Parking near your stay

About the hotel

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B and B St Jacobs is located at Oude Zak 20, in the historic heart of Bruges, just a few minutes' walk from the Grote Markt. It's an intimate, elegant bed and breakfast that describes itself as the city's only boutique b and b. The property is a nineteenth century mansion that has been renovated with respect for the original details and combined with contemporary architecture and comfort. Authentic elements such as high ceilings, ornaments and a stately staircase with a stained glass window combine here with fresh colors, warm materials and a quiet, almost salon-like interior.

The house has four luxury rooms, each with its own character. The street-side rooms are spacious double rooms with a gas fire for extra atmosphere in the colder months, while the garden-side room overlooks the greener back of the house. All rooms are spacious, with a comfortable seating area, minibar, coffee and tea facilities and a private bathroom with walk-in shower. Modern amenities such as flat screen television and Wi-Fi make the stay practical for those who want to stay connected even during a city trip.

The property's general information highlights peace and quality. Children are welcome from the age of ten, which contributes to a mature, serene atmosphere in the common areas. The entire house is smoke-free and pets are not allowed. The gas fires in the rooms are only used from November to March, so that the rooms feel extra cozy during that period. There is the possibility to park bicycles, and according to the information, guests can also rent bicycles, which is useful for those who want to explore the city and the surrounding area by bike.

Breakfast has a central place in the concept of St Jacobs. An extensive breakfast buffet is served in the breakfast room next to the kitchen, with a focus on fresh bread, sandwiches, meats, cheese, sweet fillings and often also homely accents such as fresh fruit or pastries. The idea is that guests can sit back and start the day in a bright, stylish space before they head out into town. Breakfast is included in the room price and contributes to the feeling of a comprehensive package.

The surroundings

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Oude Zak is a quiet street in the city center, a few minutes' walk from the Grote Markt and the beating heart of Bruges. The immediate vicinity of St Jacobs is characterised by narrow streets, brick facades and a mix of stately mansions and smaller historic buildings. Although you're in the city's historic core, this neighborhood feels remarkably relaxed and residential. This makes the house suitable for those who like to have the vibrancy of the center within reach, but also value a quiet night's sleep.

Not only the Grote Markt and the Belfry are a short walk away, but also the area around St. James Church and the Stadsschouwburg, with its classic façade and small-scale squares. The shopping streets and the more hidden alleys of the old center connect directly to Oude Zak, so you can easily switch between busy shopping streets and quiet residential streets. The canals, the typical canals of Bruges, are never far away; in a few minutes, you'll be at the waterfront for a short photo stop or a boat trip.

The central location also makes trips in other directions easy. Via the Ezelstraat, for example, you can walk to a more locally oriented neighborhood with craft shops, while you can quickly walk to Begijnhof or Minnewaterpark via the shortest route through the center. Bruges is compact, and from St Jacobs, almost any attraction can be reached within a ten to twenty minute walk, depending on your pace.

Things to do in the area

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• Visit to the Frietmuseum in the Vlamingstraat, located in the historic Saaihalle. This museum tells the story of potatoes, fries and typical sauces in a playful and didactic way, and ends with the opportunity to taste classic Belgian fries.

• A tour of the Choco Story chocolate museum, where the history of cocoa and chocolate comes to life with objects, demonstrations, and tastings. The museum combines historical information with a sensory experience and is within walking distance of the bed and breakfast.

• A walk along the city vests towards the windmills on the Kruisvest. There are four historic windmills on the green belt around Bruges, including the Sint Janshuis mill, an eighteenth-century mill that still grinds grain and can be visited when it opens. The view over the vests and the city makes this walk particularly photogenic.

Restaurants & cafes

Restaurants
• The Florentines is located in a historic building that once served as the home of Florentine merchants, near the center. The kitchen focuses on sophisticated Belgian and Mediterranean dishes, in a light and elegant setting that fits well for an evening of extensive dining.

• La Plancha is located in the Vlamingstraat in the old center and is known for grilled meat and fish, with an emphasis on quality products and tasty plates. The atmosphere is informal but well-kept, suitable for both a romantic dinner and an evening with friends.

• The Hobbit in the Kemelstraat is an accessible choice for those who want a hearty meal. The restaurant is often associated with ribs and grilled specialties in a casual, cozy setting, where the price-quality ratio appeals to many visitors.

