Parking near your stay

About the hotel

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Raphaëlles is a small-scale boutique bed and breakfast in the historic center of Bruges, located in a former doctor's home at Beenhouwersstraat 13. The mansion has been carefully restored and decorated with a contemporary design look, without losing the soul of the old building. The result is an intimate guest house with five characterful units where soft colors, luxurious materials and historic details complement rather than crowd each other out.

The various rooms and suites are spacious and each time decorated differently, with attention to texture, light and tactility. Think elegant mouldings, wooden floors, comfortable beds with high-quality linen and seating areas where you can retreat. Modern amenities such as air conditioning, Wi-Fi, smart lighting and a contemporary bathroom with walk-in shower and quality care products ensure that the experience feels warm and luxurious at the same time.

Breakfast is a regular ritual in Raphaëlles. In a tall room with moulures and a fireplace, an extensive buffet is served with bread and viennoiserie, cheeses, charcuterie and regional jams. Everything is carefully selected by local craftsmen, so that guests can get a relaxing taste of the surroundings even before they step out into the street. When the weather is nice, breakfast can be moved to the quiet city garden, where the greenery and surrounding facades provide an almost hidden inner world.

During the day and in the afternoon, Raphaëlles offers an elaborate afternoon tea, with a selection of pastries, scones and savory bites, served with tea, coffee and, if desired, a glass of sparkling wine. This makes the bed and breakfast more than just a place to sleep: the house invites you to linger, read or take a break from the city.

The Velvet bar is the heart of the house. Here, marble, velvet, gold accents and subdued lighting set the tone. Guests can enjoy carefully crafted cocktails, wines and small dishes to share. The bar fits seamlessly with Raphaëlles's aesthetic story and turns the mansion into a fully-fledged city residence where atmosphere, gastronomy and overnight stays reinforce each other. The official information highlights that the bed and breakfast itself does not offer private parking; visitors are referred to public car parks and the option to reserve a spot online in advance.

The surroundings

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Raphaëlles is located in a quiet street in the historic center, within walking distance of both the Grote Markt and the square near the concert hall around the Zand. From Beenhouwersstraat, you can walk to the Markt with the Belfry and carriages in a few minutes, while in the other direction, you can easily reach the cultural heart around the Zand and the wider shopping streets. The position between these two poles makes the house an ideal base for those who want to experience Bruges on foot.

The immediate area is characterised by narrow cobblestone streets, historic facades and a mix of small boutiques, delicatessen shops and discreet restaurants. The more important shopping axes start just around the corner, but Beenhouwersstraat itself retains a more residential character. A short walk takes you to the Burg with the town hall and the basilica, to the Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk and to the Minnewaterpark, where water and greenery provide a gentler transition to the city walls.

The more contemplative places are also nearby. Once an important trading hub, Jan Van Eyck Square is now a quiet square with a view of canals and facades. The Begijnhof, with its white-painted houses and trees, offers an almost monastic silence within walking distance of the hotel. Museums such as the Groeninge Museum and the Gruuthuse Museum lie in the same circle around Raphaëlles, so culture, architecture and everyday city life naturally blend together here.

Things to do in the area

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• Take a classic city walk via the Grote Markt, climb the Belfry for a panoramic view, and then descend to Burg, where the town hall, basilica and square spirit combine to tell the historic power and devotion of Bruges.

• Plan a cultural route past the Groeninge Museum and the Gruuthuse Museum and then walk on to the Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk and Minnewaterpark, where art, religious heritage and parkland form a beautiful whole.

• Opt for a tasteful theme day with a visit to Choco Story, followed by a tour of the Halve Maan brewery and a final walk along the canals and the Begijnhof, so that tasting, craft and stillness alternate.

Restaurants & cafes

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The Environment page by Raphaëlles brings together a carefully chosen selection of addresses in the area, from gourmet tables to accessible lunch shops and bars. Many of these things are within walking distance and are in line with the refined but relaxed character of the bed and breakfast in terms of content. The choice below provides a broad picture of what is possible, from high-quality kitchens to lively day shops.

Restaurants
• Brutal
Bruut lies on a quiet arm and works with a fixed menu that changes with the seasons. In an intimate setting, the chef serves creative dishes based on local products from the sea and the polder, where precision and pure flavors are key.

• Franco Belge
Franco Belge brings classic French Belgian cuisine with a contemporary twist. In a stylish but casual interior, dishes with refined sauces, careful garnishes and a sophisticated wine list come together to create a cuisine that appeals to lovers of tradition and creativity alike.

• Rock Fort
Rock Fort, in the city center east of downtown, combines contemporary cuisine with a distinct wine culture. Here you can taste seasonal dishes with a lot of attention to short chains and fresh flavors, in a lively setting where both lunch and dinner are possible.

