Bruges · Backpacking

Ezelstraat 42, about ten minutes' walk north-west of the Markt, with 2-, 4- and 6-bed rooms, bike rental on site and a bar that pulls in Bruges residents as well as guests. It runs concerts and comedy nights through the year.

Langestraat 133–137 on the eastern side of the centre, with pod-bed dorms and apartments in a step-gabled house. The beer bar carries over 50 Belgian beers and runs happy hour 7–8pm, with Duvel at €3.50 and Stella at €2.30.

Free to walk into, founded in 1245 and still lived in, so the courtyard is kept silent and you are expected to keep it that way. It sits at the southern end of the centre next to the Minnewater.

The one windmill on the Kruisvest ramparts that still grinds grain, built in 1770 and reached on the free walk round the earthworks. €5 adult, €2 under 18, free under 13; open 9.30am–12.30pm and 1.30–5pm, closed Mondays, 1 April to 2 November.

Checkable fixed costs: canal boat €15 adult and €9 for ages 4–11, Belfry €16 in summer, Groeningemuseum €15 (€13 under 26, free under 13), windmill €5, hostel happy-hour beer from €2.30. The 72-hour Musea Brugge Card at €49 only pays off from about four museums. Your bed is the variable — dorm rates climb sharply on summer weekends.