Bruges Christmas Market

Very disappointing as far a Christmas markets go mainly food stalls and lacking in atmosphere.

Bruges itself is a lovely city and very assessable on foot.

A trip on the canal is a must.

The Winter Glow walk around at night is a wonderful spectale.

I stayed with a group travel company in the Duke Academic hotel very close to everything.

Beautiful hotel registered as

4* hotel however I would rate as 4* B&B as no food/snacks available after breakfast

(which was excellent).

Would recommend Bruges for a trip but most definitely not for Christmas Market experience

Sadly very disappointed I’d heard Bruges Christmas markets were outstanding. The markets were fenced off and very cramped making them uncomfortably crowded. Very overwhelming making it easy to not notice you’ve ended paying over a £100 for cheese ???? Bruges itself is beautiful and has gorgeous Christmas shops The Glow Walk was also lovely but Brussels was outstanding so much nicer experience and the light show in the square unmissable ????

We have been to Bruges/Brugge many times. It is an amazing place. We always drive and use the uderground car park, five minutes from the main square. The canal trips are a great way to see the city, the horse and cart rides are a great way to the city but we would never recommend you go just for the Christmas market, because it is pretty poor as far as markets go. However, seeing Bruges/Brugge at Christmas time with all the buildings lit up, is worth it. The best restaurants are not in the main square and those tend to be more expensive. Walk further out and you won't be disappointed. There are amazing chocolate shops but the beer is cheaper if you buy from a beer warehouse. One of the best is on the border with France. The best place to have beer is the 't Brugs Beertje at 5 Kemelstraat, not far from the main square. It's open from 4pm but closed Wednesdays. They sell 300+ beers and a bit of food! Enjoy.

I believe this trip was the best trip of my life!!! I Would recommend this to anyone who likes food! this place has the best chocolate ever it melts in your mouth like snow....it is such a beautiful place, the atmosphere is great and you meet a lot of different people who you can interact with and go out with. Me and my friend Tobbi had a lovely time and we enjoyed it so much we want to go back there next Christmas! :D

We love to go to bruges xmas market. Although, as most reviews have said, the market is a bit rubbish compared with places like Cologne or Rhudesteim. But if it good value your'e looking for, try the P&O ferries mini cruise from Hull to Bruges. They usually have a 2 for 1 offer on which is £72 this year for two for 2 night onboard with cabin and a day in Bruges.it does make you get in the Xmas mood!

Bruges is lovely - any other time of year. But the market is a waste of time! More so when it's raining and you get pushed and shoved with umbrellas and the rest.

If you want to go to a good Christmas market then don't go to Bruge. Bruge is a lovely city but the market is not a good one. We did a day trip and quickly found other things to do.

Very disappointing. A total waste of money. Lots of lovely lace if you like it. Everything over priced. Chocolate much more expensive than if you buy the same thing in England.

Don't go on a day trip from England. You spend most of your time travelling and will not have enough time to look at the cathedral, the museum and other places of interest.

We went last Christmas first weekend in December, it was lovely a lovely festive atmosphere, where you can shop at leisure without the frantic attitude of the UK, we stayed in the Crowne Plaza last minute delay and were right next to the main square. In the Belfry court yard there was a marque and with dancing, tapas food being served along with griddled sprats and a local liqueur (don't try and be clever and drink to much of this as it knocked my boyfriend out for the following day), the people are very friendly, I've already booked my ferry crossing for this year.

We were dropped close to at Begijnenvest, which is about 10-15 minutes walk from the Bruges Christmas Market Square.

The shops en route were fantastic, filled with local crafts, fine beer shops and - of course - a wide selection of Belgian chocolate.

The market itself however was a disappoinment, with around 15 stalls, most of them selling local food, and others selling counterfeit perfume and clothes.

The scenery and restaurants around the market square are superb, and the shops equally so. I would strongly recommend the shops proceeding the market square and the city itself - just not the market!

Please note my ratings are for the market and not for shops - shops would be 9/10 for value and overall rating.