By Alaric 
If there is one place you must visit in Bruges, then it has to be the Boniface Bridge or Bonifaciusbrug.
It looks like it’s been plucked from the pages of a fairytale and the entire scene will transport you back to the Golden Age of Flanders.
It’s one of the most romantic locations in the city with a famous legend attached to it and even has the nickname of the “Kissing Bridge”.
It’s surrounded by medieval canal houses and Gothic buildings beside the River Reie, so this viewpoint sums up the city perfectly.
But, this also makes it Brugge’s most famous photography location and it can be very busy throughout the day.
This makes it almost impossible to capture without people. Don’t fret, I’ve got some top tips to help you avoid the mass crowds and get empty photos.
Here is a complete guide on how to visit the storybook Boniface Bridge in Bruges and the best times to visit!
Boniface Bridge history
With this bridge being surrounded by a medieval Gothic church, the Gruuthuse Palace and a hotchpotch of ancient canal houses, it would be easy to assume that this bridge has been here for centuries.
However, you may be surprised to learn that the Boniface Bridge is one of the newer bridges of Bruges.
It was built in 1910 as a crossing for both residents and the growing number of tourists to walk over the River Reie.
The design was sympathetic so that it could blend into its historic surroundings.
Although this fairytale bridge was built out of convenience, over time it has gained a reputation as the most romantic place in all of Bruges.
The Kissing Bridge
Over time, this bridge has become one of the romantic locations in Bruges.
Many couples cross this bridge to profess their love and so it has the nickname of the “Kissing Bridge”.
There is even a legend that when you finish walking over the bridge, you will marry the first person you see!
But, with the number of people crossing this walkway, it could easily get a little complicated.
You’ll also spot a bust of the Spanish scholar Juan Luis Vives nearby. He spent a large part of his life in Bruges and he got married nearby.
A photography hotspot
Most people visit this bridge today to capture a picture-perfect photo of Brugge.
It’s easy to see why as it captures the essence of this storybook city in one frame.
You have the cobbled bridge, the River Reie, medieval canal houses and a Gothic church in the backdrop.
But, its popularity means that it can get very crowded during the day and you’ll be joined by lots of people!
If you plan to take photos of this bridge, it’s best to be prepared and visit at the right time.
What is the best time to visit the Boniface Bridge?
The best time to visit the Bonifaciusbrug would be in the early morning as it’s very much an ‘Instagram vs. Reality’ location.
Don’t get me wrong, this bridge really is a spectacular place and feels like a fairytale.
It was easily one of my favourite places in the entire city and I went back countless times.
But, the reality is that it’s swamped with tourists throughout the day.
If you visit when there is a large tour group passing through, you could join over 20-30 people on this tiny bridge and it’s really uncomfortable!
To avoid this, I would visit as early as possible in the morning. Before 10 am is when this bridge has the least crowds.
I visited at sunrise (8 am in November) and around 7 pm and had the entire place to myself both times!
The Boniface Bridge is open from 7 am – 8 pm in winter and 7 am – 10 pm in summer.
The best photo spots of Boniface Bridge
- In front of the bridge – this is a lovely photo as you can see the entrance to “Nuit Blanche” – a guest house with a portico art gallery.
- From the sides – If you climb up towards the church walls on the left, you’ll find an upper platform where you can capture the bridge with the medieval houses on the river from above. If you head to the right of the bridge, this provides another great view.
- On the bridge – if you face towards the Church of Our Lady on the bridge through the portico archway, you get a lovely view of the bridge with a backdrop of the Gothic church spires.
- From below – there’s a little stairway that leads you down to the river beside the Gruuthuse Palace which provides a unique photo location.
Visiting the Boniface Bridge at night
Once the sun goes down, this bridge and the Gothic Church of Our Lady both transform as they light up against the night sky.
It completely changes the atmosphere of the bridge and creates a magical scene, especially if the stars are twinkling in the sky.
Another bonus is that there will hardly be anyone around so you can capture the place in peace.
Fair warning, the flood lights on the river and bridge are really bright here. So, it’s easy to get blinded and trip! Watch your step.
How to get to Bonifaciusbrug in Brugge
The St Boniface Bridge is easy to find in Bruges. You can locate it directly behind The Church of Our Lady and the Gruuthusemuseum.
Bruges is a very compact city and the best way to explore is on foot. You can easily walk to the bridge from the Grote Markt in around 5-10 minutes.
If you’d prefer to take public transport, you can take either the 1 or 2 bus service which runs from the main train station and stops right outside Brugge Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk.
Do you have to pay to visit Boniface Bridge?
No, the great thing about the Boniface Bridge is that it’s completely free to visit in Bruges.
This makes it a great budget activity and means that you can keep visiting throughout the day!
I visited this bridge a couple of times during my visit at different times.
I loved seeing it early in the morning and at night time as these were the most peaceful times.
Is Bonifaciusbrug worth visiting?
100% yes, the Bonifaciusbrug is a must-visit in Bruges and one you really shouldn’t skip.
The entire place looks like a scene from a fairytale and will transport you to another world.
A bonus is that there is a plethora of incredible buildings surrounding the river crossing and gorgeous views to be had from every angle.
Please don’t skip this magical place in Bruges, you won’t regret a single thing.
My top tips for visiting
- Visit early morning – this little bridge can become very congested throughout the day. Visit in the morning to avoid large tour groups.
