Belfort
Points of Interest & LandmarksArchitectural BuildingsObservation Decks & Towers
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
About
The most important of Bruges' towers stands 83 metres tall. It houses, amongst other things, a carillon with 47 melodious bells. In the reception area, waiting visitors can discover all kinds of interesting information about the history and working of this unique world-heritage protected belfry. Those who take on the challenge of climbing the tower can pause for a breather on the way up in the old treasury, where the city's charters, seal and public funds were kept during the Middle Ages, and also at the level of the impressive clock or in the carillonneur's chamber. Finally, after a tiring 366 steps, your efforts will be rewarded with a breath-taking and unforgettable panoramic view of Bruges and her surroundings.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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  • tk3232
    Sugar Land, Texas4,269 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Belfort and a free carillon concerts
    Belfort (Bell Tower) has stood over the Markt square since 1300. The tower gas 47 bells that chime periodically. Every 15 minutes, the carillon plays a little ditty. But the best bell music experience is at the top of the hour. Open daily for public 9 am -20 pm, 15 euros, you can visit to enjoy a fine view over the city and carillon close-up, but keep in mind you have to climb 366 steps. Some morning or summer/fall evening, you can sit in the courtyard or out on the Markt square to enjoy a free carillon concerts. The schedule is clearly posted inner courtyard. Also here is a pay public WC (useful info for tourists). Yes!!
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 6 October 2023
  • Mark I
    Fenstanton, United Kingdom60 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth the climb to the top
    Pleasingly, the 300+ steps to the top of the tower are punctuated by several floors where visitors can rest and (in most cases) review the interesting content or mechanical mechanisms etc. The vsitor flow is well managed and we barely passed others as we climbed up/down the tower. Visitor tips: Try to time your visit so that you get to experience one of the 'significant chimes' of the bells while at the top. I'd imagine the optimum is to be in the mechanism room just ahead of the 3/4 hour and at the top on the hour. Great 360 degree views of Bruges from the top once you're up there. If there was any criticism of the attraction, i'd say that the first (or perhaps second - can't recall) floor would benefit from some more 'museumy' content in its large open space. But don't let this put you off.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 1 November 2023
  • alhitchcock1
    Oslo, Norway151 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A must sight! Combined with the Museums Card less expensive
    The Tower of freedom can be seen from any angle of the town. Be early or better make an online reservation. Look for weather conditions, if you want to see the beautiful city from up there. 366 steps lead you up, twice you have a small interrupt, the different bells, the "Glockenspiel ", highest point the huge bells.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled on business
    Written 1 November 2023
  • ellerose3737
    Phoenix, Arizona60 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Belfort views of Bruges
    Great city views, even on a cold, dreary day! Buy your ticket online before you arrive, or there may be a long queue to buy a ticket at a machine at the entrance way, and you may get a later entrance time than you prefer. There’s only one staircase up and down, so take your time and be patient with the people coming the opposite way from you! Interesting historical items in rooms on the way up to pace yourself up the winding stairway!
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 23 December 2023
  • Kcassa
    Brentwood, United Kingdom88 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Well worth the effort
    Fantastic experience. 366 steps not to be taken lightly but well worth the effort. I consider myself unfit but I made it. The view is outstanding and the history is palpable throughout. If you hate heights consider carefully but it's very very safe at the top.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 11 February 2024
  • Rugbynugget
    Nottingham, United Kingdom397 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Hope youre fit!
    We expected to have to pay to visit this venue, which is impressive and is a must see. However its payment by card only. However, thanks go to the lady who worked there, who paid on her card and let us give her the cash! Its a hard climb up the 366 steps to the top, but its worth it. If you climb up just before the hour, be prepared for the bells chiming which are very loud. Great views from the top!
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 1 March 2024
  • Kvothe74
    Horley, United Kingdom192 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent
    Great attraction, second time I have been up here this time with my whole fanily. Offers fantastic views of the surrounding areas and even better it is about 720 steps up and down so you can burn off those waffle calories! The bells ring every 15 minutes but if you want the best 'show' be at the top just before the hour chimes and you will get a much longer time that the bells play for and a better experience.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 12 April 2024
  • Carin N
    Amsterdam, The Netherlands262 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lots of stairs, lots of noise, lots of panoramic views
    This is a must do when in Bruges. We were lucky only having to wat 5-10 minutes before going up the 300+ stairs. They could give some more information about the city and history for the visitors. However I think they don’t want people to stay in the tower too long. A visit is also quite pricy considering what you get. But still, loved it!
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 20 April 2024
  • 937liz
    Richmond, New Zealand361 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Something fun
    Something fun to do on a cold day. We climbed the spiral steps all the way home. Interesting info boards on the way up and the views are amazing. Gets steeper and more narrow as you go but feels safe
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 20 April 2024
  • Dan
    London, United Kingdom251 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth the climb for the views
    The views at the top of the tower make this a really worthwhile attraction in Bruges. At 300 plus steps it can be hard going, but there are several floors to stop at on the way up if needed and it's a great way to work off the beer and waffles! As you'd expect, if you reach the top when the bells are ringing, it's loud. Really loud! I'd definitely recommend setting an hour or so aside for this, especially on a clear day and when it's not too busy.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 27 May 2024
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Aoife W
Dublin, Ireland20 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
We had a good experience in the Belfry. My partner and I went early to avoid the queues (arrived at 10am, it opens at 9:30) which I would highly recommend as when we came out at 11am the queue was significantly longer and since the tower can only hold so many you're at the mercy of the people already inside. We were greeted by being shouted at that we couldnt bring hot drinks up, which is fine but there's no sign to tell you that so the shouting was unnecessary. It's €12 per adult and realistically you won't spend more than 45mins to an hour inside. There at 360ish steps to climb and it's not suitable if you're claustrophobic. I enjoyed the experience but the view from the top isn't great and they could do a lot more with the history on the way up to compensate for it. In all a good experience but nothing special.
Written 1 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Christiano D
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020 • Couples
Visited before the COVID. Outstanding to see outside, but I didn't find something interesting inside (I have found something better on Brugge). Let's say I visited the Belfort because it was the last main attraction to visit on Brugge. If you enter inside it, you clearly see several parts modern, nothing ancient. There was also someone selling paintings at absurd prices of hundreds and thousands of euros.
Written 16 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Outofdodge_10
Santa Fe, NM1,346 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
If you've seen "In Bruges", you will understand why I couldn't leave the quaint little town without climbing the medieval Belfort met Beiaard, as did Brendan Gleeson. 366 stairs and I finally reached the top. I didn't find it difficult at all, but I could see how some with claustrophobia could become flustered. There are some spots where you will not be able to pass another, so you must be courteous and let them pass you first (or vice-versa). You are able to take a breather, if the person behind you is patient, and the stairs can be steep in sections. Probably not a good idea during flu season or during a pandemic as you are in a confined area with many other people. There is a small fee and the view at the top is well worth the climb.
Written 27 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SYTully
Los Angeles, CA4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Family
It’s very cool up there. Just be aware they only let 50 people in the Tower at a time so the line gets quite long. When we joined it was about 1/2 way through the courtyard, and it took an hour to be let in.

