Private Bruges Shore Trip with Opt. Canal Cruise from Zeebrugge
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
This half-day Bruges shore excursion is designed to help cruisers experience the highlights of Bruges in the most efficient way. It combines a guided walking tour, free time to explore on your own, and the option to include a canal cruise. It is a private tour, meaning only your group will participate.
After pickup at Zeebrugge cruise port, enjoy a comfortable 30-minute transfer to the medieval city of Bruges. Upon arrival, meet your professional English-speaking local guide and begin a walking tour through Bruges’s cobbled streets, canals, and historic landmarks, including Market Square, Burg Square, and the Belfry Tower.
After the guided tour, enjoy free time to explore Bruges independently. You may also choose to include an optional canal cruise through the city’s picturesque canals.
At the end of your time in Bruges, return comfortably to Zeebrugge port, well before your ship’s departure.
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
As this is a private tour, the route and stops can be adjusted to the guests’ needs. Please let us know if you have any mobility considerations
This activity is conducted privately, with participation limited to your group only.
Bruges’s historic city center is largely pedestrian-only and can therefore only be explored on foot.
Upon arrival in Bruges, the tour is conducted entirely on foot. The walking route is mostly flat but includes cobblestone streets, so comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended.
This tour includes an approximately 120-minute guided walking tour, followed by around 1hour of free time or the option to join a canal boat ride, all conducted on foot.
What To Expect
You will be greeted directly at Zeebrugge cruise port shortly after your ship docks and shown to your private vehicle with a professional driver. From there, you will enjoy a comfortable drive to the medieval city of Bruges (approximately 30 minutes).
Upon arrival in Bruges, you will meet your professional English-speaking local guide near the historic city center to begin your walking tour. Starting at Bargeplein, the route takes you through the beautiful Minnewater Park, where you will pause at the famous “Lake of Love,” one of Bruges’s most romantic spots. Continue past the historic Begijnhof Bridge (Begijnhofbrug), leading into the UNESCO-listed Beguinage, where you can stroll through the peaceful courtyard, admire the traditional whitewashed houses, and take photos of this serene medieval setting once home to a community of religious women. The walking route is mostly flat but includes cobblestone streets, so comfortable shoes are recommended. Please note that this tour is not suitable for guests with mobility challenges.
Options
Guide+Transfer(With Canal)
Start and end Zeebrugge Port: This private tour picks up and drops off at the Zeebrugge Port by a professional driver. Private tour guide: You will meet your private guide in Bruges, who will lead your walking tour through the historic city center. Private Tour in Bruges: You will enjoy a guided walking time, followed by free time or a canal ride. PickUp&Drop Off from port included Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes Canal Ride Included: This option incl a 30-min-canal ride (+~15min boarding time) at a pre-arranged time. Ride is shared with the general public. Transfers by Taxi: This option includes private transfers via taxi from the port to Bruges and back with a professional driver. Flexible itinerary: Your local guide will share interesting facts about Bruges and can give you recommendations for your free time.
PrivateGuide+Transfer(NoCanal)
Start and end Zeebrugge Port: This private tour picks up and drops off at the Zeebrugge Port by a professional driver. Private Vehicle: Your driver will pick you up at the cruise port and bring you back after the tour. You'lll meet your local guide in Bruges. Private tour guide: You will meet your private guide in Bruges, who will lead your walking tour through the historic city center. Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes: This option includes a guided walking tour in Bruges, and free time. It does not include a canal ride. Only Bruges: The Driver will pick you up & return you to the cruise port.Your guide will meet you in Bruges Downtown, follwed by free time Transfers by Taxi : This option includes private transfers via taxi from the port to Bruges and back with a professional driver. Flexible itinerary: Your local guide will share interesting facts about Bruges and can give you recommendations for your free time.
What‘s Included
Pick up and drop off at Zeebrugge Port
Private Round Trip transfer between Zeebrugge Port and Bruges
Fully customizable itinerary tailored to your preferences
30 minute Canal Cruise (if option is selected)
Free time for shopping ~60min
English Speaking Guide
Guaranteed return to ship on time
Full refund in case your ship cannot dock
Fully private tour/activity. Only your group will participate.
Guided Bruges walking tour with a local guide ~90min
Food and drinks
30 minute Canal Cruise (if option is not selected)
(Optional)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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!
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