Castles and Gardens: Bruges and the Bruges Hinterland
To discover
Stay overnight in a city palace
Over the years, many of the noble city palaces were transformed into hotels. Would you like to experience the grandeur of historic Bruges and follow in the footsteps of illustrious visitors such King Charles II or the Burgundian dukes? If so, consider the addresses listed below.
Castle Experiences
Lost Ports of the Zwin Route
Discover the historic Zwin landscape between Knokke-Heist, Sluis, Damme and Bruges via the Lost Ports of the Zwin Route In the Middle Ages, this was the location of the wide Zwin channel that connected Europe's most important ports. Take a 360° look around through one of the four outdoor virtual reality viewers and find yourself in the midst of the bustling medieval port towns. Your bike ride will stop by Oostkerke Castle. First erected in 1300, its appearance has changed multiple times over the centuries. Today, the enchanting castle garden is particularly striking. The secluded courtyard garden, rose garden, and Mary's garden blend seamlessly into the surrounding polder meadows.
How to get to Oostkerke Castle?
- Make use of a bicycle rental point in Bruges city centre.
- Or take bus 991 from Stationsplein in Bruges to bus stop Oostkerke Molen. From there, it is a walk of about ten minutes. There are several bus services per day. Please note: there is no service at weekends.
Pick-your-own gardens
The Bruges Hinterland is wonderful to explore by bike or on a long walk. You can also explore the castle grounds in a different way, for example by visiting one of the pick gardens. For example, close to Loppem Castle there is the Lisbona estate. Another fine example, a stone’s throw from Rooigem Castle in the Bruges borough of Sint-Kruis, is Innengaard. How about a visit to Forreist picking garden? It's close to a beautifully restored castle farm with Egyptian influences.
How to get to the Lisbona Estate?
- Make use of a bicycle rental point in Bruges city centre.
- Take bus 70a or 70b from Stationsplein in Bruges, and get off at bus stop Loppem Vijverkasteel. From there, it's about a 20-minute walk to the pick-your-own garden. There are multiple bus services every hour.
Check your route on Google Maps for the most accurate info
How do you get to Forreist picking garden?
- Use a bicycle rental service in central Bruges.
- Or take bus 3 from Stationsplein in Bruges and get off at bus stop Sint-Andries Nieuwe Sint-Annadreef. From there, it's about a 10-minute walk to the castle There are multiple bus services every hour.
Check your route on Google Maps for the most accurate info
How to get to Innengaard?
- Make use of a bicycle rental point in Bruges city centre.
- Or take bus 80 from Stationsplein and get off at bus stop Moerkerke Sint-Ritakerk. From there, it is a walk of about ten minutes to the castle. The bus service runs several times per hour.
Spend the night in a castle
Have you ever dreamed of being lord or lady of the castle? That’s possible! In the Bruges Hinterland, you can stay in beautiful castles that immerse you in the past.
