Belgium, Europe

Bruges in April

Blossoms and daffodils, with manageable crowds. Easter weekend is busy.

BestMild, highs near 58F (14C), showers

Bruges canal, Belgium — BrugesPhoto: Marc Ryckaert (MJJR), CC BY 3.0

The straight answer

April is one of the best months of the year to visit Bruges. Blossoms and daffodils, with manageable crowds. Easter weekend is busy.

Weather: Mild, highs near 58F (14C), showers
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What April is like in Bruges

April is one of the best months for Bruges. Highs are near 58F (14C), with some showers, and the town is full of blossoms and daffodils. Crowds are manageable, though Easter weekend is busy. Canal boats run regularly, and the terraces start filling on sunny afternoons.

This month suits nearly everyone, from couples to families and first-timers. Pack for rain, since showers come and go. If you want warm evenings for canal walks, June is better, but April offers lower prices and fewer people. Book the Belfry at opening to beat the groups.

Make the most of April

What is especially good about Bruges this month.

Spring blossoms

Blossoming trees and flowers line the canals and the Minnewater park.

Bike to Damme

Ride about 7 kilometers along the tree-lined canal to the tiny medieval town of Damme.

Morning canal boats

Take the first boats of the day for calm water and no queue.

What to pack for April

A light rain jacket
A sweater
Comfortable walking shoes
A compact umbrella

Our timing tip

Avoid Easter weekend if you can; the week before or after has the same blossoms with far fewer day-trippers.

Book Bruges for April.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Bruges
Opens a hotel search for Bruges in April, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for April
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Bruges
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Bruges
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Bruges for April. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

Things to do in Bruges

Full guide

The Belfry

Climb the 366 steps for the view over the rooftops. Timed tickets help; go at opening or late afternoon.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Groeninge Museum

Flemish Primitives including Jan van Eyck. Small and quiet compared with the crowds outside.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Canal boat tour

The classic 30 minute loop. Take the first boats of the morning to avoid the queues; service is reduced in winter.

Tickets and tours →

Begijnhof and Minnewater

The white houses of the Beguinage and the 'Lake of Love' are serene at dawn, busy by midday.

Tickets and tours →

Basilica of the Holy Blood

A two-level chapel on the Burg square holding a revered relic, the center of the Ascension Day procession.

Tickets and tours →

De Halve Maan Brewery

A family brewery in the center with tours and a beer pipeline under the old town streets.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Sleep in Bruges. Walk the Markt, the Burg, and the Rozenhoedkaai before 9am and after 6pm, when day-trippers are gone.
Visit midweek rather than on weekends, and check if cruise ships are in at Zeebrugge.
Spend the busiest hours in museums, on a bike ride to Damme, or in quieter neighborhoods like Sint-Anna in the east.
Book the Belfry online, and go to the Holy Blood Basilica at opening.

Know before you go

Several Musea Brugge museums close on Mondays. Check before planning a Monday visit.
Canal boats run most of the year but can pause in freezing weather, storms, or winter weekdays.
Some restaurants close one or two days a week, often midweek, and a few take winter holidays in January.
Christmas Day and New Year's Day close many sights and shops.