Bruges is one of those cities where canals, church towers and cobbled streets sit so close together that you can walk almost everywhere. The whole historic centre is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, and in the evening, once the day-trippers have gone home, the city becomes noticeably quieter.
That’s why the location of your hotel matters a lot, even though the distances are short. Do you want the Belfry just around the corner, quiet canals outside your window or a short walk from the train? Here are the five areas I’d choose between, along with my hotel recommendations in several price ranges.
Contents
The Best Areas in Bruges
- Markt & Burg - best area for first-time visitors
- Spiegelrei & Langerei - best area for canals and romantic evenings
- Sint-Anna - best area for a quiet, local stay
- Begijnhof & Minnewater - best area for quiet walks and families
- ‘t Zand & the Station - best area for train travellers and day trips
Below, I’ll take you through the areas one by one, with a map, practical facts and three hotels in each, from the most expensive choice to the simplest, so you can compare location and price.
1. Markt & Burg - best area for first-time visitors 🏰
- 📍 Distance from the centre: You’ll be staying in the centre itself, and Burg is around 200 metres from Markt.
- 🚶 Transport: You can get around the whole historic core on foot. The buses between the station and the centre run every few minutes.
- ✈️ Time from Brussels Airport: Around an hour and a half by train to Brugge station, then about a 20-minute walk or a short bus ride to Markt.
- 💰 Price range: €€€ to €€€€. The most central addresses are usually the most expensive in the city.
- 👮 Safety: A safe area with lots of people around. Watch your pockets and bags in the crowds on the square, and look out for cyclists on the cobblestones.
Markt and Burg are my first choice if it’s your first trip to Bruges or if you only have a weekend. You’ll be staying between the city’s two main squares, and most of the sights are within a ten-minute walk. You can step out of the door early in the morning and have the squares almost to yourself before the groups arrive.
On Markt stands the Belfry, which is 83 metres tall and the city’s most striking building. A couple of minutes away is Burg, which was the city’s centre of power for centuries, with the Gothic town hall and the Basilica of the Holy Blood. The short distance makes it easy to take a break at your hotel in the middle of the day.
See hotels around Markt and Burg here.
Price is the big drawback. Hotels overlooking the squares or on the best-known streets usually cost more than those a couple of streets further out, and the rooms in the old buildings are often small. I’d look at the side streets north of Markt or around Oude Burg, where you’re still only a couple of minutes’ walk from everything.
In the evening, there are restaurants and bars in every direction, but this is also where most of the day-trippers gather. If you’d like more peace and quiet, you can choose a hotel by Burg rather than one facing Markt directly. For a short trip, where your time should go on the city and not on transport, the area is hard to beat. Many of the oldest buildings have steep stairs, so ask about a lift if that matters to you.
Places to Stay around Markt & Burg
Relais & Châteaux Hotel Heritage - five-star luxury a few steps from Markt
Hotel Heritage is on Niklaas Desparsstraat, around 150 metres from Markt, and it’s my choice when a trip to Bruges is about celebrating something special. It’s a five-star hotel with a restaurant, a bar and a spa area with a sauna, a hammam and a gym, so there’s something to come back to after a cold day by the canals.
I’d choose it for a couples’ weekend or a special occasion where the hotel is part of the experience. There’s valet parking if you’re coming by car, and a concierge who can help with the rest of your stay. The price is well above the other hotels in the area, so it makes most sense when you also want to spend time at the hotel itself.
Here’s how one guest describes the hotel on Booking.com: “Beautiful hotel with stylish interiors.”
See photos and book Hotel Heritage here.
Crowne Plaza Hotel Brugge by IHG - large hotel with an indoor pool right on Burg
Crowne Plaza is right on Burg itself, so the town hall and the basilica are your nearest neighbours. The hotel has a heated indoor pool, a sauna, a gym and a restaurant, and there’s an underground car park, which is rare this close to the centre.
I’d choose it for a family or a couple who’d like more hotel comfort than the small boutique hotels offer. The pool makes it easier to fill a rainy afternoon with children. On the other hand, it’s a chain hotel, so the atmosphere is more uniform than in the smaller hotels around the squares.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The room was beautiful. It was clean and spacious.”
See photos and book Crowne Plaza Hotel Brugge here.
Martin’s Brugge - simple and central by Oude Burg
Martin’s Brugge is on Oude Burg, around 150 metres from both Markt and Burg. It’s a three-star hotel with a lift, air conditioning, a 24-hour reception and a garden with a terrace, so it’s an easy choice when the address matters most.
