Bruges’ Market Square, or Markt, is the city’s historic centrepiece: a cobbled expanse framed by colourful stepped-gable buildings and dominated by the 83-metre Belfry. At its centre stands a statue of Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck, Flemish figures associated with resistance to French rule in the early 14th century.
A trading hub since the Middle Ages, the square has witnessed markets, celebrations and public executions. Its architecture tells a layered story rather than a purely medieval one: the ornate Provincial Court, for example, is a 19th-century neo-Gothic addition. The Belfry has medieval origins and is part of a UNESCO-listed group of belfries in Belgium and France; its carillon still sounds over the square.
Visit early to see the facades in softer light and enjoy a little space before the busiest tour groups arrive. For a view over Bruges, book ahead for the Belfry’s narrow 366-step climb. The terraces on the Markt are appealing for a coffee with a view, but you’ll generally find better-value places to eat a few streets away.