Explore Bruges: The best routes around the city

Bruges in Belgium is one of Europe’s most beautifully preserved medieval towns; its cobbled streets are lined with gabled alms houses and Gothic churches, their distinctive forms reflected in the glassy waters of the canals that flow through the town. But there’s more to enjoy than history: the town has classy art galleries, fashionable boutiques, hearty food, and cozy bars and cafes.Explore Bruges is part of a brand-new series and is the ideal pocket companion to this historic town: a full-color guide containing 15 easy-to-follow routes which lead you from the busy main square dominated by its magnificent 14th-century belfry, via leafy streets to fascinating museums and the calm courtyard of the Beguin nuns. Insight’s trademark cultural coverage perfectly sets the routes in context, with introductions to Bruges’ entertainment, history, and love of fine food and drink – don’t leave town without sampling the famous mussels, beer, French fries, and chocolate. We also suggest tours to the surrounding area, including Ypres, with its poignant tributes to those who died on the Flanders battlefields.The best places to eat and drink are highlighted in each route and in the directory section, which also contains a wealth of practical advice, including hotels to suit all budgets. All routes are plotted on the pull-out map, and evocative photography captures the essence of the town.