I'm spending three nights in Bruges this June and have been researching accomodation. I'm looking at Airbnb at this stage...I would like to be close to the action as it were but not in the action. Hustle and bustle and noise isn't my thing. I also don't want to have to catch transport into the main area either. Has anyone stayed in the Begijnhof/Minnewater area and thought it 'just right'? At the same time we are planning on hiring bikes and heading north for a day cycling..Damme etc so is St Anna a better area?

Any thoughts would be appreciated..

You don't have to catch transport to anywhere except the station in Bruges - it's all walkable and easily so.
The area you mention I haven't stayed in but I imagine it would very quiet at night.
Bruges is quiet at night after the day tourists have gone in most areas .

Begijnhof/Minnewater is a quiet area and only 10 min. walk to the Markt (belfry). However, do check on the map where your B&B is located 'cause Minnewater is close to the R30 Ringway. Could be quite some traffic at night.

Anywhere in Brugge is walkable. Even from the station to the far end of the tourist zone is only 2.5 kms.

Damme is only 8 km from Brugge. Don't know if that's enough for you to cycle. It's a nice path, along Damse Vaart. Sint Anna ter Muiden (in the Netherlands) is only 10 kms further along the same path, on the other side of the canal.

Schnauzer, what's your budget? We stayed in Bruges last May and loved the apartment/hotel. Very quiet, walking distance to most attractions.

Thanks everyone for the replies. We don't have a fixed budget but my sister is more budget conscious than me.... Can you give me the link to the hotel apartment Treesa please?

8 km and back and a bit more of a tootle around will probably be fine.

I haven't found anywhere specific as yet, just looking.. But wondered how far from Markt would be safe from the noise...but perhaps there isn't much noise at night anyway so could be worrying about nothing....

You can also cycle along the top of the city ramparts- I used to jog there when in Bruges on business:

http://visit-bruges.be/see/places-in...and-town-gates

http://www.bonobo.be/en/

Hans and Magda are wonderful hosts.

We were just near the Markt but couldn't hear noise at night even though our room was next to the road

The Tourist hubbub is during the day- tour buses and day trippers trip out en mass in late afternoon.

Not a factor I would think.

Brugge is quiet at night, also in the very city centre.