If you have dreams of visiting one of the most fairytale-like destinations in Europe during one of the most magical times of the year – the Christmas Market in Bruges is your best bet! This Belgian city has grown in popularity because of its charming vibes and enchanting canals, making it the perfect place to visit during the holiday season!
Of course, the European Christmas Markets are a tourist attraction in themselves – people from all over the world come to experience the cozy, festive spirit. So when planning your trip to the Christmas Market in Bruges, there are a few things you should keep in mind to ensure you make the most of your visit.
Below you’ll find some practical tips from someone who’s been to the Christmas Market in Bruges multiple times. I’ll go over what to expect, some of the best things to do, where to go, and how to make sure you have the best trip possible!
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Christmas Market in Bruges FAQs
When does the Christmas Market in Bruges open?
Unlike other European Christmas markets that close promptly around Christmas or the New Year, the Christmas Market in Bruges stays open even into the New Year. This gives you plenty of opportunities to visit, even as the holiday season winds down and comes to an end.
The Christmas Market in Bruges is scheduled to open on November 22nd, 2024, and last until January 5th, 2025. It is open daily from 10 am until 10 pm, except on Fridays and Saturdays when it closes at 11 pm.
To keep in mind: The market hours on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day are different (they close at 5 pm) and you should expect fewer stalls to be open on these days.
Where do the activities take place?
There are actually two Christmas Markets in Bruges. One is located in the main Grote Markt Square in the historic center of Bruges. This is probably the most popular place to visit because you can find the main market stalls, holiday music, and of course, the beautiful backdrop of the city’s main square!
The second market is smaller and is located at Simon Stevinplein Square, only a 4-minute walk from the main square. Even though this is a smaller square, I still find it quite beautiful since it is lined with trees and you can still find many craft vendors and market stalls.
PRO TIP: Bruges is very walkable, so you shouldn’t have to worry about taking public transportation or driving once in the city. In fact, driving is not really encouraged since the streets are narrow and parking can be quite difficult.
How many days is enough in Bruges?
Despite Bruges being one of the main cities for tourists to visit in Belgium, it really isn’t that big. I’ve been lucky enough to visit at least five different times, and with each visit, I discover something new. That being said, I still recommend that you only need one full day to explore the Bruges, and you can spend the night if you plan on doing some tours, day trips, and attractions. I include all of my favorite spots and tips on getting to Bruges in my day trip guide below!
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What to eat at the Christmas market in Bruges?
You’ll find the main Christmas Market snacks while walking around the different stalls, such as Bratwurst, Glühwein, Raclette, and crepes. However, here are some Belgian specialties you should definitely keep your eyes out for:
🧇 Waffles: You can’t visit Belgium without trying the legendary waffles! The typical Belgium waffles are known as Liège waffles but did you know there are also Brussels waffles? The difference between the two is that Brussels waffles have a crispier exterior, and a very light, airy interior, while the Liège waffles are smaller and thicker. I’ve had both, and you can’t go wrong with either one!
✨ My recommendation: Chez Albert is my go-to for waffles in Bruges
🍟 Frites: Another Belgian specialty are fries. The best place to find fries is in an authentic friterie but on your visit to the market, most stands will be a great place to try them! You’ll be given a cone-shaped takeaway container filled with fries, perfect for walking around and snacking.
TOP TIP: I’ve never seen a selection of sauces like I have at the Belgian friteries! Typically, there is a wide range of flavors, from spicy to sweet, so my best advice is to try something new! They’re really unique!
🍻 Beer: I can’t talk about Belgian food and drink staples without mentioning beer! You can really get a sense of the country’s passion for beer by visiting the Beer Wall on your visit to Bruges. Belgian beers are iconic and if you’re up for it, you should try a pint or two during your visit. The best quality beers are most likely found outside of the actual Christmas Market area and in the local pubs.
And if you’re really into beer, you can check out the Bruges Beer Experience, a museum dedicated to Belgian beer heritage!
🍫 Chocolate: Last but definitely not least, Belgian chocolates. Another icon of Belgium, you should definitely pay a visit to some local chocolatiers and even take some home as a souvenir! This is probably the best and easiest souvenir to take home, and everyone will love it! BUT you have to make sure you are buying authentic Belgian chocolates!
There are many chocolate stores around Bruges so knowing which are the right ones can be really hard to determine. After a chocolate walking tour I took in Brussels, I now know which brand to look out for when choosing Belgian chocolate. For example, the brand Leonidas isn’t authentic Belgium chocolates anymore and mainly caters to tourists. Galler, on the other hand, is more authentic, while still being quite affordable!
PRO TIP: For +40 recommendations in Bruges, check out my Bruges Day Trip Guide!
Where to stay in Bruges
I’ll be honest, the closer you are to the Bruges historic center, the more expensive accommodations will be. This may seem obvious, but booking accommodations as much in advance as possible, especially since you’ll be visiting during the holiday season, is definitely recommended!
