When I first visited the beautiful medieval town of Bruges back in February 2007, Burg Square was glistening with Christmas lights. Filming of ‘In Bruges’, the dark comedy starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson was underway. In the film, Farrell’s character, Ray, describes Bruges as a “shithole”. Throughout the film, the contrast between the old world beauty of Bruges and the ugliness of the criminal underworld is what stands out most for me. Watching the film made me want to return to the magical, fairytale town again. What better time than at Christmas? Getting to Bruges is easy as it’s only an hour’s train journey from Brussels.
Grand Hotel Casselbergh
Centrally located next to the historic Burg and the main Market Square, the Grand Hotel Casselbergh is the ideal place to start your Bruges adventure. The ambience of the hotel is immersed with the authentic atmosphere of the medieval Bruges. Reception rooms are tastefully furnished and decorated with stunning 18th century art. As I walked into the lounge room, St Nicholas himself was sitting on the sofa waiting to greet me! The old part of the hotel dates back to the 17th century when the building was the royal palace of King Charles II.
Christmas Markets
On a Saturday evening, Burg Square is peaceful and glowing with Christmas lights. The day trippers have all returned home after shopping at the Christmas markets. You’ll find stalls selling mulled wine, traditional Belgian waffles, handmade decorations and jewellery. Grote Square is home to the largest Christmas market in Bruges and the perfect place to get all of your festive feels in the cobbled city until January 8th. The charming buildings have an old world feel and remind me of a gingerbread village! While strolling around Burg Square, I found the perfect selfie spot in front of the giant Christmas tree outside the Town Hall.
Basilica of the Holy Blood
The Basilica of the Holy Blood is a medieval Roman Catholic church in Burg Square that houses the relic of the Holy Blood of Christ. Originally built in Romanesque style, the upper chapel was transformed to Gothic Style at the end of the 15th century. Like Brendan Gleeson’s character, Ken in the film, ‘In Bruges ‘, I also paid a visit to see the relic. The small museum beside the basilica is worth the entry price of €5 and you can view many stunning pieces of Romanesque artwork.
Chocolate Museum
Enter a world of pure imagination at Choco Story Bruges and learn about the 5,500 year history of chocolate. This is a very immersive experience and allows you to experience a sensory journey through time, where you not only look, but also smell and taste! As well as learning how chocolate is made, you can view the fascinating display of chocolate pots and cups used during 18th century France. When Marie Antoinette fancied a hot beverage while out travelling in her carriage, she brought a compact box with a space for a trembling cup to prevent spillage during the bumpy ride. At the end of the tour, you can attend a chocolate making demonstration & finally get to taste some delectable chocolate!
Bruges Canals
I couldn’t leave Bruges without visiting the city’s most picturesque hotspot along the canals, Rozenhoedkaai (Rosary Quay). It’s the perfect place to hop on a boat for a canal tour. Strolling along the beautiful canals on a bright but chilly December morning, I felt the romance of this special place work its magic!
For a magical pre-Christmas treat, I highly recommend staying a few days in Bruges in December to experience the Christmas markets. It’s also a beautiful place to visit during the summer, which is the optimum time to enjoy a canal tour.
All photos copyright of the author
