Worth the Walk Langestraat 12, Bruges

Welkom in Brugge.

You're on the quieter, locals' side of Bruges. The belfry is eight minutes one way, the windmills 10 minutes the other, and Langestraat in between is one long run of good food and better beer.

Drink

This is Belgium, so the beer lists read like novels. Take your time.

Swipe for more

Eat

Langestraat calls itself the longest gastronomic street in the world. You won't need to go far.

Swipe for more

Coffee & brunch

Two good ways to start the day, both a couple of minutes away.

Swipe for more

See & stroll

Medieval gates, windmills on the ramparts and a chapel copied from Jerusalem. All on foot, all nearby.

Swipe for more

The map

Tap a pin to see what it is and how far it is from the front door.

You're here

The dark pin is the house, just over the Molenbrug bridge. Langestraat runs east to the Kruispoort gate; Hoogstraat runs west to the Burg and the Markt.

Walking times are measured from Langestraat 12 and rounded to the nearest minute. Bruges is all cobbles, so allow a bit longer with a pushchair or suitcase.

Getting here & about

Bruges is small. Once you've dropped your bags, you'll walk almost everywhere.

From the station: the centre shuttle

An electric centre shuttle runs from the station through the old town every day from 7am to 7pm, calling at each stop roughly every 25 minutes. It stops at Molenbrug, right by Langestraat 2, so it drops you a few doors from the house.

  1. Bruges stationBoard at the De Lijn bus platforms outside
  2. Katelijnestraat and Onze-Lieve-VrouwekerkThrough the south of the old town
  3. DijverPast the canal boats and museums
  4. MolenbrugGet off here. The house is a few doors along

Walking from the station

About 30 minutes, much of it on cobbles. Fine with a rucksack, less fun with a big wheelie case. A taxi from the rank outside the station takes around 10 minutes.

From the UK by train

Take the Eurostar to Brussels-Midi, then a direct train to Bruges, which takes about an hour. Book Eurostar's "Any Belgian Station" ticket and the onward train is included.

From Brussels Airport

Direct trains run from the airport station to Bruges in around an hour and a half.

Buses

De Lijn buses stop on Langestraat and near the Kruispoort gate. Buy your ticket in the De Lijn app before you get on.

Driving

Cars are steered round a one-way loop system in the centre. The Langestraat car park is the handiest for the house.

Watch out for bikes

Half of Bruges gets about on two wheels. Look both ways even on streets that look pedestrian, and hire your own bike near the station if you fancy joining them.

Further afield

The big sights of Bruges, and the best day trips from it.

Speak a little Flemish

Almost everyone here speaks brilliant English, but a couple of words of the local Dutch always go down well.

DagHello and goodbye in one. Say it walking into a shop and walking out.
MerciThanks. Yes, it's French, and yes, Flemish people say it all the time.
Een pintjeA small glass of lager. The everyday beer, before you get serious.
Schol!Cheers. Clink, then look the other person in the eye.
SmakelijkEnjoy your meal. You'll hear it as the plates land.
FrietkotA chip stand. Mayonnaise is not optional.