It’s an obvious choice if you want to stay right in the centre without paying for a luxury hotel. The rooms are simple, and there’s a small minimarket on site for a snack or a bottle of water. As with most hotels in the centre, the price often goes up at weekends, so book early if your dates are fixed.
One guest sums it up briefly on Booking.com: “The location was good. The staff were friendly. The room was clean.”
See photos and book Martin’s Brugge here.
2. Spiegelrei & Langerei - best area for canals and romantic evenings 🛶
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Jan van Eyckplein is around 350 metres from Markt. From the far end of Langerei, it’s about a kilometre.
- 🚶 Transport: Walk along the canals into the centre. With luggage, a bus or a taxi from the station is the easiest option.
- ✈️ Time from Brussels Airport: Around an hour and a half by train to Brugge station, then a bus or a taxi for the last 2 km or so to the area.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€. Often a little cheaper than around Markt for the same standard.
- 👮 Safety: Quiet in the evening. The quaysides don’t always have railings, so keep an eye on young children by the water.
Spiegelrei and Langerei are my pick if you dream of walking home along the water in the evening. The area lies north of Markt around Jan van Eyckplein, where the Spiegelrei canal begins, and continues up Langerei, a long and quiet quay. You’re still close to the centre, but there are far fewer groups here than by the Belfry.
This is where the foreign merchants were based in the Middle Ages. Visit Bruges calls Jan van Eyckplein the Manhattan of Burgundian Bruges, and on its page on the Hanseatic Quarter you can see which buildings tell the story. Today, it’s mostly a place for walks, good photos and small restaurants.
I’d choose the area for a romantic weekend or for a trip when you’ve already seen the main squares. The mornings are quiet, and the light over the canal late in the day is a good reason to stay here rather than by Markt.
See hotels by Spiegelrei and Langerei here.
Check the distance before you book. From Jan van Eyckplein, you’re a few minutes from Markt, while a hotel at the far end of Langerei gives you a walk of around a quarter of an hour. It isn’t far, but in the rain or with children you’ll notice it if you want to pop back several times a day. In return, this is where you’ll get the quietest night’s sleep close to the canals.
In the morning, Jan van Eyckplein is one of the best places to photograph the canal without people in the picture, and in the evening the windows along the quay are lit up. The walk from here to Sint-Annakerk only takes a few minutes, so you can easily combine the two neighbourhoods in one outing.
Places to Stay by Spiegelrei & Langerei
Canal View Hotel Ter Brughe by CW Hotel Collection - historic canalside hotel close to Jan van Eyckplein
Ter Brughe is on Oost-Gistelhof, around 200 metres from Jan van Eyckplein, and it’s my most expensive suggestion in the area. The hotel has a bar, a garden, a gym and a 24-hour reception, and the name gives away what many guests come for: the location by the canal.
I’d choose it for a couples’ weekend where the atmosphere matters more than big facilities. Be aware that there’s no lift, so heavy luggage has to be carried up the stairs. If you find stairs difficult, I’d choose one of the other hotels.
One guest sums it up on Booking.com: “Lots of character, a good location and a warm, comfortable room.”
See photos and book Hotel Ter Brughe here.
Hotel Ter Duinen - quiet hotel on Langerei
Hotel Ter Duinen is on Langerei, around 650 metres north of Jan van Eyckplein and about a kilometre from Markt. It’s a three-star hotel with a lift, air conditioning, a garden and parking, and its quiet location by the canal is the main reason to choose it.
I’d recommend it if you want to sleep well and don’t mind a walk into the centre. It also suits a longer stay, when you’d rather have peace in the evening than stay in the middle of the crowds. If you’re coming by car, check the price of parking when you book.
One guest praises several things on Booking.com: “Fantastically friendly staff, a quiet location, lovely rooms, a huge and comfortable bed and a delicious breakfast.”
See photos and book Hotel Ter Duinen here.
Hotel Jacobs - simple hotel in a quiet corner north of the centre
Hotel Jacobs is on Baliestraat, around 350 metres from Jan van Eyckplein and just under 700 metres from Markt. It’s my budget pick in the area, a three-star hotel with a lift, a bar, family rooms and private parking.
The hotel suits a family or a short trip, when a quiet street and a reasonable price matter more than a view of the water. The rooms are simple, so don’t expect boutique style, but you’ll have Spiegelrei and the Hanseatic Quarter just around the corner.
One guest mentions on Booking.com: “Really clean, comfortable rooms, helpful staff and close to the centre in a quiet area.”
See photos and book Hotel Jacobs here.
