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Bruges Culture & history

Our most recommended Bruges Culture & history

Bruges: Choco-Story Chocolate Museum Tour

1. Bruges: Choco-Story Chocolate Museum Tour

Cocoa has been tickling taste buds for centuries, from the spicy drink in the Maya and Aztec civilizations to the popular sweet chocolate milk in Europe. With more than three people out of four loving chocolate, it’s hardly surprising that there is an enormous fascination for this exquisite treat. This tour aims to bring to life the 4,000-year-old history of chocolate in words, pictures, and flavors. The museum submerges you in the exciting world of chocolate, taking you on a journey of the senses through time. Young or old, passionate chocoholic or simply just interested, the Chocolate Museum will stimulate your fascination. The museum is composed of three parts, telling the story of the origin and evolution of chocolate through a unique collection of almost a thousand objects. Besides the history, the museum also reveals how chocolate is made, with special attention for the variety of raw ingredients and the development of the production process. In the demonstration center you will uncover the secret of beautiful silky chocolate, getting the opportunity to taste the chocolate products made in the museum.

From Bruges: Great War Flanders Fields Minibus Tour w/Lunch

2. From Bruges: Great War Flanders Fields Minibus Tour w/Lunch

Enjoy a trip of historical discovery on this full-day minibus tour that takes you through West Flanders, from Bruges to the Belgian town of Ypres. The city, nicknamed Wipers, was rebuilt according to a medieval blueprint after being completely razed to the ground in the early 1900s. It was also here that the Germans invaded Belgium during World War I; a strategic move to attack France from the north. You will see the remaining artifacts and places of the city as you discover restored trenches, stroll among war graves in Passchendale and Polygon Wood, clamber over craters and bunkers on the preserved battlefield, and visit key war memorials.  Behold the impressive sight of the imposing Menin Gate Memorial to the missing soldiers, complete with 55,000 names, erected on the spot where the soldiers left the city for the battlefront. As your day continues you will also see the iconic poppy fields of Flanders as you ride through the countryside in an air-conditioned mini coach, perfect for relaxing and taking in the picturesque scenery. It is possible to visit an ancestor's grave if requested ahead, and it is also possible to extend the tour for the Last Post Ceremony under the Menin Gate Memorial with transport back to your hotel in Bruges.  This must be requested in advance as well and will incur a fee of €20 to be paid on the day of the tour.

From Brussels: Bruges and Ghent in a Day Guided Tour

3. From Brussels: Bruges and Ghent in a Day Guided Tour

Meet your guide in the center of Brussels and relax on the 100-kilometer journey to Bruges. Upon arrival, discover the charms of “the Venice of the North” and see why the entire historic center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Marvel at highlights such as the Lake of Love (Minnewater Lake) and the 13th-century Begijnhof complex, founded in 1245 to house lay religious women. Go to Walplein Square, where the shady trees and cafes provide a perfect place to relax. Visit Stoofstraat on the site of the city's former Red Light District, and see medieval monuments such as the 11th-century Old St. John’s Hospital. Look at the world's second tallest brickwork tower at the Church of Our Lady, and see other historic monuments such as Gruuthuse Palace, the Dijver Canal and the tiny piazza of Tanners Square (Huidenvettersplein). Go to one of the city's most photographed spots at Rozenhoedkaai, and admire the Belfry on Castle Square. Admire the facades of the Gothic-style Town Hall and the 12th-century Basilica of the Holy Blood. Visit Market Square (Grote Markt) to see the Bell Tower (Belfort) and Sint-Salvator’s Cathedral. Then enjoy 1-hour's free time for lunch (at your own expense) and the chance to sample some of the city's delicious chocolates.  Next, drive to Ghent, where the inhabitants have been popularly known as "noose-bearers“ since the days of Charles V. Take a guided tour of the city's historic buildings, such as the Castle of Gerald the Devil and Saint Bavo Cathedral, where you can look at the painting “The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb” by the Van Eyck brothers. Admire the Belfort (Bell Tower) and peculiar Gothic and Renaissance-style Town Hall. See one of the city's oldest monuments at St. Nicholas’ Church opposite the unusual facade of the Masons’ Guild House. Journey along the embankments of the medieval port of Graslei, and discover other highlights such as the majestic Castle of the Counts of Flanders, the charming Patershol neighborhood, the Great Butchers’ Hall, the Old Fish Market, and Friday Market Square.

