I've been looking at churches and museums in Bruges to check open/closed days and times for my trip in a couple of weeks. It looks as though the Musea Brugge Card will save me some money. Some offer a reservation for time/date, and I'm just wondering if I really need this at any of them. Of course I've made a note of a couple that are closed on Monday, as that will probably be one of my days for the card. I hate to have the trip so regimented that every spot has a specific day and time. On the other hand, I could make a couple of reservations if necessary, just at ones I really wouldn't like to miss. Do I need to? Thanks.

I was in Bruges pre pandemic so things may be different now - but I didn't need timed tickets/pre-booking for anything. Someone who has visited more recently may have better info??

Yes that's what I'm wondering. It seems as though lots of places have more sites that need a reservation since Covid, or even require one.

Susan, do you maybe have any specific sites you're wondering about?

It's been a very, VERY long time since I visited Brugge, but FWIW, I thought the Michelangelo there (Madonna and Child) an absolute treasure and I, personally, wouldn't want to risk finding that I couldn't see it. If it's a priority for you, too, you might consider making the reservation. JMO.

SusanP, have your read MaiTaiTom's report of Belgium and France? Belgium was at the beginning of his report. He might have answered your questions there. Not sure but it's worth checking out his TR.

I was also in Bruges pre-pandemic by several years and we had no advance reservations. One of the churches happened to be closed that day for a funeral.
It is very charming and walkable.

Yes, I read Maitaitom's report, that's where I got a lot of my ideas! 😃
I do have the Michelangelo (Church of Our Lady) on my list, thanks.

Others of particular interest are Basilica of the Holy Blood, Museum of St. John's Hospital and the Groeningemuseum. A few others. I don't understand how people only do a day trip to Bruges. I find a lot to interest me. And of course, it's a place to just wander and sit by the water and enjoy the views.

Agreed! And oh, there are some lovely places to enjoy the sunset in Bruges! IIRC, I spent two nights in Bruges, and found more than enough to keep me happily busy.

I understand that many people take day trips as a way to limit their number of different hotel stays, but I don't regret more hotel stays if it means being able to take advantage of the opportunity to experience a greater range of the options available in some "day trip" destinations. Pros and cons....

Ditto. So many post on here that Bruges is and easy day trip. I was booked for just two nights but because of a train strike 'had' to stay another night and I was so glad. I honestly think I could have spent five nights. The museums, churches, boat rides, beer bars, good food, boat rides -- plus just the architecture in general.

I agree! I'm happy to say that I have five nights. That includes my arrival day, when I might or might not get much done (depending on whether I get any sleep on the flight). I had in mind that I'll do a day trip to Ghent, but we'll see how that goes. In general, I don't do that well with day trips. I get to a place, really like it, and even though I have all the information for a day trip or two, I don't get around to doing them. 😊
And there seems to be enough to keep me busy without doing a day trip!

If you like lace then the lace museum is very good. In the same courtyard is a little church with a remarkably ugly interior.

I've been struggling with the town's name. Locally it is Brugge (pron each letter) rather than Bruges which is the French language version.

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I do have the Lace Museum on my list, thanks. I even looked into lace-making classes they give, but one was not available on my dates.

And I keep seeing it spelled both ways!

You may see more Belgium has three languages.

😄

In German, it's Brügge - main difference is pronunciation!

Lavandula

We went to mass one Sunday at Our Lady’s -music was exquisite and its easy and free to view the Michelangelo

Thanks, northie, good to know, as I'll be there on a Sunday.

The correct name is Brugge, as it is a Flemish town.
If you are there for 5 nights, consider a trip to nearby Damme. It's small but pretty with an interesting history. There is a boat from Brugge, called de Lamme Goedzak.