Only 15 days left 🙂 : we are counting down to welcome you to Bruges!
Dearest guest(s),
Soon may we be delighted to welcome you to our B&B Royal Swans!
We will be on site between 4pm and 7pm to check you in and tell some fun Bruges stories if you wish. We will wave you off before 11am on the last day.
A few more practical questions:
Our Royal Swans breakfast consists of daily fresh products, as much as possible from the short chain. We try to work as sustainably as possible and not needlessly increase the food waste mountain, so we ask you to indicate what you would like for breakfast for the first morning via the link below, so that we avoid presenting something you don’t like.
Please enter your breakfast for the first morning https://royalswans.be/en/breakfast/
In order not to put extra burden on the environment:
- – and out of respect for our guests, our entire B&B is strictly smoke-free, both inside and outside (on all terraces, private patios, …);
- – we do not use disposable slippers, so we would like to invite you to bring your own to make you feel even more at home :-).
- we invite you to bring your refillable drinking bottle so plastic waste bottles can be avoided. The water is drinkable everywhere and there are several drinking fountains in Bruges where you can refill for free.
WHERE TO PARK
B&B “Royal Swans” is located at Karel de Stoutelaan 45, 8000 Bruges. We are located in the ‘Blue Zone’, where parking is limited. But you have the option to drop off your luggage with us and then park the car at the free parking zone (unlimited parking) 300 m from the B&B. This free public open peripheral parking “Parking Bevrijdingslaan” (170 places) is located on the Bevrijdingslaan and its service road along the Bevrijdingslaan, just 1 min. walking distance.
More information on parking and public car parks can be found here.
If you need a car charging point, these are the charging points nearby:
- Keizer Karelstraat 41 (200 m from our B&B): Allego loading point (1 loading point – 11 kW)
- Gerard Davidstraat 19 (200 m from our B&B): Allego loading point (1 loading point – 11kW)
- Filips de Goedelaan (400 m from the B&B): Total Energies (2 charging points – 22kW)
- Public parking ’t Zand (900 m from our B&B): Optimile loading point (32 oading points – 22kW)
- Hans Memlinglaan : Allego loading point (1 loading point – 22,1kW)
- Gratis randparking Waggelwaterstraat 15 : Allego loading point (4 loading points – 11 kW)
COME FOR JUST 14€ BY TRAIN!
From our ecological concept, we are very happy to offer our guests the unique “Happy Trip” guest benefit. The formula that allows you to travel cheaply, comfortably and sustainably by train to our B&B from any Belgian station, and for only 14€ per person there and back (note from the Airport there is a diabolo surcharge).
= no hassle with the car + no parking stress + no extra costs :-).
Just let us know if you wish to receive your train discount code and we will do the necessary!
ENJOY GOOD FOOD
We still recommend making restaurant reservations, as it can be busy in Bruges. That way, you avoid ending up in a not-so-good ‘tourist’ restaurant ;-).
