13 highlights in 2023

Bruges continues to capture the imagination in all its facets: historic, surprising, ancient and contemporary, compact yet grand. In this World Heritage City, you can enjoy art as well as discovering the art of enjoyment. A place where history, culture, gastronomy and nature merge into a unique experience. The following 13 tips will see you through the new year.

The four seasons

Bruges is a travel destination for all seasons. The four hiking trails in the ‘Oooh! Bruges’ walking guide are the perfect way to discover both monumental sites and special hidden places. 'Amazing World Heritage’ in winter, ‘Burgundian Splendour’ in spring, ‘Contemporary Hotspots’ in summer, 'Silent Nostalgia’ in autumn is one possible sequence.

1. January

Seize your chance to visit the 'Face to Face with Death' expo before the doors of the medieval St John's Hospital close for several months due to an extensive renovation. Reopening is scheduled for December 2023.
Meanwhile, get acquainted with the permanent collection in the other venues, of which as many as 86 works are among Flanders' List of Masterpieces. Musea Brugge makes great efforts in the management and conservation of valuable cultural heritage, and this once again illustrates the importance of BRUSK, the new exhibition hall that will gradually take shape this year and open in the autumn of 2025.

2. February

During Valentine's month, a cosy night out for dinner is especially appreciated, and where better to do this than in Bruges? Gastronomy is interwoven into the city: quality restaurants, renowned chefs, local foodies and regional products. Flavourite Bruges, the flag under which Bruges boasts its gastronomic credentials, is organising several themed months this year, some of which are accompanied by one or more events. Hungry for more? Then be sure to follow the Facebook- and Instagram pages closely.

More suggestions of food and drink >

3. March

The series ‘Het verhaal van Vlaanderen’ (The Story of Flanders; to be shown on channels Eén and VRT Max) investigates the people who have lived for tens of thousands of years on the territory we now call Flanders and how they lived. The puzzle pieces of the past have been put together with the cooperation of numerous historians and archaeologists and we get an enlightening picture of the rich history of this region and therefore also of Bruges. Inspired by this visually impressive documentary, Visit Bruges is developing a new walking route in collaboration with the Department for Heritage Conservation (in 6 languages) for the Visit Bruges route app. To follow from March.