Amid the pretty canals and medieval Flemish architecture of Bruges you’ll find dozens of hostels catering to the city’s many annual visitors, but they’re not all alike. Here are five hostels catering to different needs in the West Flanders city.
(Photo: Hostelworld.com)
Bruges enjoys one of the world’s great and unique city centres. Aside from its iconic Belfry, wide Markt square, winding canals and numerous church spires are thousands of historic buildings and little surprises for the curious traveller. And thanks to the city’s timeless charm and enduring appeal, there is a vibrant tourism industry in Bruges, with hostels catering to many different types of visitor, from the budget conscious to those who want a night’s stay that will be unusual and memorable. Here’s a look at what kinds of hostels Bruges has to offer.
St Christopher’s Inn – Bauhaus Hostel
Bauhaus Hostel allows travellers the opportunity to spend the night in one of the characterful buildings with stepped gables that are typical of Bruges. In fact, the buildings are part of a larger listing on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, so you have the chance to stay in a unique slice of history. Dorms beds have curtains for added privacy, with dorm rooms sleeping between four and 16 people. True to the St Christopher’s brand, cleanliness is good, the furnishings are kept to a high quality, and there are neat little free extras on offer such as ear plugs and a walking tour. A range of private rooms is also available. From €21 per night.
Lybeer Travellers’ Hostel
(Photo: Hostelworld.com)
For anyone who would like to meet their fellow travellers, Lybeer is the kind of hostel where this is actively encouraged. For example, the hostel has its own Belgian beer bar, where you can try any one of dozens of different types. Regular activities are also run to facilitate connections between travellers, including beer tastings, karaoke and pub quizzes. The atmosphere, as you might expect, is excellent here. The dorms range from a two-bed female, to a ten-bed mixed dorm. From €26 per night.
Charlie Rocket’s
What makes Charlie Rocket’s unique is that the building used to be a movie theatre. And while it’s sad to see cinema losing its appeal in the modern world, you’ll be glad to hear that the hostel has a big screen (not cinema-sized) where you can watch sports or movies. recreation forms a big part of Charlie Rocket’s appeal, with five pool tables and a dart board, plus an Italian restaurant and a bar serving Belgian beer and cocktails. As such this hostel can get a little noisy, so it’s better for those seeking nightlife. Double rooms are also available. From €19 per night.
HI Europa Brugge
(Photo: Hostelworld.com)
Hostelling International acts like a quality stamp, so it’s virtually guaranteed that you’ll be in safe hands at the Europa Brugge, in addition to gaining a discount if you’re an HI member. Either way, the dorms never hold more than six beds. This hostel is located outside the centre of Bruges in the south of the city, which means that there’s a lot more space dedicated to the rooms, common areas and dining hall, where you can take your free breakfast each morning. From €24 per night.
Herdersbrug Hostel
Brug in Flemish means bridge (and indeed ‘Bruges’ is thought to derive from an old Dutch word for bridge). Water is an important feature in Bruges, with many canals, and therefore bridges, connecting the various parts of the city. Herdersbrug is right beside one such canal and bridge. At around 5km away from Bruges, it’s also a great way to experience the local culture and landscape whilst taking a break from the city. You can rent bicycles at Herdersbrug Hostel and there is also a rowing club, where guests can use the hostel’s rowing machines. From €26 per night.