Best Bruges Shore Excursion - Small Group + Optional Canal Cruise
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
This small-group tour is designed for cruise passengers docking in Zeebrugge, with direct pickup at the port and a maximum of 24 guests per group. Travel by air-conditioned bus to Bruges and explore one of Europe’s most beautiful medieval cities with a local English-speaking guide. Walk through cobbled streets and see top sights like Market Square, the Belfry, Basilica of the Holy Blood, the Beguinage, and the Lake of Love. Choose to include a 30-minute canal cruise for a scenic ride past historic bridges and canals—or skip the cruise and enjoy more time in the city for shopping, snacking, or exploring on your own. After the guided visit and your free time, return to the ship with time to spare. This tour is timed around your cruise schedule and gives you the best of Bruges with a relaxed pace and clear structure—no stress, no rushing.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
This tour includes around 90 minutes of walking over cobblestone streets as the city center of Bruges is not accessible to buses
Please wear comfortable shoes
The pace is relaxed with regular stops, but this tour is not recommended for guests with mobility impairments or difficulty walking longer distances.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Embark on a unique shore excursion designed specifically for cruise passengers docking in Zeebrugge. Start your day with a warm welcome from an English-speaking guide and board a comfortable, air-conditioned bus for a relaxing ride to Bruges. This tour makes it easy to explore the city’s charm without the stress of planning or navigating on your own.
Upon arrival in Bruges, your guide will lead you on a scenic 20-minute walk to the city center. The route starts at Bargeplein and takes you through Minnewater Park, where you'll pause at the famous "Lake of Love," a romantic spot known for its serene waters, graceful swans, and peaceful atmosphere. The route is flat, but be sure to wear comfortable shoes. Please note, this tour is not suitable for guests with mobility impairments.
What‘s Included
Pick up and drop off at Zeebrugge Port
Round Trip Air-conditioned bus transfer between Zeebrugge Port and Bruges
30 minute Canal Cruise (if option is selected)
Guided Bruges walking tour with a local guide (City center of Bruges is not accessible to buses)
English Speaking Guide
Guaranteed return to ship on time
Full refund in case your ship cannot dock
Free time for shopping
Small-group tour: maximum 24 guests per guide
Food and drinks
30 minute Canal Cruise (if option is not selected)
(Optional)
Options
Shared Tour with Canal Cruise
Canal Cruise Included: This tour option includes a 30-minute canal cruise in Bruges.
Duration: The tour duration is 5-6 hours
Start at Zeebrugge: This tour starts and ends at the Zeebrugge cruise ship terminal and is designed for cruise ship passengers.
Private 4.5h incl. Canal Boat
Start and end Zeebrugge Port: This private tour picks up and drops off at the Zeebrugge Port.
Including Canal Boat Cruise: This option includes tickets for a breathtaking canal cruise in Bruges.
Private tour guide: Your private local tour guide will pick you up at the port, and together you will take a taxi or uber (included in the cost).
Duration: 4 hours
Private Time in Bruges: In Bruges, you will have approximately 3.5 hours with your tour guide. Afterwards we will organize your transfer back to ship
Transfers by Taxi / Uber: This option includes private transfers via taxi or uber from the port to Bruges and back which your guide will organize.
Flexible itinerary: Our guide will help you make the most of your time in Bruges, whether you want to shop, dine or sightsee!
Private 3.5h Tour to Bruges
Start and end Zeebrugge Port: This private tour picks up and drops off at the Zeebrugge Port.
Private tour guide: Your private local tour guide will pick you up at the port, and together you will take a taxi or Uber (included in the cost).
Private Time in Bruges: In Bruges, you will have approximately 2.5 hours with your tour guide. Afterwards we will organize your transfer back to ship
Duration: 3 hours
Transfers by Taxi / Uber: This option includes private transfers via taxi or Uber from the port to Bruges and back which your guide will organize.
Flexible itinerary: Our guide will help you make the most of your time in Bruges, whether you want to shop, dine, sightsee, or take a canal boat!
Private 4.5h Tour to Bruges
Start and end Zeebrugge Port: This private tour picks up and drops off at the Zeebrugge Port.
Private tour guide: Your private local tour guide will pick you up at the port, and together you will take a taxi or Uber (included in the cost).
Private tour guide: Your private local tour guide will pick you up at the port, and together you will take a taxi or Uber (included in the cost).
