Bruges Christmas Markets

[SidW]

I am going to Bruges for a long weekend in December, can anyone recommend 'Christmassy' places to go as well as the marketplace please? Also did you go by train/ferry or plane? - which one is recommended ~ many thanks. D x

[ClareC]

Hello, I went by train. Bruges is tiny, it's easy to explore the whole town in a couple of days. Beware, restaurants close early!!

it's a fab town, enjoy! We found a great restaurant, I will dig out the card and let you know the details.

[Jeremy]

There's a restaurant called In't Nieuw Museum... they cook big steaks on an open fire in the dining room, perfect washed down with a few local beers. All depends on your idea of 'Christmassy' I suppose - you could always bring some party hats with you.

[SidW]

Thank you very much ClareC! ....and Yes Jeremy I love steak & beer!!but I think I'll leave the party hats for Christmas day :) x

[DulwichFox]

If you like bottled beers you should visit 't Brugs Beertje, Kemelstraat 5, Brugge

http://beerpubmap.belgianbeerboard.com/bb4.jpg

http://beerpubmap.belgianbeerboard.com/bbe2.jpg

Named "Bruges' Little Bear" the pub was opened in 1983 and has been a mecca for good beers ever since.

This is another small building with tight, or intimate, seating.

They offer 300 beers in bottle, with about 4 on tap. Tap beer is just not a big thing in Belgium.

Foxy

[Jeremy]

Fox is right, that place is a must.

[DulwichFox]

Jeremy Wrote:

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> Fox is right, that place is a must.

I kind of knew you would know that place .. ;-)

Foxy

[Michael Palaeologus]

This place ( http://www.halvemaan.be/nl/home ) is also a must. Interesting and fun brewery tour, free beer tasting, retail opportunity at the end.

I find that the Lonely Planet guidebooks are good for restaurant, bar and caf? recommendations and self guided walking tours. However, central Bruge is small, so wandering around is easy.

Chocolate shops in their hundreds, great for Christmas presents.

I love the place.

[SidW]

Thank you all so much, I'm so excited it can't come quick enough, I may come back a lot heavier but who cares!! :) Del xx

[PeckhamRose]

PLEASE watch the excellent film IN BRUGES. Please. Report back.

[SidW]

Peckham Rose - this is one of our favourites - what a top top film, think we are only going there to re-enact the tower scene!

[BrandNewGuy]

Call me a maverick, but I'd recommend hopping on a train to Ostend (15-minute journey)? great bars, restaurants, cafes, shops and a fine promenade, None of the medieval prettiness of Bruges, but better at everything else and far cheaper.

[New Girl]

I got the ferry from Hull (or 'ull if you're from that way) when I used to work there. We did 12 hours in Bruges. Ferry - beers all night. Shuttle bus to Bruges, breakfast in Bruges on the square. A walk around the tower and historical sculptures then sausage and beer at the Christmas market. Boat ride round the rivers and then get yourself to de garre. A bar that serves their own beer 'de garre' at 13/14% (from what I can remember). They don't do pints funnily enough. Evening done. Ferry home.

'In Bruges' should be a pre requisite to visiting the city.

[Jeremy]

BrandNewGuy Wrote:

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> None of the medieval prettiness of Bruges, but

> better at everything else and far cheaper.

But isn't the medieval prettiness basically the whole reason for going? Bruges isn't exactly expensive either.

Ghent is nice, btw... a bit more fun than Bruges, perhaps.