Belfry of Bruges

Visited for the day. The weather was miserable, but not cold. The smell of chocolate hung in the air making every breath taste sweet. The atmosphere was friendly and happy, just as the shops were warm and inviting. The decorations were amazing and when the sun set that is when you really saw the wonder if the place. Anyone who loves Christmas would love this place. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Really amazing old bell tower with a superb view of the city. Absolutely worth the trek up the stairs to see this unique landmark! Beware of you're not good with stairs or tight spaces, as the quarters are close towards the top.

The Belfry is special in so many ways, it’s beautiful architecture, amazing history and spectacular view. It was also used in an amazing movie named In Bruges. Well worth a visit don’t be put off by the narrow winding staircase, it is definitely worth the effort.

It is a stunning bell tower in Markt square. You should take 366 narrow steps to climb it but it is definitely worth it. There are tickets of sessions you need to buy. If the sessions are full, you may not be able to enter, so take that into consideration in advance. It was 12 or 13 € for adults.

It was a breathtaking view from the top. The climb was super easy and fun. You have to go all the way up 366 steps to see everything but it’s definitely worth it.

Stunning view from the top. There are multiple stops along your journey upwards with areas to view and understand the inner mechanisms of the bells and how they chime. Totally worth it. 360 view of the city

If you’ve got the stamina for the 360 steps this is a must visit if in Bruges. The views from the top of the tower are exceptional, especially at night with the all the Christmas lights on over the markets. Definitely advise you pre-book as tickets sell out fast.

An iconic landmark in the heart of Bruges with stunning views from the top. The climb is challenging but absolutely worth it for the panoramic scenery. Rich in history and perfectly integrated into the medieval atmosphere of the city.

The tower is certainly the centerpiece of Bruge and is a 'must see'. In order to fully experience this lovely spectacle, you must pay the fare and climb the stairs. The stairs were narrow, and, at times, you needed to literally hold onto ropes to ensure your safety, which was rather fun and added to the experience. There were several way points as you made your climb to the top and one of them was a small room where a man played an intricate sort of piano that pulled string in a unique manner and rang bells in the tower. Truly it was a one-of-a-kind musical instrument and an exceptional experience to enjoy in that famous medieval city. Now, why did I not give this venue 5-stars? 2 reasons. In order to climb the stairs, each person must pay 17 Euro, which was quite exorbitant. I paid for two and, even though it was a very unique experience, I do not believe I received 34 Euros worth of value. Anything over 10 Euros is too much. The magic number should be 5. Secondly, the gorgeous view from above was obfuscated by thick protective wiring, presumably for the safety of individuals who had the resources to overpay. As a result, all of our pictures from the top contain this chicken wire and were inadequate for posting. I attached a single photo below and you will see how the wire ruined the view. Pictures taken from a few feet away appeared to show people standing in front of some sort of chain-link fence, not atop a historic monument. It made me rather sad that people could not be trusted to not do whatever prompted this barriers construction. Beauty, especially man-made beauty, is such a rare thing in this world that we should allow people to take responsibility for their own actions and have an unfettered view of such grandeur.

The icon of Bruges located on the main square. It's undergone three additions as time has past over the past thousand years and you can tell. There's a man who's in charge of the bells who plays fun music so be sure to listen to the tune and hum along - it could be anything from "Evening in Roma" to "Over the Rainbow." A Bruges must-see!

The Belfort or Belfry is the iconic landmark in the center of Bruges. It's a medieval bell tower built around the year 1240. We bought tickets online for a Tuesday 9:40 time slot. The booking system is super easy because it tells you how many tickets are left for each time slot, and you don't need to book too far in advance. There weren't too many people when we went but there were already people coming back down. There are some areas of the climb that are narrow, so just be mindful of that. It took us about 15 minutes to get to the top and when you get up there, it is so cool! You see the actual bell (beware, it's LOUD, obviously since you're right next to it) and you can look down on the square. Although it's not a complete 360 view since the bell blocks some of the access, it's still a sight to see. The whole experience from going up, taking photos at the top, coming back down took us about 45 minutes. It did start getting a bit more crowded when we were heading back down, so my recommendation is to go early. Definitely a must see if you're in Bruges!

