25 Castles near Bruges
Belgium is a country rich with castles. And you will also find castles in the area in and around Bruges. Bruges is the largest city of the province West Flanders. And the seventh-largest city in Belgium.
Due to its many canals, Bruges is sometimes named the Venice of the North. The historic city center of Bruges is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But you won’t just find beautiful buildings in Bruges.
The area in and around Bruges houses beautiful castles. Some of these you can visit. Others you can admire from the castle grounds or other public areas. This post list 25 beautiful castles near Bruges. At the end of the post you find a Map with the castles.
Castles in Bruges
Kasteel ten Berghe
Where: Bruges – Built: 1877 renovation/extenson – Style: Neo-Gothic
Castle ten Berghe is a Neo Gothic watercastle in Bruges. The castle is first mention in the 13th century, but in 1490 it burned down by th troops for Engelbrecht II of Nassau. In 1877 the castle was renovated and extended to it’s current design. The castle stands in an English landscape garden.
Castle ten Berghe visitor information: The castle is a bed & breakfast. And the castle can also be hired as event venue.
Address: Dudzeelse Steenweg 311, Brugge
Kasteel Rooigem
Where: Bruges – Built: 18th century – Style: Classical & Rococo
Rooigem Castle was once owned by the Bishops of Bruges, who used the castle as a country seat. In the 18th century Bishop Jan Robert Caïmo remodeled the castle to its present state. Surrounding the castle is and English landscapegarden designed in the 19th century.
Rooigem Castle visitor information: The (ecological) gardens surrounding the castle are open for visitors, visit the website.
Address: Rooigem 1, 8310 Brugge
Kasteel Beisbroek
Where: Bruges – Built: 1836
Beisbroek Castle is an early 19th century castle built by Edouard de Nieulant. The castle was inherited by his son-in-law who’s descendants lived in the castle until 1973. Today the castle is a nature center with a public observatory.
Beisbroek Castle visitor information: There are guided tours and exhibitions including stargazing. For actual opening times you can visit the website.
Address: Zeeweg 96, 8200 Brugge
Kasteel van Tillegem
Where: Bruges – Built: 14th and 19th century – Style: Neo-Gothic
Tillegem Castle in a Neo-Gothic castle on the edge of the city Bruges. The origins of the castle date back tot he 14th century. And remains of that structure can still be seen in the cellars of the castle.
The castle was owned by several nobel families. And in the late 19th century the castle was rebuilt in Neo-Gothic style. The castle is now owned by the Provence of West Flanders.
Tillegem Castle visitor information: The castle is not open to visitors, but the grounds can be visited.
Address: Tillegemstraat 81, 8200 Sint-Michiels
Kasteel Tudor
Where: Bruges – Built: 1904 – Style: Tudor
Tudor Castle is one of the last built castles in Belgium. The castle was built in 1904 in Tudor style. Surrounding the castle is a park, ornamental garden and herb garden.
Tudor Castle visitor information: The castle is currently not open to visitors. But the castle forest, gardens and beehall can be visited.
Address: Zeeweg 147, 8200 Brugge
Grafelijk Slot van Male
Where: Bruges – Built: 12th, 16th, 17th century and restored in 20th century – Style:
Male Castle was one the seat of the Counts of Flanders. It’s origins date back tot he 12th century. The archbischop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket, consecrated the chapel in 1166.
The castle was occupied by German troops in both World Wars which caused severe damage. But after the Wars the castle was restored. After the war the castle accommodated St. Trudo’s Abbey.
Male Castle visitor information: The castle is private property, but events are being held in summertime such as glamping and at bar. Visit the website.
Address: Pelderijnstraat 14, 8310 Brugge
Kasteel Zevekote
Where: Bruges – Built: 16th & 19th century – style: Medieval
Zevekote Castle is a late Medieval castle in Bruges with 19th century extensions. The castle is now situated in the middle of a residential area in Bruges.
Address: Bossuytlaan 35, 8310, Brugge
Kasteel ter Lucht
Where: Sint-Andries – Built: 16th century & 1885
Ter Lucht Castle dates back to 1577. In 1642 a new caste was built by Andries de la Costa. And in these years a chapel nearby was also built. The castle was owned by several nobel families (including ancestors of the current Queen Mathilde).
In 1885 the castle was extended by Auguste de Formanoir de la Cazerie, who’s family lived here until 1954. After that the castle became property of the Caloen de Basseghem family.
