Belgium, Europe

Bruges in November

Quiet and gray until the Christmas market opens late in the month.

Quiet valueCool and wet, highs near 50F (10C)

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

The straight answer

November is a quiet, good-value month to visit Bruges. Quiet and gray until the Christmas market opens late in the month.

Weather: Cool and wet, highs near 50F (10C)
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What November is like in Bruges

November is cool and wet, with highs near 50F (10C). The town is quiet and gray until the Christmas market opens late in the month. Prices are low.

This month suits budget travelers who want quiet streets. Come late in the month if you want the Christmas market. For better weather, choose September. Families can fill rainy days with the Belfry climb, chocolate shops, and a canal boat, which runs most of the year but can pause in storms. Expect short days, so start sightseeing early and save the cafes for late afternoon. Bring a warm, waterproof coat.

Make the most of November

What is especially good about Bruges this month.

Christmas market opening

Late in the month, markets open on the Markt and Simon Stevinplein.

Quiet museums

The Groeninge Museum and the Basilica of the Holy Blood are calm.

Low prices

Hotels are cheaper than in December.

What to pack for November

A warm, waterproof coat
Gloves and a hat
Waterproof shoes
An umbrella

Our timing tip

Come in the last week of November to see the markets open before December crowds arrive.

Book Bruges for November.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Bruges
Opens a hotel search for Bruges in November, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for November
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 November. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in November

Christmas markets

Late November through early January

Markets on the Markt and Simon Stevinplein, an ice rink, and seasonal lights.

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.