Cafes & bars
• 2be Bar, near the famous beer wall on the Dijver, combines an impressive collection of Belgian beers with a terrace that overlooks the water. The long glass wall full of bottles and the location on one of the most photographed corners of Bruges make this a popular spot for an afternoon or early evening drink.

• Dees Koffiebranders in the Hoogstraat is both a microroaster and a coffee bar, where specialty coffee is central. You can drink coffee from locally roasted beans, in a casual atmosphere with a lot of attention to the origin and quality of the coffee.

• Stera Plant Bar is a contemporary coffee bar that combines the idea of a plant shop and a coffee shop. Among the green plants, you can drink artisan coffees and have something sweet, a quiet break within walking distance of the city walls.

Lunch shops
• Babette Brood and Salad House in the Noordzandstraat is a popular lunch spot for fresh sandwiches, salads and soups. The menu alternates between more classic combinations and more creative, light dishes, making it a good stop for a quick but high-quality lunch.

• Carpe Diem Bakery and Tea Room in the Wijngaardstraat combines a hot bakery with a cozy tea room in a historic building. Locals come here for bread and pastries, while visitors often have breakfast or opt for waffles, cakes and a full breakfast or brunch.

• Tea Room De Proeverie, near the city center, is a classic tea room that focuses on homemade hot chocolate, tea and sweet cakes. The room is designed as a cosy hideaway from the busy streets, ideal for an afternoon break with cake, scones or waffles.

Accessibility

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• Travel by train via Bruges Station, from where you can walk or bus to the historic center. On foot, the walk from the station to the city center takes about fifteen to twenty minutes, depending on the route chosen; taxi and city bus shorten that distance for those who want to walk less.

• By car, you can reach the ring road around Bruges and follow the directions to the center. The city center has mostly paid parking and has a limited parking period above ground, so many visitors choose to park their car in a larger car park slightly outside the core and travel the last part on foot or by bus.

• St Jacobs can be reached by bus at various stops in and around the center. There are regular buses to the city center from the peripheral car parks and the station, making it easy to combine the car with public transport and thus limit traffic and parking pressure in the historic streets.

Parking

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B and B St Jacobs does not mention its own underground garage, and those arriving by car must take into account the specific parking rules in Bruges. In the city center, paid parking usually applies during the day, with a maximum parking time on the street. For a relaxing stay, it is therefore practical to use the larger car parks on the outskirts or near the station and then continue on foot or by bus to Oude Zak.

An interesting option is Oyster Parking on the Koning Albert I laan near the station. This underground car park has long opening hours, is accessible day and night and is often chosen by visitors who want to leave their car a little longer at a relatively favourable daily rate. From here, you can walk to the center in about fifteen to twenty minutes, or take the city bus closer to the city center.

If you prefer to park for free, you can choose Randparking Magdalenastraat or Randparking Bevrijdingslaan. Both are aboveground car parks on the outskirts of the city, with a significant number of spaces and bicycle lockers. From Magdalenastraat and Bevrijdingslaan, city buses run regularly to the station and center, while a brisk walk of just over twenty minutes also takes you to the historic core. These car parks are especially useful for those who stay several days or prefer not to drive in the hustle and bustle of the city center.

Travellers with a motorhome or mobile home can visit the camping car park on the Channel Island on the Bargeweg, where specific places and facilities for motorhomes are provided. This site is located just outside the center and is tailored to motorhomes, with their own rates and rules, and is therefore a separate category of parking solution for those traveling with a larger vehicle.

Summary

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B and B St Jacobs is an elegant, small-scale boutique bed and breakfast in a nineteenth century mansion on Oude Zak, a short walk from the Grote Markt. The four luxury rooms combine historic charm with contemporary comfort, with spacious bathrooms, seating areas and a cozy winter gas fire in most rooms. The included breakfast buffet is served in a well-kept breakfast room and provides a peaceful start to the day before heading into town.

The location is a clear plus: you stay in a quiet street in the middle of the historic center, near museums, shops and the canals, with original activities such as the Frietmuseum, Choco Story chocolate museum and walks along the windmills on the Kruisvest within reach. In the immediate vicinity, you'll find a diverse selection of restaurants, cafes and lunch spots, from gourmet addresses to casual coffee and sandwich shops. Because there is no private garage, it is wise to think about parking in advance, for example via Oesterparking near the station or the free peripheral car parks with a bus connection to the center. For example, St Jacobs offers a balance between style, tranquility and a very central base for a stay in Bruges.

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