3. Sint-Anna - best area for a quiet, local stay 🏡
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Sint-Annakerk is around 700 metres from Markt, about a ten-minute walk.
- 🚶 Transport: Walk across the bridges by Sint-Annarei into the centre. With suitcases, a taxi from the station is the easiest option.
- ✈️ Time from Brussels Airport: Around an hour and a half by train to Brugge station, then a bus or a taxi for the last 2 km or so to the neighbourhood.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€€. Lots of small B&Bs and hotels, plus a few very expensive boutique hotels.
- 👮 Safety: A quiet residential neighbourhood. The streets are quiet in the evening, so stick to the well-lit streets if you’re walking home late.
Sint-Anna is my suggestion if you’d like to stay as if you had your own flat in Bruges. The neighbourhood lies east of the Sint-Annarei canal and has low brick houses, small squares and a church in the middle. Lots of locals live here, and you can feel it in the atmosphere, especially in the evening.
The old ramparts run along the eastern edge, and windmills still stand on them. Sint-Janshuismolen from 1770 is the only mill on the ramparts that still grinds grain, and it’s open to visitors in the summer season. A walk along the ramparts makes a good morning stroll before the rest of the city wakes up.
I’d choose Sint-Anna for a longer trip or if you’ve been to Bruges before. You’re ten minutes from Markt, but you don’t have to walk through the busiest streets to get home. Many of the places to stay here are small B&Bs, so check the check-in times if you’re arriving late.
See hotels in the Sint-Anna neighbourhood here.
The downside is that there are fewer restaurants than in the centre, and some streets can feel completely deserted late in the evening. On the other hand, from the southern part of the neighbourhood you can walk to Burg in around five minutes. For a first weekend, I’d still choose a more central area, but for a second visit, Sint-Anna is a really pleasant base.
Sint-Anna is also close to Spiegelrei, so you can walk along Sint-Annarei and on to Jan van Eyckplein in a few minutes. If you’d prefer a hotel with a reception and more facilities to a B&B, my hotel suggestions are in the southern part, by Langestraat and Molenmeers.
Places to Stay in Sint-Anna
Hotel Van Cleef - boutique luxury with a garden on Molenmeers
Hotel Van Cleef is on Molenmeers, around 180 metres from Sint-Annakerk and about 400 metres from Burg. It’s a four-star boutique hotel with a garden, a terrace, a bar, room service and an outdoor fireplace, and there’s valet parking.
It’s my suggestion when you want a small hotel with a high level of service and peace and quiet around you. The price is at the very top end for Bruges, so it’s a choice for a special occasion. In return, you get an address where the centre is close by without you noticing the crowds.
One guest goes as far as to write on Booking.com: “It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it one of the best hotels in the world.”
See photos and book Hotel Van Cleef here.
Flanders Hotel - four-star hotel with an indoor pool on Langestraat
Flanders Hotel is on Langestraat on the southern edge of Sint-Anna, around 280 metres from Sint-Annakerk. The hotel has an indoor pool that’s open all year round, a garden with a terrace, a lift and a 24-hour reception.
With children or on a trip in the colder months, the pool makes a difference. The hotel also has wheelchair-accessible facilities and a toilet with grab rails. The walk to Markt takes around ten minutes.
One guest praises the staff on Booking.com: “The staff were all excellent: friendly, polite, professional and knowledgeable.”
See photos and book Flanders Hotel here.
APL8 St-Anna B&B - small B&B right by Sint-Annakerk
APL8 St-Anna B&B is on Sint-Annaplein, right by the church in the middle of the neighbourhood. It’s a small B&B with air conditioning, soundproofed rooms and contactless check-in and check-out, and it’s my budget suggestion in Sint-Anna.
There’s no lift, so bear that in mind if you have heavy luggage. I’d choose it for a couple who want a quiet base and don’t need a bar and a reception around the clock. The church and the square right outside the door give you an atmosphere you won’t get in the middle of the centre.
One guest highlights the location on Booking.com: “The place was in a lovely quiet part of town, but with easy access to all the sights.”
See photos and book APL8 St-Anna B&B here.
4. Begijnhof & Minnewater - best area for quiet walks and families 🦢
- 📍 Distance from the centre: The Begijnhof is around 800 metres south of Markt, about a ten-minute walk.
- 🚶 Transport: The station is just under 600 metres away, so you can often walk straight from the train to your hotel.
- ✈️ Time from Brussels Airport: Around an hour and a half by train to Brugge station, then a walk of less than ten minutes.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€. Larger hotels and small B&Bs side by side.
