Ter Brughe

More on Bruges, Belgian Cities

Leaving the serious stuff to big brother Brussels, Bruges is a city with romance on its mind. Famous for its fairytale beauty, it’s all winding cobbled streets, gingerbread townhouses and ribbons of hushed waterways. Almost a cliché, almost too pretty. Except it’s not. Utterly sweet, it manages not to be at all syrupy or schmaltzy. It positively demands you fall in love with it. And it would take a stony heart not to melt at first sight. Incredibly well preserved, its Medieval architecture is up there with the very best in Europe and its got a UNESCO listing to prove it. Once a big player in the cloth trade, it was pretty much abandoned in the 15th century when its river route to the sea silted up. There it lay, untouched, in a centuries-long time warp. Amazingly, this little gem emerged unscathed after both World Wars, enabling it to take centre stage once again, this time as Belgium’s Number One tourist attraction. With centuries of sights under its belt, there’s a lot to cram in. But you shouldn’t rush Bruges. It needs a gentle approach. Walking is the way to do it – slowly and appreciatively. Not forgetting to taste your way around the chocolate shops along the way – Belgium and chocolate go together like Hercule and Poirot. Luckily, you can tread this egg-shaped city in a few hours. But before setting off, climb to the top of the 13th century Belfry for the matchless view beneath. With its toy-town looks, Bruges bears little resemblance to the 21st century. But it’s all the better for it. A contender for Europe ’s most romantic city, all visits here end happily ever after.