Address: Koestraat 16, Brugge
Castles around Bruges
Kasteel van Wijnendale
Where: Torhout – Built: 19th century
Wijnendale Castle is a watercastle close to Bruges. The origins of the castle date back to the 11th century. But the current castle was built in the 19th century, though there is also a15th century wing.
Since 1833 the castle has been owned by the Matthieu de Wynendaele family. At the beginning of the Second World War, Wijnendale Castle was the place of the last meeting between King Leopold III and 4 members of his government, before the Germans occupied Belgium.
Wijnendale Castle visitor information: Parts of the castle are now a museum. The museum shows you the history of the castle, the connection with King Leopold III, and the Counts of Flanders.
Address: Oostendestraat 39, 08820 Torhout
Kasteel van Loppem
Where: Zedelgem-Loppem – Built: 1858 – Style: Gothic Revival
Loppem Castle is a Gothic Revival castle in Zedelgem near Bruges. The castle was built in 1858 for Baron Charles van Caloen. Loppem Castle is designed by architects E.W. Pugin and Jean-Baptiste Bethune and it’s considered one of the finest Gothic Revival buildings in Belgium.
Both the architecture as well as the interiors of this Gothic Revival castle have been preserved. Including richly decorated interiors and a large art collection. Surrounding the castle is an Anglo-Chinese garden and an English Landscape-style park. On the grounds is also a maze which is open tot he public April-October.
During the First World War the castle was occupied by a German general. After the war King Albert I of Belgium briefly lived at the castle.
Loppem Castle visitor information: The castle is open to visitors March-November. In the winter months group visits can be arranged as well. For actual openng times visit the website.
Address: Steenbrugsestraat 26, 8210 Zedelgem-Loppem
Kasteel Ravenhof
Where: Stabroek – Built: 1810 & 1911 – Style: Louis XV
Ravenhof Castle is a castle in the midst of a large park in Louis XV style. The castle was built in 1810 by Philippe de Pret. In the early 20th century the two winds were built by the mayor of Stabroek.
In the 20th century many Catholic organizations housed in the castle. Today it’s the home of several social-cultural organizations.
Ravenhof Castle visitor information: The carriage house of the castle is now a restaurant, and the park is open to visitors as well.
Address: 2940 Stabroek
Kasteel van Moerkerke
Where: Moerkerke – Built: 16th, 18th & 20th century – Style: Neoclassical
Moerkerke Castle is a castle surrounded by water. The castle dates back to Medieval times. In the 16th and 18th century it was remodeled when it lost its military purpose. In the 20th century it was again remodeled.
Moerkerke Castle visitor information: The castle is used as event venue. Visit the website.
Address: Kasteelstraat 7, Moerkerke
Kasteel van Oostkerke
Where: Oostkerke – Built: 14th- 20th century – Style: Neo-Renaissance
Oostkerke Castle was the seat of the “Heren van Oostkerke”. The origins of the castle date back to Medieval times. And the remains of this Medieval castle was transformed into a large villa in the 19th and 20th century.
The gardens surrounding the castle were designed in the 20th century by the Dutch landscape architect Mien Ruys.
Oostkerke Castle visitor information: The castle is open during events and by guided tours.
Address: Spegelsweg 3, Oostkerke
Kasteel ten Torre
Where: Beernem – Built: 14th century foundation with 19th century castle – Style: Neo-Gothic
Just outside Bruges stands Ten Torre Castle. There has been a castle on this site since the 14th century. But in 1854 a new castle was built on the old castle foundations.
The castle is built as a water castle by Baron Hector Le Bailly de Tilleghem. In the late 19th century the castle was rebuilt in style of Viollet-le-Duc.
Castle ten Torre is now a guest accomondation with 8 bedrooms which houses up to 22 guests. Visit the website.
Address: Ten Torre 11, 8730 Oedelem
Kasteel d’Aertrycke Torhout
Where: Torhout – Built: 1868 – Style: Neo-Gothic
Castle De Mare d’Aertycke is a neo-Gothic castle in Torhout. The castle stands in the middle of a romantic garden with a large pond. The castle is now owned by the province of West Flanders. In the late 20th century the castle became a restaurant and hotel.
Address: Zeeweg 42, 8820 Torhout
Kasteel Gruuthuse
Were: Oostkamp – Built: 1890 – Style: Neo-Flemish Renaissance
Gruuthuse castle has a long nobel history. Since the Middle Ages a castle has stood on this site. The name comes from Lodewijk van Gruuthuuse who was a diplomat of the Counts of Burgundy. He used the castle as his country house in the 15th century.
