Home › Bruges › Best time to visit
Best time to visit Bruges: month by month
Short answer
April to June and September are the best months, with highs of about 12-22°C, long days and fewer day-trippers than in July and August. December is lovely for the Christmas markets and ice rink but short and cold (highs of about 8°C), and rain is possible any month, with 10-18 rainy days.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 7°C | 2°C | 15 | low |
| Feb | 9°C | 3°C | 10 | low |
| Mar | 11°C | 4°C | 14 | medium |
| Apr | 12°C | 4°C | 10 | high |
| May | 17°C | 8°C | 12 | high |
| Jun | 22°C | 13°C | 10 | high |
| Jul | 22°C | 14°C | 14 | very high |
| Aug | 22°C | 14°C | 12 | very high |
| Sep | 21°C | 13°C | 11 | high |
| Oct | 17°C | 10°C | 14 | medium |
| Nov | 11°C | 6°C | 18 | low |
| Dec | 8°C | 3°C | 17 | high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Highs climb from about 11°C in March to 17°C in May, with 10-14 rainy days a month; canal boats usually start in March.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Highs of about 22°C and lows of 13-14°C; the warmest and busiest months, with crowds on the Markt by day.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is mild (21°C) and calmer; October (17°C) and November (11°C, about 18 rainy days) are cooler and wetter.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold and damp, with highs of 7-9°C and lows of 2-3°C; December brings Christmas markets on the Markt and Simon Stevinplein.
Events worth planning around
- Procession of the Holy Blood, on Ascension Day (May or June)
- Christmas market and ice rink on the Markt and Simon Stevinplein, late November to early January
- Cactusfestival, an open-air music festival in the Minnewater park, usually in July
- Bruges Beer Festival, usually in February
When to avoid
Avoid summer weekends if you dislike crowds: day-trippers and cruise groups fill the centre from mid-morning to late afternoon. January and February are quiet but grey, with short days.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Common questions
What is the best month to visit Bruges?
May, June or September, with mild weather and fewer crowds than in July and August.
Is Bruges worth visiting in winter?
Yes, especially in December for the Christmas markets; expect highs of 7-9°C and short days.
When do canal boats run?
Usually from March to November, with fewer departures in winter.