Our final stop on our Christmas cruise was the beautiful Bruges and it couldn’t have been a more perfect ending to our holiday. From the moment we stepped off the ship there was a festive buzz in the air. A 30 minute bus ride from the terminal brought us into the heart of a city that looked like it had been made for Christmas.
Bruges is often called the Venice of the North thanks to its picturesque canals and bridges. Once a thriving trading centre in the Middle Ages, it grew rich from the cloth industry and today its Gothic buildings, cobbled streets and ornate squares feel frozen in time. It’s no wonder the historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; every corner looks as though it belongs in a painting.
At Christmas, Bruges transforms into something truly magical. Narrow lanes shimmer with festive lights, shop windows glow with holiday displays and the air is rich with the aromas of waffles, chocolate and mulled wine. Along the way, we visited a charming chocolatier known for its silky pralines which we happily stockpiled to bring home as gifts. We also picked up the most beautiful Christmas tree decorations from the market hand painted baubles that will forever remind us of that sparkling afternoon in Bruges.
Our daughter really enjoyed the mix of beauty and shopping in Bruges from the reflections in the canals and the grand belfry to browsing little boutiques selling clothes, chocolates and Christmas gifts many with storefronts decorated with flowers.
The main square the Market, was where the magic truly gathered. Against the backdrop of colourful medieval buildings and the belfry, the Christmas market buzzed with festive cheer. Stalls overflowed with handmade crafts, beautifully crafted tree ornaments, warm winter accessories and sweet treats. Horse and cart rides trotted by, adding to the feeling that we’d stepped into a real life Christmas card.
My son made a beeline for the freshly made waffles warm, sugar dusted and undeniably delicious. He declared them “the best one he’d ever had” and polished his off in record time. The rest of us indulged in Belgian fries with mayo and mugs of decadent hot chocolate that could double as pudding. Meanwhile, my parents chose to savour the moment at a lovely restaurant overlooking the market. With heaters and blankets keeping them snug, they shared pizza and wine while watching the festive scene unfold below.
There was something about Bruges at Christmas the blend of history, charm and the kind of authentic holiday magic you only find in fairy tales.
Our Family’s Final Thoughts
By the time we boarded the bus back to the ship, we all agreed without hesitation: Bruges was most definitely our favourite stop of the cruise. Each of us had our own personal highlight our son with his perfect waffle, our daughter entranced by the beauty, my parents relaxing with wine and pizza overlooking the market and us, as parents, relishing the small details like choosing chocolates to bring home and picking out ornaments to remember. One day simply wasn’t enough, Bruges is firmly on our “must return” list for a future city break ideally at Christmastime, though we’ll never forget this one day.
Festive charm on every corner, Bruges knows how to dress for the holidays
Lunch break, Belgian style
Sweet dreams are made of Belgian chocolate
Enjoying every bite and wearing a little too
Christmas in a cup, Bruges style
Christmas tree views, mulled wine in hand, Bruges at its best
Postcard perfect reflexions along Bruges canals
Happiness is a warm Belgian waffle
Escapes with teens 
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