Introduction to Wheelchair Accessible Bruges

Welcome to Bruges, Belgium, a charming and picturesque city known as the “Venice of the North” due to its enchanting canals and medieval architecture. Indulge in delicious Belgian chocolates, explore the many museums and churches, and savor traditional dishes like Belgian waffles in the vibrant Markt square. While Bruges’ accessibility infrastructure is limited, efforts have been made to improve access at major attractions and some restaurants. With a bit of planning, you can enjoy the magic of Bruges, whether you’re a history enthusiast, a foodie, or simply seeking a fairytale-like experience in this captivating destination.

Attractions & Sights – Wheelchair Accessible Things to Do in Bruges, Belgium

My trip to Bruges was an impromptu one that lasted only a couple of days, meaning I wasn’t able to experience every one of the city’s highly rated tourist attractions. This guide is limited in that regard, however it will provide you with a sufficient understanding of what accessibility in Bruges looks like and how, with some planning, wheelchair users can travel to this historic Belgian city, fully participate in its most revered activities and traditions, and make memories with family and friends.

St. Saviour’s Cathedral

St Saviour’s Cathedral, or St. Salvator’s Cathedral, is the oldest parish church in Bruges. While the parish dates to the 9th century, the present cathedral was constructed beginning in the 13th century. Originally built as a simple parish church, it was elevated to cathedral status in 1834, becoming the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bruges.

The cathedral’s gothic architecture and large bell tower dominate the city skyline, and its interior is equally mesmerizing. Large tapestries made in Brussels during the 1700s hang high above the altar, while ornate side altars encircle the length of the cathedral’s interior. Colorful stained glass windows are also an attraction, along with masterpieces by Flemish artists including Dirk Bouts, Hugo van der Goes, Lanceloot Blondeel and Pieter Pourbus.

Barrier-free wheelchair access to the cathedral is possible via a sloped pathway. To gain a preview of the interior, a virtual tour is available on the Cathedral website, which also provides additional information on the church’s history, artworks, and a schedule of events including Mass times for those who celebrate.

Museum of the Church of Our Lady

The Gothic-style Church of Our Lady in Bruges was constructed largely between 1270-1280, however additions were made in the 14th and 15th centuries. Its tower, which reaches a height of 379 feet, is the third tallest brickwork tower in the world. The church is an architectural delight, even more so as the parish looks forward to celebrating a 750th anniversary.

Inside, the Museum of the Church of Our Lady, provides visitors access to a treasure trove of art and sculpture. The piece that attracts tourists from all around the world is Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child (1501-1504), which was commissioned by wealthy merchants in Bruges and now resides at the Church of Our Lady. Twice the sculpture was stolen from Bruges, first during the French Revolutionary War in 1794, and second during World War II in 1944. The sculpture gained wider acclaim after the 2014 film Monuments Men told the story of the sculptures recovery from Hitler and the Nazis in an Austrian salt mine. Here’s a clip of the scene in which the Madonna was found:

Wheelchair access is possible via the museum’s entrance on Guido Gezelleplein street. Wheelchair users will have access not only to the Madonna and Child, but also to a large collection of artworks and the tombs of Charles the Bold and his daughter, Mary of Burgundy and the “Mother of the Habsburg Dynasty.” For more information or to plan your visit, see the museum website.

Basilica of the Holy Blood

The Basilica of the Holy Blood, located alongside Bruges City Hall, was completed in 1157 and is home to a relic of the Blood of Christ, allegedly collected by Joseph of Arimathea (the man who the four canonical gospels say buried Jesus) and brought to Bruges from the Holy Land more than a thousand years later by Thierry of Alsace, a crusader and the fifteenth Count of Flanders.

The Precious Blood relic is venerated to this day in the basilica, and features each year in a procession on the Solemnity of the Ascension of Jesus Christ, held on the Thursday following the Sixth Sunday of Easter according to the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar. The church, nearly a millennium old, is open to the public. On the lower level, tourists can visit the St. Basil Chapel, which was completed in 1149 and is one of the best preserved churches in the Romanesque style of the region.

During my visit, I was told that the upper church was not accessible, however Visit Bruges writes that “If you wish to visit the upper chapel and treasury, place a call at the lift and talk into the speaker. Some manoeuvring is required in order to enter and exit the lift. The double door to the upper chapel is very heavy. There are narrow, but accessible passageways on the upper floor. There is plenty of room to manoeuvre in the halls. The exhibited material in the treasure chamber is hard to see if you are in a wheelchair.” Perhaps then, the elevator was simply out of service on the day of my visit.

Bruges City Hall

Located on Burg Square at the center of Bruges, the City Hall building was constructed in a late-Gothic Monumental style between 1376 and 1421. The building underwent a substantial renovation that was completed in 1905, and some accessibility improvements have been made since.

The building is easily accessible to wheelchair users, and all visitors should make a point to see the Gothic Hall, the meeting place of the Bruges City Council, that features vaulted ceilings and wall paintings. The Historical Hall is also worth a visit, as it provides insight into the city’s development and history as an economic center for the region. The free audio guide offers context you won’t find anywhere else.