Some good restaurants are located around 300 m from our B&B:
- Petite Aneth (slightly more expensive, but very good and with terrace)
- La Tâche (also a bit more expensive, but very good)
- Laissez Faire (fantastic & gourmet, very friendly, with terrace, more expensive category)
- Guillaume (Inside an old Bruges house lies a surprising place of gastronomy with stylish, French-inspired, creative ‘cuisine’, a unique gastronomic experience with terrace., more expensive category)
A little further:
- De Vlaamsche Pot (very cosy restaurant, serving local cuisine the grandmothers way, wide range of Belgian beers)
- Brasserie Raymond (contemporary luxury brasserie, translating the grandeur of the past into delicious French and Belgian dishes)
- Gran Café De Republiek (lunch, coffee break, apero, dinner & late-night café: good food, hipper – they have a great indoor patio for dining)
- Atelier Flori (Vegan – A cosy artful premises, friendly service and a delicious eatery of vegan snacks,
a fun discovery even as a non-vegan. Original and quality wine list and delicious pastries – even in the late afternoon) - Osteria 45 (good Italian)
- Au Gusto (authentic Italian cuisine in a unique location, with beautiful waterside terrace)
- 27BFlat (atmospheric jazz club with sun terrace, where you can also grab a bite to eat – tapas and world cuisine)
- Réliva (no nonsense, cosy dining in the historic centre of Bruges. Also a nice terrace for dining with impressive views of the cathedral)
- Patrick Devos (gastronomic and delicious, in a beautiful historical building)
- Bruut (The chef does like a bit of brutality. You will notice this in both the ‘trashy’ decor of this characterful building and its distinct flavours. Although finesse typifies the plate Expect an extraordinary voyage of discovery, led by an idiosyncratic chef In Top 100 beste restaurants ter wereld volgens OAD (https://www.oadguides.com/lists/europe/top-restaurants/2023))
- Zuid55 (surprising culinary indulgence in a trendy setting, on the outskirts of Bruges 2 km from the B&B)
A lot of Michelin stars in Bruges:
- De Jonkman: 2 stars **
- Zet’Joe by Geert Van Hecke: 1 star *
- Goffin: 1 star *
- Sans Cravate: 1 star *
- Bar Bulot by Hertog Jan (Zedelgem): 1 ster *
- De Zuidkant (in Damme): 1 ster *
NICE CAFES AND PUBS
- Café Vlissinghe:the oldest inn in Bruges, founded in 1515! Its unique atmosphere and warm ambiance make Vlissinghe a draw for locals and tourists alike. You can have a snack or drink here and enjoy its rich history. Caution limited opening.
- 27BFlat: atmospheric Jazz club in the heart of Bruges with live concerts on Fridays and Saturdays, where you can also grab a bite to eat.
- La Casita: tinyl café near Salvator Cathedral with tasty cocktails and also beers of course
- Groot Vlaenderen:the best cocktails in Bruges and nicely decorated, also some tables outside and the young couple are neighbours from our street.
- In ’t Nieuw Museum:cosy eating and drinking house with short-chain products
- De Republiek:place where many locals meet, with a very nice indoor patio
- Vero Caffè: A cosy, trendy coffee bar run by mother and daughter with freshly made soup, quiche, bagels, salads and cakes, both vegan and regular. Every Friday, all dishes are completely vegan themed. With nice terrace on St John’s Square, close to the Theatre.
ENJOYABLE ACTIVITIES
Need any more ideas? Personalise your stay via https://www.visitbruges.be/en/whats-on/events-calendar
- Choose your walk through Bruges with this free app! The app includes 4 walks from the Oooh! walking guide, complemented by attractive photos, videos, 360°-degree images and, in the future, Augmented Reality (AR). The app also grants a behind-the-scenes look at places where a visit is not possible: https://www.visitbruges.be/en/things-to-do/sightseeing/visit-bruges-route-app
- – Chocolate museum: Fun to visit, but even more fun to do a workshop where you can make your own creations and take them with you: https://choco-story-brugge.be/en/
- A guided tour on a Segway, which you get to drive yourself, anyone can do this – really not difficult. If you book directly via +32 479 36 65 87 (Geert Decock), you get a 10% discount: €36 instead of €40 for the 1-hour tour and €51 instead of €55 for the 1.5-hour tour: https://www.segway-brugge.be/en/
- – Bicycle carriages: alked too much and feel like being guided in a sustainable way by locals in Bruges (or Damme)? Experience a unique ride on the back of a bicycle carriage:https://www.guidedtoursbruges.com/
- The boats are very touristy, but still very special to see Bruges from the water.
- Visit one of the many monuments and museums, find opening days and entrance fees here: https://www.museabrugge.be/en/visit-our-museums/our-museums-and-monuments
From 3 visits, the museum pass “Musea Brugge Card” can certainly be interesting already. It costs 33€ and is valid for 72h for all Musea Brugge sights and museums, such as the Belfry, Town Hall, Church of Our Lady, Groeninge Museum, Gruuthuse Museum, St John’s Hospital, St John’s House Mill, …
- Immerse yourself in all that is good about beer, and while you enjoy the beer bath, you can tap and drink a beer at Bath & Barley, the first Belgian beer spa: https://www.bathandbarley.com/en/home
- Enjoy an extra day of shopping fun during shopping Sundays. Every first Sunday of the month (from 1pm to 6pm, with the exception of public holidays – then it is the second Sunday), a lot of shops in the Bruges city centre open their doors.