✨ Where we stayed: Hotel Biskajer was within walking distance to everything we needed. It was an adult-only hotel and was absolutely beautiful! We really loved our stay here!
The Chocolate Suites ($): The place looks so fun, each room is decorated in a chocolate theme, right in the historic center of Bruges!
Martin’s Brugge ($$): The 3-star hotel is very central as well, with spacious rooms and a terrace on site!
Relais & Chateaux Hotel Heritage ($$$): A beautiful hotel equipped with a restaurant, a spa, and beautiful elegant rooms.
If you are looking for budget-friendly accommodations, check out these cool hostels on Hostelworld.
Is the Bruges Christmas Market worth visiting?
I might be completely biased, having been to the Christmas Market in Bruges on multiple occasions, but I do think it’s worth the visit. I will mention thought, that compared to other European Christmas markets, the ones in Bruges are smaller.
Despite being smaller, visiting the Christmas Market is an amazing excuse to visit Bruges, a town in Belgium I personally believe should be on everyone’s bucket list! Plus, everything always looks more magical when it’s covered in Christmas lights and decorations so I truly don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
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What to do at the Christmas Market in Bruges?
Christmas Shopping
It goes without saying that when visiting the Christmas markets in Europe, one of the main things to do is shop! At the Christmas Market in Bruges, you can find everything from handmade goods to local specialties to decorations and more! Of course, your shopping doesn’t have to be restricted to just the Christmas market – there are plenty of shops around Bruges that are well worth visiting and perfect for holiday gifts and souvenirs!
Go ice skating
During the holiday season, you can find an artificial outdoor skating rink at Minnewater Park, also known as the Lake of Love! This is not only a fun romantic activity but is also perfect for families and kids! The rink is open most days from 11 am until 9 pm, except Friday and Saturday where it’s open until 10 pm. It costs 7 euros to skate, with skates included in the price and you can pay in person using a credit or debit card.
To keep in mind: the skating rink’s hours are different during Christmas and New Year, you can find the updated hours on their official site here!
Take a boat tour
Part of Bruges’ charm is that it is built on top of canals. Similar to Amsterdam and Venice, one of the best things to do while visiting is take a boat tour! It took me a few visits before I actually did a boat tour and I really wish I had done it sooner! It’s the perfect way to get yourself acquainted with the city and to learn a bit about its history! From my experience, boat tours are reasonably priced and are usually under an hour long, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the rest Bruges has to offer!
Check out a museum
If you’re starting to feel cold and are looking for some indoor fun, Bruges has several museums that are worth checking out! The main museums are dedicated to Belgian food and drink specialties, such as French Fries, Chocolate, and Beer! However, if you’re looking for a more historical and cultural experience, you can check out Groeninge Museum for a collection of Flemish and Belgian paintings or the medieval Saint John’s Hospital to visit one of Europe’s oldest hospital buildings.
For a list of other museums and monuments to visit in Bruges, check out their official site here!
Admire the Christmas Tree
You can’t visit the Christmas market in Bruges without paying a visit to Burg Square! Here you’ll find the nicest Christmas tree in Bruges, sitting just outside of the City Hall! Not only is this square housing the festive decorations, but its also one of the most beautiful, photographed squares in Bruges. Its definitely a spot not to be missed!
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Walk the Light Experience trail
For the past six years, the Light Experience trail has been a family-favorite activity in Bruges during the holiday season. The trail follows a series of 10 light installations that winds its way through the city, bringing you often to new and unexpected places! You can find more information about the trail, a map, and the installations here. The trail is free to visit and is open for the same duration as the Christmas market. The trail is lit every day from 5:30 pm until 11 pm.
Tips for visiting
🧤Dress for the weather. You won’t be battling sub-0 temperatures in Bruges, however, it can get as cold as 5 degrees Celsius, so make sure you dress appropriately. What you should be especially prepared for is rain. Bruges can be a rainy and windy city so remember to bring your raincoat and umbrella.
📍Book in advance! I mentioned this before, but it’s worth mentioning again. The holiday season is a busy time to visit most European cities. Make sure you plan your trip in advance and make reservations early.
📆 Weekends are more expensive. Generally speaking, hotels and accommodations tend to be more expensive during the weekends. This is true all year round, but you will notice a big difference during the holiday season. If you have the flexibility in your schedule to visit during the week, you’ll hopefully find a better deal!
💵 Bring cash for the market, just in case. You will find most places now accept cards, however having cash on hand while traveling in Europe is always a good call. You will need cash to pay for public washrooms and you will find from time to time market booths are cash only.
Are you ready for the festive season in Bruges!?
I hope this article was helpful in planning your trip to the Christmas market in Bruges. No matter how many times I visit Bruges, it always surprises me with its charm and medieval atmosphere! It is definitely one of my most visited European cities so I really hope you fall in love with Bruges as I did!
You can find all of my favorite spots and recommendations after over five visits to Bruges in my Day trip guide to Bruges. This guide isn’t holiday-themed, however will highlight other beautiful areas to visit during your stay in Bruges besides the iconic Christmas market!
