloed” market features warm, cozy wooden huts selling all your favorite treats and souvenirs. The simple white lights and giant green Christmas trees scattered throughout the squuare give everything a soft glow.
This market is simple compared to some ofthe markets in places like Germany (which I also loved for their over the top decorations) but I loved how it blended with the already picturesque city of Bruges. The tent offers long wooden tables with plenty of seating, which I didn’t find at some of the other larger markets and it made it feel more local and casual.
Simon Stevin Square Christmas Market
The Second market is in Simon Stevin Square this one is a bit smaller, but decorated similarly. This market seemed more popular at night as a place to gather, eat and drink. It also sold a more ecclectic range of things, many handmade goods and decor.
Minnewater Park Ice Rink & Winter Bar
You can also find an ice skating rink and winter themed bat at Minnewater Park duriing the Christmas Market season! This Ice rink is located at the “lake of love” one of the most popular areas in Bruges, a little away from the 2 other markets, but still walkable.
If you’re not into ice skating or want to wamr up after, grab glühwein at Vorst winter bar, located right next to the ice rink. The cozy outoor bar has tables overlooking the rink and the surrounding lake/park!
Winter Glow Light Experience Trail
Another fun thing to do in Bruges at Christmas is explore the Winter Glow Light Experience Trail. To find this you’ll want to look for the streetlights that have been replaced with blue bulbs vs the traditional white ones. Following the blue lights around the historic city center will take you to series of light and art installations spread throughout the city.
I found it hard to follow on path, as they seem to go in every direction, vs. in a circle. You can try to find them all or just explore a few on your way to or from dinner! They were unique, but not can’t miss in my opinion!
Tips for Visiting Bruges Christmas Market
- Bruges is one of the only markets I visited that took cards in most places, but I’d have euros on hand just in case!
- Many beers and drinks like mulled wine come in a returnable cup, you’ll pay a 5 euro deposit that will be returned when you drop off your cup (or keep it as a cheap souvenir!)
- Outside of the 2 main markets, make sure to explore the historic Old Town of Bruges, the whole area is decorated lovely at Christmas time. Some of my favorites were Eiermarkt, De Burg & Walplein
- For the best views of Market Square and the Winter Gloed Market head to the rooftop bar at the Historium – you can visit the bar without buying a ticket to the Historium, and its outdoor patios offers the best panoramic views over the entire square.
- Bruges is small and you can easily explore the Christmas Markets in a day, but if you haven’t visited before I highly recommend staying a day or 2 longer to explore, Bruges is unbelievably charming!
Bruges Christmas Market Dates & Hours 2024
Dates Nov 22 2024 – Jan 5 2025
Times
Sun-Thurs: 10AM – 10PM
Fri & Sat: 10:30AM – 11PM
What to Eat at Bruges Christmas Market
The food in Bruges was delicious!! I had been in Germany for about a week before coming to Belgium and it was a nice change of pace to try a different cuisine! I loved the food in Belgium generally!
- waffles (duh) – you cannot go anywhere in Bruges without seeing (and smelling) a place selling waffles! You can choose from a range of toppings – chocolate, fruits, whipped cream, etc!
- beer! – while glühwein is usually my Christmas Market drink of choice, Belgium has an unreal beer selection!
- Speculoos – Belgian Christmas cookies – a spiced, shortbread cookie
- fries – eat your weight in Belgian fries! trust me
- shrimp croquettes – Bruges is close to the North Sea, and fresh shrim croquettes are super popular in the area!
Where to Stay in Bruges
I decided to splurge a bit when I was in Bruges! It tends to be a bit of an expensive place generally, and it was one of my last stops of a month long trip, and I wanted to end my trip in a nicer hotel. Bruges is pretty small, so you can basically stay anywhere in the historic city center and be walkable to most things you’d want to see.
Dukes Palace Bruges
This stunning 5 star hotel is impeccable and located right in the heart of Bruges. Dukes Palace was so well decorated, had an amazing on site restaurant and a lively bar/lounge for later in the evening that also served food!
Dukes Palace Residence
For a slightly cheaper alternamtive try the sister hotel Dukes Palace Residence. This 4 star hotel is in a building across the street from Dukes Palace and still offers stunning rooms, and has access to all the facilities at the Dukes Palace Residence. I stayed here, as it was slightly cheaper and I knew I wouldn’t be spending a ton of time in the hotel! The room was spacious, the bed was so comfortable & the bathroom with a full tub was so luxurious!
Getting to Bruges
By Train
Bruges is accesible via Brussels by train. It takes just under an hour to get from Brussels to Bruges, and the trains run many times a day! Brussels is connected to all major European cities nearby via train. From the train station you’ll need to take a taxi to downtown Bruges, as it’s too far to walk with luggage!
By Plane
If you’re flying, you have two options. Bruges has its own international airport Ostend, 15 miles away from Bruges city center. Or alternatively, you can fly to Brussels and then take the train up the Bruges, see above!
Bruges Christmas Market Overall Ranking
7 of 12
This was a tough one! My 5, 6 & 7 rankings are all fairly close for Christmas Markets! I loved Bruges, and as a city overall I highly recommend visiting! It’s Christmas Markets are charming and the whole city puts on a show for Christmas (like many other places in Europe) Overall, I ended up ranking Bruges 7th, because while I loved it there are some Christmas Markets that had a lot more going on than Bruges, which was more subtle.
If you’re visiting Christmas Markets and Bruges is on your list, I definitely recommend visiting but the charming city is worth a visit at any time of year, it doesn’t have to be Christmas!
Bruges Christmas Market Gallery
