When visiting Bruges, you’ll find a city full of charming photo spots, from peaceful canals and cobbled lanes to medieval buildings and hidden corners. And luckily, I’ve made the perfect guide to the best Instagram spots in Bruges, with 15 amazing postcard-perfect places to find.
Follow this guide to capture Bruges at its prettiest, whether it’s a building draped in autumn colours, a quiet canal-side spot or a colourful brick façade.
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The best Bruges canal photo spots
Here are some of the best Bruges photo spots that are found right along the canals. From charming bridges to peaceful reflections and tucked-away alleys, these locations offer a classic look at the city’s fairytale charm.
If you’re only in Bruges for the day, these are the best to focus on. A lot of them are close together so you can easily tick off some of the best Instagram spots without having to rush.
Passage Bourgondisch Cruyce
Passage Bourgondisch Cruyce is one of the best hidden photo spots in Bruges. This tiny canal-side alley opens up to a postcard-perfect view of the canals with historic buildings reflected in the water.
It’s easy to miss this spot, so look closely for the unassuming alleyway on Wollestraat. And once you find it, you’ll be rewarded with amazing views of Bruges that not everyone gets to see or take photos of!
De Dijver Park
This peaceful green space runs alongside the Dijver canal and offers stunning views across the water with a backdrop of classic façades and canal boats.
Plus, step out onto the street next to the park and you’ll be met with impressive views of the Church of Our Lady peeking above the rooftops.
2Be Bruges
2Be Bruges is a pub and shop with two great potential Bruges photo spots. Head through the shop to the rear terrace for one of the best canal views in Bruges. A Belgian beer makes the perfect prop for these canal-side shots; you just might need a bit of luck to nab the best seat on the terrace!
Or, for a true hidden gem and one of my favourite Instagram spots in Bruges, head inside the 2Be Bruges shop and upstairs past a Smurfs mural wall. On the stairwell, there’s a small glass door which takes you out to a hidden balcony with an amazing view over the Quay of the Rosary.
Quay of the Rosary (Rozenhoedkaai)
Across the water from 2Be is probably the most photographed spot in Bruges. The Quay of the Rosary offers a quintessential backdrop, with the weeping willow tree, reflective canals, brick buildings, and towers peeking through.
Footfall here is high, so arrive early if you want to beat the crowds and get some Instagram shots on your own.
Bonifaciusbrug
Bonifaciusbrug is a fairytale stone bridge tucked away behind the Church of Our Lady. From the bridge, admire the ivy-covered buildings and the hidden-garden-style green space at the back of the church.
The bridge itself is incredibly romantic, with its medieval stone arches and storybook setting. One side of the bridge is nestled into a building, giving it a tucked-away feel that makes it even more magical.
Check out these fun things to do in Bruges!
Koningsbrug (Jan Van Eyck Square)
Stand on Koningsbrug facing Jan Van Eyck Square to capture one of Bruges’ most beautiful canal views. The blend of architecture and water here is especially striking on a calm day when the reflections are clear.
With the gorgeous Speigelrei houses (which you’ll hear more about later in this guide!) on either side providing perfect symmetry, you’ll see the Poortersloge Art Centre in the distance.
Peerdenbrug (Pear Bridge)
This is the perfect Bruges Instagram spot if you’re visiting the city in autumn. Peerdenbrug is a simple stone bridge, but it is surrounded by vine-covered buildings that come alive in fiery autumn colours once fall rolls around.
For the best angle here, have the photographer stand east of the bridge on Groenerei, while you stand on the bridge with the colourful backdrop.
The most beautiful buildings in Bruges
Bruges is full of standout architecture, from chocolate-box cottages to towering churches and lakeside castles. These beautiful buildings are among the most Instagrammable places in Bruges and make the perfect backdrops for your photos.
Chocolatier Dumon (Eiermarkt)
The charming chocolate shop Chocolatier Dumon is like a real-life gingerbread house with its gabled roof, timber-framed windows and brick façade. The little cottage really stands out among the taller buildings around it, and it’s the perfect place to snap a photo – and then head inside for some chocolate!
