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    Belfort

    4.4 (67 reviews)
    Open 9:30 am - 6:00 pm

    Belfort Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Belfort

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    Phil T.

    The tower is certainly the centerpiece of Bruge and is a 'must see'. In order to fully experience this lovely spectacle, you must pay the fare and climb the stairs. The stairs were narrow, and, at times, you needed to literally hold onto ropes to ensure your safety, which was rather fun and added to the experience. There were several way points as you made your climb to the top and one of them was a small room where a man played an intricate sort of piano that pulled string in a unique manner and rang bells in the tower. Truly it was a one-of-a-kind musical instrument and an exceptional experience to enjoy in that famous medieval city. Now, why did I not give this venue 5-stars? 2 reasons. In order to climb the stairs, each person must pay 17 Euro, which was quite exorbitant. I paid for two and, even though it was a very unique experience, I do not believe I received 34 Euros worth of value. Anything over 10 Euros is too much. The magic number should be 5. Secondly, the gorgeous view from above was obfuscated by thick protective wiring, presumably for the safety of individuals who had the resources to overpay. As a result, all of our pictures from the top contain this chicken wire and were inadequate for posting. I attached a single photo below and you will see how the wire ruined the view. Pictures taken from a few feet away appeared to show people standing in front of some sort of chain-link fence, not atop a historic monument. It made me rather sad that people could not be trusted to not do whatever prompted this barriers construction. Beauty, especially man-made beauty, is such a rare thing in this world that we should allow people to take responsibility for their own actions and have an unfettered view of such grandeur.

    Andrea U.

    The old Belfort Tower stands in the middle of Markt Square. This is the meeting spot for many tours, and it was exceptionally busy. The bells rang on the hour. The historic yielded homes to one side were eye catching. The beating heart of Bruges has long been dominated by the Belfry, 220 ft high & the city's most prominent building. Those who climb to the top of the Belfry are rewarded with a breath-taking panorama.

    Mel T.

    The Belfort or Belfry is the iconic landmark in the center of Bruges. It's a medieval bell tower built around the year 1240. We bought tickets online for a Tuesday 9:40 time slot. The booking system is super easy because it tells you how many tickets are left for each time slot, and you don't need to book too far in advance. There weren't too many people when we went but there were already people coming back down. There are some areas of the climb that are narrow, so just be mindful of that. It took us about 15 minutes to get to the top and when you get up there, it is so cool! You see the actual bell (beware, it's LOUD, obviously since you're right next to it) and you can look down on the square. Although it's not a complete 360 view since the bell blocks some of the access, it's still a sight to see. The whole experience from going up, taking photos at the top, coming back down took us about 45 minutes. It did start getting a bit more crowded when we were heading back down, so my recommendation is to go early. Definitely a must see if you're in Bruges!

    View from the top
    Jenny T.

    Purchase tickets ahead of time and enjoy this amazing experience. You'll have to walk up 366 steps which get narrower the more you walk up, but there are areas to take breaks throughout the way. You'll be rewarded with spectacular views of the whole city!

    Priscilla Y.

    Every European city seems to have a historic landmark you must visit. This bell tower is the go-to in Brugge. For about 10 Euros, you climb a bunch of stairs to see the bell and get a great view of the city. If you have seen the movie In Bruges with Colin Farrell, this is the tower he complains about going to. There are a lot of stairs. It's a spiral staircase and it's cramped. You most likely will not be able to pass anybody. It is a tourist attraction, but it's still worth going to at least once just so you can cross it off your bucket list. The whole self-guided tour takes about thirty minutes.

    The Bell Tower
    Jeff C.

