It was quite easy to determine which city should I go in Belgium. However, it wasn’t easy to arrange which city I should go first and how the itinerary would play out. I wanted my itinerary to be efficient, so I stayed on Antwerpen for two days and brussel for one day. However I went to Antwerpen, Brugge, Brussels, as well as Dinant. Here’s the recap of my itinerary on Belgium
| Day | City where i stayed Overnight | Activities/ Point of interests |
|---|---|---|
| Day-0 | Antwerpen | Explored Rotterdam (Netherland), Hopped on a train to Antwerpen |
| Day-1 | Antwerpen | Brugge (took day train from antwerpen to Brugge and vice versa) |
| Day-2 | Brussel | Antwerpen, then took a train to Brussel |
| Day-3 | Luxembourg | Brussel and Dinant, then took a train to Luxembourg |
The trip to Belgium was part of three weeks of my first-solo-trip ever in Europe. It was on April 2017. It took me three years to write about the journey, since I used my spare time to plan about my next trip (instead of write about them!). Procrastination also plays part ;). Thanks to Coronavirus, I am now able to write about my past trip. Without further ado, here’s what I visited on my first day on Belgium, which happened on Brugge as well.
Visiting Potterierei
Potterierei is the name of the street in Brugge. The name comes from Potterrie Hospital in its neighbourhood. Hospital Onze-Lieve-Vrouw ter Potterie was established in 1269. Large quantities of pottery were found during construction works along the area which indicates the potters presence in middle age (source: Wikipedia).
What I love most about Potterierei is the small colourful houses dotting along the street and reflected by the Langerei Canal. I spent hours walking along Langerei and Potterierei street and seek for reflections photo. If you visiting Brugge, make sure walking along Potterierei area in your itinerary. You’ll thank me later 😉
Sint Salvators Kathedraal
My walking along Potterierei street brought me to Brugge Historical Area where almost all historical buildings were located. I entered Sint Salvators Kathedraal, the main church of the city. When I arrived, there was a preparation for the afternoon’s event/prayer, and therefore visitors were only allowed to be around in some area. This Cathedral has 101 meters long interior. After the roof collapse due to the fire in 1839, the tower was restored to make it taller than Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk.
The Market Square (Markt)
Markt is probably the most lively area in Brugge. Brugge Markt is surrounded by historical buildings, including the Belfry. Back in 958, this place was just as lively as a marketplace. Nowadays, the market day is every Wednesday and the area is filled with market stalls selling veggies, flowers, as well as snacks. The statues in the middle of the square are of Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck. Horse-drawn carriage available if you want to tour around the area. Don’t miss the opportunity to take pictures with belfry and colourful brick houses as a background.
Historium
While you are in the Market Square, make your way to visit Historium. Historium is an attraction located in the Markt, in one of its historical building. One of the best attractions is the virtual reality experience, told from Jan Van Eyke’s pupil Jacob’s point of view. The experience will open our eyes what it’s like brugge back the during the medieval age. Visitors will be guided to 7 difference rooms, where different decorations, sound effects, and visual effects will bring you to the Brugges in 1435. The entrance fee will include one hour Virtual reality experience, a terrace with panoramic view of the Markts, and entrance to the café.
The ticket story and Virtual experience for adult costs 17,5 EUR, and it costs additional 8 EUR if you want to buy an access to the Historium Tower of beautiful 360 degree view of the Brugges landscape. Historium opens daily from 11 am to 6 pm. For more update schedule and visitor information, please visit its official website.
Belfry (Bell Tower)
During the 13th, this impressive tower was built. It’s 83 meters high (363 steps) and give you the best view of Brugges. The bells in the tower ring during fire alarms and various religious, social and political events. The carillon in the tower has 47 bells. The carilloneur plays the bells on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11.00 a.m. to 12.00 midday. In the summer you can enjoy special carillon concerts. (source: museabrugge.be)
The tower opens daily from 9:30 am to 6 pm and it costs 14 EUR for the entrance fee. Visit Belfry’s official website for more updated visitor information.
Buy a Belgian Waffle in a café Downtown
A journey back to Medieval Brugge is not complete without accompanying food. I made a quick stop in a nearby restaurants along my way back to Brugge Central Station. I did not do any research, I just entered a cute café and ordered the basic chocolate waffe as a complement to an already perfect afternoon.
My journey in Brugge ended as I entered the Brugge Central Station, about to embark a train ride back to Antwerpen. Brugge was my first out of five cities that I went in Belgium, and I felt that it deserves at least three good days to explore the city. If you have much time, consider to stay longer in this city.
