Alright, so you’re thinking about hitting Bruges for just one day? Let me walk you through how my whirlwind tour went down. It’s a bit of a dash, but totally worth it if you ask me.
Getting Started Bright and Early
First things first, I aimed to get there reasonably early. Hopped on a train, which was pretty straightforward, and before I knew it, I was stepping into what felt like a different century. My game plan was to just soak it all in, no rigid schedules, but definitely had a few must-sees.
My feet hit the cobblestones, and I made a beeline for the Markt Square. You just can’t miss it. It’s huge, surrounded by those iconic gabled buildings. The Belfry tower looms over everything. I looked at the queue to climb it, thought about all those steps, and decided, “Nah, maybe next time.” Just seeing it from the ground was impressive enough for a quick trip.
Morning Wanderings
From the Markt, it’s a short stroll to Burg Square. Another stunner. You’ve got the City Hall, which is incredibly ornate, and then there’s the Basilica of the Holy Blood. I popped in there for a bit. It’s quite something, very historic, and honestly, a bit intense with the whole relic thing. Pretty unique experience, though.
By this point, I was starting to feel the need for a little pick-me-up. Didn’t go for a massive sit-down lunch, just grabbed something quick. You know, keep moving, see more stuff. Belgian fries were definitely involved, of course. You gotta do it.
Afternoon on the Water and More
After refueling, the next big thing on my mental list was a canal tour. Everyone says you have to do it, and they’re not wrong. It was about a half-hour boat ride, and it gives you a totally different perspective of the city. You see all these hidden gardens and old bridges you wouldn’t spot from the streets. Our boatman was a character too, cracking jokes. Definitely a highlight.
Once I was back on dry land, I just kind of let myself wander. That’s the best part of Bruges, I think. Getting lost in the little side streets. I stumbled upon the Minnewater, or the Lake of Love. Super peaceful, lots of swans. A good spot to just sit for a few minutes and let the charm sink in.
I also made sure to peek into a few chocolate shops. I mean, it’s Belgium. The smell alone is amazing. Resisted buying a mountain of it, but a small bar made its way into my bag.
Wrapping Up the Day
As the afternoon started to fade, my feet were definitely letting me know they’d had enough cobblestones for one day. I took one last slow walk, trying to memorize the views. Bruges is one of those places that’s just effortlessly beautiful.
So, can you see Bruges in one day? Yeah, you absolutely can. You won’t see everything in depth, but you can definitely get a fantastic taste of it. You hit the main sights, soak up the atmosphere, and leave wanting to come back. For me, it was a day well spent. Grabbed my train out as the evening set in, feeling pretty satisfied with my little adventure.