Venice is full!
Or at least that’s what we’re hearing from their tourism board, which is introducing several schemes to reduce overtourism, including entry charges for the city.
So where could you go instead? I suggest Bruges!
Bruges, in Belgium has just been named the best European city to visit by train. But it offers so much more than just convenient transport links.
It’s a beautiful, affordable, and underrated city.
Here’s why you should visit.
Why Visit Bruges?
Bruges is so beautiful that its Historic Center has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Frankly, if you love old-world European architecture then there are few places better to be!
The skyline here is dominated by a 13th-century tower, the Belfry of Bruges (a medieval bell tower), and several medieval buildings are also present.
If you really want to immerse yourself in the culture here, visit the Groeninge Museum. This is an art gallery focusing on the works of the Belgian masters, and tickets cost 15 euros ($) each.
But the main reason to visit Bruges? It’s incredible canals. There’s a reason why Bruges has been called the ‘Venice of the North’ and this is it!
I admit that you won’t be able to take that photogenic gondola ride in Bruges, but you can take a boatride along its canals and they are just as beautiful. With swans floating along the canal next to you, this is the best way to see the city from a unique angle.
You can book a trip with Boattour Bruges, with each tour lasting around half an hour.
These are small boat tours, so you can pass under some of the prettiest bridges in the city. This will cost just 15 euros ($16.71) per person.
Want to explore Bruges’ canals on foot? The Groenerei (the ‘green canal’) is considered the most romantic of the city’s canals, and it is lined with elegant 17th-century mansions and townhouses.
Getting To Bruges
I’ve already mentioned that Bruges is considered Europe’s best city to visit by train, but that doesn’t help you much if you’re traveling from the U.S.!
The good news is that there are nonstop flights from the U.S. to Brussels, which is the Belgian capital city, and you can then take the train to Bruges from here.
You can fly directly to Brussels from New York, Washington DC, and Chicago.
To fly from New York from November 8-November 15 with Delta Air Lines will cost $594. You can fly the same route on the same dates with United for $620.
This route has a flight time of 7 hours 20 minutes outbound and 8 hours 45 minutes inbound.
So what happens when you land in Brussels? Well, the fast train from Brussels to Bruges takes just 53 minutes, and costs 34 euros ($37.83) for a one way ticket.
There is a slower train, which takes a little over 2 hours, but I recommend you look for the fast train option when booking your tickets.
Eating In Bruges
I’m a self-confessed foodie, so I couldn’t finish an article about Bruges without talking about the food in the city.
From the pale beer to the Belgian fries (best served with mussels in a dish known as Moules frites) and of course the chocolate, Bruges is the perfect place to eat. And it doesn’t have to be fancy to be delicious!
If you’re not a particularly adventurous eater, then you’ll be pleased to find that foods that are internationally popular are also a big hit in Belgium. You’ll find items like burgers and spaghetti bolognaise on most menus.
Try Poules Moules if you want to enjoy the best moules frites in the city: officially the best mussels I’ve ever eaten, and the service here is exceptional too.
If you’ve got a sweet tooth then you’ll be interested to know that Bruges has its own official chocolate.
This is known as the Bruges swan (Brugsch Swaentje) and it makes a great souvenir, if you don’t eat it all staight away of course!
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