From Paris: Day Trip to Bruges with Seasonal Canal Cruise

4. From Paris: Day Trip to Bruges with Seasonal Canal Cruise

Escape Paris for the day and cross the border to the capital of the West Flanders region of Flemish Belgium. The full-day tour, with round-trip transfers from central Paris, will take you to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bruges, sometimes referred to as the “Venice of the North.” Enjoy a guided walk of the historically rich center, admiring the gothic-style City Hall, the ornate Renaissance architecture of the Place du Bourg, and the 12th-century Basilique du Saint-Sang (Basilica of the Holy Blood), among other attractions. Free time will be allocated for lunch at a local restaurant, where you can enjoy Belgian specialties, such as traditional moules frites (mussels and French fries) and an extensive selection of Belgian beers. A visit to the Groeningemuseum, home to Flemish master painters, such as van Eyck and Hieronymous Bosch is a popular way to spend an afternoon in Bruges. Alternatively, shop for handmade lace and Belgian chocolates in the city’s boutique stores. During the summer season, choose the guided option to enjoy a boat cruise along some of the most famous canals of Bruges, built as far back as the 12th century.

Bruges: Chocolate Making Workshop and Chocolate Museum Entry

5. Bruges: Chocolate Making Workshop and Chocolate Museum Entry

Immerse yourself in Belgium's rich chocolate-making traditions with this interactive workshop.  Under the guidance of an expert chocolatier, learn how to make chocolate lollipops and mendiants, a traditional French confection. At the end of the lesson, savor the rewards of your efforts, or feel free to take your chocolates home with you. Finish your workshop with a self-guided visit to the chocolate museum. Inside, admire a wide range of interactive exhibitions which will bring to life the 4000-year-old history of chocolate in words, pictures, and flavors. Admire a private collection of artifacts with over 1000 objects housed in the museum.

Bruges: Private Historical Highlights Walking Tour

6. Bruges: Private Historical Highlights Walking Tour

Travel back in time to the golden days of medieval Bruges on this private walking tour through the historical heart of the city. Your guide will share stories of love, glory, and fortune, as well as tales of intrigue, war, and conflict. After meeting your guide on the main square of Bruges, walk through the medieval heart of the city that includes all the must-visit spots. The highlights include the Market Square, the Church of Our Lady, St. John's Hospital, the Gruuthuse Palace, the Minnewater (Lake of Love), the Beguinage, Half Moon Brewery, Fish Market, Burg Square, and many more. Make a stop at the Rosary Quay (Rozenhoedkaai), the most photographed spot in town, where you can take your own snapshots of this memorable spot. As you explore highlights and hidden gems, you’ll get the perfect mix of history, funny stories, legends, and facts — everything you need to make your experience of Bruges authentic and exciting. By the end of the tour, you'll know more than a local and you'll have a better idea of where to go and what to do during your time in Bruges. As an added perk, you'll receive a booklet with discounts and gifts at local restaurants, museums, and shops.

From Amsterdam: Day Trip to Bruges in Spanish or English

7. From Amsterdam: Day Trip to Bruges in Spanish or English

From Amsterdam you will go to Bruges by bus. During the tour you will have an introduction to the history of Belgium and cities near the route like Utrecht and Breda, both connected with Spanish history. This journey takes approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes.  The city of Bruges was declared a World Heritage City in 2000 and is also known as the Venice of the North. Enjoy a guided tour and visit the most attractive and interesting places of this city. Begin at the Minnewater or Lake of Love. During the tour, see important places of the city such as the Markt Square dominated by the Belfry, the Brug Square and Town Hall, the Church of Our Lady where you can appreciate one of Michelangelo's masterpieces "The Madonna of Bruges," among others. At the end of the guided tour, the guide will indicate a collection point and time to return to the bus, after free time in the city. Have free time to eat, take a walk, or go shopping. Later, you will return to the starting point of this excursion, the Dutch capital of Amsterdam.

