Shopping - Bruges | ArrivalGuides.com

ShoppingGuide was updated: 10 September 2024

Although Bruges is often associated with the virtuosity and mastery of craftsmen from the past, today’s city is still a breeding ground for creative entrepreneurs of all kinds. You can find dozens of authentic shops, each offering that little extra something, often nestled alongside the more traditional and reputed art galleries and antique emporia. Shopping in Bruges is a veritable voyage of discovery, ranging from original and trendy newcomers, through vintage addresses that exude nostalgia, to classic establishments that have been run by the same family for generations.

Market Days

Mondays, 8am–1:30pm — Onder de Toren — Lissewege | miscellaneous items Wednesdays, 8am–1:30pm — Markt — food and flowers Fridays, 8am–1:30pm — Market Square — Zeebrugge — miscellaneous items Saturdays, 8am–1:30pm — ’t Zand — miscellaneous items Sundays, 7am–2pm — Veemarkt, Sint-Michiels — miscellaneous items Wednesday to Saturday, 8am–1:30pm — Vismarkt — seafood Daily, during the period from 15 March to 15 November: 9am–5pm; during the period 16 November to 14 March: 10am–4pm— Vismarkt — artisanal products Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and bridge days from 15 March to 15 November, as well as Fridays from June to September, 10am–6pm— Dijver — antiques, bric-à-brac and other crafts

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Traffic-free Shopping

Following the marvellous trend of making the city more pedestrian-friendly, Bruges city council has decided to ban all traffic from several shopping streets on Saturdays and on Shopping Sundays (every first Sunday of the month) between 1 pm and 6 pm. On Zuidzandstraat (except for De Lijn buses), Steenstraat, Geldmuntstraat and Noordzandstraat motorised traffic will not be allowed at those times. The city will remain easily reachable and accessible for everyone.

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Where to Shop?

Since Bruges is pedestrian-friendly and the main streets are all close to each other, shopping here is a relaxing experience. The most important shopping streets run between the Market Square and the old city gates: Steenstraat, Simon Stevinplein, Mariastraat, Zuidzandstraat, Sint-Jakobsstraat, Sint-Amandsstraat, Geldmuntstraat, Noordzandstraat, Smedenstraat, Vlamingstraat, Academiestraat, Philipstockstraat, Hoogstraat, Langestraat and Katelijnestraat. There is also a shopping centre, the Zilverpand, between Noordzandstraat and Zuidzandstraat. In Steenstraat, you will find the famous brand names, whereas Langestraat boasts many little second-hand and bric-à-brac shops. Large hypermarkets are located just outside the city centre.

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When to Shop?

Most shops operate from Monday to Saturday, opening at 10 am and closing at either 6 pm or 6:30 pm. But even on Sundays you don’t need to leave Bruges empty-handed — many specialist stores are open on Sundays as well. On ‘Shopping Sundays’ — the first Sunday of the month, from 1 pm to 6 pm, except on public holidays — they are joined by many of the other shops. There is restricted access for traffic on Saturday afternoon and ‘Shopping Sundays’ (from 1 pm to 6 pm) in the following shopping streets: Zuidzandstraat, Steenstraat, Geldmuntstraat and Noordzandstraat.

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Local Love — A Fine Selection of Authentic Shops

Visit Bruges has lovingly prepared a selection of Bruges shopping venues with local character and neatly assembled them on one map. No mass production — only specialist businesses spread across the city, each offering top quality and each run for more than five years by a passionate local entrepreneur or a creative Bruges craftsperson. Their specialities are many and varied: delicatessen shops, interior design, original fashion stores, rare books and manuscripts. If you are looking for something a little bit out of the ordinary and are prepared to leave the beaten track to find it, shopping in shops where the locals also love to go, then the Local Love addresses are ideal for you. Sounds like your cup of tea? Pick up a free Local Love map from one of the tourist offices.

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Art and Antiques

For lovers of centuries-old objéts d’art, unique manuscripts, 17th century paintings, more modern artistic creations and contemporary photography, Bruges is a veritable paradise — and not just in the city’s museums! Let the #ArtandAntiques map lead you to some of the finest and most reputable art galleries and antique stores, where you can make your acquaintance with the unique and high-quality offer that has something to suit every taste and budget. Pop in to one of our tourist offices and pick up a free copy of the #ArtandAntiques map (or download a pdf version and use it on your device).

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Handmade in Brugge

Bruges is full of passionate and highly motivated creative people, who day after day prove that craftsmanship has a future and that Bruges’ craftsmanship is timeless. Modern-day artisans who produce their wares locally and by hand are recognised with the award of the Handmade in Bruges label. The Handmade in Bruges guide (available in Dutch, French, German and English and available for free from the tourist offices) bundles together these ‘makers of things’, putting them both literally and figuratively on the map, allowing you to find your way with ease to one of their many stores or workshops selling handmade goods. And once you are there, you are almost certain to leave with an original, handmade gift — either for yourself or for your family and friends at home. Make sure you also visit De Makersrepubliek at Academiestraat 14, an open house for Bruges craftsmen, young entrepreneurs and start-ups. The home to Handmade in Bruges is situated Sint-Jakobsstraat 36.

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