10 Top Hacks: How to Enjoy Wintery Bruges Belgium with a baby

Bruges, Belgium (in winter) was our first European destination with our little baby. Let’s just say, we learned a lot along the way. We left the Bruges train station and started pushing our stroller down the cobblestone streets with our rolling luggage bouncing around (and what felt like breaking) behind us. When we arrived at the Airbnb, we learned it was on the 3rd floor, with no elevator (read: we had to haul our luggage, baby, and stroller up three flights of stairs). Because of this experience, I realized how we traveled needed some minor adjustments.

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This post will give you some of the things we learned the hard way so that you don’t have to! Below are ten hacks to enjoy Bruges, Belgium in winter with your baby (or toddler or other kiddos)!

1. Bring a stroller with good wheels while traveling Bruges, Belgium (think cobblestone streets)

I have heard so many people recommend to take light, small and compact strollers when traveling. Which I agree is nice (sometimes). However, one of the times that a small travel stroller is NOT nice (bordering on horrible) is when you will be walking on cobblestone streets and sidewalks almost all day every day.

We saw frustrated families trying to push their little babes stone by stone through Bruges. I honestly thought some of their strollers were going to break. Each time we saw one of these sad and frazzled families would turn to each other and we would say, “I am so glad we brought this stroller.”

We use our Baby Trend Expedition jogging stroller EVERYWHERE we go… and we travel a lot. It even comes with a compatible car seat! The best part is it is INEXPENSIVE compared to almost every other stroller.

And, it being bigger has been no issue at the airport. Because every airline has always had us leave our stroller at the gate. They put it under the plane for us, free of charge!

We also always throw our stroller into this gate check bag to lower the chances of the stroller getting banged up. This other gate check bag is also a nice option with shoulder straps.

Anyway, this stroller was so nice to have in Bruges, Belgium. The wheels were able to easily handle all the cobblestone. We could carry extra coats and scarves in the hammock underneath and our babe was able to sleep easily on the go because the seat lays back.

Now, if you don’t have the means or time to update your stroller. No worries, you’ll survive. Don’t cancel your plans to Bruges just because of a stroller. But, if it is possible, I highly recommend it!

Related Post: Bruges, Belgium Christmas: Step into a Lovely Medieval Fairytale

2. Dress in appropriate cold-weather clothes while exploring Bruges in winter

Bruges’ average temperature from November-March is 30-45 degrees Fahrenheit (0-10 degrees Celsius). You can check the average winter weather for Bruges, Belgium here.

We visited Bruges at the end of December and we were pretty bundled up the whole time. I’m talking, warm socks, long pants, good shoes, sweaters, coats, scarves, and mittens.

Our babe wore sweaters or warm onesies under a winter suit with a warm hat. This snowsuit is almost exactly like the type our babe wore on all of our winter travels. And, this cozy onesie is perfect to layer with when it’s extra chilly outside.

3. Pack in a travel backpack (again, think cobblestone streets)

We found it frustrating pulling our rolling luggage behind us on the very cobblestoned streets and sidewalks. It was difficult to have our luggage take up one of our hands when we were trying to manage our babe and stroller and any other items we had with us.

After this trip, I scoured the internet for a travel backpack. I wanted something that would be hands-free, durable, small enough to be a carry-on but big enough to fit our clothes for a weekend trip AND not break the bank.

I drooled over some expensive options wishing we had more money. But, then I came across the perfect compromise. The bag I bought is actually only available from Germany (cause at this time we are living in Denmark). However, no worries! I found almost a replica of the bag for the same price available in the USA. Check out this life-changing travel bag and grab one for yourself!

We have a 60L bag. If we don’t fill it to the brim and squish the ends a little, it is small enough to be a carry-on on even the most stringent airlines (like Ryanair).

We take this bag and fit my items, my husband’s items, and our babe’s items for a 3-5 day trip. You seriously need this bag. It has given us so much freedom to be able to manage ourselves and our babe when we travel!

4. Climb the Bruges Belfry first thing in the morning

If you love a good view, climb the belfry in Market Square! Read more about the belfry in another post here.

Now, I realize that climbing 366 steps is easier said than done when towing along a baby. Here are a couple of tips to make it a great experience:

First, the line for the belfry can get VERY long (especially around Christmas time). Think of a line that is like 1-2 hours long. Yikes.

To beat this, I recommend going about 15 minutes before the belfry opens. This way you will beat the crowds and only have about a 15-20 minute wait before you get to start climbing. Also, the view at that time of the morning is gorgeous.

Second, take turns hanging out with baby at the bottom while the other climbs. Even if you have it in you to strap baby to your chest and climb 366 stairs, I don’t know if it’s possible.

The stairs at the top of the belfry get very very small and skinny and I’m not sure you’d be able to comfortably climb/fit with you and baby attached to you.

However you decide to do it though, I highly recommend climbing the belfry. Can you really say you visited Bruges Belgium if you didn’t climb the infamous belfry?

