If you just looked at it from the outside, it’s kind of dark. It’s kinda old. It’s kind of scary. But inside, is a beautiful piece! Visiting the Basilica of the Holy Blood is a two-part experience. The lower chapel, dedicated to St. Basil, is a striking contrast to the upper one. It's a rare example of Romanesque architecture in the region, featuring a dark, somber atmosphere with heavy pillars and stone vaulting. Climbing the staircase leads you to the vibrant upper chapel, a dazzling display of colorful Gothic and Neo-Gothic art. This ornate space is breathtaking, with intricate stained glass windows, rich tapestries, and beautiful paintings. The main attraction is the revered relic of the Holy Blood, housed in a magnificent golden reliquary. The transition from the austere lower chapel to the glittering upper chapel creates a powerful and memorable journey.

It’s easy to miss the Basilica of the Holy Blood, as it’s tucked away in a corner of Burg Square. The basilica has two chapels: a lower chapel and an upper chapel. The lower chapel, dedicated to St. Basil the Great, is a beautiful example of Romanesque architecture that has remained largely unchanged for centuries. The upper chapel is built in the Gothic style and was renovated in the 19th century, offering a stunning contrast to the simpler, historic lower level. Admission to both chapels is free, making it an accessible and rewarding stop. Adjacent to the basilica is a small museum (entrance fee €5) that traces the fascinating history of the chapel and the relic of the Holy Blood. In my opinion, this is an absolute must-see when visiting Bruges—a place where history, art, and spirituality come together in a remarkable way.

Visiting the Basilica of the Holy Blood was one of the most emotional and memorable moments of my trip. Nestled on the historic Burg Square, this church may look modest from the outside, but once you step inside, it reveals an atmosphere filled with reverence, history, and beauty that truly takes your breath away. I felt incredibly special and grateful to be there. to stand in such a sacred space and even take a quiet moment to pray for something deeply personal. The basilica consists of two chapels: the lower Romanesque chapel of Saint Basil the Great, built in the 12th century, and the upper Gothic chapel, which was later renovated in the 19th century with vibrant paintings and intricate decorations. The church is believed to house a precious relic of the Holy Blood of Jesus Christ, brought to Bruges from the Holy Land around 1150 by Count Thierry of Alsace after the Second Crusade. This relic is displayed in an ornate vial, and during certain times of the day, visitors can approach it closely to pay their respects or say a prayer. The interior is breathtaking, richly painted arches, colorful mosaics, and stained-glass windows that glow with biblical scenes when sunlight filters through. The details on the wooden ceiling and the patterns on the columns are exquisite; every corner seems to tell a story. I couldn’t help but feel humbled and moved, surrounded by centuries of faith and devotion. Even though it’s a popular site, people speak softly, adding to the peaceful, sacred feeling of the place. It’s not just a historical monument, it’s a space where you can truly feel a connection to something timeless and spiritual. Visiting this basilica was a profound and unforgettable experience.

This Basilica is amazingly calm and peaceful. Whether you’re religious or not, you can feel it in the ambience. The relic was on display at 12pm, after the 11AM mass downstairs. (My husband and I attended on a Wednesday.) The stuff are nice and friendly. You can take pictures of the Chapel but not of the relic. Come & pray, and be respectful. This is such a sacred place ❤️

They are two churches. One at the ground level and another one upstairs. You go up a spiral staircase to see the second one. They are right next to each other. Very beautiful church. They open around 10 am. Very old and gothic. There is a small museum inside. Church is free to enter but you need ticket for museum.

My family and me Visited from Florida, USA. The Basilica of the Holy Blood is absolutely beautiful and peaceful. It’s a stunning Roman Catholic church in Bruges that holds a relic of the Holy Blood, which makes the experience even more meaningful. A must-see when exploring the city!

This small basilica is located in Bruges, Belgium. It's claim to fame is the fact that it is alleged to house a vial of Christ's blood which is on display. The Church itself is beautiful with it's medieval decor. It can be regarded as an important stop for those interested in religious history.

