RunCity

Bruges on foot: a self-guided walking route

This route takes you past 10 of Bruges's best-known sights, including Jan van Eyck Square, Market square and Belfry, Burg Square and Basilica of the Holy Blood and more. It is about 5 km on foot, roughly 2 hours at an easy pace with short stops. Follow the list on your own, or play it as a free GPS checkpoint game with RunCity and race the clock on the Bruges leaderboard.

  • 10Stops
  • about 5 kmDistance
  • 2 hoursWalking
  • about 50 minRunning
Play Bruges in RunCity

Free during launch. Runs in your phone's browser; the app is in English, German and Hungarian.

Bruges
Photo: Zairon · CC BY-SA 4.0

Bruges' medieval centre is small, flat and laced with canals, and this route crosses it in about 5 km. It starts at the bonus stop, the windmills on the green ramparts by the Kruispoort, and follows the canal to Jan van Eyck Square, the old harbour. The Market square with its 83-metre belfry and the Burg, with the Gothic town hall and the Basilica of the Holy Blood, are the heart of the town.

Rozenhoedkaai is the classic view of the belfry over the water. The very tall brick tower of the Church of Our Lady, which holds a Michelangelo Madonna, and Saint Salvator's Cathedral lead to the whitewashed Begijnhof and the swans of the Minnewater. The route ends at the Gentpoort, one of the old city gates. Day-trippers fill the centre from late morning; early mornings and evenings are much calmer, and canal boats leave from several quays.

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Download the route as GPX (for Komoot, Strava or a watch)

The stops

A suggested order. In the game you can visit them in any order.

  1. Kruispoort and windmills

    Kruispoort and windmills Bonus Photo

    The windmills on the green ramparts by the old city gate.

    Photo: Marc Ryckaert · CC BY 2.5

  2. Jan van Eyck Square

    Jan van Eyck Square

    The old harbour square with the Poortersloge and the statue.

    Photo: Chad K · CC BY 2.0

  3. Market square and Belfry

    Market square and Belfry Photo

    The medieval belfry rising above the market square and its guild houses.

    Photo: Adiel lo · CC BY-SA 3.0

  4. Burg Square and Basilica of the Holy Blood

    Burg Square and Basilica of the Holy Blood

    The square of the town hall and the small chapel of the Holy Blood.

    Photo: Jim Linwood · CC BY 2.0

  5. Rozenhoedkaai

    Rozenhoedkaai

    The canal quay with the belfry reflected in the water.

    Photo: Marc Ryckaert (MJJR) · CC BY 3.0

  6. Church of Our Lady

    Church of Our Lady Photo

    The brick church with its very tall tower.

    Photo: Wolfgang Staudt · CC BY 2.0

  7. Saint Salvator's Cathedral

    Saint Salvator's Cathedral

    The brick cathedral and its massive west tower.

    Photo: Paul Hermans · CC BY-SA 3.0

  8. Begijnhof

    Begijnhof

    The whitewashed beguinage houses round a green courtyard.

    Photo: Donar Reiskoffer · CC BY 3.0

  9. Minnewater

    Minnewater Photo

    The Lake of Love and its swans seen from the bridge.

    Photo: Le Fou · CC BY-SA 3.0

  10. Gentpoort

    Gentpoort Photo

    The twin-towered city gate beside the canal.

    Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 4.0

Play Bruges in RunCity

Leaderboard

    Questions

    Can you see Bruges on foot in one day?

    Yes. The 10 stops on this route add up to about 5 km, roughly 2 hours at an easy pace with short stops.

    Is this self-guided walking tour free?

    Yes. The route and map on this page are free, and the RunCity game for Bruges is free during launch.

    How does the RunCity game work in Bruges?

    Open Bruges in RunCity, walk to a stop and tap Validate: your phone's GPS confirms you are there. Some stops also ask for a photo. Timed runs go on the Bruges leaderboard.

    Where does the route start?

    This page suggests starting at Kruispoort and windmills and finishing at Gentpoort. In the game you can take the stops in any order.

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