Bruges City Hall

SPECTACULAR. Also note this is still an active town hall (it is also Belgium's oldest town hall) and city leaders still meet at the table on the upper floor that I have in one of the photos. It is one of the oldest buildings in the entire region. The city has been governed from here for more than 600 years.

Beautiful building with a rich history. The ground floor has free access. The first floor is paid and also gives you access to the neighbouring building. You get a good historical explanation of Bruges and its port. The staff was super helpful and had good recommendations.

It is a nice, big museum, and there are many places to visit in this square. It’s a huge area. There is an entrance fee for the museum, but some places are completely free. Just take a full day to explore. Bruges Town Hall (Stadhuis), one of the oldest in Belgium, dating back to 1376. Its Gothic architecture, stunning vaulted ceiling, and historic murals make it a highlight of the square.

Such a cool museum! Highly recommend. The medieval architecture is beautiful. There’s a room with a map of the area and video overlays that go through the history from 500 AD to present day of the area. Very cool

For 10 euros the self guided tour is good. You get access to the town hall and a small side room with a 3d projection map of the history of the city. The town hall is absolutely stunning. You are provided a big card to read that described the murals around the hall.

Don’t miss Bruges City Hall — one of the oldest in the Low Countries! Its stunning Gothic façade and beautifully decorated interior halls make it a must-visit for history and architecture lovers alike

We liked the tour in the area. Especially with the local market at the square which you can shop for great vegetables and fruits.

Absolutely worth a visit! The historical town hall itself is beautiful and rich in detail. Not to mention its wonderful online video guide — it was the first time I truly understood so many features of such an amazing piece of historical architecture. The immersive explanation of Bruges’ history was also both entertaining and educational. Highly recommended!

City Hall from 1376 in the Burg Square next to the Markt. There were benches & some greenery in this square. This is where locals get permits & licenses today. The beautiful square was filled with restaurants & shops.

As of December 2018, it costs €6 to enter, but don't that that stop you. The Bruges city hall is well worth it. You'll enter the building, ascend a beautiful flight of stairs, and find yourself back in the 14th century. Be sure to pick up one of the laminated info sheets just to your left as you enter. This will help you understand the incredible murals - they document Bruges's history before there was even a town charter. There is also a small museum about halfway down the main room to your left. Unfortunately, I arrived with only half an hour until they closed, and spent nearly all that time appreciating the murals and other decorations in the main room. If I ever find myself back in Bruges, I would definitely make a return visit to the Stadhuis - highly recommended!

Check out the great architecture of the Stadhuis and Basilica of the Holy Blood. A very busy section of Bruges it is basically around the corner from The Markt. There are festivals occasionally held here but the courtyard architecture is the winner in this area. Often we found school children sent out on their own in this area in kind of a scavenger hunt. Be sure to check out BlindEzelStraat (Blind Donkey Street) which is one of the most photographed areas in Europe. It is often used as a photographer's learning tool. Off to the side of the Burg is a great waffle location and some unique shops.