Very nice art museum with an interesting exhibit about medieval books. Lacked a bit of variety because you can only see so many paintings of Jesus on the cross before it gets boring. The highlight for me the Boschs tryptic. Stunning. Overall for the price it was pretty good.

A museum of the history of Flamish art starting with the primitive artist until today. A must see in Bruges if only for the Jan van Eyck masterpiece! Very well organized, flows chronological from room to room, with good description for the period and the highlilighted pieces.

Lovely museums with very friendly staff and incredible collections. After a busy day enjoying Bruges with its beautiful canals and old buildings, this is such a nice and quiet escape from the crowd. It might not be as big as other big museums in Belgium but I still feel like it’s one of those that is worth to visit.

I had the best time visiting the Groeninge Museum today. Epic masterpieces and so many of the fun creepy depictions of demons from the renaissance art that keep you guessing. The audio guide was helpful and they have a great gift shop with postcards and trinkets from the collection. Would recommend if visiting Bruges!

A small yet truly remarkable collection of paintings. The staff were incredibly friendly and really enhanced the experience. The entire venue is laid out in a clear and logical manner, so you never feel confused or overwhelmed. It's simple to navigate through the exhibition and genuinely appreciate each piece without feeling drained. A fantastic place to view works by Flemish artists in a quiet, well-organized environment.

Must see in place in Bruges. Unique collection of medieval art from Flemish masters like: Bosch, Yan van Eyck.

Sizeable museum with a magnificent collection of mostly Flemish Medieval art. Very impressive, extending into 17 and 18th century paintings.

My husband had previously visited here years ago with his best friend, so when we came to Bruges for a family day out, he was keen to bring us here, especially as I come from a brewing town. As the outdoor seating area was full, we found a table and although the rest of us stuck to soft drinks, my husband enjoyed reminiscing with a few beers. Lovely place to spend a few hours and there is a good shop too

Huisbrouwerij De Halve Maan in Bruges is a must-visit for beer lovers. The brewery has an incredible history and is still family-run, which makes the experience even more special. The tour is fascinating — not only do you get to learn about the brewing process in detail, but you also get to see their famous *beer pipeline* (“cerveceducto”) that runs under the city to connect the brewery with the bottling plant. The quality of their beer is outstanding, and tasting it fresh at the source is unforgettable. The staff and tour guides are excellent — knowledgeable, engaging, and very welcoming. The restaurant is also quite good, with hearty dishes that pair perfectly with their beers. That said, it’s a very popular spot, so it can feel a bit touristy and busy at times. Still, the overall experience is absolutely worth it — great beer, rich history, and a unique piece of Bruges culture.

Multiple friends (local and travel buddies) recommended this brewery as a must-visit. It did not disappoint. The unfiltered Belgian beers were stellar. The beer is piped in from the brewery 3.2km away. The vibe is chill and fun. Waiters are always circling around, checking on you. Definitely one of my favorite spots. I didn't get to try the food, but glancing at other peoples tables, it looked great too!

Really nice brewery with a great vibe! Always easy to find a spot, and the draft beer tastes fantastic. There’s a lovely outdoor area to sit and relax, and you can also join a brewery tour if you’re interested. Definitely worth stopping by for a pint (or two)!

The tour of the Brewery was okay.We didn’t really understand the English Guide,but it was acceptable.When you buy tickets for the tour you also get a beer that is not filtered and it’s natural.It was very good,I loved the new flavor!The food was pretty expensive for how it tasted.The beef stew made in beer was bitter,but the melon and prosciutto salad was okay..but pricey. After all it was a great experience..but not worth eating there.

The insightful guided tour gave details on beer processing and the unique tube transport method! The place shows the dynasty of the owners along history by having both very modern equipment and also keeping the old equipment highlighted in every corner as a reminder of their heritage.

