Football Away Days: What To Do In Bruges

Your club is playing Club Brugge and you’ve never been to the city before – not a problem. The Culture Trip has a fantastic little selection of things to keep you occupied if you want to make a day of it in Bruges.
Built in 1975, the stadium was named the Olympiastadion, but given it was given a Flemish name so it would qualify for subsidies from the Flanders government. It was then named after Jan Breydel, a folk hero from the 14th century.

The stadium is situated just west of Bruges, about 3.5 kilometres from the historic city centre and main railway station. Fans can get from this station to the stadium in about 15 minutes by bus.

1. PRO DEO

Bistro, Restaurant, Belgian, European, Northern European

The comforting meat stew is a source of national pride for a lot of Burgundian Belgians

A good sport for lunch, with great food, huge portions and friendly staff. Ticking every possible box is this brilliant spot, serving up fantastic local grub. You can go for steak, burgers, or on weekdays they do a a great set menu lunch (a soup, main course and coffee for less than €15), but for a real taste of Belgium definitely have the Carbonnade Flamande (local meat stew). Situated in a quieter part of Bruges, you’ll be away from the crowd and can have drinks if you’re waiting for a table, then head closer to the stadium afterward.

2. DE GARRE

Craft Ale Bar, Pub, Belgian, European, Beer

Hidden away on a small side street, this tavern is a favourite with locals and tourists alike. The tavern itself is fairly small, but there is a separate bar upstairs that can accommodate far more. The house beer isn’t sold anywhere else in the world and weighs in at a hefty 11% ABV, so more than just a pregame nerve settler. The brewers themselves describe it as “a unique top-fermented beer, a strapping blonde with a sweet and slight bitter aftertaste.” If beer with alcoholic content comparable to a German Riesling isn’t your tipple, then there are plenty of other beers (in excess of 120) on offer, as well as wines and spirits also. If you’ve come for a gin and tonic then perhaps give this hoppy nirvana a miss.

4. DE HALVE MAAN BREWERY

Bar, Craft Ale Bar, Belgian

This family run business is a tavern, brewery, tour and museum all rolled into one. Tours are organised daily between 11 am and 4 pm, in Dutch, French and English, last around 45 minutes and cost €8.50. The brewery is famous for two brands of beer in particular, Straffe Hendrik and Bruges Zot. The beers are so popular, in fact, that they are currently building a pipe to take beer under the city to reduce the amount of lorries going through the streets of Bruges. Now that’s commitment, to the city and to the beer.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.