Sightseeing in Bruges: Landmarks and Opening Times

October 30, 2026

How to approach the landmarks

Bruges sights sit within a short walk of the Markt, so the main task is timing. Several landmarks have weekday or seasonal closures, and the churches close to visitors during services. The list below runs from the Markt outward.

Markt

The Markt is dominated by the Belfry, and the neo-Gothic Provinciaal Hof (1887 to 1920) stands beside it. The square’s weekly food and flower market takes place on Wednesdays, from 08:00 to 14:00. The tourist office is inside the Historium at Markt 1 and is open from 10:00 to 18:00.

Burg

Stadhuis (Burg 12). Building began in 1376. Highlights are the Gothic Hall, with 20th-century murals and a 14th-century polychrome vault. Tickets are EUR 8, with reduced fares of EUR 7 and EUR 4. It opens daily from 09:30 to 17:00 and closes on 25 December, 1 January and Ascension Day. Weddings can close it, and council meetings on the last Monday of the month close part of it at a lower price.

Brugse Vrije (Burg 11a). The aldermen’s chamber contains a chimneypiece for Charles V, which Musea Brugge dates to 1528. It is open at weekends only, from 09:30 to 17:00, for EUR 3. A weekend visit is included with a Stadhuis ticket, and a weekday Stadhuis ticket works at the weekend for seven days.

Basilica of the Holy Blood. Open daily from 10:00 to 17:15, with free entry to the basilica. The Museum and Treasury charge EUR 5, and under 12s are free. The relic can be venerated daily from 14:00 to 16:00 and on Fridays from 10:15 to 11:00. The lower chapel is 12th-century Romanesque and the upper chapel is Gothic. Wear modest clothes, and expect parts of the church to be closed during Mass and confessions. More at holyblood.com .

Church of Our Lady

The church tower, at 115.5 m, is one of the tallest brick towers in the world. The nave is free. The museum charges EUR 10 for adults, EUR 9 under 26 and EUR 5 under 18, and it houses the tombs of Charles the Bold and Mary of Burgundy as well as Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child. Merchants gave the statue to the church in 1514. It is the only Michelangelo sculpture to have left Italy in his lifetime. Opening is Monday to Saturday 09:30 to 17:00 and Sunday 13:30 to 17:00. A combined ticket with the Gruuthuse costs EUR 19.

Begijnhof and green spaces

Founded in 1245, the Begijnhof Ten Wijngaerde is free and opens at 07:30. The closing time is 20:30 in summer and 18:30 in winter, from the clock change in October. Women still live there, among them Benedictine sisters, and silence is requested. UNESCO listed the Flemish Béguinages in 1998, and listed the historic centre separately in 2000.

Minnewater is a lake park with swans, and the Koningin Astridpark has a pond, fountain, kiosk and playground. Both are free.

Windmill

Of the four mills on the Kruisvest, the Sint-Janshuismolen is the only one that still grinds grain. It dates from 1770 and stands on its original site. Entry is EUR 5, and it runs from April to early November, 09:30 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 17:00, except Mondays. The stairs are steep. It is closed in winter, apart from the second Sunday of the month from December.

Groeningemuseum

The Groeningemuseum on the Dijver closes on 11 January 2027 for a complete refurbishment lasting several years. The heart of its collection is shown at BRUSK next door while the works continue.

See guided options on GetYourGuide .