We came here for the brewery tour and it was absolutely fantastic. Marie was very informative and super knowledgeable and entertaining. The beer here was amazing and served in interesting surroundings. Well worth it if you’re ‘in Bruges’

Stepping inside this church is an awe-inspiring experience. The scale of the architecture is simply breathtaking, with soaring ceilings and a real sense of historic grandeur. The church is filled with incredible works of art, from masterpiece paintings to intricate sculptures. The stained-glass windows are particularly beautiful, filling the space with colored light and creating a truly peaceful atmosphere. A must-visit for anyone who appreciates history, art, and stunning architecture.

Amazing artwork - paintings, exquisitely carved wooden pulpit and confessionals and the treasure of Bruges, Madonna and Child. Worth every penny to get into the paid area. Even if you are not strongly religious, the artwork is awe inspiring and worth it for the history and the beauty.

Beautiful church. Peaceful when you visit. Nice well maintained architecture. No ticket needed. Good place to take photo of whole church are on the museum close by. Enjoy !

Its 115.6 m tower is one of the tallest brick buildings in the world. Period: 13th–15th century Houses the famous Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child (ca. 1504), one of the few Michelangelo sculptures to leave Italy during his lifetime. Also contains the elaborate tombs of Mary of Burgundy and Charles the Bold, pivotal Burgundian rulers.

This is a must-see see church when visiting Bruges. The church is famous for housing a Michelangelo sculpture of Madonna with child. Entrance into the church is free but you have to purchase a ticket to view the sculpture. The church tower is the tallest structure in the city and 3rd tallest brick tower in the world. Take time to admire the flying butresses that support the massive tower.

Beautiful church. It’s open to public but if you want to go see the museum you have to pay for it. Very big and gothic.

This is one of Bruges’ most iconic landmarks and a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Its soaring brick tower, reaching 115.5 meters (379 feet), is the tallest structure in Bruges and one of the tallest brick towers in the world. Construction began in the 13th century and continued for two centuries, resulting in a harmonious blend of architectural styles. The church is especially famous for housing Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child, the only one of his sculptures to have left Italy during his lifetime. Inside, visitors can also admire ornate altarpieces, medieval tombs of Burgundy nobility, and beautiful stained-glass windows. The tombs of Charles the Bold and Mary of Burgundy are particularly noteworthy for their historical and artistic significance. The Church of Our Lady is both a spiritual sanctuary and an artistic treasure, offering insight into the religious and cultural richness of medieval Bruges.

We went to Choco-Story with kids on a Sunday. The tour is a lot of up and down on stairs, so we had to part our stroller and carry the little one. There is a an elevator but not sure when it is used and it makes it possible to tour in a stroller/wheelchair. It was crowded so it was a bit hard to enjoy the various displays/interactive games etc. in the museum. There is an audio device provided which can be used to point at various points in the tour and listen to the information. The displays were interesting as it went through the various time periods of chocolate making chronologically. It also had an area which described the step-by-step chocolate making process followed in Belgium, but it would have been better to show things more physically than on a screen. There were various interactive games which adults and kids could play which was great, but a few of them were not easy to use properly or were not working. There is some chocolate to taste in the end (each type: dark, white, milk, amber) and also if you are able to time it correctly, some live chocolate that's made in front of you. The chocolate figures in the end were nice to see. Overall, an interesting tour which could have been even better with a little less crowd and a little more chocolate making.

wonderful spot for chocolate enthusiasts, offering plenty to see, taste, and learn. The experience is rich in flavour and history, making it a treat for the senses. However, be prepared for lots of stairs throughout the visit—something to keep in mind if you’re bringing small children or anyone with mobility concerns

Seriously overpriced and poor museum. Was a running joke of the weekend how poor this museum was. 100% a tourist trap. Only redeeming factor was some free chocolate buttons at the end of the museum and that there a couple of models made from chocolate. Entry should be €4-5 euros max. Even the chocolate isn’t made locally. Might be half decent for kids. All the artefacts in the museum are fake. You get given an audio guide to go around listen too.

