Brugge Travel Tips

Most shops in Brugges are open from Mondays to Saturdays between 09:00 and 18:00, except on Fridays when most keep their doors open until 20:00 or 21:00. Likewise, most major supermarkets stay open until 20:00. Although most shops close on Sundays, many are open for trading during at least part of the day. Most museums are open on Sundays, closing on Mondays instead.

Banks: 09:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 10:00 to 18:00, Monday to Saturday
Museums: 09:00 to 18:00, Tuesday to Sunday
Business Offices: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday

Brugges is a relatively safe city and travellers need not be overly concerned about crime or violence here, although basic safety precautions should be taken, as in every country. Avoid looking too much like a tourist - pickpockets and hustlers are most likely to focus their unwanted attentions on soft targets and people who are obviously unfamiliar with the area. Be particularly careful of your personal belongings at tourist sites and don't wear ostentatious jewellery or carry large amounts of cash while sightseeing. Avoid walking alone at night outside of the central areas, particularly if you are a woman.

Belgium is a typically first-world country with exacting hygiene standards and excellent healthcare. No major medical risks are associated with visiting the nation and no specific vaccinations are required before entry. In the unfortunate event that you fall ill or are injured during your visit to Brugges , you can rest assured that you will have access to some of the very best medical attention available, with several top-notch hospitals located in the city. However, healthcare doesn't come cheap in Belgium and it is wise to invest in medical insurance before your trip.

Sint-Franciscus Xaveriuskliniek
Spaanse Loskaai 1
Tel: +32 50 47 04 70 

AZ St-Jan
Ruddershove 10
Tel: +32 50 45 21 11
Fax: +32 50 45 22 38
Emergencies tel: +32 50 45 20 00

Belgium is divided linguistically between French and Flemish, with a limited number of German speakers to boot, and all three tongues are regarded as official languages of the nation. Tensions have long existed between the country's French and Flemish speakers, with the division carrying over into social and cultural discourse. Brugges is located in West Flanders and is almost entirely populated by Flemish speakers.

Belgium's currency, like other EU nations, is the Euro, which is available in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500. Try to avoid carrying 500 Euro notes as change for such a large sum is often difficult to find; ask for smaller denominations when you exchange your cash.

Although most major credit cards are accepted at shops, gas stations and restaurants, Belgium is largely a cash-on-hand society and it is best to keep a limited amount of local currency on your person to pay for smaller purchases. ATMs and exchange counters are widespread across Brugges , but it's best to avoid exchanging money at bureaux de change unless absolutely necessary, as banks offer a much more generous rate of exchange.

Visitors arriving in Brugges from overseas destinations are most likely to do so at Brussels International Airport, or at one of the international border posts where they will be required to clear customs. No fruit, vegetables or animal products are permitted to be brought into the country and certain items need to be declared on entry including hypodermic needles and prescription medicines. Be sure to carry a copy of prescriptions at all times.

While Flemish Belgians are certainly more laid back than their French counterparts, there are still certain codes of dress and behaviour that are expected in polite society.

Appearances are a matter of importance, so dress fairly stylishly and smartly if you are invited out by Belgians and arrive punctually at the engagement. Greetings are usually fairly formal, consisting of handshakes between men and three kisses on alternating cheeks for women or mixed gender interactions.

It is customary to bring a token of appreciation if you are invited to a Belgian home for dinner – wine or liqueur is appropriate for close friends, while flowers (other than white chrysanthemums which symbolise death) or chocolates are ideal for acquaintances.

If you happen to be on business in Brugges, remember that business negotiations are subject to their own code of etiquette, with extended lunches forming an important part of the trust-building process. When dealing with business associates, be polite and punctual, dress smartly and address businesspeople by their surnames.

Dining Etiquette
Once again, it is the French Belgians who are particularly sticky about table manners and the like, but nevertheless it's wise to observe the following while dining out in Belgium:

• Pay attention to your appearance – most Belgians expect guests to be smartly dressed and well-groomed for a dinner party or an evening out at a restaurant.
• Wait for the host of the evening to assign you a seat and wait to see if he/she makes a toast before sipping your drink.
• Raise your glass at both the beginning of the toast and at its conclusion.
• Keep your wrists above the table while eating.

European Union citizens are permitted to enter Belgium using only an ID card, while visitors from the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand among other countries need only a valid passport to get into the country; a 90-day holiday visa will be issued on arrival. Citizens of countries outside of the EU and other than those mentioned above should check whether they need a visa for Belgium before travelling to the country. 
 

Brugges ' main Tourist Information Office (tel: +32 5044 8686) is centrally located on the Burg and offers regional information, deals with visitor queries and provides booking services. An excellent map of the city is available from the centre that is well-priced, easy to read and shows all the major tourist attractions. Alternatively, Brugges City Information Centre (tel: +32 5033 3333) is located at Braambergstraat 5.