The Church of Our Lady is a Gothic church in Bruges, home to Michelangelo’s marble ‘Madonna and Child’ and the tombs of Charles the Bold and Mary of Burgundy. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical tips for planning your visit.
To secure entry to the museum, book tickets online.
This guide was updated in August 2026. The church’s own website clarifies that visiting the church itself is free; a ticket is only needed for the museum section housing Michelangelo’s sculpture and the royal tombs, a distinction easy to miss in other guides.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Mon–Sat 9:30am–5pm, Sun 1:30pm–5pm (varies on religious holidays; can change for weddings/funerals) |
| Ticket prices | Church free. Museum section: Standard €10, under-26 €9, under-18 €5, under-13 free. Combined with Gruuthusemuseum €19 |
| Address | Mariastraat, 8000 Bruges |
| Nearest transport | Bruges railway station, or bus stop “Brugge Olv Kerk” |
| Typical visit length | 30 to 45 minutes |
Church of Our Lady opening hours
The church and museum are generally open Monday to Saturday, 9:30am to 5pm, and Sunday, 1:30pm to 5pm.
Hours change on religious holidays: 24 and 31 December close at 4pm, 25 December and 1 January are closed entirely, Ascension Day is closed, and other Catholic holidays see reduced hours of 1:30pm to 5pm.
Weddings and funerals sometimes take place in the church, closing it to visitors at short notice; check the calendar on the church’s own webpage for the most current hours.
Church of Our Lady ticket prices
Visiting the church itself is free of charge.
A ticket is required only for the museum section, which includes Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child and the royal mausoleums: Standard tickets cost €10, under-26s pay €9, under-18s pay €5, and under-13s go free. Tickets can be bought online.
A combined ticket with the neighbouring Gruuthusemuseum costs €19, offering a discount over buying both separately.
Primary and secondary school groups are admitted free of charge.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in August 2026.
Why book the Musea Brugge Card?
- 🕒 72 Hours of Exploration: Enjoy three consecutive days of access to Bruges’ cultural treasures, giving you the flexibility to visit each site at your own pace from the moment of first activation.
- 🏛️ 11 Top Museums & Monuments: Gain entry to the city’s most iconic landmarks with a single pass, including the historic City Hall, the Gruuthuse Museum, and the atmospheric St. John’s Hospital.
- 🔔 The Iconic Belfry Tower: Challenge yourself to climb the 366 steps of the medieval Belfort for an unrivaled panoramic view over the “Venice of the North” and its winding canals.
- 🎨 Michelangelo & Flemish Primitives: See world-class art up close, including Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child at the Church of Our Lady and masterpieces by Jan van Eyck at the Groeninge Museum.
- 📲 Instant Digital Access: Skip the ticket lines at individual attractions by simply scanning your mobile voucher, making your journey through this UNESCO World Heritage city seamless and efficient.
How to get to the Church of Our Lady
The church is on Mariastraat, in central Bruges, close to the Gruuthusemuseum and the Groeninge Museum.
The nearest bus stop is Brugge Olv Kerk. Bruges railway station is the nearest train connection, a walk of about 15 to 20 minutes or a short bus ride away.
5 top experiences to book in Bruges
- 🏰 Discover the most beautiful spots in Bruges on a two hour walking tour.
- 🧇 At a waffle-making workshop, learn how to make Belgian waffles while sampling Belgiuan beers.
- 🍫 Taste the best local delicacies – including chocolates – on a gastronomic tour of Bruges.
- 🚲 On a combo tour, combine a history-packed guided walk with a canal cruise.
- 📷 Get a photography lesson while finding the best angles for pictures on a Bruges photo tour.
Parking near the Church of Our Lady
The nearest car park is Pandreitje, a short walk from the church.
How long to spend at the Church of Our Lady
Most visitors need 30 to 45 minutes to see the church and museum section together.
Allow extra time if combining your visit with the neighbouring Gruuthusemuseum using a combined ticket.
Accessibility at the Church of Our Lady
Access paths to the church are independently wheelchair accessible, though the entrance itself requires assistance due to a steep ramp, and some parts of the museum also require assistance via ramps.
Reserved parking for visitors with disabilities is available, along with resting points inside the museum and a tactile station and model for visitors with visual impairments.
There is no toilet available on site.
Inside the Church of Our Lady: what to see
At 115.5 metres, the church’s brick spire is the second-highest brick tower in the world, forming part of the Bruges skyline alongside the Belfry and St Saviour’s Cathedral.
The museum’s highlight is Michelangelo’s marble Madonna and Child, originally intended for Siena Cathedral before being purchased by the Bruges merchant family Moucron and shipped to the city.
The church chancel holds the mausoleums of Charles the Bold and his daughter Mary of Burgundy, alongside a passion triptych by court painter Bernard van Orley.
The church connects to the neighbouring Gruuthuse Palace via a private oratory in the chancel, a centuries-old link between the two buildings.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip |
|---|
| Remember the church itself is free; only the museum section with Michelangelo’s sculpture requires a ticket. |
| Check the church’s online calendar before visiting, since weddings and funerals can close it at short notice. |
| Buy the combined ticket with the Gruuthusemuseum if you plan to visit both, since it costs less than two separate tickets. |
| Use the toilet before arriving, since none is available on site. |
| Visit in the morning if travelling on a Sunday, since the church doesn’t open until 1:30pm that day. |
Frequently asked questions about the Church of Our Lady
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Church of Our Lady suitable for children? | Yes, and children under 13 are admitted free to the museum section. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | Not required for general entry, though it can help avoid queues in peak season. |
| Is the church open on Sundays? | Yes, though only from 1:30pm to 5pm, later than on other days. |
| Is there a toilet at the church? | No, there is no toilet available on site. |
| Is the church wheelchair accessible? | Mostly, though the entrance and some museum areas require assistance due to ramps. |
Things to do near the Church of Our Lady
The Belfry of Bruges, with its 366-step climb, stands a short walk away in the Markt square. The Gruuthusemuseum, connected historically to the church, is directly next door.
The Groeninge Museum, known for its collection of Flemish Primitive paintings, is a short walk away. Bruges’s canals and the Begijnhof (Beguinage) are within easy walking distance for a wider tour of the city.
Alternative attractions
St Saviour’s Cathedral, Bruges’s oldest parish church, offers a comparable Gothic interior a short walk away. The Basilica of the Holy Blood, on the Markt square, holds a venerated relic and its own historic chapel.
Ghent’s Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, a short train ride away, houses the Ghent Altarpiece by the Van Eyck brothers. Antwerp Cathedral, further afield, displays several major works by Peter Paul Rubens within a similarly grand Gothic setting.
More Belgium travel
Other Belgium travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Discovering the history of Belgian chocolate in Bruges.
- A practical guide to climbing the Bruges Belfry.
- What you need to know before visiting the Groeninge Museum in Bruges.
- Plan your visit to the Bruges Historium.
- Ghent attraction guides: The Ghent Belfry, Gravensteen, St Bavo’s Cathedral and Ghent’s Museum of Fine Art.
