Bruges Tickets

Historium Bruges Tickets

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Historium Bruges | A journey to Bruges’ past

Ever wondered what it was really like to live in medieval Bruges in the 15th century? Historium Bruges doesn't just tell you about it – it throws you right into the heart of it! Forget dusty displays and boring lectures. Historium Bruges immerses you in the sights, sounds, and even smells of the city's Golden Age. We're talking interactive exhibits, immersive storytelling that'll transport you back centuries, and virtual reality experiences that will make you feel like you're actually there. Walk the cobbled streets, meet the colorful characters, and uncover the hidden secrets of a bustling medieval city.

Why visit Historium Bruges

  • Step into a time machine: Unlike traditional museums, Historium Bruges throws you headfirst into medieval life with interactive exhibits, soundscapes, and even smells that make the medieval city tangible and real.
  • VR adventure: The virtual reality experience lets you walk the cobbled streets, interact with characters, and witness history firsthand. It's not just seeing the past – it's living it.
  • History that speaks to you: Historium Bruges moves beyond the typical historical museum approach. Instead of solely focusing on grand events and famous figures, Historium Bruges brings to life the daily experiences of ordinary people—merchants, artisans, and everyday citizens—through immersive exhibits and storytelling.
  • Engage all your senses: Hear the bustling marketplace, smell the (recreated) aromas of medieval life, and feel the pulse of a vibrant 15th-century city through this multi-sensory experience that brings history to life.

Things to know before booking Historium Bruges tickets

  • Types of tickets: Conveniently located in the heart of Bruges, Historium Bruges is the perfect addition to your sightseeing itinerary. You can either book standard timed-entry tickets or a VR experience ticket with flexible entry.
  • What’s included: Your entry ticket includes access to the Historium Story, the exhibition, and a multilingual audioguide in English, French, Dutch, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese-Mandarin & Japanese. Enhance your experience by buying the 10-min VR experience which can be purchased online.
  • What's not included: Note that tickets to the Historium Tower are not available online and need to be purchased separately at the venue.
  • Validity: Your ticket is only valid for the day and time you select at checkout. Once you leave, re-entry is not allowed, and you’ll need to purchase a new ticket to re-enter.
  • Guest restrictions: Infants under 3 years are not allowed inside Historium Bruges, and children under the age of 12 need to be accompanied by an adult. The attraction is also not suitable for those sensitive to audio-visual effects and those with claustrophobia. The VR experience is restricted to guests under the age of 6. The minimum height to visit the Historium Tower is 1.4m
  • Cancellation policy: You can cancel your tickets 24 hours before the experience begins, and you will get a full refund.

Which Historium Bruges ticket is best for you

Entry tickets

  • Best for: Budget travelers, history buffs, and those with time constraints
  • Get timed entry access to the Historium Story and Exhibition. This includes interactive displays, historical information, and a general overview of medieval Bruges.  

Recommended ticket:
Historium Bruges Entry Tickets

VR tickets

  • Best for: Those looking for immersive experiences, budget travelers.
  • Get everything in the standard entry ticket with flexible entry plus the 10-min virtual reality experience for enhanced immersion and a complete historical experience.

Recommended ticket:
Historium Bruges Tickets with VR Experience

Historium Bruges highlights

The building

History comes alive at the Historium Bruges! This museum, housed in a 1902 Neo-Gothic building on the Markt, stands on the very spot where the medieval Waterhalle once bustled with trade.

Historium Story

Follow van Eyck’s apprentice, Jacob, and Anna's captivating love story through 7 themed rooms, each brought to life with backdrops, music, and special effects. With an audioguide in hand, immerse yourself in this tale inspired by Jan van Eyck's masterpiece, Virgin and Child with Canon van der Paele.

Historium exhibition

Uncover the secrets of medieval Bruges alongside Jacob! Journey through the city's past, deciphering its layout and admiring its architecture and fortifications. Encounter the brilliance of Jan van Eyck's art and witness the techniques used to recreate the Historium Story.

Virtual Reality experience

Explore a 15th-century city brought to life through virtual reality! This 10-min immersive experience lets you witness the city's past, interact with its inhabitants, and soar through the skies, taking in views of landmarks like Waterhalle and St. Donation's Church.

Terrace

For breathtaking views of Bruges, make your way to the terrace on the second floor of the Historium building. From this vantage point, you'll be treated to a panoramic spectacle of the city, with the vibrant Markt square taking center stage - the perfect spot to capture photos!

Historium Tower

For a bird's-eye view, ascend the Neo-Gothic Historium Tower! From this 35-meter perch, a 360-degree panorama unfolds, showcasing the city's gems, including the Belfry and Saint Saviour's Cathedral. All this for just €8 – a small price for an unforgettable experience!

