Bruges is Top Destination for Chocolate Lovers

Eat, Drink, and Learn About Chocolate in Belgium's Picturesque City

Nov 12, 2008

Sweet toothed travelers will not be disappointed in Belgium's top tourist destination. Chocolate shops, winding canals, and distinct architecture make it worth the trip.

Largely unheard of, Bruges (Brugge, in Flemish) attracts three million visitors a year. Even the 2008 movie poster of "In Bruges" starring Colin Farrell and Ralph Fiennes, makes a comical note at the bottom, saying, "it's in Belgium." Regardless, this "Venice of the North" is bustling with tourists at all times of the year, wandering the small cobblestone streets, gazing at the canals, and hoping to sample one of Belgium's finest delicacies, chocolate.

The Choco Story Museum in Bruges

Before actually tasting any chocolate, it's wise to learn about its origins as well as how it's grown and produced. It's important to arrive to the museum early in order to avoid the crowds and to read the multi-lingual information on the walls in peace. The rooms start chronologically with the Mayans and gradually ascend through century after century of the cocoa bean and chocolate's impact on human life. Here, visitors can also discover why Belgian chocolate is superior to others and if chocolate really does make one fat.

For a real treat, visitors must descend to the ground floor to see detailed chocolate sculptures and catch a demonstration in creating chocolates, if only for a delicious complimentary sample.

Bruges' Widest Selection of Hot Chocolate

Chocolate lovers must visit Bar Choc for an impressive list of 44 hot chocolates ranging from white chocolate, chocolate with chili to exotic types such as the "Costa Rica" or "Venezuela," each providing the percentage of cocoa it contains.

While the food and drink is a bit pricey, it's a place for those appreciating chocolate to splurge a little. The average medium sized drink will cost 4.80 Euro/ 6 USD, although it comes with a tiny glass of water, large piece of chocolate all on an elaborate tray.

Bar Choc also provides beef, lamb, or rabbit stew in chocolate, sprinkled with chocolate chips for 11 Euro/ 14 USD. It is also a good place to buy truffles, chocolate pasta, or other assorted chocolate gifts.

Selecting Chocolates for Gifts

It's easy to spend a lot of money buying chocolates in the many shops seen lining the streets in Bruges. Therefore, buying chocolate from the brands, Côte d’Or or Jacques in the supermarket will guarantee authentic Belgian chocolate for a cheaper price.

However, it's not too much more expensive, not to mention more fun, to select certain assorted chocolates from a chocolate shop. Usually, customers can choose a box size for a set price and select from a particular group of chocolates with different flavors. The smallest box may cost around 4 Euro/ 5 USD and can hold about a dozen chocolates. It's important to ask first. The more extravagant looking the chocolate, the more expensive it will be.

Visit the Sites in Bruges

Bruges has much more than chocolate to share with its visitors. The medieval buildings, cobblestone streets, and canals make it a picturesque setting, perfect for strolling and burning off all that sugar. The city is small enough to walk around, but if too much chocolate consumption makes that difficult, consider hitching a ride with a horse and carriage for the streets or a boat that tours the canals.

It's a wonder that Bruges is not as well known as it's southern counterpart, Venice. The combination of well preserved architectural beauty and a fairytale-esque atmosphere make it surreal. However, chocolate lovers everywhere will agree that it's the chocolate that makes Bruges truly sweet.

The copyright of the article Bruges is Top Destination for Chocolate Lovers in Belgium Travel is owned by Katherine Kocisky. Permission to republish Bruges is Top Destination for Chocolate Lovers in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.