Bruges with kids turned out to be one of the biggest surprises of our campervan journey through Europe. When we finally entered Belgium, Bruges was our first stop, and although we’d originally planned to stay only a few days, we were so captivated by its canals, cobblestone streets and medieval buildings that we extended our stay to an entire week!

We biked through the historic center, cruised the canals, ate far too many Belgian waffles and fries, learned more about chocolate, and even discovered a museum dedicated entirely to the humble potato.

Bruges may look like a romantic city made for couples, but we found so many things to do as a family that we really didn’t want to leave.

So if you’re wondering what it’s like to visit Bruges with kids, here are our favorite experiences, some fascinating things we learned along the way, and everything you need to plan your own family adventure.

A Little History of Bruges

Before exploring, it helps to know a little about the city you’re walking through.

Bruges is located in the Flanders region of Belgium and is famous for its beautifully preserved medieval architecture.

Its history goes back to the early Middle Ages, when a settlement developed around the waterways of the River Reie. Bruges eventually became an important center of trade, helped by its connections to the North Sea.

During the 12th and 13th centuries, the city flourished as merchants traded with other European commercial centers. Textiles, particularly the wool industry of Flanders, played an important role in Bruges’ wealth. The 14th and 15th centuries became Bruges’ Golden Age. Trade brought enormous wealth, while artists and craftsmen helped transform the city into an important cultural center. By the late 15th century, however, Bruges’ economic importance began to decline as trade patterns changed.

In a strange way, that decline helped preserve some of what makes Bruges so beautiful today.

Walking, or, in our case, biking, through the historic center feels like entering another time, with canals, narrow cobblestone streets and medieval buildings appearing around almost every corner. Pasted text

And now, let’s explore!

10 Amazing Things to Do in Bruges With Kids

1. Take a Boat Cruise Along the Canals

You can’t come to Bruges without experiencing its canals.

The city is often nicknamed the “Venice of the North” because of the waterways winding through its historic center. Long ago, these canals were essential for trade and transportation. Today, they’re one of the most beautiful ways to experience Bruges.

We managed to take a canal cruise on a rainy day. Probably not what we would have chosen! But we were gifted with a few moments when the sun peeked through the clouds, and honestly, the rain didn’t take anything away from the experience.

From the water, you get a completely different perspective of the city. You pass beneath little bridges, alongside historic buildings and, of course, see the swans that have become such a recognizable part of Bruges. For our family, this is definitely one of the experiences I wouldn’t miss.

2. Explore Markt and See the Belfry of Bruges

Markt, or Market Square, is the heart of Bruges.

This is where you’ll find some of the city’s most recognizable buildings, including the famous Belfry of Bruges. You can climb the Belfry’s 366 steps for panoramic views across the city. We also simply loved spending time around the square.

One of our favorite things to do when traveling is just sit somewhere central, eat something local and watch life happening around us.

In Bruges that meant fries and waffles while watching people walk by. Sometimes that’s as memorable as visiting another monument!

3. Visit the Frietmuseum — Yes, a Museum About Fries!

One of the most unusual, and surprisingly successful, experiences for our whole family in Bruges was the Frietmuseum.

Yes. There is an entire museum dedicated to the potato and fries!

And before you dismiss it as something silly, we spent two hours there. 

The museum follows the history of the potato from its origins in South America to its arrival in Europe and eventual transformation into one of Belgium’s most famous foods. We learned about potato farming, different varieties of potatoes and how they’re used, and, most importantly, the secrets behind making a proper Belgian fry.

You also discover the debate surrounding one very important question: Who actually invented French fries?

I won’t spoil everything for you! The exhibits were interactive enough to keep the kids interested while still having plenty of information for us adults.

And naturally, no visit to a potato museum would be complete without actually eating fries.

This was one of those museums that sounded funny when we first heard about it and ended up being one of the biggest family hits of our time in Bruges.

4. Eat Belgian Waffles

You knew this one was coming. You can’t visit Belgium without eating waffles!

