7Bruges: From Fairytale City to Crowded Attraction
Bruges, Belgium’s fairytale-like city, is often referred to as the “Venice of the North” due to its picturesque canals, medieval architecture, and charming streets. However, like Venice, Bruges has found itself overwhelmed by tourists. The city’s small size and popularity as a day-trip destination, especially for visitors from Brussels and cruise ship passengers, have led to overcrowding, particularly in the summer months.
In response, Bruges has implemented measures to manage tourism better. The city has limited the number of cruise ships allowed to dock and has tried to disperse tourists more evenly throughout the city to reduce the pressure on its most popular sites. Bruges is also encouraging tourists to stay overnight, hoping that longer stays will help balance the economic benefits with the impact on the city’s infrastructure and residents.