    First off, let me just say that I became Yelp's King of Brugge the other day, and that honor has made me reflect on one of the crowning moments of my weekend stay in Brugge and that is the climbing of the Belfort. Brugge, I just love saying the name, for it just sends chills down my spine. Brugge! ooo, see? Now, you try..Go ahead, no one is watching. You know that you want to...See told you so ;) Yes, I love Brugge, and the tower really is a must see and do, for it affords some of the best views of the city. However, I wouldn't just race up all 366 steps, because you will miss some really enlightening information on the tower's levels/floors. It was cool reading about the tower's construction and city's history, but my favorite part was an interactive bell display which allows you to press buttons that play the towers various bell themes. Looking back, I now see that these were simply sounding my ascent to the Yelp's Brugge throne, but more on that later. Another thing I love about this tower is that it is perfect for watching the activity of the town square and day dreaming about what is really going on down there. I was fortunate enough to come to Brugge during its Sinterklaass (a 2 week festival celebrating Saint Nicholas and the giving of gifts), so my views of the square, with its ice skating rink and food stalls, was particularly spectacular. It really did make the climb worth it all. So climbing the tower really does mark the start of my reign as Yelp's King of Brugge in more ways than one. Of course,"heavy is the head that wears the crown," and my thoughts are of my loyal subjects back in Brugge and how the crown may one day slip through my fingers, because I am now back in USA and unable to check-in in order to maintain my kingdom. Yes, I realize that it is only a matter of time before some greedy usurper steals my throne, and all that I will be left with will be my memories of my tower climb and Brugge.....But for now, this is enough. Just knowing that others are able to bask in the glow of my achievement and can say, "Now there was a man who was a king, a king that i would have followed into Yelpdom." swells my heart with Yelpie pride. Still, like Richard III, I wonder: But shall we wear these honours for a day? Or shall they last, and we rejoice in them? (Act IV scene 2) "Heavy is the head that wears the crown," my friends, Heavy indeed..... And as a follow up, A few days later, I was dethroned, Gentle reader. "For God's sake, let us sit upon the ground And tell sad stories of the death of kings: How some have been depos'd, some slain in war, Some haunted by the ghosts they have depos'd, Some poison'd by their wives, some sleeping kill'd; All murder'd: for within the hollow crown.." Richard II, Act 3, Sc 2

    Kevin L.

    If you, like the boy, are a fan of climbing atop very large things, you won't want to miss out on a visit to Brugge's Belfry. Located right on the Markt square, it's impossible to miss. And for a reasonable €8, it'll afford you an incomparably sprawling view of the Belgium landscape. If you suffer from any infirmities, think twice (or thrice, or more... until you think yourself out of the idea) about making the trip up the treacherously tight spiral stairs to the top. In fact, just standing and waiting in line to get into the museum is a feat of physical endurance in itself. Bringing along a deck of UNO cards (or a game of Risk) wouldn't be such a horrible idea. Once you're actually inside the belfry, you'll be able to read about some fascinating history of the building, learn where they used to store some serious bling, and make the arduous climb to the bell tower at the pinnacle. The machinery up there is quite awe-inspiring, and I especially loved the engravings on the ledges pointing toward distant cities and how far away they were - nice touch. In total, I'd book about an hour from entering the queue to exiting the building for a proper tourist experience at this branch of the Bruggemuseum. If you're a slow climber or expect you'll need some more time to take silly photos from the upper chamber, block out an addition fifteen or thirty minutes. It's definitely worth the time, money, and physical exertion.

    Isabella B.

    The Belfort is one of the most prominent landmarks in Bruges. Situated right at Markt (the center of the city), it predominates the city skyline. The Belfort is Bruges' belfry, one of 56 belfries scattered across the towns of Belgium and France and collectively have UNESCO status. Which begs the question: so what the heck is a belfry? Technically a "belfry" is a tower where all the bells are kept. In a medieval city predating clocks, bells were used to symbolize important parts of the day as well as any special events of interest to its citizens living inside the town's walls. Due to the tower's height belfries also served a defensive purpose and bells were also rung in times of danger. When a clock was installed in Bruges' belfry in the early 15th century the function of the belfry changed - as the perception of time changed from unequal to equal hours the bells now signified when the hour changed. The larger bells were replaced by smaller bells connected to a keyboard, which is the basis of the carillon. Belfries in this part of Europe served more than just structures to house bells: they were important structures in their own right in relation to the city itself. As the influences of seigneurs (lords) and churches waned, there was more prominence given to city officials tasked in governance. Thus the belfry serves as a relic independent of religious or feudal influence. In particular belfries were part of larger structures. In the case of Bruges the belfry was also part of the town hall. The town hall itself served many purposes: it stored the much-coveted cloth that the city was well known for as well as the a storage site for important documents. The town councillors also held meetings inside until the town hall was moved to Burg. Nowadays with the advent of digital communication the belfry's role is a symbolic one. A brass drum controls the 37 heaviest bells and plays a melody every quarter hour with the music changing every 2 years and on occasional days during the summer there is a carillon concert. LOGISTICS Cost: €12. Free with Musea Brugge card. Skip-the-line option: N/A. Due to safety concerns, there is a limit of 50 people inside the tower at one time. This is the reason behind the bottleneck. If you don't arrive first thing, expect to wait at least 30 minutes in line. Step count: 366. While this climb is easier than Brunelleschi's or Michelangelo's domes, the path to the top is narrower and might pose a serious problem if anyone is claustrophobic. No ADA-friendly alternatives on this one. Heed the advice said by Colin Farrell's character in "In Bruges" and be in decent physical shape for this climb. Your reward for climbing the 366 steps is a panoramic view of the city though the fence partly obstructs the view (no re-enactments of Brendan Gleeson's character's final scene in the movie thank goodness). If you have a phone camera you can still take pictures. Personally the best unobstructive view is the rooftop of the De Halve Maan brewery. With admission price similar to the Belfort for general tour, it also involves stair climbs over narrow spaces but at least the ticket includes a beer at the end. If I had to choose between the two for the best city view of Bruges I'll go with the latter.