Related Post: Bruges, Belgium Christmas: Step into a Lovely Medieval Fairytale

5. Take a break from walking through Bruges on a baby-friendly canal tour

To really experience Bruges, Belgium you need to take a canal tour through Bruges beautiful canals.

You can read more specifics about the Bruges canal tours and where to buy tickets and where to board in my other post here!

The canal tours are baby/child friendly (as long as you feel comfortable taking your baby). And, children ages 0-3 years old are free! The tour operator even let us leave our stroller at the dock where we got on and off of the boat.

The tours run only on weekends in the winter, weather dependent. We were in Bruges around Christmas/New Year and the tours were running each day of our trip (the weather was also nice each day).

6. Stay in an Airbnb (or comparable accommodations)

With a baby or toddler, I almost always stay in an Airbnb instead of a hotel. I prefer Airbnbs because I can search for and book units that have so much more room than a studio hotel room and so many more amenities!

I always book units with at least one separate bedroom, a full kitchen, a living room, and a crib/pack-n-play. And, I find these units for either the same price as a studio hotel room or less!

The separate bedroom is a MUST. This is so we can lay our little babe down for the night (in the provided crib) and we are then able to hang out in the living room together. It is SO relaxing to be able to do this on vacation and have some quiet wind-down time as a couple.

When we are in a hotel room with our babe it’s a different story. We usually end up laying a sad baby down super late (think 9:30 pm 10 pm). Or, babe goes down around 7:30 pm and we sit in silence… in the dark… Talk about a fun experience (not).

I also always book a unit with a full kitchen so that we can save $$$. Eating out gets expensive FAST (even though I do love trying new places). We buy one meal out each day and a few yummy treats.

However, we eat all of our breakfasts and one other meal at the Airbnb (which is especially nice once your baby starts eating some solids). This gives us some time to relax and for baby to play outside of the stroller.

If you have never tried an Airbnb, I highly recommend it! Airbnb has units ALL over the world. You can search with very specific filters and read previous reviews (ALWAYS read previous reviews). Book your first Airbnb using this link and save up to $50!

7. Check if accommodations have an elevator

Buildings in Bruges are quite old (obviously). Therefore, not all of the buildings have elevators. Be sure to check beforehand with your accommodations to see an elevator is available.

I didn’t think to check and we found ourselves at the bottom of three flights of stairs with a baby, a stroller, and all our luggage. Ugh.

It wasn’t the end of the world. However, it sure would have been nice not to have to haul our baby and stroller down and up three flights of stairs each morning and evening.

8. Drink the best hot chocolate in Bruges, Belgium while baby warms up

Hands down, our favorite activity in Bruges was our experience in the tea room at The Old Chocolate House. I searched and searched to find out about this homey hot chocolate establishment and now I’m here to tell you- it’s baby-friendly!

1. Get in line before opening time

Even though small, the tea room of The Old Chocolate House is very popular. We went one morning and asked what time of day is best to get a seat in the tea room (reservations are not accepted). The tea room opens later than the main chocolate store and the employee told us to arrive about 15 minutes before the tea room opens (which was 11 am when we were there).

She continued saying that the room can be full sometimes 10-15 minutes after opening and you then have to wait in line for an open table. We did as she told us and arrived about 15 minutes before opening.

We were able to get a seat no problem (the room did fill up in about 20 minutes though). A highchair was even available for us to use! It was cozy and warm and our babe had a great time trying all of our goodies and hot chocolate.

2. Ditch the stroller next door

The tea room is located upstairs of the main chocolate shop with no room for strollers. It’s not really practical to bring the stroller in at all. We left our stroller next door in a hotel entrance.

For a warm, cozy time, you MUST visit The Old Chocolate House!

9. Let baby nap while you enjoy a beautiful walk past Bruges four windmills

The downtown old city of Bruges can be very crowded (especially around Christmas/New Year). However, only a 15-20 minute walk from Market Square you will find the city’s ramparts (green space that goes almost completely around the city).

Here you will find four beautiful windmills built in the 1700s-1800s! I recommend taking this beautiful walk during your visit to Bruges. Especially if you need a quiet area to let your baby get some rest while you are out and about. And, an area for you to relax and enjoy some nature.

Here, you will find yourself surrounded by locals jogging, biking and enjoying lovely walks.

10. Keep euro coins on hand for public restrooms

Like a lot of European cities, it can be a little tricky to find a public restroom in Bruges. However, I WAS pleasantly surprised to occasionally see a large sign pointing to a public restroom.

Some restrooms take credit cards, but I’d keep some euro coins on you to be safe. All of the public restrooms we used cost around 50 euro cents.

You can find a map of all the public restrooms in Bruges here marked with WC (you may need to use Google Translate on your computer as this site is not in English). You can click on each WC symbol to see opening hours and whether the restroom accommodates women, men, children, and people with disabilities. Some of the restrooms marked on the map may just indicate a urinal located in the city for men (disappointing, I know).

Check out this related post: Bruges, Belgium Christmas: Step into a Lovely Medieval Fairytale

Please let me know if you have any questions about visiting Bruges in the comments below. I’ll be sure to get back to you.