To be subjected to the full fascination of Bruges, one should see it on a fair, still night, without a moon. In every direction gables mysteriously cut the sky. All is vast and dim around the funereal canals, out of which, one knows not how, gray towers, like the architecture of fairyland, spring through bouquets of colorless foliage. On the lustrous and vitreous waters, profoundly quiet, a few reflected lights are dancing. [*The Independent*, 1900]1
At one time, the canals of Bruges bustled at night. The city’s wharves were crowded with ships. Sailors drank to oblivion. Hawkers sold their wares. Merchants guarded their warehouses packed to the rafters with English wool, Flemish linen, Persian silk. The city’s citizens were among the wealthiest in Europe.
Now it’s still. And it’s beautiful.
The glassy water of the canals reflect the lights and fairy tale architecture. The wet cobblestones glisten under the street lights. And the Belfry of Bruges, along with some of the other landmarks towering above the city, are brightly lit up with floodlights. The canal boats are wrapped up for the night. The horses are back at their stables. The streets are quiet aside from the occasional tourist wandering back to their hotels after a Belgian feast washed down with trappist beer. They walk past the shop windows full of chocolate or Flemish lace. Or they stop by a takeout window for dessert of a Belgian waffle topped with very un-Belgian whipped cream.
And then it’s quiet and still again.
Photos of Bruges at Night
Where Is It?
- Edmund Gosse, “Impressions of Bruges,” *The Independent*, 28 June 1900. ↩
Where to Next?
Travel Advice for Belgium
You can find the latest U.S. Department of State travel advisories and information for Belgium (such as entry visa requirements and vaccination requirements) here.
The British and Australian governments offer their own country-specific travel information. You can find the British Government's travel advice for Belgium here and the Australian Government's here.
Health & Vaccinations
The CDC makes country-specific recommendations for vaccinations and health for travelers. You can find their latest information for Belgium here.
Guidebooks for Belgium
If you're looking for a guidebook to make the most of your visit, these are some of the most popular ones currently for Belgium. Some are available in both paper and e-book formats.
- Steves, Rick (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- Elliott, Mark (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- English (Publication Language)
- DK Eyewitness (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Travel Insurance For Your Trip to Belgium
I never travel without travel insurance, and I've run into several situations where I've had to make claims. I consider it essential.
But shopping for travel insurance can be a pain and confusing. Thankfully, there are some travel insurance comparison sites that show you a wide range of plans, make it easy to compare coverage, and can save you money at the same time. And the coverage can be much better tailored to your specific needs than the checkbox offering at travel booking sites or through your credit card.
These are some good places to shop for travel insurance for your next trip to Belgium :
Hopefully, you won't need it, but if something goes wrong, you'll sure be glad you have it!