5 Dishes To Try When Visiting... Belgium
October 18, 2018
Bruges is the capital city of West Flanders, in the North West of Belgium. It's best known for its beautiful canals and rich heritage, which is shown through landmarks like the Belfry and Markt. It's also the largest city within the province and holds many unique museums. Here are five that may spark your interest.
The Beer Museum should definitely be at the top of your list of places to visit while in the beautiful city of Bruges. It provides an interactive experience that includes all five of your senses, as well as plenty of information on the brewing process. The guides talk you through the raw ingredients and what foods are best to pair with certain types of beer and, at the end, there's a gift shop.
There's also a bar that overlooks the Market Square and serves 16 different types of beer, including white, blond and brown as well as limited edition options. A separate trail is offered for children aged 5-12 and explains the story of Bruges the Bear. Don't worry, the beer provided at the end of this tour is a non-alcoholic alternative. This museum is open from 10am until 6pm.
The Chocolate Museum in Bruges is a very unique museum that explains the history of cocoa and the transformation of chocolate from start to finish. You'll learn how the Mayans discovered cocoa and how it's now designed by chocolate connoisseurs. The museum also has a children's chocolate game that intrigues them to learn more about the history and process of chocolate.
Samples are available towards the end of the tour along with a short film and demonstration. The Choco-Jungle Bar is only a five-minute walk around the corner and further shows visitors just how their favourite Belgian chocolates are made. Workshops are also available at an extra cost and allow you to create your own chocolates through the same processes as the professionals. Recipes are also accessible online.
This quirky museum is all about fries, a food staple that originates from Belgium, and is the first and only fry museum in the world. Discover the history of both the fry and the potato, which originated in Peru 10,000 years ago. In a tour around the Frietmuseum, you'll learn about Belgian fries and the most appropriate condiments.
Located in Saaihalle, one of the most attractive buildings in Bruges, the architecture of this 14th-century edifice definitely adds to the experience. Feel free to ask questions throughout the tour and then enjoy the samples handed out towards the end. This museum is run by the same family who created Choco-Story and Lumina Domestica.
Lumina Domestica is a museum of lamps that holds the largest collection in the world. It has over 6,000 displays, from antique paraffin lamps to modern, LED-powered examples. Embark on a journey through the history of interior lighting, including a section on luminous animals and plants. As you walk through this part, you'll learn the science behind creatures like the glow worm and lantern fish.
The final quirky museum we recommend is the torture museum, found in one of the oldest stone buildings in Bruges. It displays a large collection of torture instruments and explains the history of law and order in the city. Factual information is provided about all torture devices and highlights the medieval relationship with good and evil during the fifth century. This museum is located in the centre of Bruges and is €8 a ticket.
If we have inspired you to plan your own Bruges city break to experience these unique museums yourself then call us, or contact us through our website.