This was a good museum, but it’s not cheap. Overall, for me, it just about represents value for money. We arrived right on opening at 10am, when there was already a large number of people waiting. The slightly chaotic opening was hampered by a large group being ushered through ahead of everybody. There are some interesting facts about chocolate that I learned from the Museum and it took us just over an hour to get everything we wanted from our visit.

Decent experience, a bit pricey. Don't have many demonstrations & you can't smell the chocolate like I'd expect. Great to learn about the history of Belgium chocolate & interactive features throughout the museum.

The chocolate here is delicious, and the visit is both fun and educational. It’s very interesting to learn about the origin of cocoa beans and the chocolate manufacturing process. A great experience for anyone who loves chocolate.

At the end they show how basic chocolate is made and you get to eat some for free. The thingies you use to go around with the audiobook don’t work perfectly, sometimes you need to swipe across four times before it works but they have fun little mini games you can play as you go room through room and collect points!! If you take a photo at the end, give them your email otherwise you won’t get it, the people in front of us apparently didn’t notice A Bit inaccurate about how everything between Hernan Cortez and Moctezuma went down tho

Food: Excellent! They offer a “surprise” tasting menu (no substitutions allowed). Mix of meat, fish, and veggie courses, and everything is dressed up with fresh edible herbs and flowers. Note that the website says that if you want to upgrade the lunch tasting menu that you need to request with your reservation, but they offered the upgrade to me on the spot. Service: Server was nice; every course was well explained. The chef even came out to explain one of the dishes. Atmosphere: Beautiful! Not sure you can go wrong in Bruges. The restaurant is located in a quieter section, so it was really nice to sit outside and enjoy the meal!

Absolute 10 out of 10. So creative but never at the expense of deliciousness. Lunch was a 5-course set menu and the chef made sure to visit every table to provide info on the dishes being served. I am also a huge fan of the vibe/decor of Bruut. Very cool.

What a special place! The chef will attest that this restaurant is not "fancy." And while there are no white tablecloths or synchronized service and dishes appear more on the wholesome side; make no mistake. There is incredible technique and complexity on every plate. Of course it goes without saying that a meal here is best enjoyed with a wine pairing. It is clear how closely the chef and sommelier work together to create the entire dining experience. Lastly, I don't really like sweets or desserts but I will never forget that rolled crepe.

One of the best dining, food, and wine experiences I have ever had. The food was innovative, the wine pairings were perfect, and featured many natural wines that were some of the best I have ever tasted. Bruno was there at every dish, explaining, sharing his vision, and it made the experience so rich and truly next level. It's not bougie, but high level rustic, perfect, not pretentious. I could list every course and tell you how beautiful and thoughtful each one was, but he adapts the menu as ingredients come available, so, don't walk, RUN to Bruut if you are in the COUNTRY of Belgium. It will be the best food experience you have had in a long time. I will be back, without a doubt.

A great find. Starting from the rustic setting, the Grower Champagne (Bistrøtage B19, on par with Grand Cru Cuvées) and the delightful dishes. Among the highlights was the salad, inspiried by Michael Bras' canonical "Gargouillou", along with the monkfish and veal, where the carefully curated vegetable sidedishes almost stole the show. On a side-note for potentiell guests: If more on the high-strung or thin-skinned side better steer clear, if you can not handle playful banter.

Fantastic lunch experience. Cosy friendly atmosphere. All dishes were really innovative yet well thought through and coherent, in particular thanks to the amazing sauces. Difficult to pick one in particular but the burnt leek with mussel sauce and the fig on fig on fig dessert were outstanding!

Bistro Bruut had such a creative and inspiring menu. Our waiter and chef were fantastic and brought such a sense of personality to the place. The decor and setting were fantastic and really added to the experience, we would gladly recommend to anyone! The only thing I noticed was that toilets are down some quite steep stairs so if you have any mobility restrictions this might not be the most accessible place.

This is such a lovely restaurant and we had one of the best meals we’ve eaten anywhere. The set menu was fantastic value but also offered some wonderful flavours, inspired of course by Flemish cuisine. Service was friendly yet professional and efficient. The wine list was also really good.