The old Belfort Tower stands in the middle of Markt Square. This is the meeting spot for many tours, and it was exceptionally busy. The bells rang on the hour. The historic yielded homes to one side were eye catching. The beating heart of Bruges has long been dominated by the Belfry, 220 ft high & the city's most prominent building. Those who climb to the top of the Belfry are rewarded with a breath-taking panorama.

This tower is a must visit in Bruges. We bought our tickets online and had a short wait before heading in to climb up the 366 steps. The views make it worth it and so does the music drum.

Purchase tickets ahead of time and enjoy this amazing experience. You'll have to walk up 366 steps which get narrower the more you walk up, but there are areas to take breaks throughout the way. You'll be rewarded with spectacular views of the whole city!

Every European city seems to have a historic landmark you must visit. This bell tower is the go-to in Brugge. For about 10 Euros, you climb a bunch of stairs to see the bell and get a great view of the city. If you have seen the movie In Bruges with Colin Farrell, this is the tower he complains about going to. There are a lot of stairs. It's a spiral staircase and it's cramped. You most likely will not be able to pass anybody. It is a tourist attraction, but it's still worth going to at least once just so you can cross it off your bucket list. The whole self-guided tour takes about thirty minutes.

Beautiful monument in the center of Europe's best preserved mid evil city. You can climb all the way to the top but it's a workout. They only allow 50 at a time for safety and due to the age of the structure. Beautiful views of the city await and some rich history lessons on the way up. Definitely a memorable experience for your visit to Brugges. Wunderschönes Denkmal in der Mitte der am besten erhaltenen mittleren Stadt Europas. Sie können ganz nach oben klettern, aber es ist ein Training. Sie erlauben jeweils nur 50 Jahre für Sicherheit und aufgrund des Alters der Struktur. Es erwarten Sie herrliche Ausblicke auf die Stadt und einige reiche Geschichtsstunden auf dem Weg nach oben. Auf jeden Fall ein unvergessliches Erlebnis für Ihren Besuch in Brügge. Beau monument dans le centre de la ville maléfique la mieux conservée d'Europe. Vous pouvez monter jusqu'au sommet, mais c'est une séance d'entraînement. Ils ne permettent que 50 à la fois pour la sécurité et en raison de l'âge de la structure. De belles vues sur la ville vous attendent et des leçons d'histoire riches à monter. Une expérience inoubliable pour votre visite à Bruges.

If you are in Bruges, I think it's worth it to go up the Belfort. It would help if you were more on the fit side as you have to go up 366 steep steps and it can get really narrow near the top. You can see the whole city. One downside is all the fences in front of the windows. It might take some waiting to go up the tower as there is a limit on the amount of people in the tower. One person can go in when one person goes out. If you are lucky, you can watch the bell player show off his skills.

