Castles and Gardens: Bruges and the Bruges Hinterland

Bruges is a magnificent spectacle. In the city centre, it is as if you have travelled back in time. You stroll through the cobbled streets, along the canals, between the cathedral and belfry and discover the magnificent city palaces of the most distinguished families. The nobility left its mark on the Bruges Hinterland, the region around the city: the imposing residences, castles and gardens that lie there scattered amid the greenery. Their traces can be found not only in the buildings, but also in the art and mausoleums. Besides romantic Bruges, a visit to the many heritage gems surrounding the city is an absolute must.

To discover

Jan D'Hondt

Gruuthuse museum and Gruuthuse castle domain

Located in a former city palace, the Gruuthuse Museum recounts 500 years of Bruges history. The castle domain of the same name still makes an impression.

Henk Rogiers

Loppem Castle

Loppem Castle is a neo-Gothic gem. The façade, interior and surroundings of this total work of art continue to astound.

Studio de Formanoir

The Adornes domain

The 15th-century Jerusalem Chapel in Bruges is an ode to the holy city. The Adornes domain tells the story of an extraordinary family.

Inge Kinnet

Michelangelo in the Church of Our Lady Museum

Michelangelo’s masterpiece Madonna and Child is at home in the Church of Our Lady. An artistic highlight in the heart of Bruges.

©Visit Bruges Jan Dhondt

Perez de Malvenda house

The relic of the Holy Blood was hidden in the Perez de Malvenda house during religiously turbulent times. The house still stands proudly in the heart of Bruges.

Visit Bruges

Bruges Central Cemetery

The Central Cemetery in Bruges is the oldest in Belgium. A green and tranquil place that is the final resting place for numerous writers, poets, and artists.

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.

Hotel de Tuilerieën

Dukes’ Palace Residence

Hotel Navarra

Grand Hotel Casselbergh Brugge

Castles and gardens in the Bruges Hinterland

Tudor Castle

Tudor Castle is one of the youngest castles in the Bruges Hinterland. It takes its name from the architectural style that inspired this gem: English Gothic from the Tudor period. While you can admire the building itself from the outside, the verdant castle domain with castle forest, ornamental garden and herb garden is also open for visitors. Tudor Castle is situated in the middle of the so-called Castle Forests. As the name suggests, this green cluster is dotted with magnificent castles. It is a region that you will enjoy exploring on foot or by bike.

How to get to Tudor Castle?

Make use of a bicycle rental point in Bruges city centre.
Or take bus 3 from Stationsplein in Bruges to bus stop Sint-Andries (Nieuwe Sint-Annadreef). From the bus stop, it is a walk of about 30 minutes. The bus service runs several times per hour.

Check your route on Google Maps for the most accurate info

©Westtoer

©Kasteel Oostkerke

Oostkerke Castle

The history of this castle in Damme dates back to 1300. Over the centuries, the castle has taken different forms. Today, it is particularly notable for its enchanting castle garden. This consists of several parts including an enclosed courtyard garden, a rose garden and a Maria garden. That natural splendour blends in seamlessly with the surrounding polder meadows. Oostkerke Castle is one of the highlights of the region, which you can enjoy discovering by bike via the Lost Ports of the Zwin cycle route.

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.

Check your route on Google Maps for the most accurate info

Lakenbossen Castle

Lakenbossen Castle, also known as the ‘Red Castle’, is one that is full of stories. The originally neo-Gothic structure was the scene of some high-profile disappearances and murders at the beginning of the 20th century. Those stories still circulate, but calm has returned. Today, it is a wonderful spot for an overnight stay; in a tree-house or at the glamping site.

How to get to Lakenbossen Castle?

Make use of a bicycle rental point in Bruges city centre.
Or take bus 20 from Stationsplein in Bruges to bus stop Lakebosdreef (Ruddervoorde). From there, it is a walk of about ten minutes. There is at least one bus service every hour.

Check your route on Google Maps for the most accurate info

©Lakenbossen

Piet De Kersgieter - Oogsttuin Innengaard en Domein Royeghem

Pick 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 to get to the Lisbona Estate?

Make use of a bicycle rental point in Bruges city centre.
Or take bus 70a, 70b or 703 from Stationsplein in Bruges and get off at bus stop Loppem Vijverskasteel. From there, it is a walk of about 24 minutes to the castle. The bus service runs several times per 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.

Check your route on Google Maps for the most accurate info

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.

Kasteel ten Berghe

Kasteelhoeve de Spijker

Hotel Lodewijk Van Male

How to get to the Bruges Hinterland?

Even without your own car, there are many other ways to get from Bruges to the castles in the Bruges Hinterland. You can use public transport; you can rent a bike... Or how about an idyllic ride on a Vespa? You can find all the information that you need below. For the locations in the Bruges hinterland mentioned above, we have added the easiest public transport services

Bikes can be rented in the city centre at a bicycle rental point.
Discover the castles and gardens in the Bruges Hinterland by bike via these marked out Flanders’ Finest Cycle Routes:
- The Lost Ports of the Zwin cycle route goes past Oostkerke Castle.
- The Castles cycle route passes several castles and domains in the Bruges Hinterland.
‘With the nobility in the saddle’, S-wan organises two cycle routes that take you past castles. Click here for info about route north and here for more info about route south.
Rouler Retro offers several guided castle routes. You can choose between the half day and the full day options.
Toeren en loeren offers a tour of castles and abbeys.