VR arcade and VR city

Step into the Historium's VR arcade and go on a virtual journey through time! Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of medieval Bruges, exploring six different locations and witnessing their evolution. For just €25, enjoy 30 minutes of solo or group VR gaming.

Duvelorium

Treat yourself to a break at the Duvelorium Grand Beer Cafe! Located on the first floor, this is the perfect spot to unwind with a Duvel beer – Belgium's most beloved brew. Whether you simply want to savor a glass or a full beer-tasting experience, the Duvelorium has you covered.

Inside the Historium Story

Quays

See the heart of medieval commerce at the quays, a hub of international trade for spices, oak, furs, wine, and more. Learn how English wool was transformed into the renowned Flemish broadcloth sought after throughout Europe.

Jan van Eyck’s studio

Step into the studio where Virgin and Child with Canon van der Paele was born. Discover how van Eyck acquired his paint materials and dive into the world of art by Flemish Primitives: manuscripts, miniatures, and painted panels by artists like van Eyck and Hans Memling.

Toll House

Medieval Bruges funded its buildings and markets at the Toll House, where the lifeblood of the city – taxes and excise duties on all imported and exported goods – flowed. Bruges also levied taxes on transactions and services, forming a crucial part of Bruges' income.

Back Streets

See a network of cobblestone streets, alleyways, and wooden houses. Peer into the ingenious medieval drainage system, as well as how they managed to keep the city supplied with fresh water. Glimpse the stark realities of medieval society - of ordinary folk and the wealthy.

Guilds

Step inside the guild halls of Bruges and discover a world of craftsmanship! You might even witness specialized crafts like rosary making. Discover the regulations, the quality standards enforced, the strict trading rules, and other medieval trade practices imposed by these guilds.

Bathhouse

Far from being just a spot to bathe, these establishments were hubs of social life to meet women, and—believe it or not—often operating in a legal gray area! See the Historium's recreation of these spaces inspired by surviving miniatures, manuscripts, and illustrations.

Stock Exchange

Forget Wall Street and the modern stock exchange – witness the birth of it all at Huis ter Beurze, the very first stock exchange! Originally an inn maintained by the Van der Beurze family, a name synonymous with trade itself, this was where the first-ever stock transactions took place.

Plan your visit to Historium Bruges

  • Sunday to Friday: 10:30am to 5pm
  • Saturday: 10:30am to 8pm
  • Last entry: 30 mins before closing time
  • Duvelorium: 11am to 6pm (Until 10pm on Saturdays)

Recommended duration: The Historium Story takes 30 mins, and the Historium Exhibition takes at least 20 mins. Expect a short waiting time before the Story as only 20 guests are allowed in at a time. Plan an additional 10 mins if you want to experience the VR flight and another 20 mins if you want to head up to the Tower.

Address: Markt 1, 8000 Brugge, Belgium | Find on Maps

  • By train: L 576 Zeebrugge-Dorp, L 557 Malines, P 7058 Bruges 
    Nearest station: Bruges-Saint-Pierre
  • By bus: 1, 2, 40, 41, 49
    Nearest stop: Brugge Dijver or 't Zand perron C1
  • By car: Via Hoogstraat
    Nearest parking: Parking Centrum Station, 't Zand, Zilverpand or 't Pandreitje
  • Audio guide: You can explore the Historium Story with an audio guide in English, French, Dutch, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, and Arabic.
  • Toilets: Toilets are available in the basement.
  • Baby-changing facilities: Baby-changing facilities are available in the basement.
  • Information desk: Head to the Tourist Info Point for city maps, nearby attractions, bus routes and schedules, city walks, and more.
  • Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building.
  • Shop: Buy souvenirs and unique Duvel collectors’ items from the gift shop.
  • First aid: There is a first aid post that also includes an AED device.
  • Wheelchair accessibility: The entire building is wheelchair accessible.
  • Toilets: There is one wheelchair-accessible toilet in the basement.
  • Lifts: There is an elevator to get to the different floors in the Historium.
  • Route: There is a customized wheelchair-friendly route, with personal assistance from the staff.
  • Guide dogs: Assistance dogs with identification vests are allowed in the Historium.
  • Strollers: Strollers, buggies, and prams are not allowed inside the Historium Story. You can leave these at the Ticket Office. However, you are allowed to bring baby carriers.
  • Pets: Pets are not allowed anywhere on the premises.
  • Baggage policy: Handbags and backpacks are allowed inside, but you cannot bring large luggage or suitcases into the attraction.
  • Rules: Flash photography and videography are prohibited at the Historium.
  • Food and drinks: Outside food and drinks are not permitted inside.
  • Pizzeria Da Mario: Have a meal with a view of the market square. The Pizza Tasty Scampi is a local favorite.
  • Marpha Sushi: When in Bruges, Marpha is the best place for sushi. If you’re visiting with a group, try the Sushi Boats. 
  • De Roopoorte: A great place to have a Dutch meal off De Markt, with dishes like Flemish chicken stew, chicken puff pastries, and frog legs.
  • Bistro Den Amand: Try homemade Dutch food like crispy goat cheese spring rolls, Caserecce pasta with shrimp, and sea bass specials. 
  • Bruges Beer Experience: The Bruges Beer Experience is a sensory journey into the heart of Belgian brewing, from pilsners to lambics and Trappist ales! Delve into the history, processes, and culture that make Belgian beer so unique, from the ancient traditions of monastic brewing to the craft breweries of today.
  • Belfort: Dominating the Markt of Bruges, the imposing Belfry, or Belfort, stands as a symbol of the city's medieval prosperity. More than a bell tower, it served as a watchtower, a treasury, and an archive for important documents.
  • Basilica of the Holy Blood: In the heart of Bruges stands the Basilica of the Holy Blood, housing a relic believed to be a cloth stained with the blood of Jesus Christ, brought back from the Crusades.
  • Torture Museum Oude Steen Brugge: Housed within the walls of a former prison, this museum offers a glimpse into the gruesome methods of punishment and interrogation used throughout history. Explore exhibits showcasing a chilling collection of instruments and devices designed to inflict pain and suffering. 