A delightful evening with fantastic food and a super attentive and personal service. Thank you so much for the wine recommendations and a beautiful dinner.

Excellent food, well priced and good ambience. Staff were friendly and helpful too. The two course lunch menu for only €31 felt very good value for money and the three course set meal was spectacular - the pheasant main in particular.

The food is perfection, every bite is delicious. The warm asparagus salad was one of the best dishes I've ever eaten.

Family Zimmerman welcomes you in their foodies place. You can enjoy al la carte or the menues with 3 up to 5 courses. Dishes are very tasty. They have a well selected wine list, you can find something from all over the world. Thx for a nice time.

A gem in Bruges! Food is in top quality and so tasty. Lunch menu is great value. Probably the best three course lunch menu so far in our 7 weeks trip in Europe. Owner and staff are great. You should book it now if you are reading this.

Food was delicious, really nice restaurant. Staff very attentive and welcoming. Highly recommend. We had the 5 course and a 3 course and white wine. Top notch.

I visited this restaurant 10 years ago and had a fantastic experience, which led me to book again, particularly because the website advertised live music on Friday evenings featuring local artists. Unfortunately, upon arrival, there was no live music, and the atmosphere was quite lackluster. Despite the restaurant being nearly empty, we were seated between two other tables, creating a cramped dining experience. Interestingly, the couple seated next to us mentioned they had also booked expecting live music. The food was mediocre. We ordered the beef stew, which had good quality meat but was served lukewarm. Overall, it was a disappointing evening. While I understand the experience might differ during peak season, the website's promotion of live music was misleading and left us dissatisfied.

Fantastic experience at Bistro Zwart Huis! The food was absolutely delicious, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. The atmosphere is cozy and full of character, and the live music made the evening even more special. The staff were friendly. Truly a place you don’t want to miss when visiting Brugge!

We visited Zwart Huis during our trip to Bruges, and it turned out to be one of the highlights! The atmosphere is truly special — dim lighting, live jazz (or great music), and a stylish interior in a beautiful historic building. The food was outstanding: the meat was cooked perfectly, and gave a great insight into Belgian cuisine. The service was super friendly and attentive without being intrusive, but also very welcoming and cosy, as if you were visiting old friends. A perfect spot for a romantic dinner or a dreamy evening with friends over wine. Would absolutely come back! ❤️

Lovely restaurant with a little bar area. Great service, excellent food! Beware large portions! We had a starter and a main each but probably should have had a starter to share, as 3 out of 4 of us couldn't finish our main even though it was delicious! Croquettes & Belgian stew were fantastic! Beautiful looking interior with dual level, open fire on the top level and stunning lighting, jazz instruments decorate the walls and complement the jazz music being played.

Delicious food it took a while for us to get our food but it was worth the wait. We seem to have been maybe forgotten? The décor is fantastic the fireplace adds so much to the ambiance of the whole place. One derful music playing kept the place lively, very crowded when we were there as they told us it is like that all the time!

Very nice food and very friendly service. Had a delicious meal here earlier, didn't have a reservation but we were seated almost immediately (I would recommend booking a table though). Service was very friendly if a little slow (service areas seemed large for one guy!). Would have rated 5 stars but our waiter kept our change as a tip without asking...

This place is worth the extra steps it takes to walk around the theater and the steep steps (not easy access) to the restaurant. We had the beef stew and garlic prawns. Both were good but the prawns lacked a bit of taste to reach the five stars level. Menu can be found online, not on print.

This place is and seems to have always been about Belgian beer. Smack in the downtown Brugge, looking quite historic and honest, there’s plenty of locals intermingled with tourists here. The beer selection is truly the only thing you should care about, especially if you actually want to try a bit of everything from Belgium. A few simpler commercial options are flooded with a ton of smaller producers and, even if you don’t love Belgian style beer, you will enjoy yourself and the experience of tasting the many shades of beer here. Truly a must when in Brugge.

