Unique Things to Do in Bruges: Less Obvious Stops I Loved After Visiting Twice

Looking for unique things to do in Bruges beyond the first-trip sights? Here’s my guide to the less obvious stops I’d add to your trip after visiting Bruges twice— including early-morning walks with locals, Bruges cafés, historic windmill walks, beer spots and all the quieter Bruges corners worth knowing.

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Bruges is touristy, let’s not deny it.

It’s one of the most visited cities in Belgium for a reason, with a very generous supply of canals, cobbled streets, stepped-gable buildings, chocolate shops, horse-drawn carriages and iconic bits like Markt and climbing the Belfry of Bruges.

Not to mention views that’ll make your camera roll swoon.

But is it all about the best things to do in Bruges?

In my opinion, a lot of the touristy things in Bruges are still worth doing.

On my first trip, I did the obvious Bruges things: walked around Markt, climbed the Belfry, heard the bells, saw the main squares, went all in on chocolate and took in the canal views.

But on my second visit, I stayed overnight at Hotel Acacia in the city centre, had more time to look past the obvious and more chances to see the city when it wasn’t at its busiest.

With that said, here’s my guide to my favourite unique things to do in Bruges beyond the obvious. I hope it adds something special to your itinerary!

P.S. – If it’s your first time in Bruges and you want the main sights, read my guide to the best things to do in Bruges. For a full day plan, read my one day in Bruges itinerary, or my 2 days in Bruges itinerary if you’re spending the weekend.

Shall we?

About the Author

Hi, I’m Candace — a London-based travel writer and content creator who traded the East Coast of the US for the charm of the UK back in 2016. London’s been my home ever since.

On this blog, you’ll find hundreds of thoughtfully crafted London, UK, Europe and Worldwide travel guides alongside lots of insider London tips, honest hotel and restaurant reviews and advice for content creators.

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🗞️📺 As featured on the BBC, USA Today & Recipe.TV.

Quick Picks: Unique Things to Do in Bruges

outside of chocolate shop candace abroad bruges

Short on time? No offence taken! Here’s my top picks for unique things to do in Bruges.

For…	Do this
Best way to see Bruges before the crowds	Bruges Before Breakfast walk
Best slower Bruges stop	Check out the Bruges’ café scene
Best free unique thing to do	Windmill Walk De Vesten (City Ramparts)
Best Belgian beer stop	’t Brugs Beertje
Best live-music night out	Joey’s Café
Best base for exploring Bruges early and late	Hotel Acacia

Book Your Bruges Trip

Where I stayed: I stayed at Hotel Acacia Bruges, just a few minutes’ walk from Markt Square and Bruges’ historic centre. You can also compare more hotels in Bruges here.

Getting to Bruges: Compare train times and prices from Brussels to Bruges, London to Bruges, Paris to Bruges or Amsterdam to Bruges.

The tour I’d book for a first trip: I loved this small-group walking tour and canal cruise because it combines two of the best ways to see Bruges—walking (and gawking) through the historic centre and seeing the city from the canals.

For food lovers: This private Bruges food tour with 10 tastings is a more in-depth and delicious way to try Belgian food and drinks, all while exploring the city with a local guide.

Stay connected: Make sure to set up your Europe eSIM before your trip. It takes less than five minutes, and you’ll have mobile data nice and ready when you arrive.

For extra peace of mind: I personally recommend using VisitorsCoverage to compare travel insurance options before your trip—it’s my go-to for finding the right cover whenever I travel.

Take the Bruges Before Breakfast Walk

Best for: seeing Bruges before the tourist crowds and day-trippers
Time needed: around 70 minutes
Good to know: it’s a small group, coffee is included, and it’s an early start
My verdict: this is the first thing I’d book if you want a more unique Bruges experience for your trip.

The Bruges Before Breakfast: Walk with a Local and a Coffee tour is exactly the kind of unique Bruges experience you need to go beyond the tourist checklist.

