We visited a lot of great places in 2025 — some brand-new to us, some familiar favorites we’re always happy to return to. But if I had to pick one location that stands out as the most memorable, it would be a place I’m almost embarrassed to admit I knew basically nothing about until the night before we arrived.
That place was Bruges, Belgium.
And the funny part? It wasn’t even a big “planned” day on our itinerary. It was more like… well, we’re here, let’s see what happens.
How Bruges ended up on our schedule (kind of)
As part of our Virgin Voyages Europe cruise, we had a solid plan for Amsterdam… and then we basically flew by the seat of our pants for everything else.
That included Bruges.
We didn’t book an excursion. We didn’t have a list of “must-do” attractions. The only real goal we had was simple: Buy some Belgian chocolate.
How hard could that be, right?
Getting there: cruise port to Bruges in a couple of easy steps
First, I had to figure out how to actually get from the port to the city.
Fortunately, Virgin Voyages ran a shuttle bus from the port to Blankenberge. Some passengers chose to just hang out there, but we realized Bruges was only a short train ride away — so that’s what we did.
With that part solved, I did what any responsible traveler does when they’ve got limited time and no plan: I opened ChatGPT and asked for the highlights and a quick walking route… with a stop for chocolate.
And honestly? That worked out really well.
First stop: Minnewater (The “Lake of Love”)
Most of the cruise ship passengers headed straight into the center of Bruges.
We… didn’t. We were directed off to the side, into a park, and suddenly we were standing in front of a view that looked like it belonged on the cover of a storybook. It was gorgeous… and surprisingly quiet.
That quiet park we got funneled into wasn’t “just a random park.” It was Minnewater — better known as Bruges’ Lake of Love. And it’s one of those places where the city immediately shows its hand: calm water, swans, trees, and that “wait…this is real?” feeling, before you’ve even seen the crowds.
The Lake of Love nickname comes with its own romantic backstory (as these places tend to do), and even if you don’t buy the legend, the setting does the work for it. The best photos are taken from the bridge overlooking the lake — the kind of view that looks staged, even when it isn’t.
We took photos near the “Love Lake,” then wandered along the paths and into the small streets, where everything felt calm, historic, and just a little unreal (in the best way).
Should you do a canal ride in Bruges?
We didn’t have time for a canal ride on this visit — but after walking the city, it’s easy to see why people do it. Bruges’ canals (the locals call them the reien) aren’t just pretty scenery — they’re part of the city’s original “why this place exists” story. And on a boat, you get angles you simply can’t see from street level.
Chocolate: not the mass-market stuff
Eventually, we found a square with two chocolate shops that were clearly a step above the typical tourist “grab a pre-wrapped box and go” setup.
After a few minutes of indecision (and staring at displays that made a quick choice impossible), we picked one, Dumon, and took our time. We ended up with a good stash of chocolates to bring home — the exact kind of souvenir that’s fun to buy and even more fun to “research” later.
Beer break: a hidden spot near the action
Since we still had time, I searched for a nearby bar where we could try a few Belgian beers.
We found a place that was close to the main square, but tucked down an alley — not packed, not loud, and exactly what we were hoping for.
It was a chance to sit down and try a few beers, including a tripel that was a special at that location.
Belgian beer detour: what’s a Tripel?
Belgium doesn’t just make “beer.” It makes styles — the kind that have rules, glassware, and devoted fans. One of the classics is a Tripel (sometimes spelled “Triple”).
A Tripel is a strong, pale Belgian ale that’s often deceptively smooth. It tends to be light-colored but higher in alcohol (usually 7.5%–9.5%), with a dry finish and that signature Belgian yeast character — think spice + fruit (peppery/clove-like notes, with citrusy or lightly fruity flavors).
In other words, it doesn’t drink like a “heavy” beer… until you stand up and realize it absolutely counted as one.
A quick lap through the main square
After our break, we finished up with a walk through the main square — the kind of classic European scene you picture when someone says “old city center.” A huge open space, impressive buildings, and more photo opportunities than we had time for.
It did remind me of other squares we’ve visited across Europe — big church, big government building, and a whole lot of “how is this place real?” architecture — but Bruges felt… softer. More intimate. Like it was showing off without trying too hard.
Why Bruges ended up being my favorite place we visited in 2025
What made this visit so memorable wasn’t checking off a list of famous attractions. It was the fact that it was completely unexpected.
I genuinely didn’t know much about Belgium or Bruges before this stop. The only thing I remembered was that, years ago, a travel buddy of ours took a day trip there during a trip to France. He said he rode a boat and bought chocolate. That’s it. That was my entire mental file on Bruges.
And yet, in about four hours, we managed to have one of the most charming, relaxed, and “how did we not do this sooner?” afternoons of the entire year.
Final thought: a cruise stop is a “vibe check,” not a visit
Here’s the thing about seeing a city on a cruise: it’s rarely the best way to truly see it. You’re on a timer and working around port logistics. You’re constantly doing the math of “how far can we go and still make it back?”
But it is a fantastic way to get a vibe check. In four hours, Bruges managed to do something a lot of cities can’t: it made us want to come back. Not because we “did everything” (we didn’t), but because the atmosphere was the point.
And if a quick, unplanned day trip can do that? That’s usually your sign that the place deserves a real visit.
Next time: we’re staying longer (and yes, we’ll do the canal ride)
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