Bruges: The Beer Experience Museum Entry with Audio Guide

8. Bruges: The Beer Experience Museum Entry with Audio Guide

Visit Bruges' Beer Experience Museum to find out about the history and heritage of Belgian beer. Go through the interactive exhibition with an audio guide on an iPad Mini, make use of the special tour for kids, and finish with an optional beer tasting onsite. Use all your senses in the interactive exhibition at the Beer Experience, the beer museum located in Bruges' beautiful Old Town. Use the iPad Mini provided to learn about topics like Trappist and abbey beers, the brewing process, the history of women and beer, food pairing, and much more. Children up to age 12 can enjoy the Kids Tour, which centers around the exciting story of the Bruges bear. At the end of your tour, opt for a beer tasting for an extra €6. The onsite restaurant also offers snacks like cheese, sausages, crackers, paté, and chocolates.

Bruges Historium: Immersive medieval experience

9. Bruges Historium: Immersive medieval experience

Travel back in time to the Middle Ages! The Historium – Bruges’ most visited attraction – lets you step back in time. See how lively Bruges was during the Golden Age in various ways. In the Historium Story, follow the love story of Jacob, Jan van Eyck’s apprentice, as you wander through this spectacular attraction with film, backdrops and special effects. In the interactive Historium Exhibition, find additional information about Mediaeval Bruges or you can get started on the wacky Family Trail.

Bruges: Historium Bruges Story and VR Ticket

10. Bruges: Historium Bruges Story and VR Ticket

Travel back in time to the Middle Ages! The Historium – Bruges’ most visited attraction – lets you step back in time. Get a glimpse of how lively Bruges was during the Golden Age in various ways. In the Historium Story you'll follow the love story of Jacob, Jan van Eyck’s apprentice, as you wander through this spectacular attraction with film, backdrops and special effects. In the interactive Historium Exhibition you will find additional information about Mediaeval Bruges or you can get started on the wacky Family Trail. Time travel back to the year 1435 in the Historium Virtual Reality and sail virtually into the port of Bruges! You will see how the Waterhalle and Belfort tower looked in the past and can fly over the Market Square to the former St. Donatian’s Cathedral. It is a truly exhilarating experience.

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The best day trips and excursions from Bruges are:

Ypres

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What people are saying about Bruges

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 1,281 reviews

We booked this tour very last minute since we realized the main attractions in Brussels don’t take much time to see and most museums were closed on Mondays. It was easy to find the meeting location and we left on time. Everything was organized very well and instructions were given on the bus. We did the tour in Spanish and it was packed. About 50 people per bus but split into two groups. My partner and I sat separately on the bus because we were the last ones to get on so I recommend getting on the bus early. We got on last because we were eating and couldn’t bring it brought on the bus. Our tour guide, Diego, was awesome! He explained everything very well and super nice. I didn’t think it was too much walking but the streets are very uneven so definitely being comfortable shoes. It was worth the money especially since we got to explore two towns. The only thing I wish was different was spending more time in Bruges. Our lunchtime cut into the time to explore this town. We recommend!

This trip was excellent, Phillip was a great guide who clearly knew his stuff, and Johan was a truly fascinating character who put his heart and soul into his work, even producing a rifle that had only recently been dug up. We saw a number of fascinating sights and Phillip’s knowledge made them even more interesting. A poignant and outstanding day.

Worth every cent. Wonderful day and two fantastic places to visit. Shout out to Fabio who was our fantastic guide

A super well informed guide. And some really good tours in the 2 cities. A bit of a long day though.

very nice trip, didn't expect that much amusement in one day!