The Belfort is one of the most prominent landmarks in Bruges. Situated right at Markt (the center of the city), it predominates the city skyline. The Belfort is Bruges' belfry, one of 56 belfries scattered across the towns of Belgium and France and collectively have UNESCO status. Which begs the question: so what the heck is a belfry? Technically a "belfry" is a tower where all the bells are kept. In a medieval city predating clocks, bells were used to symbolize important parts of the day as well as any special events of interest to its citizens living inside the town's walls. Due to the tower's height belfries also served a defensive purpose and bells were also rung in times of danger. When a clock was installed in Bruges' belfry in the early 15th century the function of the belfry changed - as the perception of time changed from unequal to equal hours the bells now signified when the hour changed. The larger bells were replaced by smaller bells connected to a keyboard, which is the basis of the carillon. Belfries in this part of Europe served more than just structures to house bells: they were important structures in their own right in relation to the city itself. As the influences of seigneurs (lords) and churches waned, there was more prominence given to city officials tasked in governance. Thus the belfry serves as a relic independent of religious or feudal influence. In particular belfries were part of larger structures. In the case of Bruges the belfry was also part of the town hall. The town hall itself served many purposes: it stored the much-coveted cloth that the city was well known for as well as the a storage site for important documents. The town councillors also held meetings inside until the town hall was moved to Burg. Nowadays with the advent of digital communication the belfry's role is a symbolic one. A brass drum controls the 37 heaviest bells and plays a melody every quarter hour with the music changing every 2 years and on occasional days during the summer there is a carillon concert. LOGISTICS Cost: €12. Free with Musea Brugge card. Skip-the-line option: N/A. Due to safety concerns, there is a limit of 50 people inside the tower at one time. This is the reason behind the bottleneck. If you don't arrive first thing, expect to wait at least 30 minutes in line. Step count: 366. While this climb is easier than Brunelleschi's or Michelangelo's domes, the path to the top is narrower and might pose a serious problem if anyone is claustrophobic. No ADA-friendly alternatives on this one. Heed the advice said by Colin Farrell's character in "In Bruges" and be in decent physical shape for this climb. Your reward for climbing the 366 steps is a panoramic view of the city though the fence partly obstructs the view (no re-enactments of Brendan Gleeson's character's final scene in the movie thank goodness). If you have a phone camera you can still take pictures. Personally the best unobstructive view is the rooftop of the De Halve Maan brewery. With admission price similar to the Belfort for general tour, it also involves stair climbs over narrow spaces but at least the ticket includes a beer at the end. If I had to choose between the two for the best city view of Bruges I'll go with the latter.

Why are you reading this? You're in Bruges, you're on Yelp, so I know you're going to do this tourist experience. I can't add anything to this review that hasn't already been stated. 1) At the time of my visit it was 10€ per adult to go up. 2) It's 300-something steps. It's narrow towards the top! 3) You're not the only person that wants to do this tour. It gets busy and you may end up waiting a while. Suggest you show up early (between 9:30-10:30 AM) 4) Most viewpoints are blocked by wire barriers. My DSLR couldn't get as nice of shots as my iPhone

First off, let me just say that I became Yelp's King of Brugge the other day, and that honor has made me reflect on one of the crowning moments of my weekend stay in Brugge and that is the climbing of the Belfort. Brugge, I just love saying the name, for it just sends chills down my spine. Brugge! ooo, see? Now, you try..Go ahead, no one is watching. You know that you want to...See told you so ;) Yes, I love Brugge, and the tower really is a must see and do, for it affords some of the best views of the city. However, I wouldn't just race up all 366 steps, because you will miss some really enlightening information on the tower's levels/floors. It was cool reading about the tower's construction and city's history, but my favorite part was an interactive bell display which allows you to press buttons that play the towers various bell themes. Looking back, I now see that these were simply sounding my ascent to the Yelp's Brugge throne, but more on that later. Another thing I love about this tower is that it is perfect for watching the activity of the town square and day dreaming about what is really going on down there. I was fortunate enough to come to Brugge during its Sinterklaass (a 2 week festival celebrating Saint Nicholas and the giving of gifts), so my views of the square, with its ice skating rink and food stalls, was particularly spectacular. It really did make the climb worth it all. So climbing the tower really does mark the start of my reign as Yelp's King of Brugge in more ways than one. Of course,"heavy is the head that wears the crown," and my thoughts are of my loyal subjects back in Brugge and how the crown may one day slip through my fingers, because I am now back in USA and unable to check-in in order to maintain my kingdom. Yes, I realize that it is only a matter of time before some greedy usurper steals my throne, and all that I will be left with will be my memories of my tower climb and Brugge.....But for now, this is enough. Just knowing that others are able to bask in the glow of my achievement and can say, "Now there was a man who was a king, a king that i would have followed into Yelpdom." swells my heart with Yelpie pride. Still, like Richard III, I wonder: But shall we wear these honours for a day? Or shall they last, and we rejoice in them? (Act IV scene 2) "Heavy is the head that wears the crown," my friends, Heavy indeed..... And as a follow up, A few days later, I was dethroned, Gentle reader. "For God's sake, let us sit upon the ground And tell sad stories of the death of kings: How some have been depos'd, some slain in war, Some haunted by the ghosts they have depos'd, Some poison'd by their wives, some sleeping kill'd; All murder'd: for within the hollow crown.." Richard II, Act 3, Sc 2