Led by local guide Artur, this 70-minute small-group walk is all about seeing Bruges before the crowds come in.

You’ll start around Markt, wander through places like Burg Square, the Fish Market, Huidenvettersplein, Dijver and the Church of Our Lady, and stop for coffee along the way.

Along the route, Artur shares his favourite stories about Bruges’ history, local traditions, Bruges people and culture—in other words, you’ll understand the city from a whole new perspective before the crowds have even had breakfast.

Book the Bruges Before Breakfast Walk with a Local and a Coffee

P.S. – For more tours in Bruges that I recommend, read my guide to the best tours in Bruges.

Check Out Bruges’ Café Scene

The Novel, Bruges

Best for: a slower Bruges pause between sightseeing
Time needed: 30–60 minutes
Good to know: choose one or two cafés and look beyond the most obvious terraces on Markt if you want a less tourist-heavy stop
My verdict: one of the easiest ways to feel like a Bruges local for a bit.

One of the things that made Bruges feel less rushed to me on my trip was checking out the Bruges café scene.

Given the setting, it’s no surprise that coffee shops in Bruges are visibly charming, but beyond that, they’re a reminder that not every unique thing to do in Bruges needs to be a museum, viewpoint or tour.

Sometimes it’s sitting down for a proper coffee, tucking in for brunch or simply having a nice pause before more canals and chocolate shops on your trip.

For cafes near Markt, I’d look at The Novel, Coffeebar Adriaan or HIDE Breakfast / Lunch, The Old Chocolate House Tea Room for hot cocoa and Dees Koffiebranders or AVI’38 Specialty Coffee Bar if you’re into speciality coffee.

Read More: Best Cafés in Bruges: My Favourites from My Trip

Do the Windmill Walk (De Vesten City Ramparts)

Best for: a free scenic walk away from the busiest centre
Time needed: around 45 minutes to 1½ hours from the city centre
Good to know: head towards Kruispoort, then follow the ramparts path along Kruisvest, or put Sint-Janshuismolen into Google Maps for your trip
My verdict: best if you have two days in Bruges or want a calmer, more open side of the city vs. the beautiful but denser city centre.

The Windmill Walk (in De Vesten City Ramparts) is one of my favourite less obvious things to do in Bruges.

The windmills sit along the old ramparts around Kruisvest, on the eastern side of the city, so about a 20-minute walk from Markt in the city centre.

Once you’re here, you can make the loop to the iconic Sint-Janshuismolen windmill, an 18th-century baker’s windmill that still grinds grain when conditions allow…

It’s the only operating windmill in Bruges and if it’s open when you visit, you can go inside too and get wide and lovely views over the ramparts and city.

I’d recommend this if you have two days in Bruges, want a free scenic walk, want to see some of Bruges’ greenery or simply need a break from the busiest canal streets and Markt area.

P.S. – To get here, put Sint-Janshuismolen into Google Maps. It’s a straightforward walk, and doing the whole thing takes about 45 minutes to 1½ hours from the city centre depending on your pace, photo stops and whether the mill is open when you visit.

It’s not the first thing I’d do on a busy day trip in Bruges, but if you have time, it absolutely gives you a calmer, more local side of the city.

Read More: My Bruges Weekend Itinerary

Have a Beer at ’t Brugs Beertje

’t Brugs Beertje

Best for: A Belgian beer tuck-in with character
Time needed: 45–90 minutes
Good to know: their hours can be weird sometimes, so check the current opening times before building your evening around it
My verdict: the beer stop I’d choose over a random busy terrace near Markt.

If you like Belgian beer, ’t Brugs Beertje should definitely be a stop on your Bruges itinerary.

It’s not hidden exactly. Beer lovers (local and other) know it and love it too. Really it’s a beer lover’s paradise, with about 300 Belgian beers, including five on draft, and all you need for a fabulous sit-down evening in Bruges post-exploring.

