Things to Do in Bruges in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in Bruges
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- Spring bloom transforms the city - tulips line the canals by mid-April, and the Beguinage courtyard becomes genuinely stunning with daffodils and magnolias. The light at this time of year is softer and better for photography than harsh summer sun.
- Shoulder season pricing means accommodation runs 30-40% cheaper than peak summer months. You can actually book decent canal-view hotels for €120-150 per night instead of the €200+ you'll pay in July.
- Easter markets (typically first two weeks of April) bring local artisan stalls to the Markt square - handmade lace, Belgian chocolates from small producers, and spring specialties like speculaas cookies. It's more authentic than the December tourist crush.
- Comfortable walking weather for exploring the medieval center. At 10-14°C (50-57°F) during the day, you can walk the 5 km (3.1 miles) of canal loops without overheating, and the cooler air means fewer crowds lingering at popular photo spots like the Rozenhoedkaai.
Considerations
- Genuinely unpredictable weather - you might get three sunny days followed by two of drizzle. That 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain spreads across 10 days, so you're looking at frequent light showers rather than predictable afternoon storms. Outdoor plans need flexibility built in.
- Early April can still feel properly cold, especially mornings and evenings when temperatures drop to 5°C (41°F). The stone buildings and cobblestones hold the chill, and that 70% humidity makes it feel colder than the thermometer suggests.
- Easter week (April 13-20 in 2026) brings Belgian and Dutch families on school holidays, which means accommodation prices spike by 25-30% and popular spots like the Belfry tower have 45-60 minute wait times instead of the usual 15-20 minutes.
Best Activities in April
Canal boat tours in spring conditions
April is actually ideal for the 30-minute canal tours because the trees along the Groenerei and Dijver canals are just leafing out, so you get filtered light on the water without the dense summer canopy blocking views of the medieval facades. The cooler weather means the enclosed boats aren't stuffy, and morning tours (9-11am) often have that misty, atmospheric quality that makes Bruges look properly medieval. Crowds are manageable except Easter week.
Cycling routes to nearby villages
The flat Flemish countryside is perfect for cycling in April - temperatures sit in the comfortable 12-15°C (54-59°F) range during midday, and the spring fields are actually interesting with early crops coming up. Routes to Damme (7 km/4.3 miles) or the windmills at Koolkerke (4 km/2.5 miles) are mostly on dedicated bike paths. You'll avoid the summer heat and the main cycling crowds don't arrive until May.
Belgian beer tastings and brewery tours
April is excellent for the indoor beer culture experiences because the weather drives you inside anyway, and the seasonal spring beers (witbiers and lighter ales) are actually at their peak. The De Halve Maan brewery tour takes 45 minutes and ends with rooftop views over the city - worth it even in light rain. Smaller tasting rooms around the Markt have working fireplaces that still get used in early April.
Museum visits during variable weather
April's unpredictable conditions make this the smart month for Bruges' art museums. The Groeninge Museum holds Flemish Primitives (Van Eyck, Memling) and takes 90-120 minutes to see properly. The Historium on the Markt square offers a multimedia walk through medieval Bruges - genuinely well done and takes about 75 minutes. Both are excellent rainy-day pivots, and April crowds mean you can actually stand in front of major paintings without jostling.
Chocolate workshop experiences
The hands-on chocolate making workshops (90 minutes to 2 hours) are particularly popular in April because they're warm, dry, and produce something you actually want to eat. You'll work with Belgian couverture chocolate, learn tempering basics, and make 15-20 pralines to take away. The spring flavors often include lighter combinations with fruit and floral notes rather than heavy winter spices.
Walking tours of medieval architecture
The guided walking tours (2-2.5 hours) work well in April because the cooler temperatures make the steady walking pace comfortable, and you're not competing with peak summer crowds at key stops like the Basilica of the Holy Blood or the Beguinage. Morning tours starting at 10am catch the best light on the brick Gothic facades. The variable weather means smaller groups - typically 12-15 people instead of summer's 20-25.
April Events & Festivals
Easter Markets at the Markt
The main square hosts spring artisan markets typically the two weeks leading up to Easter (so roughly April 6-20 in 2026). You'll find local lacemakers demonstrating traditional Bruges techniques, chocolate makers selling seasonal pralines with spring flavors, and Belgian waffle stands that locals actually eat at. It's more craft-focused than the Christmas market tourist scene. Worth visiting late afternoon around 4-5pm when locals finish work and the market gets livelier.
Meifoor Spring Fair
If you're visiting late April (typically starts last week of the month), the Meifoor carnival sets up at Simon Stevinplein just outside the old city walls. It's a traditional Flemish fair with rides, game stalls, and food vendors - more local family scene than tourist attraction. The oliebollen (fried dough balls) stands are legitimately good. Runs evenings 6pm-11pm and weekend afternoons.