- 👮 Safety: Quiet and green. The park by Minnewater is quiet early in the morning and late in the evening, so stick to the lit paths after dark.
Begijnhof and Minnewater make up the green corner of Bruges and are my pick if you want peace and quiet and short walks. The area lies south of the centre, between the station and the Church of Our Lady, and this is where you’ll find the white houses of the beguinage, the park and the lake with its swans.
The Begijnhof was founded in 1245 and is still home to single women from Bruges and a few women with a religious vocation. Visitors are asked to walk quietly through the garden, and admission is free. Just to the south is Minnewater, also known as the Lake of Love, with a park that’s perfect for a morning walk.
I’d especially choose the area if you’re arriving by train and would like to walk from the station to your hotel. It’s also a good choice with children, because the park gives them room to run around, and because several of the hotels here are larger and have family rooms.
See hotels by Begijnhof and Minnewater here.
The downside is that Walplein and the streets around the beguinage get busy in the middle of the day, when the groups walk between the station and the centre. In the evening, though, it becomes very quiet. If you want restaurants right outside your door, Markt and Burg are the better choice, as from here it’s around a ten-minute walk to the main squares.
If you’re coming by car, the area is practical too. The underground car park at the station is close by, and according to Visit Bruges, the bus from that car park into the centre is included in the parking ticket. Driving in the historic core is discouraged, so I’d leave the car where it is once you’ve arrived.
Places to Stay by Begijnhof & Minnewater
Dukes’ Academie Brugge - elegant hotel a few steps from the beguinage
Dukes’ Academie is on Wijngaardstraat, around 200 metres from the Begijnhof and just under 300 metres from Minnewater. It’s my most expensive suggestion in the area, a four-star hotel with a bar, a garden, a terrace, a gym, a lift and an underground car park.
It suits a weekend when you’d like a bit of luxury but still want to stay somewhere quiet and close to the station. The rooms have air conditioning, and there’s a 24-hour reception, so it’s easy to arrive late by train. It’s a larger hotel, so expect classic hotel service rather than a personal B&B atmosphere.
One guest is full of praise on Booking.com: “Fantastic hotel. Excellent breakfast with everything you could wish for and plenty of choice.”
See photos and book Dukes’ Academie Brugge here.
Novotel Brugge Centrum - family-friendly hotel with a pool and a play area
Novotel Brugge Centrum is on Katelijnestraat, around 350 metres from the Begijnhof. The hotel has a restaurant, a bar, family rooms, a playground and an indoor play area, and there’s a heated outdoor pool.
With children, it’s clearly my first choice in the area, because families have been thought of here in a way the small hotels in the centre can rarely match. The pool is outdoors and open in season, so don’t count on it on a winter trip. On the plus side, there’s an underground car park and a charging point for electric cars.
Here’s how one guest describes their stay on Booking.com: “Very clean and efficient, and all the staff were cheerful and friendly.”
See photos and book Novotel Brugge Centrum here.
Lake Suites - simple B&B on Walplein
Lake Suites is a small B&B on Walplein, around 180 metres from the Begijnhof and just under 800 metres from the station. It’s my simpler suggestion in the area, with family rooms and private check-in and check-out.
There’s no lift and there are few facilities, so it’s a choice for you if you mainly need a good place to sleep. In return, you’ll be staying on one of the most charming squares in the southern part of the city, and Minnewater is just a few minutes’ walk away.
One guest highlights the bed on Booking.com: “The bed was big and comfortable.”
See photos and book Lake Suites here.
5. ‘t Zand & the Station - best area for train travellers and day trips 🚆
- 📍 Distance from the centre: ‘t Zand is around 600 metres from Markt. From the station, it’s about a 20-minute walk to Markt.
- 🚌 Transport: The buses between the station and the centre run every few minutes, and from the underground car park beneath ‘t Zand it’s around a ten-minute walk to Markt.
- ✈️ Time from Brussels Airport: Around an hour and a half by train to Brugge station, which is less than a kilometre from ‘t Zand.
- 💰 Price range: € to €€€. This is where you’ll often find the cheapest hotels within the historic core.
- 👮 Safety: Busy and safe during the day. The square and the streets towards the station have more traffic than the rest of the centre, so watch out for buses and cyclists.
‘t Zand is the large square in the western part of the centre, and the area between the square and the station is my choice if you’re travelling by train. You can walk from the platform to your hotel, and when you head on to Ghent, Brussels or the coast, you’re only a short walk from the train again. That makes the area a practical base for day trips.
