Traditions and culture in Bruges

Known as the Venice of the North, Bruges is the capital of West Flanders. The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and boasts a number of impressive buildings.

Thanks to Eurostar services to Brussels and a quick connection on to Bruges, the city is fast becoming a popular place to visit.

Cars are banned from the central cobbled area, with horse-drawn carriages the main mode of transport. This adds to the old-world feel of the city and makes any Bruges holiday a trip to remember.

The local emphasis is very much on food and drink. Traditional dishes to try include Flemish rabbit stew, beef beer stew and chicken waterzooie.

Things to do in Bruges

There are countless things to see and do in Bruges. After taking a stroll through the Grote Markt – or main market square – visitors can climb the 366 steps of the Belfry Tower.

At 83-metres high, the tower dominates the city's landscape and can be used as a focal pint to navigate the winding cobbled streets. Spectacular views are on offer from the top of the tower and the interesting climb up allows visitors to get up close and personal with the giant bells.

Other places to visit include the Begijnhof convent with its tranquil garden and traditional houses, the Basilica of the Holy Blood, Sint-Salvator Cathedral and the Old St-John's Hospital which is now a museum.

No trip to Belgium would be complete without plenty of beer. The Halve Maan Brewery in Bruges has a history dating back to the 1500s and is the only family-run brewery still active in the centre of the city. Since 2005 it has brewed Brugse Zot and offers a guided tour to visitors. For the small sum €5, tourists can explore the site and learn about the ancient beer-brewing practices before enjoying a hard-earned glass of Brugse Zot.

Weather in Bruges

Bruges has a similar climate to the UK, meaning that visitors should always come prepared. Summer tends to be mild and pleasant, although an umbrella is an essential item to pack for any holiday in Bruges. The city is infamous throughout Belgium for its wet weather.

Average rainfall of eight inches a month has been recorded during summer months, with temperatures usually peaking at around 21 degrees C.

Winds from the Baltic make for cold winters in the city. Tourists should wrap-up warm if they plan to take a pre-Christmas trip.

Destination checklist for Bruges

The city has a population of over 117,000, with 20,000 people living in the historic centre.

Due to its proximity to France, Holland and Germany, visitors will find that a number of different languages are spoken in Bruges. Like in the rest of Belgium, official languages are French, Dutch and German – although most road signs are displayed in French and Dutch.

The country calling number for Belgium is +32 and the local code for Bruges is 050.

The Euro replaced the Belgian Franc as the official currency in 2002 and the city is one hour ahead of GMT.