Bruges is a quaint fairytale-like medieval town in Belgium, which has the nickname “Venice of the North”. There is a good reason for that, because you can see many lovely canals in the city centre.
This small Belgian city is one of the most romantic places and it has also been a World Heritage Site UNESCO since 1998.
The name Brugge comes most likely from the old Scandinavian word “Brygga” meaning “harbor” or “mooring place”.
To be honest, I have a soft spot for Brugge! I have been there already three times and I still think it’s breathtaking!
Did you know, that Brugge was founded by Vikings in 9th century?
Are you planning a trip to Bruges?
Wondering where the most photogenic spots are?
I put together a list of the best spots in Bruges for photography that I found during my three visits! Of course, as always, you can find my pictures from Bruges also on my Instagram!
Let’s get started!
Here’s my list of the most photogenic, Instagrammable and scenic spots in Bruges.
Much Love,
Adele, Wanderluster Princess
1) ROZENHOEDKAAI
Let me start with the most obvious spot! Rozenhoedkaai also known as Quay of the Rosery, is for sure the most beautiful place in Bruges. Rozenhoedkaai is a postcard-perfect spot just begging to be photographed.
My Photography Recommendation: There are many different angles from which you can take a picture of Quay of the Rosery. The best composition for me is the view from the side across the Cafe’t Klein Venetië, because you can get in your picture also two very pretty houses otherwise hidden behind 2be Beer Pub.
Best Time to Visit: You can take a nice picture here at any time of the day if you are patient. There will be no people in the background since it is next to the canal. Just watch out for the boats full of tourists. They don’t look particularly pretty in photos. This is one of the most crowded places in Bruges, where every bus tour goes to. I would recommend early morning or before and after sunset. Those are for sure the prettiest and best times.
My Tip: Don’t miss seeing The Quay of the Rosery also at night! It looks like straight out of a fairytale with all the lights!
Exact Address: Rozenhoedkaai 2/8, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Google Maps Location – click here
2) BONIFACIUS BRIDGE
Bonifacius bridge is a tiny fairytale-like stone bridge located at Arents courtyard next to Groeninge Museum. This bridge is the prettiest one from countless bridges in Bruges. What makes this scene even more beautiful is the magnificent Church of Our Lady in the backdrop of the bridge.
My Tip: This Bridge is one of the most romantic places in Bruges!
Best Time to Visit: In order to get nice photos at this bridge, you need to wake up early.
My Photography Recommendation: There are two amazing compositions at this bridge. One standing on the bridge with the Church of Our Lady in the background. The other one is sitting on the bridge with cute wooden houses and the canal in the backdrop.
Exact Address: Bonifacius Bridge, 10, Groeninge 6, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Google Maps Location – click here
3) THE BELFORT
The Belfry of Bruges is a medieval bell tower from the 13th century located on the main square Markt. The Belfort is the most iconic landmark of Brugge. You can see also the Belfry in the backdrop of your pictures from Rozenhoedkaai!
My Tip: Don’t forget to go up on the tower, if you can climb all 366 steps. You will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the whole city.
Best Time to Visit: If you want to have nice pictures on the main square with the Belfry in the backdrop, you will have to show up very early, otherwise you get like billion people in the background. Next to the statue in the middle of the square, is a good spot for your pictures!
Opening Times of the Belfry Tower: 8:30 am – 18:00 pm
Entrance fee: 12 euro
Exact Address: Belfry of Bruges, Markt 7, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Google Maps Location – click here
4) CUTE HOUSES ON MARKT SQUARE
This very instagrammable place is located also on the main square of Bruges, Markt. On the opposite side of the square, you can find a row of very pretty red houses. They are the perfect backdrop for your photos! 🙂
Best Time to Visit: Going early morning is the key! There are restaurants located in the cute houses, so as soon as they open, there will be many people around. There are also tables outside in front of the houses in summer.
My Photo Tip: Watch out for ugly delivery trucks, which park early morning before the houses and destroy the whole composition. Fortunately, it takes no more than 10 minutes for them to leave!
Exact Address: Markt 20, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Google Maps Location – click here
5) BLINDE EZEL STRAAT – THE BLIND DONKEY STREET
This is one of the narrowest and most picturesque streets in Bruges! The cute alley lies in the historic heart of Bruges behind the city hall. According to a document from the year 1490, in this street used to be a hotel “Den Blinden Ezele” (The Blind Donkey).
My Photo Tip: Both side of this alley are very photogenic!
Best Time to Visit: I recommend you to come early morning so you can capture this beautiful alley without any people in the backdrop.
Exact Address: Blinde-Ezelstraat, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Google Maps Location – click here
6) BASILICA OF THE HOLY BLOOD
Basilica of the Holy Blood is a 12th-century church, that allegedly preserves Christ’s blood. According to a legend, Joseph of Arimathea wiped the blood from the body of Christ and the cloth was preserved. This cloth was later brought to Bruges and you can see it in this chapel. Of course, if you are a believer.
My Photography Tip: The Basilica is very picturesque from the outside, especially because of the red doors, windows and the stunning ornate facade!
Best Time to Visit: You can take good pictures next to the pretty facade and red doors at any time of the day!
Opening Hours: 9:30am – 12:30pm, 2pm – 5pm
Entrance Fee: The entrance to the basilica is free of charge, but if you wanna visit the Treasury, it is 2,5 euros.