    Jaison S.

    Why are you reading this? You're in Bruges, you're on Yelp, so I know you're going to do this tourist experience. I can't add anything to this review that hasn't already been stated. 1) At the time of my visit it was 10€ per adult to go up. 2) It's 300-something steps. It's narrow towards the top! 3) You're not the only person that wants to do this tour. It gets busy and you may end up waiting a while. Suggest you show up early (between 9:30-10:30 AM) 4) Most viewpoints are blocked by wire barriers. My DSLR couldn't get as nice of shots as my iPhone

    The view
    Rita C.

    Nice tower, loads of steps. Stairs etiquette needs a bit of refining. Great view of the city and points us in the directions we all need to know.

    Lauren W.

    Climbing to the top of the Belford Tower is a must do in Brugge! The climb is up 366 steps, which get very narrow near the top. Along the climb, there are some interesting artifacts and information signs. At the top, there is a very large musical drum and the operational gears for the tower clock. And the view from the top is amazing and definitely worth the climb! It only costs €10 per person to climb to the top of the tower. To avoid long lines, I'd recommend getting there early in the morning. Climbing the tower was one of my favorite things I did in Brugge, so I'd highly recommend it!

    Kim N.

    In the central market of Brugge, the Belfort probably stands out the most to the eyeline. I was parked in an underground garage opposite the square and as I came out it was definitely the first thing to catch my eye. Even crossing through the see of people it stood out. As you walk into the courtyard, you can head up a set of stairs overlooking said courtyard. For a small fee you can take all the steps to the top and look over the flatness of Brugge. Down below is also a museum carrying some art and artifacts for free. So if you're feeling good the day you visit, trek all the way to the top!

    Sandra P.

    Here I am!! "In Bruges"!! Fantastic belfry, huge climb upstairs!! But wow! What a view! Menacing looking building, but awesome and old!!

    View from the top!

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    Nice tower to climb, but the highlight is the tricked out bells at the top. Like a giant player piano with bells. Gotta see it.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Belfort Reviews in Other Languages

    Review Highlights - Belfort

    The Belfry of Bruges, or Belfort, is a breathtaking structure that has been standing in Bruges since the 1200s.

    Mentioned in 16 reviews

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    Xpo Salvador Dalí

    Xpo Salvador Dalí

    3.0(8 reviews)
    0.0 km

    Nice lithographic collection representing a wide array of Dali's artistic career. There are also a…read morelarge number of lithographs for sale if you were so inclined..... The audio tour was a decent accounting of the various periods in Dali's history & provided a good recounting of the inspiration of the piece as well as a bit about his personal life. What we really liked was the fact the audio tour was on a smaller iPad-like apparatus & provided visual as well as audio factoids which enhanced the overall experience. Nice touch & if you should come to this expo, paying extra for the audio tour would be well worth it Dali's short film was also showcased & while a little disturbing, it really highlighted the essence of Dali because after all, isn't most of his work on the disturbing side & that's what makes it all so fascinating? A-OK visit & worth a stop if you have had enough chocolates & waffles & have some time to spend in Bruges

    An excellent selection of Dali's work. I especially appreciated the number of sketches they had…read moreavailable to view. There is even a small shop to purchase copies. Not sure if you can call them original or prints or copies, but that is a fact the museum audio tour can begin to describe for you. That being said, the biggest disappointment when it came to this museum was how out of sync the audio numbers (linking to the audio tour) to the works where they were posted. The audio tour would go into some pretty significant details, however, you'd have trouble matching what they were talking about and why. It ended up being more a source of frustration than education or entertainment. As such, I would not call this one a must-do. However, if you are hopping around Europe and just tried of checking out churches after churches, this one could offer a change of pace, even if for just 30-45 minutes.

