Cycling: like neighbouring Holland, Belgium is particularly flat and therefore makes excellent cycling country. Bruges is certainly no exception. Given the relative small size of the city, bicycles make an excellent way to get around and remain a preferred mode of transport for the locals.

Those that are a little more ambitious can take two wheels outside the city into the scenic countryside. Bikes can be hired at a number of tour companies who can also take travellers on guided cycling tours around Bruges and the surrounding countryside.

Beer tasting: it might not be a very original excuse for trying out Bruges’s many beers, but beer tasting is definitely a popular past-time among locals and visitors alike here. Bars including De Garre and t Brugs Bertje on Kamelsraat offer hundreds of varieties of Belgian beer, both bottled and draught, some of which are even home brewed.

Before hitting the bars, take a tour around the De Halve Maan Brewery for a close look at Belgian brewing at its best. Those in Bruges in October can head to nearby Diksmuide for an Oktoberfest to remember.

Shopping: given its status as a specialist delicatessen, Bruges has become extremely popular as a destination for shoppers seeking out the best lace and chocolate, with many also seeking out the more unusual beers available to buy. Specialty shops can be more expensive than the city’s many supermarkets, but offer the finest quality.

Bird watching: the rural areas surrounding Bruges and the coastline are teeming with birdlife that will excite birdwatchers. The natural reserve near the border with Holland at Zwin is one of the few places in the country where white storks can be seen in their natural habitat.