Exact Address: Basilica of the Holy Blood, Burg 13, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Google Maps Location – click here
7) BEGIJNHOF – BEGUINAGE
Did you know that the Beguines were a movement of single or widowed women who wanted to live in a pious way. However they didn’t want to live in a monastery or convent. That’s why Beguinages were founded in many north Belgian and Dutch cities where these women lived and prayed. I have visited this one in Bruges, one in Antwerp and another one in Amsterdam! They all look very similar and lovely.
Begijnhof is a tranquil oasis in the middle of Bruges city center, which was founded in 1245. It used to be a home of the beguines, which was like I wrote earlier, a community of women who followed the example set by the apostles. The principles were poverty, simplicity, and preaching. Nowadays is this convent garden with pretty white houses inhabited by nuns of the Order of St. Benedict.
My Tip: The prettiest time to visit this tranquil oasis in Bruges, is late winter and spring when daffodils in the garden are in full bloom. I have been there twice in February (2020 and 2019) and both times I saw the daffodils blooming in the central green.
The Best Time to Visit: The convent garden doesn’t get too crowded, in fact, it is a very peaceful place. I took my photos there around 11 am.
My Recommendation: Don’t forget to visit the little church!
Opening Times: 6:30 am – 18:30 pm
Entrance Fee: Free of charge
Exact Address: Begijnhof 30, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Google Maps Location – click here
8) THE LOVE LAKE – MINNEWATER
This serene and very picturesque place is tucked away in the southern corner of Bruges city center. You can find here the Lake of Love, Lovers bridge, Minnewater Castle and Minnewater Park.
Did you know that the name of this place, Minne, comes from an old legend about a girl named Minna, who was in love with a warrior, however, her father didn’t approve. The story has a very tragic ending.
Best Time to Visit: Any time of the day is okay for getting good photos.
My Photography Tip: My favorite place for photos is next to the love lake with the Minnewater Castle in the background! Try to zoom in a little bit with your lense to make the castle stand out.
Exact Address: Minnewater, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Google Maps Location – click here
9) WIJNGAARDPLEIN
If you are a swan lover, you will love this place!
Wijngaardplein is located right next to Minnewater lake and Begijnhof and it is home to numerous swans!
Best Time to Visit: Basically anytime is fine for pictures.
Exact Address: Wijngaardplein, 8000 Bruges, Belgium
Google Maps Location – click here
10) MEESTRAAT BRIDGE – GROENERAI
This very instagrammable spot is a hidden gem I found on my last visit to Bruges in February 2020. Groenerai is one of the prettiest canals in Bruges.
Groenerai means “the Green Canal” and it is one of the most romantic canals in Brugge!
Best Time to Visit: This area is not so crowded like the rest of Bruges, but if you want to get photos with no people on the Meestraat bridge, you have to show up early morning.
My Photography Tip: The best composition I found is when you sit next to canal and you have the Meestraat Bridge and a row of cute houses in the backdrop. It actually looks a lot like in Amsterdam, especially because of the houses.
Exact Address: Groenerai, Bruges, Belgium
Google Maps Location – click here
11) BONNE-CHIÈREMOLEN & SINT-JANSHUISMOLEN
Did you know there are 4 windmills in Bruges?
The windmills are located just a short walk from the city center. You probably imagine Holland when you hear windmills, but Bruges has actually a rich windmill history dating back to the 13th century.
My Photo Tip: Bonne-Chièremolen is for me the most photogenic one, but they all look beautiful.
Best Time to Visit: You don’t have to come early to get a decent photo. You just need a bit of patience! 🙂 I went there in the afternoon around 3 pm.
Exact Address: Bonne-Chièremolen, Kruisvest 5, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Google Maps Location – click here
12) CHOCOLATIER DUMON HOUSE
Chocolatier Dumon house is the most adorable chocolate shop in Bruges! It’s a tiny brown and very instagrammable house located in the city center.
Best Time to Visit: It is possible to get a nice photo at any time. Patience is the key!
Exact Address: Chocolatier Dumon, Eiermarkt 6, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Google Maps Location – click here
13) MARIASTRAAT BRIDGE & SINT-JANSHOSPITAL
The Mariastraat Bridge has very photogenic views from both sides. One side you can see cute house next to a canal and from the other side a beautiful building of Sint-Janshospitaal. Sint-Janshospitaal is an 11th-century hospital and nowadays a museum.
Best Time to Visit: This bridge tends to get crowded so you should come earlier in the day.
Exact Address: Mariastraat 23, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Google Maps Location – click here
14) CANAL SPIEGELREI
This is another very pretty canal located near Jan van Eyckplein square. You can find here another row of colorful photogenic houses.
Best Time to Visit: Any time of the day is okay if you take pictures next to the canal. People walking by on the other side of the canal will be tiny.
Exact Address: Spiegelrei, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
Google Maps Location – click here
BONUS – PHOTO PROPS
Don’t forget to try the Belgian waffles and buy some cute souvenirs. You can also get cute pictures with it! 🙂 For inspiration you can check out my pictures below.
Do you agree with the best photography places? Do you have something to add or you need a piece of travel advice? Don’t hesitate to contact me! 🙂 Comment below, DM me on Instagram or email me.
Thanks for reading! 🙂
Happy Traveling!
XOXO
Adele
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