Our 2-week European vacation was one of the most exciting trips we’ve taken as a family. We wanted to start slow, adjusting to jet lag and settling into the European rhythm before exploring bustling cities like Paris. After hearing great things about Bruges, Belgium, we knew this charming, laid-back town would be the perfect place to kick off our adventure. The fact that it’s only a 2.5-hour drive from Amsterdam sealed the deal!

In this post, I’ll share our experience in Bruges, including the best things to do, where to eat, and tips for traveling with kids.

Getting to Bruges from Amsterdam

After our 8-hour flight to Amsterdam, we rented a car and made our way to Bruges. Along the way, we were treated to scenic views of traditional windmills and vibrant flower fields, which were a delightful introduction to the beauty of the region. We arrived in Bruges in the early evening, and we were instantly captivated by the picturesque canals, medieval buildings, and the town’s relaxed atmosphere.

Planning Your Visit to Bruges

To help plan our days in Bruges, we brought along the Rick Steves Belgium Travel Guide, which turned out to be an invaluable resource. The guide provided us with detailed descriptions of the must-see sights in Bruges and tips on how to make the most of our time in the city.

For our little ones, we packed the gb Pockit+ All-Terrain Stroller, which was a game changer for navigating the streets of Bruges. It’s super compact, easy to carry, and perfect for families on the go. You can read more about our experience with this stroller in my previous blog post.

Visiting Windmills and the attractions near the Market Square

We kicked off our exploration of Bruges by visiting some iconic windmills. Our first stop was Sint-Janshuismolen, a well-preserved windmill on the outskirts of town. Unfortunately, it was closed when we arrived, but we were still able to admire it up close. The kids loved running around the grassy fields nearby and chasing birds.

Next, we continued along the canal path and passed by another nearby windmill, called Bonne-Chièremolen. We then continued on our way over to Kruispoort, one of the medieval gates leading into the city. These quiet, scenic walks helped us get our bearings while enjoying Bruges’ calm atmosphere.

Sint-Janshuismolen

Kruispoort (left) Walking around town (middle and right)

The next morning, we made our way to Grote Markt, Bruges’ central square, to see the Belfort (Belfry of Bruges) and enjoy some classic Belgian treats. We grabbed Belgian waffles with chocolate at Chez Albert and fries with mayo from a nearby food truck, both must-try snacks when in Belgium! The kids also had fun watching the Belfort bell tower chime, which plays different tunes throughout the day.

Belfort (left) Trying Belgian Waffles (middle and right)

We continued our self-guided walking tour from the Rick Steves guide, which led us to the Basilica of the Holy Blood. This church is famous for housing a relic of the blood of Christ. We arrived just as a service was concluding, but after a short wait, we were able to see the relic up close.

Entrance to the Basilica of the Holy Blood

Climbing the Belfort (Belfry of Bruges)

One of the highlights of Bruges is the Belfort tower, where you can climb 366 steps for panoramic views of the town. Tickets can be purchased in advance or on-site, but I recommend reserving a time to avoid long wait times, especially in the summer. If you have a stroller with you, it can be stored in the souvenir shop after scanning your tickets. Keep in mind that during the summer it can get pretty hot in the tower and I would recommend to book an earlier time if possible to make it more comfortable, especially when traveling with kids.

The climb to the top was steep, but there are a couple of landing areas as you are making your way up, so you can rest if needed. Our kids did surprisingly well with the climb up and the aerial views of Bruges from the top were worth every step. While up there, we happened to time it right at the top of the hour when the bells chime. It was pretty loud to be up there when this occurred, but it was pretty cool to hear the music while up top. Afterward, we had a bit of a scare on the way down, as the stairs were narrow for the kids, but overall it was an amazing experience.

Up at the top of the Belfort

Visiting the Historium and finishing up our first day

After a busy day of sightseeing, we needed a break from the heat, so we headed to the Historium Bruges. This interactive museum immerses visitors in the history of Bruges, with a focus on the city’s medieval past. The self-guided tour takes you into a story set in Bruges back in 1430. You follow a trail that takes you scene by scene through the story. The audio guide kept our kids engaged, and the exhibit at the end offered a deeper dive into Bruges’ history. It’s a fantastic indoor option for families.

At the entrance to the Historium

Next, we made our way over to the Museum of the Church of Our Lady. Before arriving at the church we found a pop-up playground where the kids played for a while. Unfortunately, by the time we arrived at the church it was too late to visit the famous Michelangelo Madonna and Child statue. To make up for the slight disappointment, we picked up some delicious Belgian chocolates at Chocolate Brothers across the street.

Before heading back to our accommodation, we enjoyed a relaxing dinner at Pizzeria Da Mario. This restaurant offered great pizza and pasta with a beautiful view of the Market Square.

Second Day in Bruges: Boat Tour & Brewery Visit

Our second day in Bruges started with a boat tour along the city’s canals. We joined the first tour at Boten Stael, where the captain provided an informative and entertaining commentary. The 30-minute boat ride was perfect for the kids, and it was one of the highlights of our trip.

After departing from the boat tour, we made our way down to the Minnewaterpark to stroll around before our brewery tour that we had booked at noon. This was a pretty park and we were able to see swans and different flowers blooming in the area. There was also a convenient bathroom located in the area which was very nice.

We then made our way to Huisbrouwerij De Halve Maan, one of the oldest breweries in Bruges, for a tour. The 45 minute tour took us through their brewing process as well as into the older parts of the brewery. It was fun and informative although it might not be suitable for very young children due to the steep stairs in the brewery. The kids loved choosing from a selection of sodas at the end of the tour while my wife and I sampled some local beers. We decided to have lunch in their restaurant, and the food was very good. They also had a kids menu for our children to choose their meal from, which was also very nice.

After eating lunch, we made our way back to the main square area. We stopped to get some more Belgian chocolates at Chocolatier Dumon Walplein. They had a wonderful selection of different flavors of chocolates so we could not resist to get a small box of them. They even had some samples to try as we were making our purchase.

We finished the day by visiting the Choco-Story Museum, which delves into the history of chocolate, as well as the process of making chocolate, specifically focusing on Belgian chocolate. You get an audioguide at the start of the tour, which was really nice as it kept our kids engaged during our visit. There were also kid-friendly kiosks in some of the exhibit areas, which had games/activities for them to play as we moved through the museum. The kids loved the interactive exhibits and the chocolate-making demonstration at the end, where we got to try homemade Belgian truffles.

We stayed until the museum closed at 6 PM, and we could have spent more time there if we were allowed, as we did have to rush through a few of the exhibits. Pro Tip: If you are going to visit this museum, I would definitely allow for a full morning or afternoon to ensure you see everything here.

Why Bruges is Perfect for a Family Vacation

Bruges offers a perfect mix of history, culture, and family-friendly activities. It’s small enough to explore at a relaxed pace, making it an ideal destination for families with young children. From windmill visits to boat tours and Belgian chocolate, there’s something for everyone in this charming town.

If you’re planning a family vacation to Belgium, Bruges should definitely be on your list. It’s a welcoming, beautiful city with plenty of kid-friendly things to do, and we couldn’t have asked for a better start to our European adventure.

Have your been to Bruges before and if so, what were your favorite activities and sights to see? Let me know in the comments below!