Visitor tips

  • Visiting with kids: Families can enjoy the Family Trail, making the visit to Historium Bruges fun for kids and adults alike. You can collect the Family Trail at the Ticket Office.
  • Best time to visit: Historium can get packed, especially during peak season. Try to get there right when they open at 10:30am, or towards the end of the day after 3pm when things have quieted down a bit. Head to the tower at 5pm to be treated to a sunset view.
  • Look for the small details: Historium is full of meticulously crafted details, from the costumes to the props to the set designs. Pay attention to these little things – they add authenticity and create a truly immersive atmosphere. For example, notice the textures of the fabrics, the tools used by the artisans, and the graffiti on the walls.
  • Take your time at the VR experience: Don't rush through the VR experience just because it’s only 10 mins! Let yourself be immersed in the sights and sounds of the past. And if you're prone to motion sickness, take it easy on the beer before you go on the ride.
  • Check out the view from the tower: Historium Tower has a panoramic view of Bruges well worth the 145-step climb! You'll get some stunning photos and a great perspective on the city's layout.
  • Ask questions: The staff at Historium are knowledgeable and passionate about Bruges' history. Don't be shy about asking them questions. They can offer insights and details you might not find elsewhere.
  • Leave time for wandering afterwards: After your visit to Historium, take some time to explore the surrounding area. Wander along the Groenerei (the "Green Canal"), browse the shops, and grab a waffle or some frites. 
  • Combine it with a canal tour: Bruges is famous for its canals, and a boat tour is a must-do. It's a great way to see the city from a different angle and learn more about its history. Plus, many of the canal tour departure points are near the Historium, so it's easy to combine the two.
  • Consider a Bruges City Card: If you're planning on visiting several museums and attractions in Bruges, a Bruges City Card can be a good investment. It often includes entry to the Historium and other popular spots, plus discounts on canal tours and other activities.

Frequently Asked Questions about Historium Bruges tickets

Can I visit the Historium Tower with my tickets?

No. However, for just €8, you can climb the 35-meter tower and enjoy a breathtaking 360° view of Bruges. You can buy these tickets at the Ticket Office at the venue.

Can I visit Historium Bruges if I don’t know Dutch?

Yes, you can. Make use of the multilingual audioguide to explore the Historium.

Is Historium Bruges scary or intense?

The experience is designed to be immersive and dramatic but not frightening. However, if you’re sensitive to loud sounds, dim lighting, or intense visuals, parts of the Historium Story might feel a bit overwhelming.

Is Historium Bruges suitable for children?

Yes, but parental discretion is advised, especially for younger children. Some of the exhibits depict aspects of medieval life that might be a bit intense. The VR experience is generally suitable for ages 6 and above, but consider your child's sensitivity.

Is the Historium Bruges experience suitable for solo travelers?

Absolutely! Whether you're a history buff or just exploring Bruges on your own, the immersive storytelling, VR experience, and tower views make it a great stop for solo travelers.

Can I visit Historium Bruges on a rainy day?

Yes! Since the entire experience is indoors, it’s a perfect activity for a rainy day in Bruges.

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