If you, like the boy, are a fan of climbing atop very large things, you won't want to miss out on a visit to Brugge's Belfry. Located right on the Markt square, it's impossible to miss. And for a reasonable €8, it'll afford you an incomparably sprawling view of the Belgium landscape. If you suffer from any infirmities, think twice (or thrice, or more... until you think yourself out of the idea) about making the trip up the treacherously tight spiral stairs to the top. In fact, just standing and waiting in line to get into the museum is a feat of physical endurance in itself. Bringing along a deck of UNO cards (or a game of Risk) wouldn't be such a horrible idea. Once you're actually inside the belfry, you'll be able to read about some fascinating history of the building, learn where they used to store some serious bling, and make the arduous climb to the bell tower at the pinnacle. The machinery up there is quite awe-inspiring, and I especially loved the engravings on the ledges pointing toward distant cities and how far away they were - nice touch. In total, I'd book about an hour from entering the queue to exiting the building for a proper tourist experience at this branch of the Bruggemuseum. If you're a slow climber or expect you'll need some more time to take silly photos from the upper chamber, block out an addition fifteen or thirty minutes. It's definitely worth the time, money, and physical exertion.

Nice tower, loads of steps. Stairs etiquette needs a bit of refining. Great view of the city and points us in the directions we all need to know.

Climbing to the top of the Belford Tower is a must do in Brugge! The climb is up 366 steps, which get very narrow near the top. Along the climb, there are some interesting artifacts and information signs. At the top, there is a very large musical drum and the operational gears for the tower clock. And the view from the top is amazing and definitely worth the climb! It only costs €10 per person to climb to the top of the tower. To avoid long lines, I'd recommend getting there early in the morning. Climbing the tower was one of my favorite things I did in Brugge, so I'd highly recommend it!

It's a definite experience you must check it out if you in Bruges but I could make it all the way to the top it's a lot of stairs so definitely check it out take pictures from the top that I could not get you will Enjoy it

When you're in Brugges you'll want to go to Belfort for the tower. Remember the movie "In Bruge" ? Well this was the place that Colin Farrell was chased by the American. Although certainly funny in the movie, the walk up the bell tower was no joke! The walk way was narrow and it spiraled all the way up. Forget how many stairs but they only let a certain number of people up there at a time. It's NOT for those who are out of shape and did I say that the staircase was narrow? Certain points only one person can be going up or down at a time. But once you're upstairs there is no better view of this quiet town than at the top. Definitely a must see and must climb if you're up for it. Go ahead and get the museum pass it's definitely worth it. There are a cluster of museums in the area that you'll be able to get to that will make the price worthwhile even if you're there for a day.

This is one of those tourist-trap attractions I wouldn't skip - at $10 (Euro) per person, it's relatively cheap for attractions like it, and it's worth it for the views from the top alone. You also get a little history, a very cool introduction to the inner workings of a frigging huge clock (seriously, when you're on one of the upper floors, the seconds ticking will rattle your teeth right out of your head) Warnings: It is very, very tall. There is no elevator, and the stairs get narrow near the top with on-and-off handrails. That said, if you love spiral staircases and wood building, those stairs are really something themselves ;)

Super cool! Highly recommend getting there early! Beat the crowds. If you are claustrophobic don't do this. It gets very tight the closer to the top you get. Also if you are lucky enough to be up there when the bells are going it's a treat. Beautiful views!

Bruge is a city where basically nothing has ever happened except for this one time they made this In Bruges movie with Colin Farrell. Which probably explains why there are so many middle aged British women wandering around. Hoping he is still hanging around somewhere or hiding in a bell tower or something. Plus they have all these great chocolate shops.