The façade looks extra special at Christmas time as it’s usually adorned with wreaths, with twinkling lights inside the windows.
Spiegelrei Houses
At the start of the Spiegelrei canal, you’ll find a stretch of mismatched yet beautiful terraced houses. Some are colourful, some have classic steeped gables, and some even have a modern feel to them!
They blend together perfectly, and I recommend taking a walk along both sides of Speiegelrei to snap a few shots.
St Walburgha’s Church
Bruges has many beautiful churches, but this lesser-known gem is one you’ll want to save. The Baroque façade of St Walburgha’s Church dominates the quiet surrounding streets and makes for a dramatic shot.
Inside, you’ll find a serene, light-filled interior with elegant columns and ornate altar pieces. It’s a peaceful escape from the city’s more crowded sights and the perfect place if you want to grab some photos that are a bit different to the usual postcard locations.
Kasteel Minnewater
On your way in or out of Bruges, pass by Minnewater Park and take a photo by the dreamy Kasteel Minnewater (Minnewater Castle). Dating back to the late 1800s, the castle is now owned by the city council and serves as a restaurant.
History aside, the gorgeous red-bricked castle is surrounded by green and reflects beautifully on the lake, especially in the early morning mist. You’ll want to pass by the castle on the opposite side of the lake for the best views.
The prettiest streets in Bruges
As you wander through the streets of Bruges, you’ll want to snap photos everywhere you turn. Check out these picks for the prettiest streets in Bruges – the cobbles are too pretty not to share!
Blinde-Ezelstraat
This narrow, cobbled alleyway leads you from Vismarkt to De Burg in the centre of Bruges. The highlight of the tiny street is the ornate bridge that connects the Town Hall and the Basilica of the Holy Blood, with its archways and golden details.
These ornate additions especially stand out against the surrounding brick façades, and it makes a great background for your photo.
Westmeers
Outside the old centre of Bruges, the quieter residential streets don’t lose any of the city centre charm. These streets are some of the best Instagram spots in Bruges, and Westmeers is a perfect example.
The southern end of the street is where you want to be, with cottage-style façades lining the cobbles. It’s the perfect route to head back to the train station at the end of your trip.
Oostmeers
Running parallel to Westmeers, Oostmeers has a perfect photo opportunity on its cobbles. You’ll want to be heading north this time, and as you walk along, you’ll catch sight of Sint-Salvatorskathedraal peeking above the roofs.
This street is perfect for a candid shot as you get your first glimpses of this fairytale city.
Helmstraat
Tucked off of Bruges’ main shopping street, Helmstraat is easily missed, but it’s a must-see if you’re looking for Instagrammable places in Bruges. The most picturesque part of this street is the façade of De Vlaamsche Pot, a Flemish restaurant.
The entrance, with its red detailing and brick walls, juts out from the adjacent buildings. There are flowers, greenery, and plenty of colour, and you’ll be able to take pictures without too many people around.
Oooh.. having those coordinates are SOOOO helpful – and on a side note, this is so making me want to grab my camera and tripod and head out there again! 😍
I love these pictures!! It truly looks like a fairytale. Adding it to my bucket list now!
These spots truly are picturesque! I love the coordinating clothes, and just the peacefulness these photos bring. Each of these spots are stunning!
Your photos make everything look amazing! All the locations are so well chosen and beautiful. I can’t wait to visit someday
Lovely informative post on Bruges! Brought back memories of my visit many years back. Views of Bruges from top of Belfry tower is also great and instagram worthy!
Love all those Instagram spots! Bruges is on my bucket list and I hope I can visit one day!
Can’t wait to explore Bruges! It looks so pretty
I love Bruges! Only been once but can’t wait to go again!
I have always wanted to visit Bruges. All these photos remind me of chocolate!
This is the most detailed guide I’ve seen to photo spots in any city before and its great! I haven’t been to Belgium before but will definitely use this guide when I visit Bruge 🙂 Pinned and followed on Pinterest!