Brugge, Belgium – With Kids!

My apologies for just now posting about THE MOST AWESOME PLACE IN EUROPE!  Okay, yes, Europe is filled with amazing spaces, but Brugge, Belgium, completely impressed me and made me want to never leave.  We only forced ourselves to get in the car and zoom away because, well, hey I have a hard enough time with German.  No way I could be officially tri-lingual like the Flemish!

Seriously, Brugge is still (mostly) unspoiled and positively gorgeous.  It’s quaint, walkable, unassuming, and nearly perfect… though eating out will bust your budget.

Here are the best things we did with the kiddos…

Soaking in the beauty of Brugge.  As an art history lover, I relish visiting cities with unique architecture and all-around beauty.  Brugge really hit the spot.  I’ll inundate you with magnificent views in a subsequent post.

Brugge – this place is so beautiful even the trash is attractive!

Climbing the Belfort Tower.  For a total recap and what to know when visiting the Belfort with kids, click here.

Sneak peak at the Belfort view.

Canal Boat Tour.  Again, this was so picturesque, I think it deserves its own space.  Details coming soon!

Brugge by boat.

Begijnhof.  I can’t believe I’m recommending visiting a convent with kids (and I have all boys to boot), but this little enclave is such a sight to behold especially in spring. Admission to the hof is free, and the area is small enough that you can get an eyeful of architecture before the “quiet game” gets old.  Begijnhof 30

Bejinhof – I can’t say I have ever had a convent on my top 10 list, but whoa.

Chocolate Shops.  All of Belgium is teeming with truffles.  If you want to browse in peace, ply your little ones with “local chocolate” from the supermarket before you step into the ‘spensive stores.  Chocolaterie Dumon struck our fancy, but feel free to browse other fine establishments.  Simon Stevinplein 11

Be prepared for some funky flavors in those truffles.  Two of the most ridiculous – coke…

and cannabis?!

Churches.  As I mentioned in my snapshot of Brussels with kids, T-Rex is totally into churches right now though I can’t put my finger on why.  After all, he has to be quiet and he can’t touch anything.  Perhaps he just has a love of art and architecture in his DNA?  Our favorites were The Church of Our Lady (Mariastraat) and St. Salvator’s Cathedral (Sint-Salvatorskerkhof).

We were a little turned around when we stumbled upon the quaint courtyard behind The Church of Our Lady.

Listening to organ music in St. Salvator’s cathedral. The boys look bored in this photo, but they were begging to stay.  They loved listening to the music and watching the organist (to the right).

Graf Visartpark.  When the boys grew tired of specaloos slathered waffles (okay, no, no that never happened), we treated them to an afternoon in the local park.  This particular play place offered super fun structures for the boys to climb, swing, jump, duck, bounce, and shake every last little bit of energy out before bed.

A stroke of genius, the raised platform allowed mamas with prams to easily navigate the sandy area.

Even Doc Sci loved this park!

Fun kid stuff in Brugge that we didn’t have time to visit…

Sebrechtspark and Astridpark.  Sebrechtspark is gated, and we must have missed the opening hours.  Both parks are rumored to have playgrounds perfectly suited to reward good behavior.

Sebrechtspark – closed!

Zeventorentjes.  A small animal park for kids with a biergarten for the parents.  Located a ways from the Brugge city center.  Canadaring 41

Been to Brugge?  What made your top 10?  Anything I missed?

Headed to Belgium?  Check out our Snapshots of Brussels and Antwerpen with Kids, as well as our Supermarket Souvenirs – Belgium guide!

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