We finished our trip to Bruges there, and I can't imagine a better place to relax and enjoy a good beer. The menu offers a massive variety of options, with high quality at a very competitive price. We also really enjoyed the food

A pretty spectacular place oozing with charm and character. Eye catching patterned floors, old wooden tables which could tell a thousand stories, old style gloss paint and flamboyant wallpaper and brewery signs adorn the walls. Brugs Beertje boasts both great draft options and an extensive and impressive bottled beer list that will cater for those new to Belgian beers and also highly accustomed beer nerds. I highly enjoyed a bottle of De Cam which was both jammy and tart, and went wonderfully with a plate of cubed cheese, pickles and delicately chopped red pepper with a firey mustard. I finished on a draft 15% Belgian Italian imperial stout which was very worty and thick! It is perhaps among the more tourist-heavy beer spots I've seen in Belgium but equally it was delightful to hear a range of nationalities enjoying their visit. Service was fantastic and I felt well looked after. All well-run establishment well worth visiting. I very much look forward to returning.

A great beer bar with a unique atmosphere, frequented by locals—always a good sign! Be prepared to spend some time choosing from their vast selection of Belgian beers.

What a stunning place! This is the authentic belgian beer pub itself! Great beer, great service, friendly atmosphere! Yes!

Best bar in Bruges as far as I'm concerned. Fantastic choice of beers both in draught, and in bottles. Staff are very friendly and helpful, and the bar has a fantastic cosy and homely vibe.

THE bar in brugge to visit. Very cosy atmosphere with a huge selection of local belgien beers. A must if you enjoy og want to try belgien beer 🍺

Went there for dinner, ordered Filet mignon medium rare, with salad and mushroom sauce. Filet mignon was overcooked - but this was the only problem. Mushroom sauce was nice and fits mignon well. Service was very nice, have a nice chat about Bruges with the waitress. Venue not cheep, but very nice.

Excellent food and service. We had lunch here recently and had an excellent experience. We reserved a table in advance as we were a large party of 14. Everything was excellent, and we had an entire room to ourselves. The lamb shank, moules, and fillet steak were all fantastic.

We’ve stayed in Bruges for 2 days and this is easily the best food we have had! Taste like homemade food that warms the soul. The portion are quite generous, and we got to eat Pigeon Pâté for the very first time! The location which is maybe 10min from the city centre by walk gives you a nice break from the more touristy crowded streets. The service was lovely and very calm romantic ambiance. Would definitely recommend to go! 10/10!

The pigeon is very delicious - tender and juicy. Great pairing with peas and onions. Would also try the rabbit or salmon. 9/10 The steak, however, is pretty much a do not order. It’s not what you expect as a typical steak - it’s dry and tough - 1/10. We ordered as medium rare and it was more like dry and overcooked. Not much of a sear as a typical American steak. Not sure what cut it was…but it was very dry and tough. We saw other diners enjoy the lamb a lot and overheard that the pork tenderloin was mediocre. Could use some extra salt/seasoning!

Had an absolutely amazing meal here. The fish soup and duck starter was wonderful. The pigeon and lamb shank as our mains were delicious as well. Service is old school and the pigeon menus are great. Prices are on the pricier side but it’s well worth it.

Incredible duck leaver. Perfect pigeon and amazing lamb! It was unexpectedly nice experience. Thank you!

Very nice restaurant with wonderful delicious food and a cozy atmosphere especially down stairs. My wife and I went there to celebrate our first wedding anniversary im May 2023 and were very pleased. And the next day we decided to visit this restaurant again for dinner. We liked it so much. We ordered pigeon (new meat for us), leg of lamb and Flemish rabbit. Everything was delicious! Service is attentive and polite. The owner of the restaurant personally approached the guests and asked if everything was fine. A very pleasant and communicative woman, as well as her husband. The owner, even at the end of our dinner, treated us to herbal liqueur o'live as a digestif. It was a pleasure. Many thanks in person! We will definitely come back to this restaurant on our next visit to Bruges and recommend this place to everyone.