Duration: 4 hours: This tour takes you only to Bruges, not Ghent (which requires min 7 hours)
Only Bruges: In Bruges, you will have approximately 3.5 hours with your tour guide. Afterwards we will organize your transfer back to ship
Transfers by Taxi / Uber: This option includes private transfers via taxi or Uber from the port to Bruges and back which your guide will organize.
Flexible itinerary: Our guide will help you make the most of your time in Bruges, whether you want to shop, dine, sightsee or take a canal boat!
Reviews
62 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Ghent n Brugge walking tour
Lanie S,Sep 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00Unfortunately, the schedule was not followed. Although the guides were knowledgeable and friendly, they dragged their talks too long. We only have 20 mins in the Market Square in Brugge. The schedule stated 60 mins at the Basilica of Holy Blood, the guide just lo pointed the church to us. Meeting place to reconvene was not clear. We ended up waiting for others but they were already in the coach.
Great Bruges tour
682alicias,Sep 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful day with our guide Patrick. He kept the tour engaging with fun stories and information as well as treating us to some chocolate and beer! The canal tour is absolutely worth it—informative, fun, and one of the best ways to truly experience Bruges.
Best of Bruges!
Kate G,Sep 14, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our cruise arrived to port late--but no worries!! The tour company tracked our arrival, and was in pre-emptive communication with us about pick up and itinerary adjustments. Extremely proactive communication, and we knew exactly what to expect. We had a group of 12 (yes 12) and our tour guide, Wilm, might be one of my favorite ever. He is clearly passionate about the history of Bruges, and took us to all the points of interest. His commentary was knowledgeable and quite funny. We enjoyed his personality quite a bit. We wished we had had some additional time in Bruges to explore on our own, but since our cruise was late to port, we had to omit that part of the tour. I would highly recommend this tour.
Avoid this tour.
Debra A,Sep 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00Avoid this tour at least with the guides we were given. Poor direction, leadership over the group and no attention to the needs of the group. Difficult to understand. One bathroom break in the beginning and none later without attitude . Late morning departure and he complained the entire tour that’s why he needed to rush us. We were there on time Very grumpy guide. Easily irritated. The Guide were late to final meeting point. He told us to be there 15 minutes before his planned time to leave but he was late and other members were late or couldn’t keep up with his fast pace. He gave us a false rime to gather when he and the other guide were late. Leaving us no time to eat or shop. I’ve never had a Viator experience like this. Wished we would have just did our own tour without this guide. At the end the guide had no idea where our bus was wasting 20 plus minutes, the other guide finally found our bus did but they did not communicate. The guides finally loaded us on the bus and did not join us instead exited the bus not saying goodbye and leaving us with the driver who did not speak English. The guides left walking off with each other. Horrible experience. I would like my time in Bruges back which I cannot get and my money back!
Wonderful
soniabU1878UO,Sep 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very informative, worth what we pay, nice walking tour, they gave us a chocolate treat and Belgian beer, nice churches!
BAD
427br,Sep 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00Have been on MANY tours and this was a total waste of money. We were late leaving the port so had to literally almost run to catch up. Could not understand the guides English and his attitude was horrible. We were supposed to have 1 1/2 hr to eat and explore and had 20 minutes. Our guide was late to meeting point and had no idea where our bus was for the return to the ship which cost us another 30 minutes. Have used VIATOR many times. If this had been my first experience with VIATOR would never book with them again
Best Guide in Bruge
Catherine K,Sep 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Patrick was amazing. So much history to share and he was so knowledgeable and patient with questions. And the “surprise” treats of chocolate and beer were a great extra. Would recommend to anyone interested in the history as well as the shopping and food experiences.
The best of Bruges in Zeebrugge Belgium
PaulaW1669,Sep 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had a wonderful day with Patrick and Steve is the bus driver We learned all about the city and history How the language evolved Saw everything we were hoping to see great time
Bruges- a storybook town!
asa s,Sep 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00Get your walking/running shoes on. There is a lot to see, but, walking on cobblestones can be challenging to those with balance issues. We wished we had more than 30 minutes on the canal ride. There was so much more to explore, so plan to go back in the future. Don’t forget this is the place for beer and chocolate lovers
Informative Guide
Rita E,Sep 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great tour guide (Tom), Disappointed that the Madonna of Bruges wasn't included on the tour I chose. Canal ride spectacular!
From €275.00
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