Things to Do in Bruges in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Bruges
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Dramatically fewer tourists than summer months - you can actually photograph the Belfry without 50 people in your frame, and restaurants that require weeks of advance booking in July will seat you same-day. Hotel prices drop 30-40% compared to peak season.
- Spring is starting to emerge by late March - early crocuses and daffodils appear in Minnewater Park, trees along the canals begin budding, and locals start setting up outdoor cafe seating on warmer afternoons. The city transitions from grey winter to early spring, which is genuinely beautiful if you catch it right.
- Indoor attractions are at their best - no queues at the Groeningemuseum, you can linger at the Memling collection without being rushed, and chocolate shops let you actually browse and ask questions instead of managing crowds. March is ideal for the cultural side of Bruges.
- Belgian beer culture peaks indoors during this season - cozy brown cafes with wood-burning stoves are still fully operational, and locals are drinking the heavier Trappist ales and winter brews before they switch to lighter beers. You get the authentic bruine kroeg experience that summer tourists completely miss.
Considerations
- Weather is genuinely unpredictable - you might get a sunny 15°C (59°F) day followed by a grey 5°C (41°F) drizzle the next morning. That 70% humidity makes the cold feel colder, and the damp gets into your bones in a way that dry cold doesn't. Pack for four seasons in one day.
- Daylight is still limited - sunrise around 6:45am, sunset around 6:30pm by late March. If you're an early riser this is fine, but if you sleep in, you lose precious daylight hours. The grey skies that show up about half the month make it feel darker than it actually is.
- Some canal boat tours run reduced schedules or close for maintenance in early March - while most are operating by mid-month, you need to check ahead rather than just showing up. A few smaller museums and attractions use March for renovations before the April rush begins.
Best Activities in March
Museum and Art Gallery Tours
March is absolutely the best month for Bruges museums - the Groeningemuseum with its Flemish Primitives collection, the Memling in Sint-Jan Hospital, and the Historium Bruges are all blissfully quiet. You can stand in front of Van Eyck and Van der Weyden paintings for as long as you want without someone's selfie stick in your peripheral vision. The cool weather makes indoor cultural activities feel natural rather than like you're missing out on sunshine. Late morning visits around 10-11am tend to be quietest, even on weekends.
Historic City Center Walking Tours
Walking Bruges in March means you actually see the architecture instead of navigating crowds. The medieval center is compact - about 2 km (1.2 miles) across - so the cooler temperatures are perfect for 2-3 hour walks without overheating. Morning tours around 10am-noon tend to catch the best light when the sun cooperates, and you avoid the afternoon dampness that can settle in. The Markt, Burg Square, and canal-side walks are atmospheric in the variable March weather, especially when mist hangs over the water.
Belgian Beer Tasting Experiences
March is peak season for experiencing authentic Belgian beer culture indoors. The traditional brown cafes still have their stoves going, locals are drinking winter Trappist ales and strong dark beers before switching to lighter summer brews, and the cozy atmosphere is exactly what you want when it is 8°C (46°F) and drizzling outside. Guided tastings typically feature 4-6 beers with explanations of brewing methods, monastery traditions, and proper glassware. Evening sessions around 6-8pm capture the best atmosphere.
Chocolate Workshop Classes
Bruges chocolate makers use March for hands-on workshops before the summer rush makes them impossible to book. You learn tempering techniques, make your own pralines, and understand why Belgian chocolate actually is different - the higher cocoa butter content and specific tempering temperatures. The cool March weather is actually ideal for working with chocolate, which melts easily in summer heat. Sessions typically run 2-3 hours and you take home what you make.
Day Trips to Ghent or Brussels
March weather makes day trips to nearby cities more appealing than canal boat tours that might be cold and damp. Ghent is 25 minutes by train, Brussels 50 minutes - both have extensive indoor attractions perfect for variable weather. Ghent's Gravensteen castle and Saint Bavo's Cathedral with the Van Eyck altarpiece are spectacular without summer crowds. Brussels museums and covered shopping arcades work well on grey days. Trains run every 30 minutes and you can explore independently or join organized tours.
Traditional Flemish Cooking Classes
March is when locals are still cooking hearty Flemish winter dishes - stoverij beef stew, waterzooi chicken soup, and stoofvlees with frites. Cooking classes focus on these traditional recipes that work perfectly for cool weather, and you learn techniques using Belgian beer in cooking. Classes typically include market visits to understand local ingredients, 2-3 hours of hands-on cooking, and eating what you make. The indoor activity is perfect for those inevitable drizzly March afternoons.
March Events & Festivals
Bruges Beer Festival
Typically held in early to mid-February, so you might catch the tail end or aftermath buzz in very early March. If the 2026 dates shift into March, this is the premier Belgian beer event with 80+ breweries, rare Trappist ales, and brewery-direct sales. Worth checking exact 2026 dates if you are a serious beer enthusiast, though most years it concludes before March begins.