But did you know there are actually two main types of Belgian waffles? The Brussels waffle is usually larger, lighter and crispier and is often served with toppings. The Liège waffle is smaller and denser, with pieces of pearl sugar that caramelize as the waffle cooks.

Naturally, we had to try both. Purely for research purposes, of course!

Our family vote? Three of us preferred Brussels waffles and two preferred Liège. 

You’ll just have to try both and decide which team you’re on.

5. Discover Belgian Chocolate at Choco-Story

If waffles aren’t enough, Bruges has another temptation waiting around practically every corner: Belgian chocolate.

Chocolate shops are everywhere, filled with pralines, truffles and some incredibly elaborate chocolate creations. But rather than simply eating chocolate, which obviously we did too, we decided to learn something about it. We visited Choco-Story Brugge, and it turned out to be another great museum for our family.

The museum takes you through the story of chocolate, from cacao’s origins and early uses to the development of the chocolate we recognize today.

We found it informative without being boring, which is always a good combination when you’re visiting a museum with kids. And chocolate is one subject that doesn’t take too much convincing to get everyone interested!

6. Bike Around

This was probably one of my favorite ways to experience the city. Because we were traveling with our campervan, we had our own bikes with us, and Bruges was perfect for exploring on two wheels.

We biked from our campsite into the historic center and then simply wandered. Or perhaps I should say rode.

There was something magical about cycling along the canals and suddenly finding ourselves on another tiny cobblestone street surrounded by beautiful old houses.

Having bikes also meant we weren’t constantly thinking about getting from attraction A to attraction B. We could simply explore. And some of our favorite parts of Bruges were discovered that way. 

7. Visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood

The Basilica of the Holy Blood is one of Bruges’ most fascinating religious sites. It houses a famous relic traditionally believed to contain the blood of Jesus Christ.

Whether you visit for religious reasons, history or simply curiosity, it’s an interesting place to include while exploring the historic center.

The relic also plays a central role in Bruges’ annual Procession of the Holy Blood, a centuries-old religious tradition held around Ascension Day.

It’s one of those places where Bruges’ history feels very much alive rather than simply something you read about on a plaque.

8. See Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child

Another fascinating stop is the Church of Our Lady, or Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk.

The church itself is impressive, but what makes it particularly special is that it houses Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child. Seeing a Michelangelo sculpture in Bruges might not be something you expect when planning a trip to Belgium, which makes it even more interesting.

And that’s something we found over and over again in Bruges. There was always another unexpected piece of history hiding somewhere.

9. Walk Through Minnewater Park

When you need a break from museums and busy streets, head toward Minnewater, often called the Lake of Love.

This is a beautiful area for simply slowing down. Walk along the water, watch the swans, cross the picturesque bridge or bring a picnic and spend some time in the park.

Traveling with kids doesn’t always have to mean finding another attraction. Sometimes everyone just needs some green space and time to wander.

10. Discover Bruges’ Historic Windmills

Windmills might make you immediately think of the Netherlands, but Bruges has some too.

Along the city’s old ramparts, you can find historic windmills that offer another glimpse into Bruges’ past.

This is also a nice reason to venture beyond the busiest streets of the historic center and see a quieter side of the city.

For families, combining the windmills with a walk or bike ride makes it even better.

Fun Facts About Bruges

One thing we love to do when we travel is learn unusual facts about the places we’re visiting. They somehow make a city more memorable, especially for the kids.

Here are a few things we learned about Bruges.

Bruges or Brugge?

You’ll see both names and may wonder which one is correct. Both!

Brugge is the Dutch name, while Bruges is the English and French form. Since Bruges is located in Flanders, Dutch is the local language.

Belgium itself has three official languages: Dutch, French and German. Pasted text

The Historic Center Is UNESCO Listed

The historic center of Bruges became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Once you’ve wandered through it, it’s not difficult to understand why.

We felt as though we’d stepped into a fairytale as we rode through town.

Bruges Is Famous for Lace

Bruges has a long tradition of lace-making.