On the square is Concertgebouw Brugge, the city’s modern concert hall for classical music and dance. Between ‘t Zand and Markt, the shopping streets run past Sint-Salvatorskathedraal, so the walk into the centre is short and full of life.
If you’re landing in Brussels, you can read my guide to transport from the Brussels airports to the city centre before you take the train onwards. When you’re heading for the centre, get off at Brugge station and not at Brugge Sint-Pieters, as Visit Bruges also points out.
See hotels by ‘t Zand and the station here.
The downside is that the area around the station is more modern and has more traffic than the rest of the city. That’s why I’d stay closer to ‘t Zand than right down by the station, so your walk home in the evening goes through the charming streets. If you’re coming by car, the underground car park beneath the square is a clear advantage, as driving in the centre is otherwise discouraged.
The area is also a good choice if you only have one or two nights and want to spend a day in Ghent or on the coast. You won’t have to drag your suitcase over the cobblestones, and in the morning you’ll be on the platform within a few minutes. At the same time, the price difference compared with the hotels on Markt can be big enough to pay for a good dinner.
Places to Stay by ‘t Zand & the Station
Boutique Hotel Le Foulage - adults-only boutique hotel near Sint-Salvator
Le Foulage is on Goezeputstraat, around 260 metres from ‘t Zand and just under 400 metres from the Begijnhof. It’s a four-star, adults-only boutique hotel with a bar, a terrace, a lift, air conditioning and soundproofed rooms.
I’d choose it for a couples’ weekend when you want peace and style without staying in the middle of the crowds on Markt. As the hotel only welcomes adults, it isn’t suitable for families. From here, you can walk to both the station and Markt in just over ten minutes.
The cleanliness gets praise on Booking.com, where one guest writes: “The hotel was spotlessly clean and comfortable.”
See photos and book Boutique Hotel Le Foulage here.
Hotel Portinari - four-star hotel right on ‘t Zand
Hotel Portinari is right on ‘t Zand, around 900 metres from the station and just over 500 metres from Markt. The hotel has a restaurant, a bar, a lift, air conditioning and a 24-hour reception, and the underground car park beneath the square is right by the door.
The hotel is a good match if you want a classic hotel with all the practical things in place and a short walk to the train. The family rooms make it a useful choice when there are more of you. If you’re a light sleeper, ask for a room away from the square, where there’s more going on.
One guest highlights the style on Booking.com: “Lovely boutique hotel, very modern, clean and comfortable.”
See photos and book Hotel Portinari here.
Hotel Bla Bla - simple budget choice close to ‘t Zand
Hotel Bla Bla is on Dweersstraat, around 180 metres from ‘t Zand and just over 400 metres from Markt. It’s a two-star hotel with a garden, a terrace and family rooms, and it’s my budget pick in the western part of the centre.
There’s no lift, so heavy luggage has to be carried up. It makes sense to stay here when you’d rather spend your money on restaurants and museums than on the hotel itself, and still want to be able to walk everywhere. Dweersstraat is a smaller street, so you avoid the traffic on the square.
One guest singles out the service on Booking.com: “The staff were helpful, friendly and polite and more than happy to help with questions and recommendations.”
See photos and book Hotel Bla Bla here.
Where should you avoid staying in Bruges?
I wouldn’t stay outside the ramparts just to save a little money. Bruges is small, and the whole point of the city is that you can walk from your hotel to the canals. If you stay in the suburbs or out by the motorway, you’ll need a bus or a car every time, and you’ll miss the evening atmosphere in the quiet streets.
I also wouldn’t choose an address on the far side of the station if you want to spend your evenings in the centre. And if you dream of staying on the coast, that’s a different kind of holiday, because towns like Knokke and Blankenberge are great for the beach but not for a city break in Bruges.
Finally, I’d avoid a room facing directly onto Markt if you’re a light sleeper. The square is beautiful, but it’s often lively until late in the evening, and the horse-drawn carriages wait on the square during the day.
If it’s your first trip, I’d choose Markt and Burg or Spiegelrei, where you’ll have most things within a few minutes’ walk. If you’re arriving by train or bringing children, Begijnhof and Minnewater or ‘t Zand are the most practical choices. Sint-Anna is for you if you want peace and quiet and a more local side of Bruges.
Many people combine Bruges with a couple of days in the capital, and my guide to where to stay in Brussels can help you plan the next part of your trip. If you’re planning a longer trip around the Benelux countries, I’ve also put together the best areas in Amsterdam. In Bruges, I’d always choose an address inside the ramparts over a bigger room further out.
Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇
• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers
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