 Brugge is one of Europe's most perfectly preserved medieval cities, unmarred by the bomb destruction that annihilated so many of the continent's ancient architecture and historical sights during WWI and WWII. It is home to copious architectural attractions, dominated by the ornate style of the Gothic era, but also featuring some fabulous Romanesque, Renaissance, Rococo, neo-Classical and Baroque structures. Also of interest are its vibrant town squares and excellent museums, while the city's Minnewater, canals and parks offer abundant opportunities for relaxation and recreation. Most highlight attractions are located in the ancient city centre, which is easily explored on foot and has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status for its rich historical and cultural offerings.
 The Markt
The majority of Brugge's sights are concentrated in the Market Square, otherwise known as the Markt, and the nearby Burg, another central city square. Apart from its abundant restaurants and cafés, the Markt is surrounded by stunning examples of ancient architecture including the Provincial Palace House (Provinciaal Hof), the Market Halls and the Belfry. The Provinciaal Hof is an imposing neo-Gothic building dating to the 19th century and currently housing the headquarters of the West Flanders government. The Market Halls formed the commercial centre of the city between the 13th and 16th centuries, and are now used as an exhibition centre by regional art dealers. The Belfry is the square's primary attraction, standing 84 metres high and affording magnificent vistas over the city for those with the energy to climb its 366 steps. The lower half of the bell tower was constructed in the 13th century, with the turrets and the octagonal upper section added in the 14th and 15th centuries respectively. The Belfry contains a total of 47 bells, which ring out periodically over the city. The Belfry and Market Halls are open Tuesdays to Sundays, from 09:30 to 17:00 and there is an admission charge, with reduced rates for children and seniors.
 The Burg
The Burg is located just a stone's throw from the Markt and forms the city's administrative core. This attractive square is home to a wealth of beautiful buildings in an array of architectural styles. Of these, the Town Hall (Gothic Stadhuis) is arguably the most impressive, with the added distinction of being the oldest town hall in the country, constructed in the late 14th century. Highlights of the building include the intricately decorated Gothic Room, with its plush furniture and detailed murals documenting Brugge ' history. The adjacent Old Civic Registry (Oude Civele Griffie) features a 16th century Renaissance façade and houses the city archives, while the Provost's House (Proosdij) is a good example of 17th century Baroque architecture. The Burg is most spectacular at night, when illumination emphasises the beauty of its marvellous buildings.
 The Church of Our Lady
This fascinating building was constructed over three centuries and is a good example of composite architecture, with various styles overlaid onto the original 13th century structure. The church features an iconic 122-metre bell tower (Brugge's tallest and Belgium's second-tallest) and is home to some magnificent works of art, most notably Michelangelo's superb 'Madonna and Child', a marble sculpture located in the sacrament chapel of the church's right-hand wing. Additional highlights are the exquisite Gothic and early Renaissance tombstones of Charles the Bold of Burgundy and his daughter Mary of Burgundy, located in the choir section. The interior of the church is closed to the public on Mondays.
Saint Saviours Cathedral
Construction on Brugge's most acclaimed church was begun in the 10th century, with several additions made in the 12th and 13th centuries and again in the 19th century, when a steeple was erected atop the bell tower to bring it up to a height of 325 feet. The main purpose of this late addition was to avoid the cathedral being overshadowed by the Church of Our Lady, located just next door. The Saint Salvator Cathedral, which is currently being restored, contains a number of exquisite tapestries and artworks as well as a number of medieval tombs. The wall tapestries, dating from 1730, are particularly beautiful and are accompanied by the original drawings on which they were modelled.
 The Beguinage (Begijnhof)
Located just behind the beautiful Minnewater (Lake of Love), the Princely Beguinage of the Vineyard (Prinselijk Begijnhof ten Wijngaarde) offers peaceful respite from the bustle of Brugge central. It was established by the Countess Margaret of Constantinople to house the city's Begijns – religious women akin to nuns, who accepted vows of purity, but not of poverty, preferring to earn a living for themselves through lace-making and caring for the sick. Since 1937, most of the 17th century houses of the Begijnhof have been used to house the Benedictine nuns of the De Wijngaard Monastery. One of the houses, the Begijnhuisje, now serves as a museum documenting the Begijn sect and their traditions. The Begijnhof courtyard is open permanently and is free of charge, while the Bejinhuisje has seasonal opening hours and there is an admission fee.
Top Things to Do
 Enjoy a drink or a meal at any of the Markt's plentiful bars, cafés and eateries: this centrally located square is Brugge's beating heart and a great place to observe local life and absorb the city's atmosphere. The Markt is also the departure point for sightseeing tours and depending on the weather and your preference, you can choose either a horse-drawn carriage tour or board the City Tour bus for a whirlwind tour of Brugge's major attractions.
 Pay a visit to a fabulous museum - particularly the Groeninge Museum, the Memling Museum and the Gruuthuse Museum. Brugge, with its lengthy and distinguished past, is a veritable treasure chest of cultural and historical information, architecture, art and artefacts, with several top-notch museums documenting various aspects of its heritage.
 Take a boat cruise down the city's canals, for which Brugge is often called 'Venice of the North', and enjoy the city sights and scenery from a different perspective. Tours are relatively inexpensive and last for about 30 minutes, departing daily from 10:00 to 18:00 throughout the year, except for the months of January and February, when the weather is bitterly cold.
 Visit Brugge' attractive parks and gardens for a serene stroll in beautiful surroundings. The city's most popular park is the Minnewater Park, where rock concerts are sometimes hosted in the summer months. This pretty park is located close to the Begijnhof on the shores of the 'Minnewater', or Lake of Love. The lake is crossed by an 18th bridge that offers beautiful vistas of the town and acts as a sanctuary for abundant swans that nest along its banks. The Koningin Astridpark is a particularly lovely retreat that is minus the crowds that sometimes disturb the tranquility of the Minnewater and its surrounds. Koningin Astridpark is located just a short walk south of the Burg and once formed the grounds of a Franciscan abbey. Though the abbey is no longer here, the park is worth visiting for its peace and beauty and it sometimes features concerts at a centrally placed 19th century bandstand.
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