When I was three, I was allegedly carried up all 366 steps on my father's shoulders. It's not that I remember it, it's that he bitterly complained about it almost literally until the day he died. So I suppose I was fortunate that my 8-year-old was ambulatory and able to climb a leap-year's worth of stairs on his own power. We got up on a ring - luckily, 10:15, not high noon - and got just enough bell ringing in our ears for one day. Get there early to avoid waiting in line, they only allow something like 77 people past the turnstile at any given time.

Well worth the view once you get to top. It is a self guided tour through out bell tour. I would arrive early as popular tourist attraction. I would go on nice weather day in order to get a view of the city.

In the central market of Brugge, the Belfort probably stands out the most to the eyeline. I was parked in an underground garage opposite the square and as I came out it was definitely the first thing to catch my eye. Even crossing through the see of people it stood out. As you walk into the courtyard, you can head up a set of stairs overlooking said courtyard. For a small fee you can take all the steps to the top and look over the flatness of Brugge. Down below is also a museum carrying some art and artifacts for free. So if you're feeling good the day you visit, trek all the way to the top!

Here I am!! "In Bruges"!! Fantastic belfry, huge climb upstairs!! But wow! What a view! Menacing looking building, but awesome and old!!

A small price to pay to climb the belfry and get a great view of all of Bruges! The stairs are pretty steep, so watch your step. It's also a tight squeeze. Hold onto the ropes if you need to. It's well worth the view.

How can you not love such a gorgeous structure in an even more gorgeous city? The Belfry of Bruges, or Belfort, is a breathtaking structure that has been standing in Bruges since the 1200s. For a small fee, you can walk 366 steps to the top of the belfry and you'll be rewarded with some of the best views you'll see in your life. The climb up is truly awsome since most of it is in very narrow, steep, spiral staircases. The truly fun part is that it's the same staircases for going up and going down and you have to negotiate with everyone to keep the traffic flowing (it sounds bad, but it's fun!). I would climb this again in a heartbeat and I absolutely love this structure!

Worth the couple of euros to climb this bell tower. Go at opening to avoid a line because as soon as they hit capacity, it's one out to one in, which takes quite a long time.

A must do when you're in Brugge, the climb up isn't too bad, there are breaks that include history of the belfort. The stairs get steeper and smaller as you go up. When we finally got up to the top, the view was gorgeous! Very windy but I definitely cooled off fast! Keep in mind that the stairs will have traffic going up and down, there is a little room for someone to step aside and let the other person pass. The view is gorgeous and definitely worth all the steps up! Luckily we went early (right when it opened) and there was not too much traffic going up and down.

I don't recommend this. It's a waste of time and not worth the price/wait. There's a long line to get in... They only allow a certain amount of people to go up the tower so it's controlled by the entrance/exit gates. When X amount of people leave, X amount of people can enter. I got in line at the bottom of the stairs, and it took about an hour to get in. Depending on age, it's 12 euros to get in... which is a lot... The one in Gent is 8 euros AND it has an elevator... I'm not sure why Bruges was more expensive since it didn't even have an elevator. There are 366 steps up, but there are rest/view points. Once you get to the top, the view point is pretty... but it's fenced in so you have to look through the holes which is fine... but to me, that wasn't worth the price & time spent waiting. For the Gent tower, it was all open air & a complete view of the city. If you have the choice to do either (Gent or Bruges) do Gent's. If you don't have the option and just have Bruges... maybe it's worth it? I still don't think it's worth it though... it took 25 minutes once I entered to go up, view the stops, view the city at the top, and go down. Not worth waiting an hour and 12 euros for only 25 minutes...

Shockingly, it's not that difficult a climb. Seriously! Now, climbing up York Minster? That's fucking hard. Even though the Belfort has more steps, there are tons of breaks as you climb, and the width of the staircase is usually wide enough for people to pass without incident. The view at the top is of course stunning, as is getting to see the inner-workings of the bells. They say you should time your visit so the bells are ringing when you're at the top, but I think that's the exact opposite advice to follow. It's really loud up there. Like, this-was-a-huge-mistake loud. If you're on a day trip from Brussels and need to manage your time, know that you'll probably wait about 20-30 minutes in line, and then take another 30 minutes climbing the stairs and admiring the views.

