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Markt
Bruges' nerve centre is the historic Markt, a large open square flanked by medieval-style buildings and bustling with horse-drawn carriages, open-air restaurants and camera-clicking tourists. Standing tall at its centre is a monument to Pieter De Coninck and Jan Breydel, the leaders of the Brugse Metten, and lording over everything is the fabulous belfry.
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Memlingmuseum
Home to masterpieces by Hans Memling (1440-94) and other painters from his time, the museum occupies the restored 12th century St Janshospital. The small collection is wonderful, especially the St Ursula Shrine.
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Minnewater
Known in English as the Lake of Love, the Minnewater harks back to Bruges' medieval heyday. This waterway was a dock from where ships as far afield as Russia came laden with cargoes of wool, wine, spices and silks and left loaded with Flemish cloth.
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Museum St Janshospitaal
The prestigious Museum St Janshospitaal is housed in a restored chapel of a 12th-century hospital. It's home to six masterpieces by Hans Memling, plus many works by lesser-known painters of that time. Memling is noted for the fine quality of the figures in his religious paintings, such as the central panel of the Mystic Marriage of St Catherine triptych (1479) that's presented here.
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Museum voor Volkskunde
The Museum voor Volkskunde occupies a row of restored godshuizen (almshouses). Exhibits include an old Flemish kitchen, a hatter's shop and a 1930s-style snoepwinkel (sweet shop). One room has been converted into a café - De Zwarte Kat - serving drinks and snacks.
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Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk
The Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk is a dark, sober building that dates from the 13th century and is most noted for its art treasures. Of these, the Madonna and Child by Michelangelo is the undisputed gem. This small marble statue (1504) was bought in Italy by a Bruges merchant and was the only work of art by Michelangelo to leave Italy in his lifetime. Although pilfered several times by occupying forces, the statue has always been returned.
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Paul Delvaux Museum
In St Idesbald on the Belgian coast, this superb museum occupies the house and studio of Paul Delvaux (1897-1994), one of Belgium's most famous surrealist artists
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Plopsaland
This cute theme park in De Panne, on the Belgian coast, is based around Belgian TV characters like Plop the gnome.
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Provinciaal Hof
The Markt's eastern side is dominated by the Provinciaal Hof, a neogothic building home to the post office and a handy ATM.
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Rozenhoedkaai
This quay offers the city's best belfry shot - it is stunningly illuminated against a dark evening sky.
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St Annakerk
This 15th-century church lends its name to the St Anna quarter that fans out east of here.
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St Janshuismolen
In the 13th century, Bruges' great walls were dotted with molens (windmills) where cereals were ground into flour. Four still stand on the eastern rampart and two can be visited: the 18th-century St Janshuismolen is one, the nearby Koeleweimolen is another. The sails are occasionally set in motion, and each houses a tiny museum.
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St Salvatorskathedraal
The 13th-century St Salvatorskathedraal is Bruges' oldest parish church. After years covered in scaffolding, the church's unusual 99m-high tower - incorporating turrets and spires with neo-Romanesque flair - is once again distinctly visible. Inside, the treasury displays works by Dirk Bouts and Pourbus.
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Statue of Hans Memling
The statue of Hans Memling was erected in 1874. The Flemish Primitive artist is buried in St Gilliskerk, a few blocks further north. For a statue of the most famous artist of this genre, head to nearby Jan Van Eyckplein.
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Treasury
Inside the 13th-century St Salvatorskathedraal, the Treasury displays works by Dirk Bouts and Pourbus.
