Belgium, Europe

Bruges in March

Spring arrives and daffodils bloom around the Beguinage and Minnewater. Good value.

GoodCool, highs near 52F (11C)

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

The straight answer

March is a good month to visit Bruges. Spring arrives and daffodils bloom around the Beguinage and Minnewater. Good value.

Weather: Cool, highs near 52F (11C)
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What March is like in Bruges

March brings spring to Bruges. Highs are near 52F (11C), and daffodils bloom around the Beguinage and Minnewater. It is still cool, but the days are getting longer and brighter. Crowds are light and prices are good value, with boats and cafe terraces slowly returning to life.

This month suits couples, photographers, and families on an early spring break. It is a strong value month. If you want warmer weather and more hours of sunshine, April and May are better, but they are busier. Pack layers, as mornings can be chilly.

Make the most of March

What is especially good about Bruges this month.

Daffodils at the Beguinage

The lawn under the trees at the Begijnhof fills with daffodils, best seen early in the morning.

Quiet canal boats

Boat queues are short, so you can enjoy the classic 30 minute loop without a long wait.

Good value

Hotels are still at low-season prices.

What to pack for March

A warm jacket
A sweater for layering
Comfortable waterproof shoes
An umbrella

Our timing tip

Walk to the Begijnhof and Minnewater at dawn, when the daffodils and white houses are calm and empty.

Book Bruges for March.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Bruges
Opens a hotel search for Bruges in March, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for March
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 March. 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.