Bruges, or Brugge, is a small city in the Flemish Region of Belgium with a huge soul. The central area is formed by a web of medieval plazas and the iconic bell tower while picturesque canals curl around the downtown core. The Baudouin flows all the way to Bruges’s cruise port, Zeebrugge. Whether you arrive by sea or rail, you can see all the sights on foot with one of these brilliant Bruges Airbnbs close to chocolatiers and beer halls.

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We hope you love these Airbnb Bruges vacation rentals! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

Secret palace with a private pool

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This former 19th-century notary has been beautifully transformed into a palatial Airbnb in Bruges with culinary extras for large groups. All suites are individually styled with the likes of sumptuous velvet drapes, chandeliers, and four-poster beds. Each comes with a personal salon and en suite bathroom. The estate features a natural swimming pool, hot tub, and sauna dotted among the landscaped gardens.

Sixteen guests, ten bedrooms
Price: $10,735 per night

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Atmospheric attic close to ​​Grote Markt and canals

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Fresh to the Bruges Airbnb marketplace, this upscale loft is held up by mighty oak beams and outfitted with superior furnishings. The gourmet kitchen has every gizmo and utensil thinkable and there’s even a scattering of cooking essentials to get you started. The bedrooms are nicely spaced out which makes the penthouse feel larger than your typical two-bed vacation pad.

Four guests, two bedrooms
Price: $195 per night

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Tower Airbnb for couples in Bruges

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This three-story folly is duly decorated using a mix of the grand Louis XV and the classical Louis XVI styles. The lounge and dining nook are warmed by an open fire while the bedroom is bathed in sun rays. Summer calls for dining al fresco in the private garden as birds chirp for scraps of bread. It’s walkable from the Belfry and Grote Markt although there’s free parking if you’re road-tripping.

Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $183 per night

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Luxurious townhouse in Ezelstraat Quarter

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This massive Airbnb off Ezelstraat Street is spread over three floors with two living rooms. The basement is set up as a cinema den and opens onto the courtyard while one of the bedrooms has direct access to the barbecue deck. As the house is the residence of the host couple – a pair of avid travelers – you’ll appreciate all the comforts of home. Market Square is a five-minute stroll from the door.

Six guests, three bedrooms
Price: $347 per night

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Whimsical medieval Airbnb in Magdalena Quarter

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This lovely heritage apartment has undergone a facelift to bring it up to scratch with the modern traveler’s needs. Old-fashioned wooden couches and chairs are made comfy with plump cushions whereas a granite countertop adds a stylish touch to the kitchen. There’s a bureau à gradin for those working remotely and a sunny breakfast terrace for everyone to enjoy. Only 15 minutes on foot from the heart of town.

Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $226 per night

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Traditional Flemish Airbnb in Bruges

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This 17th-century dwelling is located in the historic and peaceful Sint-Gillis Quarter, a walkable distance to the center of Bruges. The decor sees posh Italian furnishings atop rugged terracotta flooring and exposed brick juxtaposed with cozy contemporary bedrooms. Spanning three floors in total, the family-friendly rental has a private courtyard and a hidden attic.

Six guests, three bedrooms
Price: $199 per night

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Romantic bed and breakfast in Bruges

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Crackling fire, check. Clawfoot tub, check. Close to everything, check. This dreamy nest between Ezelstraat and Burg Square has all the ingredients for a couple’s getaway in Bruges. Despite the olde-worlde vibe, the space is tricked out with top-notch gadgets including a Nespresso machine and iPod dock. Breakfast is served next door but a token surcharge brings it to the cottage.

Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $217 per night

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Botanical Airbnb in Sint-Anna Quarter

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Technically this rental doesn’t have a garden but the floral decor may well trick you into believing you’re sleeping in a fairytale glade. The apartment is well-stocked for a short stay with a smart TV, Wi-Fi, and basic kitchenware. Right out the door, you’ll have your pick of bakeries, bars, and boutiques as you meander the 10-minute route to Market Square.

Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $139 per night

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Cottage on the canal side

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This self-contained cottage has its own kitchen, bathroom, and yard but is attached to an inn where you can order breakfast to the room. Various renovations have taken place since the 16th century while preserving original characteristics including hardwood flooring and beams. Boutique touches include a gas fireplace and a clawfoot tub. All windows overlook Groenerei Canal or the private garden.

Two guests, one bedroom
Price: $307 per night

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Contemporary apartment Airbnb in Gothic Bruges

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Out with the old, in with the new: this chic Airbnb in Bruges City Center is all about the minimalist mindset. The lounge roosts beneath a glass ceiling and light flows through the transparent doors into the bedroom. It’s well-equipped for cooking, working, and resting between the museums of which you’ll be the first to pass through the doors.

Three guests, one bedroom
Price: $146 per night

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Family townhouse near Bruges Chocolate Museum

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Overflowing with character, this vacation home is typical of a West Flanders residence with a spiral staircase leading up to the snug attic. The facade is a distinctive canary yellow trimmed with sky blue while you’ll be greeted indoors by an Art Deco peacock mosaic. The cellar has been revamped as a kids’ playroom and the top floor unfurls onto a surprise terrace.

Six guests, three bedrooms
Price: $318 per night

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What is there to do in Bruges?

Bruges has a huge line-up of activities that mainly revolve around sampling Belgian food and marveling at the city’s Gothic landmarks. Here’s how to start your time in Bruges.

  • Explore Burg Square and Market Square. These two plazas sit by side and are flanked by grand buildings including Bruges City Hall and the Belfry where a 366-step climb rewards you with panoramic views.
  • Visit the Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaerde housing estate where lay women lived since the 13th century. The compound is still the home of several nuns and women of Bruges but tourists are welcome to visit the
  • Walk or cycle through Kruisvest Park where the only remaining windmills oscillate on the canalside.
    Pop your head into the medieval churches. The Basilica of the Holy Blood lays claim to a strip of cloth stained with the blood of Christ whereas the Church of Our Lady contains a Madonna sculpted by Michelangelo.
  • Rent a bicycle and explore the canalways and country trails on the outskirts of Brugge. Guided bike tours run to Damme but it’s straightforward to cycle there and back independently.
  • Hop on a boat and survey the architecture from the water. Most of the jetties are located along the Dijver Canal near the Magdalena Quarter and departures are increased between April and October.
  • Visit Bruges in November and December to experience the festive markets and pick up artisanal holiday decorations.
  • Pick up lace souvenirs. Once the epicenter of the European textile trade, Bruges’s legacy for lace-making stands firm with its lace handicrafts.
  • Take a day trip to the North Sea resort towns of Zeebrugge, Blankenberge, or Ostend.
  • View the 300-strong collection of sculptures and paintings by the master of Surreal art at the Salvador Dalí Exhibition.
  • Eat all the pralines, bonbons, and truffles you can get your hands on. Any chocolatier in Bruges is worthy of your euros but Dumon, Neuhaus, and Olivier’s are fine starting points. Head to the Choco-Story Chocolate Museum if you want to satisfy your sweet tooth while sharpening your education.
    In addition to the chocolate museum, you can dive into the real history of the “French” fry at the Frietmuseum or go Belgian beer tasting at the Bruges Beer Experience.

Where to stay in Bruges?

Despite being the capital of West Flanders, Bruges is a small city that is relatively compact. It makes sense to stay close to the downtown area of Bruges your first time visiting. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is where you’ll find the buzzing Market Square, the Belfry, and the main attractions of Bruges.

Bruges City Center is encircled by the Ezelstraat, Sint-Gillis, Sint-Anna, and Magdalena quarters. Each of these is within walking distance of the main plaza although these neighborhoods are calmer in the evening. The Ezelstraat Quarter is slightly more convenient for Bruges Train Station and yields budget-friendly cafes.

Northerly Sint-Gillis works out as the quietest neighborhood to stay in Bruges. This quarter is popular with families and handy for hitting the cycling trails to Zeebrugge. Sint-Anna is the setting for the high-class restaurants of Langestraat as well as the four remaining windmills of Bruges. Close to the prettiest canalside parks, the romantic Magdalena Quarter is where to stay in Bruges for couples.