Fast Facts

American Express-- There is no office in Bruges. The nearest is in Brussels.

Area Code-- The telephone area code for Bruges is 050. You need to dial the 050 area code both from inside Bruges and from elsewhere in Belgium. Dial 50 (without the initial 0) if you are phoning Bruges from outside Belgium.

Business Hours-- Banks are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm and 2 to 4:30 or 5pm. Open hours for offices are Monday to Friday from 9 or 10am to 4 or 5pm. Most stores are open Monday to Saturday from 9 or 10am to 6 or 7pm; some stay open on Friday to 8 or 9pm.

Car Rental-- Driving is not a good way to see the city's attractions, but if you must rent a car, you'll find Avis at Koningin Astridlaan 97/7 (tel. 050/39-44-51), and Hertz at Baron Ruzettelaan 6 (tel. 050/37-72-34).

Currency Exchange-- The tourist office is a good place to change money and traveler's checks, as are banks. ATMs, identified by MISTER CASH and BANCONTACT signs, in the Markt and at numerous other points in the city center can be accessed by credit cards, bank cards, and charge cards linked to the Cirrus and PLUS networks.

Doctors-- For a doctor on weekend duty (Fri 8pm to Mon 8am), call tel. 050/36-40-10.

Emergencies-- For the police, dial tel. 101; for firefighters and ambulance, tel. 100.

Hospital-- For medical assistance, go to the Academisch Ziekenhuis Sint-Jan, Riddershove 10 (tel. 050/45-21-11).

Internet Access-- A centrally located choice is The Coffee Link, Mariastraat 38 (tel. 050/349973; www.thecoffeelink.com), in the medieval Oud Sint-Jan Hospital complex.

Language-- The local language in Bruges is Dutch (Flemish). Many residents of Bruges are fluent in English, and almost all speak at least some. Stores, restaurants, and hotels usually have at least one or two employees who are fluent in English. Although many residents can also speak French (the city gets many French-speaking visitors from elsewhere in Belgium and from across the nearby border in France), being proud Flemings they generally prefer that English-speaking visitors speak to them in English, instead of trying out their French on them, be it ever so fluent.

Newspapers & Magazines-- The Bulletin, Belgium's Brussels-based weekly magazine in English, also covers Bruges, though not in as much depth as it does the capital.

Pharmacies-- A pharmacy is called an apotheek in Dutch. Regular pharmacy hours are Monday to Saturday 9am to 6pm (some close earlier on Sat). Try the centrally located Soetaart Apotheek, Vlamingstraat 17 (tel. 050/33-25-95), just north of the Markt. All pharmacies have details of nearby all-night and Sunday pharmacies posted on the door.

Police (Politie)-- In an emergency, call tel. 101. In nonurgent situations, go to the Central Police Station, Hauwerstraat 7 (tel. 050/44-88-44). Unlike in Brussels, the Bruges police are likely to be both professional and helpful to visitors with problems.

Post Office-- The main post office, Markt 5 (tel. 050/33-14-11), is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm and Saturday from 9am to 3pm.

Restrooms-- Should you have a toilet emergency in the center of Bruges (sorry, I can't help you if you stray from the center), the very best address to find relief is at the Crown Plaza Brugge Hotel in the square called the Burg. There are also decent public restrooms on the west side of the small lake called the Minnewater, close to the Begijnhof.

Safety-- Crime is not much of a problem in Bruges. The city is safe and there are no areas you need to fear going into. That said, since it's a big tourist center, it can't hurt to take routine precautions against pickpocketing and other types of theft.

Transit Info-- For information regarding tram, bus, and Métro service, call tel. 070/22-02-00.