On Thursdays, this huge square in the centre of town hosts a popular market where stalls sell food and household products. Its proximity to the Stadhuis, de Drvkkery bookstore and many cafes and bars makes it popular at other times, too.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Groeningemuseum
26.22 MILES
Bruges’ most celebrated art gallery boasts an astonishingly rich collection that's strong in superb Flemish Primitive and Renaissance works, depicting the…
Museum Sint-Janshospitaal
26.39 MILES
In the restored chapel of a 12th-century hospital building with superb timber beamwork, this museum shows various torturous-looking medical implements,…
Basiliek van het Heilig Bloed
26.1 MILES
The western end of the stadhuis morphs into the Basiliek van het Heilig Bloed. The basilica takes its name from a phial supposedly containing a few drops…
Stadhuis
26.08 MILES
The beautiful 1420 stadhuis features a fanciful facade that’s second only to Leuven’s for exquisitely turreted Gothic excess. Inside, an audioguide…
Brugse Vrije
26.05 MILES
Eye-catching with its early baroque gables, gilt highlights and golden statuettes, this was once the seat of the ‘Liberty of Bruges’, the large autonomous…
Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk
26.35 MILES
Dominating its surrounds, this 13th-century church was reopened in 2015 after extensive renovations. Its enormous 115m spire is unmissable throughout much…
Hof Arents
26.27 MILES
Behind the Arentshuis, Hof Arents is a charming little park with a hump-backed pedestrian bridge, St-Bonifaciusbrug, that crosses the canal, offering…
Choco-Story
25.96 MILES
This highly absorbing chocolate museum traces the cocoa bean back to its role as an Aztec currency. Learn about choco history, watch a video on cocoa…
Nearby Middelburg attractions
1. Stadhuis
0.06 MILES
Dominating the Markt, the town hall certainly grabs the eye. It's ornately beautiful, and displays a pastiche of styles: the Gothic side facing the Markt…
2. Nieuwe Kerk
0.14 MILES
Part of the original 13th-century Abdij but largely rebuilt in the 16th century after a fire extensively damaged the complex, this double-naved church is…
3. Wandelkerk
0.14 MILES
Dating from the 1600s, this walkway between the two churches in the Abdij holds the tombs of Jan and Cornelis Evertsen, admirals and brothers killed…
4. Lange Jan Tower
0.15 MILES
This 91m tower is topped with a gilded imperial crown, a tribute to Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I. Climb the 200-odd steps to enjoy views over town.
5. Koorkerk
0.16 MILES
Dating from the 1300s but largely rebuilt in the 16th-century after a fire devastated the Abdij complex, the vaulted Koorkerk (Choir Church) operated as a…
6. Abdij
0.17 MILES
Dating from the 12th century, this huge abbey complex houses the regional government as well as two churches: the Koorkerk (built for the clergy) and…
7. Zeeuws Museum
0.2 MILES
Housed in the former monks’ dormitories of the abbey complex, this museum is divided into three permanent sections: one concentrating on fashion; another…
8. Damplein
0.26 MILES
The area around the elongated Damplein (east of the Abdij) preserves many 18th-century houses, some of which have been turned into interesting shops,…