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Things to do in Bruges

Get on your bike out to Flanders

With its famously flat surface, cycling around Belgium is joy unbridled for amateurs and enthusiasts alike. You can stick to Bruge’s wobbly pavements, but there’s rural beauty galore in Flanders’ cycling trails, which take in the region’s waterways and villages. Speak to De Ketting (tel: +32 50 344 196; www.deketting.be) about getting decked out with some wheels.

Put your hiking boots on

If wandering around Bruges’ sights doesn’t quite quench your appetite for walking, there are plenty of hiking trails to be discovered just outside the city. The tourist office (tel: +32 50 444 646; bezoekers.brugge.be) will be able to point you in the direction of some of the finest countryside walks in the Flanders region. 

See beer, smell beer, drink

The Maes family has been brewing beer in Bruges since 1856, and have opened the doors to their brewery for visitors to get an insight into the creation of this most Belgian of tipples. Tours of De Halve Maan run daily between 11am and 4pm (though sometimes run at 5pm on Saturdays) and take 45 minutes, with each visitor getting a glass of the Bruges Zot Blonde at the end.

Take a visit to the Chips Museum

Consider for a second: chips. Is there such an evocative word in the culinary dictionary? In Belgium they certainly don’t think so, which is why Bruges is home to the world’s only museum dedicated to them. The Frietmuseum (tel: +32 50 34 01 50; www.frietmuseum.be) will take you on a whistle stop history of the little golden wonders then give you a chance to eat your fill. Glorious.

Watersports a’ plenty

Belgium’s iconic waterways might have been valuable trade routes for many centuries, but more recently they’ve been commandeered by the watersports bridge. From kayaking and canoeing to jet skiing and yachting, there are plenty of water-based activities to get involved in in the Flanders region. The good folk at Water Creatie (www.waterrecreatie.be) will do you right.

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Hotel Navarra

A grand hotel in a compact city, the Navarra is housed in a gorgeous, listed building in the heart of Bruges. There are 94 comfortable rooms in total, not to mention a fabulous swimming pool and sauna, which is the perfect tonic after a day of sightseeing. If you’ve brought your wheels to the city, the hotel’s on-site parking will ease the burden.

Hotel Fevery

Small, friendly and family-run, the Fevery is in a quiet spot just 10 minutes from the central market square. Rooms are simply furnished, but homely and good value. The fact there are only 10 of them keeps the service personal, ensuring the vibe stays like that of a suburban bed and breakfast, rather than a slick city hotel.

The Pand Hotel

Quite possibly the best place to stay in Bruges, The Pand is a small, luxurious hotel in the heart of the Old Town. Sumptuous but not showy, this former 18th-century carriage house has a friendly, laid-back ambiance and one of the best champagne breakfasts in the city. Festooned with the owner’s personal collection of antiques, there are 26 individually designed rooms to choose from.

Passage

Another wallet-friendly option, the Passage is a youth hostel, budget hotel, and restaurant split between two Old Town buildings. Scruffy and old fashioned but charming nonetheless, the Passage offers dorm beds, cheap doubles, and reasonably priced food. The staff are helpful and Bruges’ main attractions are just a short stroll away.

Hotel de Orangerie

Opulence abounds in the 20 large and lavish rooms of this lovely boutique hotel, housed in a former 15th-century monastery. Those facing the picturesque canal have some of the best views in town. If you can tear yourself away, the lounge bar has a warming open fire in winter, or you can enjoy afternoon tea in the elegant winter garden.

NH Brugge

This hotel has an interesting history, as it was a monastery from the 17th century, but is now a classified building. With a buffet breakfast, a restaurant, bar, free Wi-Fi, and room service, guests will be delighted with their stay and wish for more. Located in the “Venice of the North”, a UNESCO World Heritage site, NH Brugge is a convenient and enjoyable place to stay.