Our 7 year old did it with no problems, but I wouldn’t recommend any younger ages to attempt it.

FYI the restroom there has a baby changing room! They are hard to find in public places otherwise!
Written 4 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brad
Hong Kong, China177,433 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022
The Belfort is a 13th-century Gothic bell tower overlooking Grote Markt in the Historic Centre of Bruges. At 83 metres in height it dominates the skyline and can be seen from many places while sightseeing around the city. In addition to viewing the imposing tower, you can access (€14 per adult) and climb the 366 steps to the top. Opening hours are 9am to 6pm daily.

Note: If you decide to climb the Belfort, the winding staircase is narrow so be ready to squeeze around fellow tourists as you go up and back down. There are several exhibition rooms along the way where you can pop out of the stairwell, learn a bit of the Belfort's history while having a climbing rest. At the top, it can be windy and very cold during the winter months. If sky conditions are favourite, the views are remarkable.

Note: At one of the stops as you climb upward, you will see the historic carillon (47 bells) and the city carilloneur. Bells have been ringing from the Belfort for over 500 years. It is a delight to hear them chime away while in Bruges. Even more remarkable if you time your climb so that you are near the bells as they begin to play. The Belfort courtyard on the ground level is a popular place to enjoy carillon concerts which are held throughout the year between 11am to 12pm on Wed, Sat & Sun. Otherwise, you can enjoy hearing them from pretty much anywhere around Grote Markt.
Written 8 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Angela M
Pennsylvania106 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
366 steps to the top, but if you are able to do it - do it! Great views of this fairytale city. The timing was perfect for us to be in the bell tower during the time the bells were ringing which was a neat experience. Not recommended for people who are claustrophobic - the stairs are very narrow and winding!
Written 14 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Millie Jo
8 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Friends
This was no1 on my list to do whilst visiting Bruges for the day. The stairs to the attraction were steep so beware (can get awkward when coming across people going up and down) however when at the top, the views are lovely and make the journey up worthwhile.
However, I came with a friend (both of us are 19, and have baby faces) and we ended up getting charged for aged 25+ ticket. When we mentioned to the man serving he said “should have told me earlier” to which we kindly asked to re do the ticket he said “no I’ve printed it already”. My friend insisted he re did the ticket as he’d done it wrong and we clearly don’t look 26+, the man grumbled snatched the money back through and started speaking to his colleagues. Obviously we didn’t understand what he was saying but it was clear he wasn’t sat complimenting us as the lady came and stood next to him and just stood and stared at us until we went up the stairs out of sight.
The actual experience itself is good & on a day with nice weather would produce some excellent sights & photo opportunities, but I wasn’t at all impressed with staff.
Written 21 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Stephen O
Holbrook, UK140 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
Had to climb to the top after this place featured heavily in one of my favourite films, In Bruges. Was a challenging ascent and very narrow in some places. Colin Farrell’s character was correct when he suggested the obese Americans would struggle to get to the top!
Great view and worth the climb.
Written 25 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AnnaJA28
Reading, UK15 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
Really good place to visit to get a birds eye view of Bruges. Yes a lot of steps and very narrow in parts, but view is worth it (even through the mesh at the top). Lots of places to pause on the way up and down so you don’t need to be a step fitness instructor to get to the top!!
We went early about 10am and queued for about 25mins Max.
Written 24 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Therealbigapple
Bruges, Belgium12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Family
I'm from Bruges and took my 6 yo son for the first time to the belfry. We had to make a reservation beforehand, so there was no queue. As residents from Bruges we could enter for free. The climb to the top was very calm, barely any other people to see. As you get higher it also gets steeper and more narrow. The drum that drives the bells is really impressive when you see it in action. My son got a bit nervous just before the end of the climb but the steep and narrow part is not that long. Views are of course spectacular. Even with the mesh. You should stay there until the hour or half hour to hear the bells chime (quite loud, son had to cover his ears).
Way down was more difficult, but as there was no one else in the staircase, we could take our time. Definitely recommended.
Written 6 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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