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Steeped in macabre medieval history, Bruges is renowned for its impeccable art, world-class chocolatiers and bountiful breweries

Beautiful medieval architecture, grand cobbled squares and a network of atmospheric canals, the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bruges is stacked with charm and offers some incredible places to stay. It's also an excellent spot for a Christmas market trip and we've rounded up the best Bruges hotels for a mini-break of two days or more during the most wonderful time of year.

Once a stop on the Grand Tour, art lovers still flock to the Groeningemuseum, which is packed to the rafters with the Flemish Masters, including Madonna with Canon Joris Van der Paele by Jan van Eyck, the Last Judgement by Hieronymus Bosch and the Moreel Triptych by Hans Memling.

Climb the 366 steps of the Belfry Tower for magnificent views over the city or visit the museum of Sint-Janshospitaal, which displays the original wards from the Middle Ages, a medieval pharmacy and art by Hans Memling. Don't miss a peek into Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk, the Church of Our Lady, which has Michelangelo's 15th-century sculpture of Madonna and Child.

Whether you're looking for a unique hotel in Bruges, a city-centre stay or a luxurious boutique hotel, there's a perfect base for your city break.

From the medieval Guesthouse Nuit Blanche, which is straight out of a Van Eyck painting, to Hotel Dukes' Palace, a turreted five-star hotel moments from the Markt, we've found the very best Bruges hotels for you to book.

Overlooking the canal and Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk, this rather gothic, medieval guesthouse is one of the most atmospheric places to stay in Bruges. Awash with flagstone floors, leaded windows and a sea of wood panelling and exposed beams, Guesthouse Nuit Blanche is the living embodiment of a Van Eyck painting. Counting Winston Churchill and Belgian royalty as former guests, it's now the home and studio of artist, David De Graef.

The two rooms, Pasionaria and Lune de Miel, are authentically styled with tiny leaded windows, huge stone fireplaces and vast carved wooden beds, while Pasionaria has a dramatic vaulted wooden ceiling. The bathrooms are thankfully modern, and while there are no TVs, each room has a complimentary minibar. The three-course breakfast is a work of art and served overlooking the canal.

Overlooking the canal in the Sint-Anna district, Hotel Van Cleef is a charming and historic base for a weekend exploring Bruges. It's moments from Adornesdomein, the city's medieval estate most famous for the 15th-century Jeruzalemkerk, which features an altar made from skulls. It's also a five-minute walk from the cafes and bars surrounding the Markt. Once the home of the medieval Van Cleef family, this boutique hotel has been transformed into a super-stylish bolthole by interior designer Pascale Vanhaecke-Marcantuoni and mixes old-school Bruges with colour and style.

The 16 rooms are a real treat. Many have exposed beams and canal views, while all have Missoni fabrics and marble bathrooms with whirlpool tubs. Breakfast is served in the leafy Green Room, which has a botanical vibe, while cocktails and afternoon tea can be found in the St Petersburg Bar or on the terrace facing the canal.

Moments from the Markt, Bruges' historic main square, the canals and Groeningemuseum, this fancy five-star hotel in a former convent is just the ticket for a luxury weekend away. Built on the site of the Prinsenhof, the 15th-century residence of The Duchy of Burgundy, the palatial Hotel Dukes' Palace, with a fairytale turret is as grand as it is welcoming.

The rooms have plenty of rich fabrics, neutral tones and Belgian artworks. Upgrade to a suite for authentic hints including beamed ceilings, stained glass windows and covetable antiques. After a day of exploring Bruges, relax in the spa which offers a salt wall, steam rooms and treatments. The restaurant opens up to a garden terrace in the summer and serves a top-notch Belgian-French menu.

If it's character and unique charm you're after, look no further than Guesthouse Bonifacius, an authentic and intimate B&B which offers the service and luxury of a five-star hotel. Named after the nearby Bonifacius Bridge, this medieval house sits right on the canal as it has done since the 16th century. It's close to Bruges' best museums, including the Groeningemuseum, where you'll find works from all the Flemish and Belgian greats from Jan van Eyck to Hieronymus Bosch.

There are just three rooms, all beautifully styled blending the modern tones and fabrics of Ralph Lauren with Belgian antiques and exposed beams. Such exclusivity means all guests are guaranteed a highly personal service from the host, Lyne.

