Things to Do at Market Square

Market Square (Grote Markt) sits at the very heart of Bruges, and honestly, it's the kind of medieval square that makes you understand why people get so worked up about this city. The cobblestoned plaza is surrounded by guild houses with their distinctive stepped gables, while the famous Belfry tower looms over everything like a benevolent giant. It's touristy, sure, but it's touristy for all the right reasons - this has been the commercial and social center of Bruges for over a thousand years. What strikes you first is probably the scale of it all. The square feels genuinely grand without being overwhelming, and despite the crowds of tourists (and yes, there will be crowds), it maintains this almost theatrical quality. Horse-drawn carriages clip-clop across the stones, outdoor cafés spill onto the square, and the whole scene has this slightly surreal, fairy-tale quality that you might find cheesy if it weren't so undeniably beautiful.

Market Square sits 15-20 minutes on foot from Bruges train station. Follow the signs through the historic center and you'll stumble across it naturally while exploring. Most visitors find it by accident. Driving means parking outside the historic center-try 't Zand lot. The old town is mostly pedestrianized. Walking in is your only real option. Wandering the medieval streets works best. You get that first shock of recognition when the square opens up before you. Total magic.