What's not to love? Yes, it's a touristy thing to do, but the views are great! There is plenty of history to read about and understand along the journey to the top. Going up was easier, especially since you stop at each level to read and learn. Coming down was harder, especially without breaks, as the spiral staircases did leave me feeling a bit woosy. I especially enjoyed how the distances and directions to other towns, cities, and attractions were marked in the stone around the top. It made you want to linger longer.

I still can not believe I made it to the top! I like that on every level you stop, they give you the next step count so you won't give up. Half way up my asthma was rearing its ugly head, but my hubby kept cheering me on and I made it. If you are claustrophobic or have vertigo, do not attempt - those steps are narrow and small and you often have to step aside to let people move up or down. It was worth it - beautiful views!

Nice tower to climb, but the highlight is the tricked out bells at the top. Like a giant player piano with bells. Gotta see it.

This is the sort of thing to do ONCE. That said, it's a kick ass view. They're not shitting in "In Bruges" when they say it's a steep climb! So word to the wise--go first thing in the AM before it gets busy. Navigating around other people at the tip top is what makes it so hard. If it were busy I think I might get a little claustrophobic in such a tiny staircase with people all around. :/ So just go first thing in the AM and reward yourself with the fries stand at the bottom (either of the stands are good!!)

So just to let you know where I'm at- I am claustrophobic and terrified of heights. So why the eff would I even do this? Well I figured I would just try to control my panic attacks and climb the stairs because this is a once in a lifetime experience. Plus I didn't want to make my hubby do i by himself. It's 10 euros- not too much. As you climb the stairs, they start out larger and more manageable at the bottom and if there's people coming up or down you are able to pass each other. After several flights of stairs you will come to different landings and chambers where you can see views of the city, learn more about construction and even watch the bells toll. The higher you climb, the smaller the stairs, tower etc become. About 2/3's of the way up it will be impossible to pass others and you will have to wait for them at one of the landings. There is also a lack of handrails about half way up and there is a rope in the middle of the spiral staircases for you to grab. As long as none of the things I've told you deter you- you'll be fine! The view at the top really is beautiful and getting to see and hear the bells is lovely. Despite being scared to death, I feel like it was worth it!

You trek up 366 stairs for a view of Bruges. What no one tells you is that the stairs are narrow. And steep. And spiraling. And crowded. And at times you're sure you're going to take a violent tumble down the slippery worn stones, so you cling onto the wobbly rope handrail and curse your deep rooted fear of heights for all you're worth. No one tells you about that part because when you get to the top and you hear the bells, you forget the stairs completely and everything was completely worth it.

Absolutely beautiful place - must see and learn about the bells. Interestingly, one of the bells is too heavy so they had to place it in another location. The people are very courteous here. Worth a day trip.

We waited only briefly before making the 366 step trek up to the 47 bell carillon. There are welcomed landings along the way for pause and for reading some of the history. The view is outstanding, and it provides a nice orientation to this somewhat disorienting medieval town. The eight euro cost of admission is a little steep, but that's because they can count on you not skipping this iconic destination.

This was a blast. It was a climb up 366 stairs to the top. The view is beautiful. The line was short and went fast. This is a must do when you are in beautiful Brugge!

This was the highlight of our trip to Brugge. It was a very steep climb in a very narrow stairwell but there were breaks about every 3rd of the way. Nice museum and wonderful views of the city. The 366 steps each way up and down are not that difficult for people in good shape, but I can see how in the movie "In Brugge" that a large, out of shape person may not make it up. This is a must do if in the area.

Good exercise for good view... European norm.

A beautiful building that really marks the centre of Bruges. You can go to the top and the view is pretty spectacular but it is quite a climb and not great on a rainy/cloudy day. It costs a couple of euro to climb. Eve just marvelling at the building from the ground is quite amazing, and seeing it sitting amongst the incredibly beautiful buildings that surround it is quite a feast for the eyes

You have to climb 366 narrow steps to get to the top of this 13th Century Beltower situated in Bruges market square, but its worth it for the aerial view of Bruges from the top.