If you’re anything like me (i.e. a planning freak), you probably like to know what to expect and which spots are worth the trip way in advance. Well, you’ve come to the right place! I’ve put together this guide to the best photo and Instagram spots in Bruges to save you time and – hopefully – make you look forward to visiting this medieval gem!
All you have to do is walk through the streets of Bruges and along its canals to instantly understand what earned it its nickname of “Venice of the North”. But hey! This quaint medieval Belgian town is just as photogenic and surely has nothing to envy to its (far more popular) big sister!
My top tips for taking pictures in Bruges
- Wake up early! Most tourists in Bruges usually come for the day without actually spending the night in the city, which means you can avoid the crowds until around 9 am,depending on the season.
- I’ve organized the photo spots in a logical order. If you arrive from the train station, simply do it the other way around and start with spot number 5.
- What’s the best way to get from spot to spot? Bruges is actually a very walkable city. Its historic center is rather small, which means you won’t need anything more than a good pair of shoes.
- Are you travelling solo? Good news: all these spots are tripod friendly (as long as you wake up early enough).
- Just type the name of each spot directly into Google maps. No hidden corners here, you will easily find each of these spots by typing in the street or monument name.
Photo Spot #1: Church of Our Lady
Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwkerk in Dutch) is probably one of Bruge’s most famous buildings. It took two centuries to build this gothic style church which is now home to The Madonna of Bruges by Michelangelo.
The Church of Our Lady is also accessible to the public from Monday-Saturday from 9.30 am-5 pm and on Sunday from 12-5 pm.
On to the next stop! The good news is you won’t have to travel very far since its literaly next to The Church of our Lady.
Photo spot #2: Bonifacius Bridge/Guesthouse Bonifacius
If you’ve already started planning your trip to Bruges, you’ve probably come across this picturesque bridge several times as well as this typical wooden house.
What if I told you that you could spend the night there? This place is actually a four-star Bed and Breakfast called ‘Guesthouse Bonifacius’. Honestly, I can’t think of a better place to stay in Bruges!
Want to know more? I’ve written a detailed review of my experience at Guesthouse Bonidacius, from the location to the price range, breakfast, etc. If you’re looking for the best place to stay in Bruges, you should definitely consider this one. Enjoy!
Photo spot #3: Gruuthusemuseum
The Gruuthuse Museum is located right behind the Church of Our Lady. This museum used to belong to one of the richest families of Bruges.
What I love about this place is that there are many interesting angles to try out. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed 🙂
Photo spot #4: Rozenhoedkaai
This romantic street is undoubtedly the ultimate picture-perfect postcard spot in Bruges.
However, keep in mind that it is also one of Bruges’ most popular (and probably most photographed) spots! There’s also a super busy boat tour stop right where I’m sitting, which means you should definitely go there and shoot as early as possible.
But I can tell you that you won’t regret the early wake-up call, especially if you manage to catch the beautiful morning light.
Photo spot #5: Blinde-Ezelstraat
This beautiful golden arch will lead you straight to our next stop – Burg square – but I really think that this street alone is worth stopping by. It’s probably my favorite spot on this list. By the way, in Dutch, ‘Blinde Ezel’ means blind donkey.
Photo spot #6: Bruges City Hall (Stadthuis)
The stunning Gothic-style City Hall of Bruges was built between 1376 and 1421, which makes it one of the oldest city halls of the Low Countries. If you get a chance to visit it, you will be able to admire its stunning murals and vault depicting the history of Bruges.
Photo spot #7: The Markt
We’ve reached our final spot, the ‘Markt’, located just a few minutes away from Burg square. When I said earlier that Rozenhoedkaai was probably Bruge’s most picture-perfect and photographed street, I forgot to mention that The Markt is definitely a serious competitor.
One last tip for photographers: there are several restaurants around the square which means you’re likely find delivery trucks blocking the view early in the morning. Make sure to arrive extra early… or right before the first tourist arrive.
Bonus photo spots: Bruge’s canals and bridges
Bruges wouldn’t be Bruges without its countless canals and quaint bridges. It won’t take you long before you start daydreaming about buying a house along the water. I certainly did!
Some are rather quiet and located right outside of the center, some are more “touristy”. Anyway, they’re all worth taking a shot… or two…
or three 😉
Photo spot #8: Groenerei
I think that this street and its bridge are the number one reason why I’m considering visiting Bruges again in the autumn. I mean, look it!
This spot is located next to Rozenhoedkaai, Stadhuis, and the arch of Blinde-Ezelstraat. Make sure to check the Google Map I have included at the end of this spot to have a look at the full itinerary.
Photo spot #9: Koningsbrug
This picture was taken in the middle of the afternoon and the area was pretty quiet. You’ll be able to reach Koningsbrug (King’s bridge) in less than 10 minutes from The Markt. It’s located right next to Jan Van Eyck square, which is also worth a quick visit.
As promised, here’s the complete itinerary! Hopefully, this will help you plan your trip more easily:
Yay! You’ve reached the end of this post about the best photo/Instagram spots in Bruges! Of course, Bruges has way more to offer than just a few photo spots. It’s the kind of city where you can just spend hours wandering the streets and learning about its rich past and culture. Enjoy your trip!
If you enjoyed this post, let me know on Instagram, that would make my day 🙂 @rosesandpostcards
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