Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

Lakes

Minnewater (Lake of Love), Bruges

Lakes

Minnewater (Lake of Love), Bruges

Highlight • Lake

Minnewater (Lake of Love), Bruges

Recommended by 105 hikers out of 107

Save

Location: Brugge, Bruges, West Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

Save

See hikes here

Take Me There

Routes here

Best Hikes to Minnewater (Lake of Love), Bruges

4.7

(130)

871

hikers

1. Bruges Town Hall – Bonifacius Bridge loop from Bruges

8.90km

02:16

30m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

4.7

(100)

496

hikers

2. Old Civil Registry – Jan van Eyck Square loop from Brugge

15.5km

03:56

40m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

4.6

(33)

153

hikers

3. Bruges City Hall (Stadhuis van Brugge) – Bonifacius Bridge loop from Brugge

7.85km

02:00

20m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

Tips

JULIO TENDERO ROSELL

July 19, 2024

The Lake of Love is the old port of Bruges, it was a dock where foreign ships arriving in Bruges loaded with wool, wine and other imported products docked, and it existed at least since the 16th century.

Translated by Google •

Franky De Witte

June 14, 2025

The Minnewater in Bruges, also called the "lake of love", is an idyllic body of water on the edge of the historic city centre. The origin of the Minnewater has both a natural and a historical component:

1. Origin as a watercourse
The Minnewater is originally part of an old branch or widening of the Reie, the river that flows through Bruges. In the Middle Ages, this area was transformed into an artificial lake as part of a water management system. It was a kind of outer harbour or water reservoir where ships could moor and where goods were transhipped.

2. Function in the Middle Ages
In the 13th century, the Minnewater played an important role in the trade and shipping of Bruges. A lock was built to regulate the water level and to enable access to the city via the water. Bruges was an important trading city at the time, and waterways were crucial for the transport of goods.

3. Romantic name and legend
The name "Minnewater" is connected to the legend of Minna, a girl who was in love with a boy from a hostile tribe. According to the story, she fled a forced marriage, hid in the forest, and died of exhaustion. Her lover found her and buried her by the water, which has since been called "Minnewater" - the water of Minna or the water of love.

4. Current meaning
Today, the Minnewater is best known as a romantic spot with a picturesque view of the Minnewater Bridge, the Minnewater Park and the Beguinage. It is one of the most photographed places in Bruges.

Translated by Google •

🌸 Rianne & Joep 🐶

August 19, 2025

I was able to take such a beautiful photo here with swans and flowers

Translated by Google •

Details

Informations

Elevation 50 m

Weather

Today

Friday 28 November

10°C

8°C

0 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 18.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Brugge, Bruges, West Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Market Square and Belfry of Bruges

Jan van Eyck Square

Rozenhoedkaai

Basilica of the Holy Blood

Bonne-Chièremolen (Bruges)

Site Oud Sint-Jan

Kartuizerinnenstraat Memorial Arch

Sint-Janskaai, Bruges

Gentpoort

Standbeeld Pieter de Coninck en Jan Breydel

Gemene Weidebeek

Tolhuis (Customs House) Bruges

Minnewater (Lake of Love), Bruges

1. Bruges Town Hall – Bonifacius Bridge loop from Bruges

2. Old Civil Registry – Jan van Eyck Square loop from Brugge

3. Bruges City Hall (Stadhuis van Brugge) – Bonifacius Bridge loop from Brugge

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️