Since the 17th century the d’Ursel family has lived on thee state. The current castle dates back to 1890 and was built in Neo-Flemish style.
Gruuthuse Castle visitor information: The castle is occassionally opened for group tours.
Address: Stationsstraat 196, 8020 Oostkamp
Kasteel Ryckevelde
Where: Sijsele – Built: 1913-1929 – Style: Neo Gothic
Ryckevelde Castle is a young castle near Bruges. The castle was built in the early 20th century by Baron Raphael Gilles de Pélichy. The Neo-Gothic castle stands on a large estate that includes a large garden and a 17th century manor house.
Ryckevelde Castle vistitor information: The castle is not open to the public, but you can walk the grounds.
Address: Holleweg 2. 8340 Sijsele
Kasteel ter Waere
Where: Gistel – Built: 19th & 20th century – Style: Neoclassicist/Neo-Rococo
Ter Waere Castle (or Château de la Waere) is a castle surrounded by parkland. Since the 17th century a castle has stood on this place. Due to several renovations the castle has now a Classical and Neo-Rococo architecture style. The castle has been in the Ronse family since 1861.
Ter Waere Castle visitor information: The castle is occassionally opened to the public (on monuments day).
Address: Brugsebaan 145, 8470 Gistel
Kasteel Drie Koningen
Where: Beemen – Built: 1802 – Style: Neoclassical
The Three Kings Castle was built in 1802 by Baron Franciscus de Serret van Outryve. The white castle is partly made with materials coming from the Sint-Donaas Cathedral in Bruges.
On the estate also lies the tombe of former mayor of Beernem Hubert van Outryve d’Ydewalle. He was arrested by German troops in the Second World War. He died in a prison in Germany. After the war his remains were transferred back to the castle.
The castle is still owned by the Outryve d’Ydewalle family.
Address: Drie Koningen 1, 8730 Beernem
Kasteel Pecsteen
Where: Oostkamp – Built: 1900 – Style: Neo-Renaissance
The origins of Pecsteen Castle date back to the early 18th century. In 1800 the estate came in the hands of the Pecsteen family from which it got its name. In 1815 the castle was extended with 3 towers. But betwen 1900 and 1906 the castle was rebuilt in Flemish Neo-Renaissance style. Surrounding the castle is an early 20th century park.
Address: Hillestraat 41, 8020 Oostkamp
Kasteel Altena
Where: Damme – Built: 19th & 20th century – Style: Neo-Rococo
Altena Castle is a castle-like manor house in Moerkerke. There has been a castle here since the 14th century. But in the 19th century a new castle was built by Emile de Thibault de Boesinghe-Frennelet.
During the First Wold War the castle was occupied by German troops. And after the war the castle burned down. In the 20th century the de Thibault de Boesinghe family built a new castle in neo-rococo style.
Altena Castle visitor information: The castle is not open for visitors.
Address: Westraat 14, Damme
Hoogveld
Where: Zedelgem – Built: 1861 – Style: Neoclassical
Hoogveld Castle is a 19th century castle. The castle has been owned by several nobel families including the mayor of Veldgem Raoul van Zuylen van Nyevelt. Since the 1980s the castle and other properties on thee state are used as youth accommondations.
Address: Hoogveld 4, 8210 Zedelgem
Kasteel Kevergem
Where: Oostkamp – Built 17th century – Sryle: Cottagestyle
Kevergem Castle is a 17th century castle which has been renovated in the 19th and 20th century. The castle was originally built as country house, but became a permanent resident for many nobel families of Belgium.
The castle is not open for visitors.
Address: Kevergemdreef 11, Oostkamp
Kasteel van Snellegem
Snellegem Castle (also known as De Boeverie) is a 19th century manor house just outside Bruges. The castle was built by the Gilles de Pélichy family as a second residence outside the city.
During both World Wars, the castle was occupied by the Germans. After the wars it stood empty until Paul de Grande bought the castle in 1975. He lived at the castle but also uses it as exhibition center for his art and antique. In 2021 the castle was put up for sale.
Address: Kasteeldreef 5, 8490 Jabbeke
Kasteel van Moere
Moere Castle (also known as Le Bon Séjour) is a late 19th century castle. During the First World War a canon was placed close to the castle which could fire all the way to Dunkitk and Ypres. In 1917 the castle was bombed. Afterwhich the castle got rebuilt. But disaster struck again when the castle burned down in 1937. Again the castle was rebuilt, though this time with one floor less.
Address: Beekstraat 4, Moere