Bruges is a beautiful Belgium city best seen from the water – here are three affordable boat tours of the Bruges Canal.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
Belgium is one of Europe’s best kept secrets. The small country is packed full of interesting towns and cities, as well as little medieval villages, amazing breweries and excellent fries. The most beautiful place to visit in Belgium is arguably Bruges, a pretty medieval city that is known for its incredible architecture, chocolate and, this being Belgium, amazing places to buy strong beer. But before all that – the first thing to do in Bruges is take a boat down the canals, which for centuries were the veins of the city. Winding around these waterways in a boat is the perfect way to get in sync with this laid-back city.
Bruges: Small Group Boat Cruise and Guided Walking Tour
This is a really chilled combination of walking and boat tour and the perfect experience to start your holiday in Bruges. You meet the guide on the Market square in the heart of the city for an overview of the local history, with some great stories thrown in. Having marvelled at the 12th-century basilica, and the golden statues on the impressive courthouse, you’ll board a boat at the quay for a cruise along the canals. At a serene pace you’ll get to take in the ivy-covered facades and cruise under beautiful bridges as the captain explains the iconic landmarks. At the end of the tour you can try some traditional Bruges artisanal chocolate – it’s just 2.5 hours in length but you’ll see a lot of what Bruges has to offer. From €44.
Book at Getyourguide.com
Bruges: Guided Walking Tour and Canal Boat Trip
This is another 2.5 hours tour that takes in a lot of Bruges in a short time. There is a city tour before the boat ride, taking in the Lake of Love, the Begijnhof (founded in 1245), Walplein Square, the Stoofstraat, Old St. John’s Hospital, the Church of Our Lady, Gruuthuse Palace, the Djiver Canal, Rozenhoedkaai, Tanners Square (Huidenvettersplein), the Burg Square with its Gothic Town Hall, the Basilica of the Holy Blood and the Market Square (Grote Markt) with the Belfort. Then it’s off for a half-hour tour of the canals providing a totally different perspective of this unique city. The tour guide is also on hand to give advice on anything from beer to a great place to eat too. From €34.
Book at Getyourguide.com
Experience the best of Bruges on a Private Tour with Boat Ride with a local
For something a bit more unique a private tour is always worth considering. What makes this tour that little bit special is that it can be customised to take in what you want to see – useful also if you have seen some of Bruges before. It starts by meeting the knowledgeable guide at the Historium Bruges for a gentle stroll through the old town to learn about the city’s history, passing landmarks such as St Bonifacius Bridge and Belfort. Then it is time to hit the water with a scenic boat tour past some of the most romantic corners of the city. For a private tour it’s good value too. From €140.00.
Book at Viator.com