Cafes & bars
• Nomad
Nomad on the square near the concert hall combines breakfast, lunch and light evening dishes with a worldly approach. The bright interior, the open kitchen and the menu full of vegetable dishes, bowls and international influences make it a versatile place for a late brunch, a glass of wine or an informal meal.

• Bar Ran
Bar Ran, a short walk from Raphaëlles, is a neighborhood cocktail bar with a distinct character. In an intimate, stylish interior, carefully designed cocktails are served, with a lot of attention to homemade infusions, syrups and surprising flavor combinations.

• Cuvee
Cuvee is a combination of restaurant and wine bar where natural wine is key. In a relaxed setting, you can sample carefully chosen wines paired with seasonal dishes to share, ideal for an evening where conversation, glass and plate are the same.

Lunch shops
• L & S S Eatery
L E S S Eatery near the concert hall brings a shared kitchen concept with global influences. The menu is ideal for an extensive lunch with smaller dishes to share, ranging from fresh ceviche to savory dishes with a clear international signature.

• Babette
Babette in the Noordzandstraat is a popular bread and salad shop with a healthy approach. Here you can choose from rich sandwiches, salads and light dishes, often with lots of vegetables and fresh flavors, ideal as a quick but high-quality lunch during a day in the city.

• Cafe au Lait
Café au Lait, also in the Noordzandstraat, is famous for pancakes, waffles and other sweet and savory lunch dishes. It's an accessible stop where you can go all day long for something hot, a snack or a hearty sweet break, combined with coffee or a simple lunch.

Accessibility

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• You can travel by train to Bruges station, from where the historic center is easily accessible. You can walk to the city center in about twenty minutes, but you can also take a city bus to the stops around het Zand and the surrounding streets and then walk on to Beenhouwersstraat.

• If you travel by car, follow the access roads around Bruges and the signs to the center and the underground car parks. Because the historic core has strict parking regulations and some streets are limited at certain times, it is useful to park the car immediately and walk the last few metres to Raphaëlles.

• Within the center, walking and cycling are the most relaxing ways to get around. From Raphaëlles, you can reach the main squares, museums and shopping streets within a ten to fifteen minute walk, while those who want to get further out to, for example, the outskirts of the city or the hinterland can easily rent a bike or take a bus.

Parking

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According to official information, Raphaëlles does not have its own private car park or closed car park. The bed and breakfast therefore points out to guests that they use the public parking facilities in and around the center and recommends booking a parking space in advance, especially during busy periods. This is important because street parking in the historic core is limited and subject to regulated zones and time limits.

A logical choice for those who want to be close to the historic center is Parking Pandreitje, an underground car park near Queen Astrid Park. From here, you can walk to Beenhouwersstraat in less than ten to fifteen minutes, via charming streets along canals and squares. The car park offers a large number of spaces, is open day and night and has charging points for electric cars, making it a practical option for a city trip by car.

A second underground option is Parking Katelijne, on the south side of the city center. This car park is within walking distance of the Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk, the Sint Janshospitaal and the museums along the Dijver, and is a good starting point for a walk that takes you to Raphaëlles via the main sights. There are also charging points here, and the location is convenient for those entering Bruges from the south.

For those who prefer to leave their car at the edge of the city, the city offers various peripheral car parks and park and ride areas. P plus R Boogschutterslaan is a free aboveground car park on the east side of Bruges with around a hundred spaces and a bus stop to the center, so you can travel the rest of the route by public transport. Larger car parks near the station area, such as Oyster Parking on Koning Albert I laan, also make it possible to park the car just outside the historic center and then continue on foot or by bus.

Because rates, maximum parking time and availability may change, it is advisable to check the current information about the chosen car park before departure and possibly reserve in advance. This is how Raphaëlles encourages her guests to plan their stay: consciously, well prepared and with an eye for comfort throughout the visit.

Summary

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Raphaëlles is an intimate, design-oriented bed and breakfast in a former doctor's home in the heart of Bruges. With five carefully decorated rooms and suites, a gourmet inspired breakfast, afternoon tea and a characterful Velvet bar, the house offers a stay where aesthetics and comfort go hand in hand. The location between the Grote Markt and the Zand means that you can walk to squares, museums, churches and parks in a few minutes, while the immediate vicinity forms a network of quiet streets, historic sites and great places to eat and drink.

A range of culinary experiences await in the neighborhood, from contemporary restaurants like Bruut, Franco Belge and Rock Fort to vibrant addresses like Nomad, Bar Ran and Cuvee, and accessible lunch spots such as L E S S Eatery, Babette and Café au Lait. For drivers, there are clear alternatives via underground car parks such as Pandreitje and Katelijne and peripheral car parks or park and ride areas on the outskirts of the city. This makes Raphaëlles an elegant but practical base for those who want to experience Bruges intensively, with a stay that seamlessly connects to the city around it.

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