HOW TO SPEND A WEEKEND IN BRUGES ON AN BUDGET

Unsurprisingly, Bruges is crowded with tourists (more than 15 million vs. a population of approximately 120,000). But I want to show you how to maximize your time in Bruges on a tight budget. No waffles or beer left behind.

How to Spend a Weekend in Bruges on a Budget

Bruges, Brugge, or whatever you call it, this charming city in northwest Belgium will please. You can easily conquer this city in one week, a day, or even a few minutes and not be disappointed.

Tips To Visit Bruges On A Budget

Do it yourself (free) chocolate tour at Wollestraat.

Wandering Wollestraat is one of the most affordable activities in Bruges. It’s a street that is lined with chocolate from start to end. You can try many of them. It is essential to look innocent and not as if you are only there to get free samples.

If you need the incentive to buy, Confiserie Crevin has a chocolate shop that allows you to use their chocolate fountain right after you purchase.

Grab a Waffle at Chez Albert

A trip to Belgium is complete with waffles. There are two types of waffles in Bruges.

• The Brussels waffle is the traditional version. It’s light, crispy, and rectangular. Similar to what you would make at home.
• Liege waffles are made with a thicker batter. They are much more comprehensive than cinnamon rolls and have more uneven edges.

Above is a Liege waffle with chocolate whipped cream priced at EUR4,50

It’s available for purchase at these locations:

This was purchased at Chez Albert, next to Burg Square. We split it two ways and paid EUR2,25 for each serving. This waffle was delicious and super sweet. We didn’t feel deprived. It was well worth every single euro.

Take a look at the beautiful architecture of Burg Square.

You can then visit Burg Square and see the stunning Gothic Town Hall (or Stadhuis) dating back to 1376. Neo-Classicist, Gothic, and Renaissance architectural styles are found in this square area.

Continue your walk from the square to explore the colorful alleyways that lead to the canal. It is beautiful, accessible, and very photogenic.

Take the Halve Mann Brewery Tour

Brouwerij De Halve Maan Brugge’s tour takes approximately 45 minutes. It costs EUR10 per person and includes a complimentary drink of their blonde beer. The family-run brewery dates back to 1856.

Throughout the tour, you’ll see how new and old brewing techniques are combined. The pipe will also be transporting beer from the brewery to the bottling plant.

Hot Tip

You can also go to the brewery’s top to enjoy a 360-degree view of the city. This is a great way to save the EUR10 that you would have spent on the Belfry in Bruges—a win-win situation for anyone looking to see all of Bruges without breaking the bank.

The Traditional Flemish Stew is a great choice.

This one is a given. You can also get Flemish Stew’s rich flavor from dark beer, one of its key ingredients.

The beef is tender, delicious, and melts in the mouth. Although the food in Bruges can be expensive, we were able to split the stew with a bowl of fries to keep it within our budget.

Go to the pub to taste local beer.

You can stop at any pub to sample some local beers on tap. They are far superior to any other beer you have ever tried. They are truly unique.

Many pubs offer flights so that you can sample a wide range of Bruges’ offerings. Le Trappist is a well-known cellar bar that offers 100+ beers. It’s one of the most popular places for tasting paddles. For five 150ml beers, a paddle will cost EUR12.

Enjoy a Canal Cruise in Bruges

The canal tour is one of the most cost-effective ways to see Bruges without breaking the bank. A few operators offer a 30-minute tour for EUR8. This is plenty of time to see the city.

• A fun fact is that the canals are closed off and don’t go anywhere. The channels are closed to private boat traffic, so tour boats are the only activity you will see.
• Fun Fact #2: The locals can be seen swimming in the canals during the summer.

You can see the entire city from the boat in thirty minutes. Your knowledgeable guide will take you through the history. You can also enjoy hot chocolate and other hot beverages while traveling in winter.