Personally I’d do a canal cruise in Bruges, walk around the historic centre, eat something, then come here when you’re ready for Bruges to feel a little less postcard and a little more local pub!

Read More: Where to Eat in Bruges: Belgian Dishes, Chocolate, Waffles & Beer to Try

Tuck in for Blues, Jazz and Rock at Joey’s Café

Joey’s Café

Best for: an evening drink with live music (blues, jazz and rock)
Time needed: 1–2 hours
Good to know: check what’s on before your visit!
My verdict: a good one for seeing Bruges’ local music scene

For a Bruges drink stop with a little more tune, look at Joey’s Café.

It’s a small pub tucked away on Zilversteeg, and a real treasure trove of the city for blues, jazz and rock. My kind of night!

Beyond the postcard tourism, it’s a great place to see what Bruges is really like once the tour guides clock off for a drink.

Concerts are held regularly, but check the current programme before you go.

P.S. – There’s also an iconic jazz and blues venue called 27BFlat on Sint-Jakobsstraat that was on my list to visit. It’s closed at the moment, but if it’s open by the time you visit, please let me know how it was!

Base Yourself at This Bruges Hotel if You’re Staying Overnight

This isn’t a “unique thing to do in Bruges” in the museum-and-tour sense, but I’m including it because staying overnight genuinely changed how I experienced Bruges.

On my second visit, I stayed at Hotel Acacia, right in the city centre and close to Markt. That meant I could wander out before the busiest part of the day, come back when I wanted a break, and enjoy Bruges in the evening instead of treating it like a race back to the train station.

If you’re trying to make Bruges feel a little less touristy, your hotel location matters more than you might think.

A central stay gives you access to the quietest parts of the day—early mornings and later evenings—which are great times to do less-touristy things in Bruges.

I’d especially recommend staying overnight if you want to do the Bruges Before Breakfast walk, enjoy Joey’s Café or ’t Brugs Beertje in the evening.

If you have two days in Bruges, you can also add the Windmill Walk in the morning, which is a really lovely way to start the day.

Read More: Hotel Acacia Bruges Review
Read More: Where to Stay in Bruges

A Few More Unique Bruges Stops to Consider

Visit the Begijnhof

The Begijnhof is touristy, yes, but it’s still one of the most unique places in Bruges.

It was home to beguines—emancipated laywomen who led pious, celibate lives—with whitewashed houses, a calm courtyard and a history that feels completely different from Markt, Rozenhoedkaai or the busier canal streets.

I’d add it in if you’re already walking between Minnewater and the historic centre, or if you want a peaceful stop that still feels very specific to Bruges. It’s still a living place of silence, so visit respectfully and remember to keep your voice down!

For more unusual Bruges architecture, I’d also look out for the Godshuizen—they’re centuries-old almshouse courtyards dotted around the historic centre.

Visit Volkskundemuseum

If you want a smaller museum that feels different from Bruges’ big art and church stops, look at Volkskundemuseum, the Folk Museum.

It focuses more on everyday life in Bruges, with rooms based around things like a Bruges classroom, pharmacy, tailor’s workshop, confectionery and grocery store.

I’d add this if the weather turns, if you’re staying two days, or if you want a museum that feels more about Bruges people and daily life than grand paintings or architecture.

P.S. – If you have time, I’d also look into exploring Sint-Anna and the streets around Langestraat and Hoogstraat nearby!

How I’d Fit Unique Things to Do in Bruges Into Your Trip

If you only have one day in Bruges, I’d keep your main itinerary quite focused.

Do the big Bruges sights first: Markt, the Belfry, Burg Square, Rozenhoedkaai, a canal cruise, Bonifacius Bridge, the Begijnhof and a chocolate stop.

Then add just one unique thing from this list.

My pick would be either the Bruges Before Breakfast walk if you’re staying overnight, or the Windmill Walk along De Vesten if you want a free, scenic break from the busiest centre.

