Travel time: Year-round
Bruges is characterized by a Temperate Maritime Climate (Köppen Cfb), heavily influenced by its proximity to the North Sea. This proximity ensures that the city rarely experiences extreme heat or bone-chilling cold. The air is typically humid and breezy, with the North Sea acting as a giant thermal regulator, keeping summer afternoons mild and winter nights just above freezing.
The city is famous for its "changeable" sky. It is common to experience several types of weather in a single day—a morning of mist and low-hanging clouds might transform into a bright, sunny afternoon, followed by a sudden coastal shower. Since the land is flat, there are no geographical barriers to stop moving weather systems, meaning wind and clouds move quickly through the region.
As the city awakens, temperatures rise from an average high of 9°C (48°F) in March to 17°C (63°F) by May. This season is often considered the "brightest" time of year. April is historically the driest month, though the air remains crisp. The blooming of the daffodils at the Beguinage is a local marker that the harshest winter winds have subsided.
Summers are pleasant and rarely sweltering, with average highs peaking around 21°C to 23°C (70°F to 73°F). August is typically the warmest month but also one of the wettest, as humidity often results in brief but intense afternoon thunderstorms. Daylight is plentiful, with the sun setting as late as 10:00 PM in June.
September often retains a late-summer warmth, known locally as a "nazomer" (Indian summer). However, by late October, the maritime influence becomes more apparent as rainfall increases and the wind picks up. November often sees the most rainy days (averaging 18-19 days of precipitation), with gray, overcast skies becoming the norm.
Winters are long and damp rather than snowy. Average highs hover around 6°C (43°F), while lows stay just above freezing at 2°C (36°F). Bone-chilling winds from the North Sea can make the temperature feel significantly colder than the thermometer suggests. Snow is a rare but magical occurrence, usually melting within a day or two due to the salty sea air and mild overnight temperatures.
While Bruges itself is a few miles inland, its harbor district, Zeebrugge, experiences more intense wind and slightly cooler temperatures due to direct exposure to the North Sea. Within the city center, the dense network of medieval canals and stone buildings can trap humidity, making cold days feel a bit more "raw" and damp. In contrast, on the few very hot days of summer, the narrow, shaded cobblestone streets and the thermal mass of the canals provide a natural cooling effect.
Locals are famously stoic about the rain, often using the phrase "er is geen slecht weer, alleen slechte kleding" (there is no bad weather, only bad clothing). Life in Bruges doesn’t stop for a drizzle; outdoor café terraces are often equipped with overhead heaters and blankets year-round. Tourists should expect a "raw" chill in the winter—a combination of high humidity and wind that penetrates deeper than dry cold.