In my recent two-week adventure through Europe, Bruges was the stop I was most excited about. To say I went to Belgium for the waffles wouldn’t be an understatement.

If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into a Disney movie like Tangled or Beauty and the Beast, Bruges is your chance. This little city is packed with charming cobblestone streets, winding canals, and buildings that look like they’ve been plucked straight from a medieval fairytale.

Speaking of canals, Bruges is often called the “Venice of the North,” and it’s easy to see why. The picturesque waterways wind throughout the city, making it a delight to explore.

Bruges is very walkable. We managed to cover most of it on foot in just three days and noticed many people getting around on bikes. A 15-minute walk from the train station brings you to the compact, pedestrian-friendly historic center, where you can wander aimlessly and stumble upon something beautiful at every turn.

Now, let’s talk about the food. Belgian waffles in Belgium are next-level – crispy, fluffy, and often topped with fresh fruit, whipped cream, or melted chocolate. And you know we also had to get into the Belgium chocolate! Bruges is home to some of the best chocolatiers in the world, with handcrafted truffles that are almost too pretty to eat (almost).

We also couldn’t miss out on the moules (mussels) frites, one of Belgium’s most popular dishes. While Glenn and I often split a giant pot of mussels, we saw plenty of others tackling theirs solo. And frites (fries) come with most meals; we had some incredible ones at Frit Bar, where they pile them high with toppings.

And then there’s the beer. Belgium takes its brewing seriously and we were really excited to try some from the source. We toured the De Halve Maan Brewery which is considered the last original brewery still brewing in the historic city center and has been family-run for six generations. The behind-the-scenes look at the brewing process was fascinating but most impressive is the 2-mile beer pipeline they built to get their beer to a bottling facility outside of the city. You can read more about it here. Throughout the tour you climb up steep steps for a stunning 360° rooftop view of the city and we finished with a glass of their signature unfiltered beer.

Bruges feels like a living museum. Key highlights, like the Belfry (the medieval bell tower in Markt Square) and the Basilica of the Holy Blood (which reportedly houses a relic containing the blood of Jesus Christ), offer endless exploration and make you feel as if you’ve been transported to the Middle Ages.

Bruges also happened to be celebrating 800 years of the Belfy standing watch over the city with a special light show, The Belfry as Storyteller – the Story of Bruges. It was really special to see.

Overall, I’d rank Bruges near the top of my “must-visit” cities in Europe. Whether you’re snacking on waffles, sipping a local beer or just getting lost in the winding streets, it’s a city that feels like you’ve stepped right into a fairytale.