- A fantastic interactive app to discover medieval Bruges in 3D. Step back in time and experience Bruges’ history like never before with “Beyond Bruges”! Make the Middle Ages come alive and even earn credits at local shops! Try it yourself: https://www.beyondbruges.be/eng
- The small, pretty book town of Damme (7 km) in the middle of nature: https://www.visitdamme.be/en
- Het Zwin (Knokke – 28 km) is undoubtedly one of the most famous nature reserves in Flanders. Its uniqueness is due to regular floods: https://www.zwin.be/en/practical-info
IF YOU DON’T LIKE WALKING, CHOOSE A SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE: BUS OR BIKE ( -TAXI )
ENJOY THE BICYCLE TAXI
A green and original alternative, and no problem to also take your suitcase in the bicycle taxi (until 7pm) : https://greenrides.eu/
ENJOY CYCLING YOURSELF
Bicycles can be hired 500m from our B&B (no reservation needed): https://bensbike.be/en/home-en/
If you would like to use our free bicycle parking (spaces are limited !), please let us know as soon as possible so we can check if we still have space and confirm to you.
OPT FOR THE BUS
Free: Take the free Centrum Shuttle, which serves 13 locations in the city centre: https://www.visitbruges.be/en/plan-your-visit/mobility
The closest pick-up point is at the beginning of the Ezelpoort (800 m from the B&B) opposite Chocolaterie Spegelaere, one of the oldest and best chocolatiers in Bruges – be sure to taste their world-famous chocolate grape :-).
Line bus: Costs 2.5€ one way – all details, possible rides and purchase tickets for the bus at https://www.delijn.be/en/
- to/from B&B Royal Swans to/from the STATION:
Line 5 (7-minute ride)
Bus stop “Station” on station square (front – Centre side)
Bus stop “Karel de Stoutelaan” (stop 20 m from our B&B Royal Swans)
[of u kunt van/naar het station lopen via het mooie lange park op de oude omwallingen – 2200 m tot aan B&B Royal Swans].
- from B&B Royal Swans to all city centre locations
Line 5 + connecting Line 1 or Line 2
Bus stop ” ‘t Zand” on the square in front of the Concert hall (from here, Line 1 and Line 2 depart, serving all stops in the city centre)
Bus stop “Karel de Stoutelaan” (stop 20 m from our B&B Royal Swans)
Line 1 stops at stops including: Zilverpand, Stadsschouwburg (This theatre is 100 m from the big MARKET), Molenburg, Kruispoort, Rijksarchief, Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk, Sint-Salvator Cathedral, Station
Line 2 stops at stops such as: Zilverpand, Stadsschouwburg (This theatre is 100 m from the large MARKET), Jan van Eyckplein, Gistfabriek (close to the mills), Molenbrug, Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk, Sint-Salvator cathedral, Station
BRUGES, ACCESSIBLE TO ALL
Whether you have a visual impairment, hearing impairment or reduced mobility, Bruges is accessible to all. Please find herewith the link to the brochure and plan, your guide and guideline for a smooth and enjoyable visit to Bruges, including:
- a mapped out accessible walk along tourist hotspots, with great tips and surprising facts
- info on a selection of museums, attractions, cafés, restaurants and accommodation options for visitors with disabilities
- a handy overview of accessible toilets, tourist information offices, available care and resources
- tips on transport and parking
You can find the guide here:https://www.visitbruges.be/en/plan-your-visit/accessibility#:~:text=Whether%20you%20are%20visually%20impaired,excellent%20tips%20and%20surprising%20facts
We will gladly lay out the paper brochure for you, so you don’t need to print it out: just let us know.
If you have any questions, or would like some tips or help in choosing a restaurant, fun walk or bike ride, be sure to let us know and we will be happy to make reservations for these.
Do not hesitate to contact us via email, mobile or whatsapp:
- info@royalswans.be
- +32 475 74 74 85
we eagerly look forward to seeing you!
Warmest regards,
Griet & Maarten
Royal Swans B&B
