Damme Belgium Visitors Guide - Damme Travel Essentials

Make Damme a hub for Visiting West Flanders

Damme is set on the Zwin river between Zeebrugge and Brugge; it is about four miles northeast of Bruges. The river and silt played a great role in the rise and fall of Damme between the years 1180 and today. A great explanation of the goings on is found in "The zwin from riches to rags to riches."

Damme as a traveler's port today

Damme has many pleasant outdoor cafes, as well as adequate restaurants and lodging. The walk along the canal is wonderful, and our pictures show some of the vistas along the canal walk, including an old windmill you can visit.

But, here's what I'd do the next visit. Use Damme as your hub, especially for visiting Brugge and vicinity. Here's the thing: most tourists want to see Brugge, and driving there isn't really so bad, but parking may be worse. But, for those of you who like the quiet of rural accommodation, I'd suggest you stay in Damme and take the boat from Damme into Brugge. Have the best of both worlds. You'll find plenty of parking in Damme.

Lamme Goedzak Schedule
The boat runs from April to the end of September.
Departs Damme: 9, 11, 13, 15, and 17:00
Departs Brugge: 10. 12. 14. 16, 18:00
Cost 6.50 Euros (2003 price)

Damme Architecture

The town hall remains as a token of the earlier economic strength of Damme. Built in 1464-68 by Gottfried de Bosschere, it is an excellent example of late Gothic architecture.

The most famous structure in town may be the Damme Church, Onze Lieve Vrouw, the tower of which is about three times taller that anything else in town. You can climb up and get fantastic views of the countryside.

St. John's Hospital, founded before 1249, has a museum inside with furniture, paintings, religious artifacts and household effects from centuries ago--worth seeing.

Damme Art

You'll see various sculptures around Damme. The artist is Charles Delporte, and he's big on heads (see our photo gallery below). He has a museum in Damme.

Damme Essentials

Bike Rental - Damme is a great place for a biking holiday.
Tijl en Nele
Jacob van Maerlantstraat 2,
in the center of Damme.
Telephone: 050/35.71.92
Fax: 050/372294
e-mail: tijl.nele@pandora.be
Website

Office for Tourism Damme, Huyse de Grote Sterre
Jacob van Maerlandtstraat 3, 8340 Damme
phone: (+32)050/28.86.10
opening hours: the whole year open in the week from 9 till 12 and from 2 -5pm. Stays open one hour later in the summer.
Open in the weekends from 2 pm till 5pm.
email: toerisme@damme.be

Damme Pictures

Enjoy our Damme Photo Gallery.