- Watch your step – this bridge has a cobbled floor and can get quite slippery in the rain or frost. Mind your footing and use the handrail if needed.
- Have patience – if you can’t visit early morning and you want clean photos, wait around for a while. There are tour groups that pass through but eventually, there will be a quiet moment.
Things to see around the Boniface Bridge
After your visit to the Bonifaciusbrug, I would recommend visiting a few museums in the area.
These attractions provide a great insight into the history of Bruges and its notorious residents.
If you haven’t already, I would invest in a Bruges Museum Card that includes the Belfort and 10 other museums.
The card costs € 33 per adult and € 25 for youth (18-25) and is valid for 72 hours.
It seems steep but if you paid for all the museums separately, the cost would be way over € 70. So, this is a huge saving.
I visited in November and the museums were all pretty much empty on my visit with no queues.
In summer or the peak cruise ship season (April – September), it will be a lot busier so I would recommend reserving time slots to avoid disappointment.
Church of Our Lady
The fabulous church you can see from the Boniface Bridge is called Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk or the Church of Our Lady.
It dates back to the 13th Century and you can see its 115.5 metre church tower all over Bruges! It is the second-highest brick tower in the world.
You can enter the church for free to see the nave and pulpit but there is a small museum where you can see the temple’s collection of treasures.
Inside, you can admire intricately carved confession booths, Michelangelo’s marble ‘Madonna and Child’ and an impressive triptych by Benard van Orley – court painter of Margaret of Austria.
There’s also an evocative mausoleum of Charles the Bold and his daughter Mary of Burgundy.
It’s connected to the Gruuthuse Palace and you can see the chancel through a small oratory on the top floor!
Gruuthusemuseum
One of my favourite museums in Bruges has to be the Gruuthusemuseum which tells the story of the van Gruuthuse family in their elaborate palace.
‘Plus est en vous’ or ‘There is more to you’ was the motto of Louis van Gruuthuse.
Inside, you can travel through time and discover important chapters in the history of Bruges.
Most of the wealthy citizens of Flanders made their money through ships and world trade.
You can see over 600 exhibits including tapestries, portraits, fine china and lace.
Top tip: If you head to the top floor, the Gruuthusemuseum has a Loggia where you can see a Birdseye view of Bonifaciusbrug!
Gruuthuse Bridge
When you’re standing on the Boniface Bridge, you may see the white building in the distance that is perched on another low-hanging bridge.
This is the Arents’ House which forms part of the ancient Gruuthuse Palace.
Amazingly, this is now the only bridge in Bruges with a building still standing on it.
You’ll often see boats pass under the bridge throughout the day and the local swans who gracefully swim through searching for nibbles.
Saint John’s Hospital
St John’s Hospital is a little bit of a hidden gem in Bruges and another one of my favourite places to explore.
It dates back to the 12th century making it one of the oldest and best-preserved hospital buildings in all of Europe.
The courtyard surrounding the old charity hospital is stunning and provides a little bit of respite from the larger crowds in Grote Markt.
But, the best part is the two museums that you can visit. One is a delightful antique apothecary or pharmacy which showcases vintage medicine jars and surgical instruments.
The other is an impressive gallery that features a range of classical and modern artworks.
The highlight of this gallery has to be the Memling collection which is the second largest in the world.
It has been housed here since the 15th century and you can see masterpieces like St Ursula’s Shrine and St. Johns Altarpiece.
More magical things to do in Bruges
Bruges looks like a city from a fairytale and there are so many magical things to do here.
The main thoroughfare is the Markt which is the beating heart of Bruges. You can admire the colourful houses, visit Historium Bruges and climb up the Belfort for a fabulous view.
Head over to the City Hall to see their impressive interiors and see an ancient relic at the Basilica of the Holy Blood.
Wander over the Blind Donkey Bridge (Blinde-Ezelbrug) and admire the romantic vista of Rozenhoedkaai.
Take a stroll around Minnewater and the Lover’s Bridge, or seek sanctuary in the oasis of the Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaarde.
Who can forget gorging on Belgium Waffles? I recommend Otto’s or Chez Albert. They had the best strawberry chocolate ones!
You can also buy some Frites with Mayo like a local from the counters outside the Belfort or visit the Beer Wall Terrace to try local brews.
If you are into your beer, take a tour of De Halve Maan Brewery. They will tell you about the beer pipes underground to transport their creations!
You can also take a boat ride of the Reie, see the Bruges Windmills or visit Cafe Vlissinghe for a Flemish Stew, the oldest cafe in Brugge!
Where to stay in Bruges
Most tourists only spend a single day in Bruges and, although it’s totally doable, it can also mean that you’re rushed for time.
To get the most out of your visit, I would opt to stay overnight. That way, you can get the city (mostly) to yourself after all the day trippers have gone home.
The most famous hotel is the Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce Hotel which is featured in the movie ‘In Bruges’.
This looks like something out of a fantasy world with its wooden beams and arched rooftops over the water. However, this is quite a pricey choice.
I stayed in the Hotel Dukes’ Palace which is a former 15th-century ducal palace. It’s a five-star hotel with premium rooms and facilities.
It’s also less than 300 metres from the Markt! Although it’s quite central, it’s tucked away down a cobbled lane meaning that it’s a very peaceful place to stay in Bruges.
Read more travel guides for Belgium
How to visit the Palace of Justice in Brussels
Save the Boniface Bridge (Bonifaciusbrug) for later!
