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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

Bruge with children

21 replies

blondie87 · 12/02/2023 14:19

Hello,

We’re driving to the Netherlands with our children (all under 9) and were thinking of two nights in Bruge on the way back.
-Is there enough to do with children?
-If so, what would you recommend?
Many thanks.

OP posts:

HiccupHorrendousHaddock · 12/02/2023 14:23

The boat trip on the river, the chocolate shops, and it's a nice town to wander around in. Mine loved it.

Can2022getanyworse · 12/02/2023 14:23

Meh. I went with kids last in Feb 2020 and apart from the French fry and torture museums there was nothing there for smaller kids. Nice walks if that's your thing, a few windmills. Quite a small city really.

BirdyBoop · 12/02/2023 14:26

I absolutely love Bruges, but I wouldn't take small children there.

Original poster

blondie87 · 12/02/2023 14:29

@BirdyBoop that was what I was thinking. Looks like somewhere I’d love to go for a city break with husband or friends. But as I’d never been, was wondering if it was good for families.

Has anyone done Rotterdam? That was another possible stop.

OP posts:

JustMaggie · 12/02/2023 14:46

French fry museum and chocolate museum. There's a very nice windmill close to the town too (10-15 min walk). Eat lots of chocolate, waffles, and fries. You can see Christ's blood and the Michelangelo statue.

SummerBaby23 · 12/02/2023 14:53

Hi OP
Id love to know more about your holiday, have you driven to the Netherlands before? It’s something we’re considering, have booked the leave and started looking but any inspo on which ferry route to use, and areas to stay in the Netherlands would be great if you’re willing to share? How old are your children? We have also considered stopping in Bruge or Rotterdam too.

hotdiggetydog · 12/02/2023 14:56

Check out the Irish bar, just off the main square!

Hoolihan · 12/02/2023 15:02

hotdiggetydog · 12/02/2023 14:56

Check out the Irish bar, just off the main square!

Yes children really love Irish bars.

OP I enjoyed Bruges for an adult short break but there's not much to it in all honesty. My kids would be bored I think!

ClearMoth · 12/02/2023 15:02

hotdiggetydog · 12/02/2023 14:56

Check out the Irish bar, just off the main square!

Your recommendation for children under 9 is 'an Irish bar'?

I mean it's a shit recommendation for anyone, anywhere. But really?

garlictwist · 12/02/2023 15:03

Why is there a French fry museum in Bruges?

DiDonk · 12/02/2023 15:09

If the weather's OK you can go on the canal, museums are ok and a lot of touristy shops. You can get waffles and chocolate every 10 metres and you do see lots of families with kids.

You'll have no problem speaking English.

Parking can be a nightmare, worth arranging something in advance.

For me Ghent has a bit more to it, half an hour away: better shops, better food, same mediaeval centre but less chocolate boxy. Also has a childhood museum which is fun.

Gymmum82 · 12/02/2023 15:09

garlictwist · 12/02/2023 15:03

Why is there a French fry museum in Bruges?

Because Belgium is famous for chips. I think it’s where they were invented or something.

Op Bruges is my absolute favourite place in the whole of Europe. Possibly the world. I’ve been there countless times. I love it. It’s beautiful. But I wouldn’t take children there.
If you do there is chip museum. Chocolate museum. Walk up the belfry. Boat trip along the canals. A few nice parks with playgrounds etc. Not much else

Lesina · 12/02/2023 15:12

Drive to Menin look at Sanctuary Wood, real WW1 trenches. The Flanders field museum in Ypres plus boat trips, horse drawn carriage rides, chocolate museum, walks :)

BHRK · 12/02/2023 15:15

We took 3 kids under 10 for 2 nights and had a blast. Canal trip, wander round the shops, stop for chocolate and waffles. Go to the park there, visit the market. We all loved it. Next time we’d also book a hotel with a pool I think

HiccupHorrendousHaddock · 12/02/2023 15:58

blondie87 · 12/02/2023 14:29

@BirdyBoop that was what I was thinking. Looks like somewhere I’d love to go for a city break with husband or friends. But as I’d never been, was wondering if it was good for families.

Has anyone done Rotterdam? That was another possible stop.

Rotterdam is so cool! The market is crazy, we could barely pry the kids out of the cube houses, then they wanted to play giant chess, and go on a boat trip. We went to a good park too.

My kids all liked going to cities from quite small, so maybe we’re outliers. But choosing stuff in a market for a picnic, canal/river trips, choosing one sweet from each chocolate shop, parks, outside lunches in the shade… we had two driving holidays in the Benelux and both were big successes with the kids.

Ghent is also cool and has a castle.

Original poster

blondie87 · 12/02/2023 16:18

Really appreciate the feedback/advice. Thank you!

OP posts:

jacult · 12/02/2023 16:21

It’s great, I remember going there as a young child and have really fond memories. Went as a couple and as a family with toddler and had a great time.

TreesAtSea · 12/02/2023 17:21

I'd echo Rotterdam as a good choice. As PP said, there are the cube houses, harbour boat trip (Spido do them) and I'd also do a trip up the Euromast. There's a company called Splashtours who have an amphibious bus which does a sightseeing trip of the city, then drives into the river and continues with a harbour trip afloat. Haven't done that myself though.
There was another thread recently where a poster said how her children loved Rotterdam with all its amazing modern architecture.

Original poster

blondie87 · 12/02/2023 17:45

I’m swaying more towards Rotterdam after reading the comments here. Might save Bruge for a mini break with husband or friends!

OP posts:

MissAmbrosia · 12/02/2023 20:25

When are you going is all important. Bruges is nice for an afternoon wander and a boat trip with kids, maybe Historium? If you have a car and depending on age of kids, Ypres might be more interesting. Rotterdam is fun. Cube houses, Markthal and the SS Rotterdam, with another boat trip thrown in. If you are going in the summer and not Feb half term, the coast is marvellous.

ClearMoth · 12/02/2023 21:45

blondie87 · 12/02/2023 17:45

I’m swaying more towards Rotterdam after reading the comments here. Might save Bruge for a mini break with husband or friends!

I have a friend who went on a mini break to Bruges with her boyfriend when we were in our early 20s. They came back early as they were so bored!

I spent half a day there on the way back from a school journey in Holland. It was very pretty but very boring.

For these reasons, I have not gone back as an adult.

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