King Albert I Park

Named in honor of the king who ruled Belgium from 1909 until his death in 1934, King Albert I Park is located on the site of the city’s former railway depot. When the train station was moved to its present location, a parkland was formed, offering visitors a peaceful and serene escape near the city center.

The park underwent major renovations in 2022 and features smooth, wheelchair accessible pathways that lead through the wonderful green space bordered by canals. It’s a welcome diversion from the cobblestone streets of central Bruges.

Lake of Love and Castle de la Faille

At the heart of Minnewater Park visitors will find the Lake of Love, a rectangular lake that shimmers under sunlight and serves as a place of beauty and retreat. Known to be a romantic spot, visitors will frequently spot couples picnicking or walking through the park. Local legend states that couples who walk over the lake bridge together will experience eternal love.

The bridge (Minnewaterbrug) crosses the lake next to the historic Gunpowder Tower (a beautiful sight!). The park is wheelchair-friendly, with both paved and unpaved accessible pathways throughout. Located across the lake is the Castle de la Faille, a historic and protected building that was constructed in the 1890s. Today, the castle is owned by the city council and houses a small coffee shop and cafe that is open to the public.

Sidewalk Accessibility in Bruges, Belgium

Bruges is a city with a rich historical heritage that rose to prominence during the Middle Ages, and it has changed little in the past 500 years. The city’s streets and sidewalks were built largely with cobblestone, which naturally present obstacles for wheelchair users. Given that the historic city center is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, highly accessible modern infrastructure is unlikely to take precedence over historic preservation.

While the vast majority of the city is paved with cobblestones, the pavements have worn over the centuries, and most of the pavements have been made smooth. While I’m still not able to drive my power wheelchair at its maximum speed (as I would like to), the worn cobbles make it easier (and more comfortable!) to navigate the city as a wheelchair user. Geographically, the city is almost entirely flat, which further increases its accessibility.

Streets and sidewalks in Bruges still score poorly in my accessibility metric because there is no reprieve from the cobblestones — they are found everywhere, and despite their smoothing, they don’t compare at all with the modern cement sidewalks of many other European cities.

Wheelchair Accessible Public Transportation in Bruges, Belgium

Bruges is a historic and walkable city, where cars feel out of place. There is no subway system, and the city bus network consists of just two lines operating within historic Brugge.

Wheelchair Accessible City Bus in Bruges, Belgium

City bus Line 1 connects the city center via a loop around the district of Sint-Kruis and a loop to the hospital campus AZ Sint-Jan. Line 2 operates on a continuous loop around the city center, stopping at ’t Zand, St. Salvator’s Cathedral, the Church of Our Lady, Dijver, the Municipal Theater, and the statue of Jan Van Eyckplein.

Most buses are accessible with a ramp and kneeling function, along with a space onboard for wheelchairs. The cost of a ticket is €2,50, which is valid for 60 minutes. During my time in Bruges, I explored almost all of the city center and did not require a city bus ride or wheelchair taxi.

Intercity Trains from Bruges to Belgium and Europe

Brugge Railway Station is located about 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles) from City Hall, which is located at the middle of the historic city center. Both local and intercity trains operated by the National Railway Company of Belgium (SNCB/NMBS) service Brugge station, and service is available to the following stations without making a connection:

• Antwerpen
• Brussels
• Brussels Airport
• Dendermonde
• Eupen
• Genk
• Ghent
• Knokke/Blankenberge
• Kortrijk
• Leuven
• Liege
• Mechelen
• Ostend
• Roeselare
• Sint-Niklaas
• Zeebrugge
• Zottegem

Trains are wheelchair accessible via a ramp, however the Belgian rail company insists on advance reservations. If you fail to request wheelchair assistance at least 24 hours in advance, you may not be able to travel and could be left behind with no recourse. Assistance requests must be made via the Belgian Trains website, and registration for an online account is required. Prior to booking assistance, you will need to know the precise train service on which you will be traveling.

On the day of travel, it is important to arrive at the station at least 10 minutes before scheduled departure to connect with an assistance team member.

Wheelchair Accessible Hotels in Bruges, Belgium

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I only spent two nights in Brugge and only stayed in a single budget hotel — the Ibis Brugge Centrum, which I have detailed below. Note that there may be other hotels in the city that offer wheelchair accessible accommodation, however I have not reviewed them.

Ibis Brugge Centrum

Located about half a mile (1 kilometer) from both the Brugge train station and the Bruges City Hall, the Ibis Brugge Centrum is an affordable wheelchair accessible hotel that is a perfect home base from which to explore the historic city.

My room was small and compact, but featured a double bed that was accessible on the left side (the right side of the bed was pressed against a wall). Power outlets at the adjacent desk allowed me to charge my smartphone and electric wheelchair overnight.

Bathroom accessibility was good, with a roll-under sink, a roll-in shower with a built-in seat and grab bars, and a toilet with a single folding grab bar. While there are a few things that I would change, this Ibis hotel matched my expectations — the Accor Hotels brand is one that I can trust to offer at least the minimum level of accessibility that I need, and it’s why I’ve stated that Accor Hotels are winning the accessibility race.

To research room rates or to make a reservation, visit the Accor Hotels website.

If you have visited Bruges or stayed at any of the hotels highlighted in this travel guide, please share your experience with accessibility in the comments below!