If you have two days in Bruges, then you can do the first-time sights on day one, then save day two for a slower café stop, the Windmill Walk, Volkskundemuseum, ’t Brugs Beertje or Joey’s Café.

Read More: One Day in Bruges Itinerary
Read More: My Bruges Weekend Itinerary
Read More: Best Tours in Bruges
Read More: Where to Eat in Bruges

Final Thoughts: Unique Things to Do in Bruges

Windmill Walk (De Vesten City Ramparts) (1)

In my opinion, things are touristy for a reason, so the best unique things to do in Bruges aren’t about avoiding the famous sights.

You should still see Markt, hear the bells cry from the Belfry, wander Burg Square, take in Rozenhoedkaai, walk across Bonifacius Bridge, and take a walking tour with chocolate and a canal cruise if it’s your first trip.

But Bruges does get better when you add a second layer.

Wake up earlier than everyone else. Book the morning walk. Sit down for coffee instead of rushing to the next viewpoint. Walk out to the windmills. Have a beer somewhere cool and stay overnight if you can.

That’s how Bruges becomes more than the postcard.

Happy travels,

Candace x

FAQ: Unique Things to Do in Bruges

💭 What are the best unique things to do in Bruges?

The best unique things to do in Bruges in my opinion are taking the Bruges Before Breakfast walk, exploring the Bruges café scene, doing the Windmill Walk along De Vesten, having a beer at ’t Brugs Beertje, going to Joey’s Café and staying overnight so you can experience the city outside the busiest day-trip hours.

💭 What are unusual things to do in Bruges?

For unusual things to do in Bruges, I’d look at the Bruges Before Breakfast walk, the Windmill Walk around Kruisvest, Volkskundemuseum, the Godshuizen and evening drinks somewhere like ’t Brugs Beertje or Joey’s Café.

💭 What are fun things to do in Bruges for adults?

Fun things to do in Bruges for adults would most definitely include trying Belgian beer at ’t Brugs Beertje, checking what’s on at Joey’s Café, taking a canal cruise in Bruges, booking a morning walking tour, exploring Bruges cafés and adding a food, beer or chocolate Bruges tour to your itinerary.

💭 What are free unique things to do in Bruges?

The Windmill Walk along De Vesten is one of the best free unique things to do in Bruges. You can also walk around the Begijnhof, look for the Godshuizen, explore the quieter canal streets early in the morning and wander away from Markt towards less busy parts of the city.

💭 Is the Windmill Walk in Bruges worth it?

Yes, the Windmill Walk is definitely worth it if you have enough time. I’d allow around 45 minutes to 1½ hours from the city centre, depending on how leisurely you walk, whether you stop for photos and whether you go inside Sint-Janshuismolen if it’s open.

💭 Is Bruges too touristy?

Bruges is touristy, but I don’t think that makes it any less worth visiting. The key is to do the famous sights, then add a few less obvious experiences so the trip feels more personal.

Read More: Is Bruges Worth Visiting? My Honest Review After Visiting Twice

💭 How do you avoid crowds in Bruges?

To avoid the worst crowds in Bruges, stay overnight, start early, visit the main photo spots before day-trippers arrive, save some sights for the evening and add less central stops like the windmill walk or quieter cafés.

💭 Is Bruges better as a day trip or overnight stay?

Bruges works as a day trip, but I think it’s better overnight. Staying over gives you early mornings (fantastic for photography), quieter evenings, more time for cafés and dinner, and a better chance to experience the city outside the busiest hours.

💭 What should I do in Bruges after seeing the main sights?

After seeing Markt, the Belfry, Burg Square, Rozenhoedkaai and the canals, I’d add the Bruges Before Breakfast walk, a Bruges café stop, the Windmill Walk, ’t Brugs Beertje, Joey’s Café, Volkskundemuseum, the Begijnhof or the Godshuizen.

Plan the rest of your Bruges trip

Still planning? Here’s more of my Bruges guides to help you decide where to stay, what to book and how to make the most of your trip.