Best Time to Visit Bruges

Summer: the easy months

From June to September, Bruges is at its most comfortable. Days are mild, and July and August are the warmest, with highs around 22°C. That's perfect for walking the canals, climbing the Belfry (366 steps, so you'll earn the view) or cycling out to Damme along the tree-lined canal.

It's also the busiest time. Day-trippers pour in from the coast and from Brussels, and the Markt and Burg squares feel packed by late morning. July and August are also Belgian school holidays. If you hate crowds, stay overnight so you can walk the quiet lanes around the Begijnhof (a peaceful old convent courtyard) in the early evening. Rain still falls on 13 or 14 days in those two months, so keep a small umbrella handy. Showers are usually short.

Events add to the buzz. The Procession of the Holy Blood climbs through the streets on Ascension Day, usually in May. Every few years, in late spring or summer, the Bruges Triennial brings art installations to the canals and squares. Check whether it's on in your year.

Spring and autumn: the best balance

May is a sweet spot. It's still pleasant, with highs near 18°C, and the parks are green. April is cooler and drier, and the Minnewater park fills with spring flowers. Easter weekend is busy, though, so expect queues for the boat tours.

September keeps summer's mild feel, with highs around 20°C and fewer people. October gets greyer and wetter, but it suits slow days. Think a long lunch of stoofvlees (beef stew cooked in beer) and a stop at a brewery like De Halve Maan. Sunshine drops to about 2.4 hours a day, so plan more indoor time at the Groeninge Museum or the Church of Our Lady, which holds Michelangelo's Madonna.

Winter: quiet and cosy

November to February is cold, damp and dim. January is the coldest month, with highs around 6°C and barely 1.4 hours of sun a day. Rain falls on 16 days in December, the most of any month. Some days the canals look grey and flat.

But the town changes. From late November into early January, the Christmas market fills the Markt, and a skating rink goes up. Winter Glow, a light trail through the old centre, usually runs over the same weeks. Both bring crowds on weekends, so go midweek.

After that, January and February are the quietest. You'll get hotel rooms for less and restaurants with free tables. Bring a good coat, and plan your days around hot chocolate stops in the chocolate shops on Katelijnestraat.