Tourism puts pressure on a small city like Bruges. Here's how to reduce your impact without reducing your experience.

Bring a reusable water bottle. Bruges tap water is excellent — it comes from the Gavers water treatment plant and meets strict EU standards. Many restaurants will fill your bottle if you ask. Public fountains are available in several locations.

Walk or cycle everywhere. The centre is barely a kilometre across. There's no reason to use motorised transport within the old city. For longer distances, the city bus system is efficient.

Eat locally. The closer the food has travelled, the smaller its footprint. Belgian beef, North Sea fish, Flemish cheese, and seasonal vegetables from the surrounding polders are all available at the weekly markets and at restaurants that source locally.

Shop with purpose. Buy from independent shops rather than chains. Choose items you'll actually use — high-quality chocolate, a bottle of Belgian beer, local cheese — rather than plastic souvenirs that will end up in landfill.

Stay longer, move less. One week in Bruges is more sustainable than three weekend trips. You travel once, settle in, and explore deeply rather than superficially.

Accommodation: Some hotels and B&Bs have active sustainability programs — solar panels, rainwater collection, locally sourced breakfast. Ask about their practices when booking.

The biggest single thing you can do: arrive by train. Bruges station is a 10-minute walk from the centre, and the Belgian rail network connects to everywhere.