Belfry of Bruges and Markt, Bruges, Belgium

The Belfry of Bruges is one of the most iconic medieval towers in Europe and the symbol of the city of Bruges. Rising 83 metres above the historic centre, the tower was built from the 13th century as a watchtower and treasury. Since 1999 it has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List as one of the Belfries of Belgium and France. Visitors climb a narrow spiral staircase of 366 steps to a panoramic platform overlooking the canals, red rooftops and Gothic churches of Bruges. The carillon of 47 bells still rings across the city, and the city carillonneur plays it by hand on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday mornings.

At the foot of the tower lies the Markt, the main market square of Bruges. Lined with colourful gabled guild houses, restaurants and cafés, with the neo-Gothic Provincial Court on one side and the statue of the local heroes Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck in the middle, the square has been the commercial heart of the city for centuries. Horse-drawn carriages, a weekly market and open-air events make it one of the liveliest places in Belgium. In winter the Markt hosts a Christmas market with lights and food stalls.

What Tourists Should Know Before Visiting

Inside the Belfry visitors pass the old treasury, where the city’s charters, seal and funds were kept in the Middle Ages, and the mechanism and keyboard of the carillon before reaching the viewing level. The climb is physically demanding because the staircase becomes steep and narrow near the top, and there is no lift, but the view is considered one of the best in Belgium. Photographers like to come early in the morning or near sunset, when the light is at its best over the medieval centre.

In 2026 a standard ticket costs €16 in the summer season (1 April–2 November), at weekends and during the Christmas holidays, and €15 on winter weekdays; visitors under 18 pay €14 or €13, and children under 7 enter free. The tower is open daily from 9:00 to 20:00 in summer; in winter from 10:00 to 18:00, on Saturdays from 9:00 to 20:00, with last entry one hour before closing. Because only a limited number of people are allowed up at a time, queues can be long at weekends and in summer, so book a time slot online in advance.

The Belfry and the Markt lie right in the centre of Bruges, about 20 minutes on foot from Bruges railway station; city buses also run from the station to the centre. Direct trains from Brussels take about one hour. The Burg square with the Gothic City Hall is a two-minute walk away, and tourist boats on the canals leave from landing stages nearby.