You’ll still find lace shops around the city, making it an interesting traditional souvenir and another connection to Bruges’ history.

There’s a Beer Pipeline Under Bruges!

This might be one of my favorite Bruges facts. The De Halve Maan Brewery has an underground beer pipeline running beneath the city.

The pipeline was created so beer could travel from the historic brewery to its bottling facility outside the center without having trucks constantly navigating Bruges’ narrow streets. Only in Belgium!

A Few More Family Activities in Bruges

If you have more time, there are several other things you can add to your visit.

Historium Brugge was one place we didn’t manage to visit because we already had quite a few museums planned. It offers an immersive experience designed to transport visitors back to medieval Bruges, and it remains on our list for another visit.

You can also browse Bruges’ lace and craft shops or simply give yourself time to wander without a destination.

There are also horse-drawn carriage rides through the historic center, although today we’d recommend considering your own views on animal-based tourism before choosing one.

And don’t underestimate a simple family picnic. After days of sightseeing, sometimes sandwiches in a park are exactly what everyone needs.

Where Did We Stay With Our Campervan?

Because we arrived in Bruges with our campervan, finding a campsite close enough to the historic center was important.

We stayed at Camping Memling, and we loved it. It’s a small, family-run campsite only a short bike ride from central Bruges, and there was a park right behind it.

The location worked incredibly well for us. The historic Kruispoort city gate was around 2 km away, so we could easily bike into town. There were also restaurants, supermarkets and a swimming pool nearby. The campsite was small and filled quickly. In fact, on our first night, we had to park outside the actual campsite near the office. The following day, people left and we were moved to a proper spot.

Another feature we appreciated was the self-check-in machine, which meant we weren’t restricted to arriving during office hours. If you’re planning to stay there, I’d recommend checking the current information and reserving ahead rather than relying on finding a space when you arrive. 

Can you tell we loved it?!

How Do You Get to Bruges?

Bruges is relatively easy to reach, whether you’re traveling through Belgium or coming from another European country.

By Train

For many travelers, the train is one of the easiest options. Brugge railway station connects the city with Brussels and other Belgian destinations. If you’re arriving at Brussels Airport, you can continue to Bruges by train. Once you arrive, the historic center is compact enough that you can explore much of it on foot.

By Car or Campervan

This was obviously our choice! Bruges is connected by road with cities including Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp. If you’re staying outside the historic center, having bikes, as we did, can be a fantastic way to get around without needing to drive into the center every day.

By Air

The main international gateway for many visitors is Brussels Airport. From there, you can continue toward Bruges by train or other ground transportation.

Is Bruges Worth Visiting With Kids?

For us, absolutely.

We arrived expecting to stay a few days. We stayed a week.

That probably says more about how we felt about Bruges than anything else I could write.

The museums surprised us with how interesting they were. The canals were beautiful. The waffles, chocolate and fries certainly didn’t hurt either!

But one of my favorite memories is simply biking around Bruges. We would turn down a street without knowing exactly where it went and suddenly discover another canal, a beautiful house, an old bridge or some unexpected little corner.

And I think that’s what made Bruges so memorable for us.

Sometimes it isn’t only the major sites that make an adventure special. It’s also the unexpected routes you take while exploring. 

Our first stop in Belgium turned into an entire week, and Bruges became one of those places we simply didn’t want to leave.

Now all I can wish you is happy travels and remember: Adventure is just around the corner!

See you in the next country!

Continue the journey with:

If you are planning a trip to Europe, these family adventures should definitely be on your radar:

• Discovering Bruges With Kids: 10 Amazing Things to Do on a Family Trip
• 20 fun things to do in Copenhagen with your family
• Luxembourg City: our Fantastic Family Adventure exploring
• Ireland by Campervan: Our magical 2019 trip
• Croatia with Kids: Three Months of Slow Travel, History, and Nature
• Lake Ohrid: 7 fun things to do with our kids
• Our Montenegro travel itinerary

I hope our experiences help you plan an unforgettable European adventure of your own!