Moments from the Markt and the Burg, the city's two main squares, and with magnificent views of the canals, this elegant boutique hotel is a central base for your weekend in Bruges. Spread across four tall and narrow medieval houses – movie lovers might recognise Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce from the 2008 film, In Bruges – behind its ancient wood-panelled facade it hides a wealth of 20th-century art, including works by Matisse, Klimt and Chagall.

The 16 rooms have a real traditional old-school vibe; think oak beams, old-fashioned lighting and marble bathrooms. Upgraded rooms are more spacious and feature antique furnishings and curios. Breakfast is a real treat and served overlooking the canal.

The joy of spending a weekend away in Bruges is that almost every hotel is as glamorous, characterful and welcoming as the next. Tucked away in a quiet street behind the canal, this 18th-century carriage house-turned boutique hotel is a rather romantic place to stay. The Pand has stacks of character, from the leather Chesterfields, the glittering chandeliers to the pile of vintage Louis Vuitton suitcases. There's a small courtyard garden and an elegant drawing room with open fireplace and ornate cornicing.

The 26 rooms and suites are equally as inviting and ranked from Charming to Master Suite, all swathed in Ralph Lauren's finest decor. Breakfast is a real occasion and should be missed, not least for the champagne on offer.

Cobbled squares, medieval half-timbered houses and atmospheric canals, Bruges is one of the most romantic cities in Europe. From the moment you step through the glass canopied entrance to the Hotel de Orangerie, you know that your weekend is in safe hands. Moments from the Markt and Groeningemuseum, this luxury pad housed in a 15th-century Carthusian convent has a covetable terrace overlooking the Den Dijver canal, which is perfect for afternoon tea or an aperitif before choosing a nearby bistro for dinner.

There are 24 rooms, all delightfully and individually decorated with rich fabrics, colourful patterned wall coverings and a smattering of antique furnishings. Upgraded rooms also have canal views. Breakfast is served in the oak-panelled dining room, and there's also a cosy salon for nightcaps.

Set away from the hustle and bustle of central Bruges, this charming family-run hotel in the quieter Sint-Anna district offers a warm welcome and genuinely friendly service, not unlike visiting an old family friend. Moments from Jeruzalemkerk, the 15th-century church which famously has a skull-encrusted altar, the Folklore Museum and the Lace Centre, Hotel Adornes overlooks the canal and offers a herd of free bicycles for guests to explore the city.

Behind the trio of step-gabled facades, the hotel, which dates back to 1650, is simply brimming with charm and keeps much of its historic features, including exposed oak beams, stone fireplaces and ancient tapestries. The 20 rooms are simple but comfortable and have original features like bare oak rafters. Breakfast is served in the dining room, which is warmed in winter by a vast stone open fire.

For the keen gourmand, a weekend in Bruges is simply not long enough to sample all of the city's acclaimed fine dining restaurants. Venture over to Langestraat Quarter, just north of the main square, and you're guaranteed to find some of the best as it has the highest concentrations of Michelin-starred restaurants in the country. It's also home to the Flanders Hotel, a contemporary boutique hotel which offers something a little different to the usual heritage properties Bruges is famous for.

The 50 rooms have a nice and contemporary vibe; think clean lines, wooden flooring and flashes of bright colour; some have carved wood feature walls. After a day of exploring, relax with a beer in Barazar, the hotel's popular bar, or take a dip in the small indoor pool.

Moments from the most atmospheric canals in Bruges, this glorious 16th-century guesthouse on Eekhoutstraat is like stepping back into time and makes the perfect base for enjoying Bruges' art scene. B&B Maison le Dragon is a short walk from the Groeningemuseum, home of all the Flemish Masters, and the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk, which features the sculpture of Michelangelo's Madonna and Child. Behind the typically Bruges, step-gabled facade, the rooms are filled with fine art, ornate frescoes and antiques, this exceptional guesthouse even has its own beer, Maison le Dragon.

The four suites are a delight. All spacious with wood-panelled walls, lounge areas and, of course, a smattering of covetable antiques and objet d'art; some have four-poster beds and whirlpool tubs. An abundant breakfast is included and served, rather grandly, in the Louis XVI-style breakfast room.