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    Xpo Salvador Dalí
    Xpo Salvador Dalí
    Xpo Salvador Dalí

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    Choco-Story

    Choco-Story

    3.2(40 reviews)
    0.3 km

    When I visited the beautiful medieval city of Bruges, I joined a tour that included a visit to the…read moreChoco-Story Museum. We were taken to the chocolate classroom, where the chocolatier explained the chocolate-making process, the history of cacao, and demonstrated the actual process of making chocolate. We actually tried the chocolate right after the chocolatier made it, and it was incredibly delicious. After the class, we walked through the entire museum, which featured many chocolate artworks, free chocolate tastings, and a gift shop. I purchased a chocolate box as a gift and discovered many interesting chocolate products in the gift shop. I really enjoyed the museum experience, especially seeing the various chocolate artworks.

    I cannot believe more people do not give more stars to this place…read more Whoever made this museum ... no detail in the story of the history of chocolate is left unexplored. There are three or four floors chock full of exhibits on every possible aspect of the history of chocolate from the ancient Maya to ads to the Spanish conquistadors to the French royal family ... ancient artifacts and all the tools each successive era used to produce and consume chocolate ... honestly it's a great way to get some global history learning in on vacation. And, unlimited chocolate samples at the end plus an interesting free demonstration. Many disappointed tourists showed up and were turned away so be sure to get your tickets online the day before. €14 per adult.

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    Choco-Story
    Choco-Story
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    Altstadt

    Altstadt

    5.0(3 reviews)
    0.1 km

    Bruges is just an amazingly impressive old town. Even though big in size at first glance, it's very…read moreeasy to walk and to get around. Most of it is pretty flat, so also suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. Just be aware that some cobbled streets might make it a bit more difficult It's hard to describe what to see and what to do. Your options are endless and one day will not be enough. Just to see to historic center takes more than a day. And that's without visiting museums or taking a little river/canal cruise. Maybe plan the big must-do's. And after that ... or during ... it's just fun to stroll around and get lost in the streets and lanes of Bruges. Some of the sights you really should check out: - Belfort Tower - Markt / Marktplatz - Brugse Vrije - Stadhuis Brugge - Basiliek van het Heilig Bloed - De Burg Square - Huidenvettersplein - Nepomucenusbrug - Meebrug - Sint-Salvatorskathedraal - Bonifazius Bridge - Zuidzandstraat - Dijver - Rozenhoedkaai - Steenstraat - Sint-Amandsstraat And that's just to cover the biggest and most famous sights and streets. Belgian Waffles and chocolate. Give them a try. Surely a must-do. We sampled some. But sadly weren't convinced much. Nothing beats Swiss chocolate. An amazing old town. We really enjoyed it. One of the most pretty historic old towns we know. And we've seen many. Bruges. Really a place you must see at least once in your life. We love it and will be back one day.

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    Altstadt
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    Historium - At Historium

    Historium

    2.9(25 reviews)
    0.1 km

    This building is the biggest and most prominent on the Bruges main square. Go inside on a rainy day…read moreto do the VR experience or history experience, or simply go up to the top level's beer bar for a quick drink and view of the square from above (no cost to just walk up). The VR experience was included in the ticket we chose and actually pretty cool to see that there was once a canal going under the building for board and commerce in Bruges. The history experience throughout the building was a little strange -- like an animatronic story where you walk in room after room. I liked how interactive and Disney-like it was, but the story in general is just a little random (?). You follow a pretty girl in a red cloak through the markets and there's a bird and a painter and people looking for her or something? I would've loved to learn more about actual Bruges which is why I wouldn't consider it a must-do for visitors. We brought our toddler with us through it, but I wouldn't recommend for kids under 15 ish... it's dark and there's a room with women of the night portrayed so it just kind of leaves you wondering who this general exhibit is for as most of it would be great for kids but then there's that dropped into it for no reason. The beer bar and view is cool though! PS: The shop inside could be improved as it has a lot of junky merch and the main manager lady is not friendly... she got upset at one of her employees and we felt bad for them because she hadn't been nice to us either.

    Overpriced, low-budget experience with little historical relevance to Bruges. The VR Virtual…read moreReality film feels two decades old. The story of Jacob is uninteresting and focuses on a lost bird as you meander through 8 rooms with plastic decorations. I would love to see the IQ test results from anyone who rated this 5 stars. Seems to be targeted at people who don't get outside much. They upsell you on the tower climb which only accommodates 6 people at a time, leading to long wait times. Staff is hapless, and the supervisor is a condescending prick. They got our 62 euros though, so I guess they win.

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    Historium - At Historium

    At Historium

    Historium - At Historium

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    At Historium

    Belfort - museums - Updated May 2026

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