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Belgium Full-Day Excursion: Explore Bruges and Ghent from Brussels

4.3

544 Ratings

Bruxelles

Discover the enchanting cities of Bruges and Ghent on a full-day excursion from Brussels. Enjoy hassle-free transfers and the expertise of a local guide, then explore these historic cities at your own pace.

Duration: 10 hours

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

Bargeplein (Katelijnparking) - Our bus will drop us off at Bargeplein. We will have 10 minutes here for a bathroom break. The guide will inform us when to return to the bus.
Minnewater - Our first stop is Minnewater, also known as the “Lake of Love.” With the picturesque lake as a backdrop, our guide will share the history of Bruges and a love story associated with the lake.
Begijnhof - Next, we visit the Begijnhof, founded in 1245, which preserves the history of an extraordinary group of women.
Chocolalino - At one of the few certified artisan chocolate shops, we will taste handmade chocolates. Our guide will also discuss the renowned Bruges chocolate and offer tips on distinguishing handmade chocolate from industrial varieties.
Walplein - In this charming square, our guide will recount the history of Bruges beer.
Stoofstraat - Here, our guide will show us how to identify original medieval houses.
Mariastraat 23 - You will have the opportunity to take beautiful photos from the small bridge.
Saint John’s Hospital - In front of Old St. John’s Hospital, our guide will explain the medieval health system of Bruges.
Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk - Located near Old St. John’s Hospital, we will see the Church of Our Lady. From the outside, our guide will share interesting facts about Michelangelo’s white marble sculpture of the Madonna and Child housed inside the church.
Gruuthusemuseum - In front of Gruuthuse, we will learn about the most famous and powerful family in Bruges during the 17th and 18th centuries.
St Bonifacius Bridge - At one of Bruges’ most enchanting spots, our guide will tell the intriguing legend of this bridge. You will also have time for photos.
Quai du Rosaire / Rozenhoedkaai - At Bruges’ most photographed location, our guide will share the history of the “Pier of the Roses.” You will also have the chance to take pictures.
Huidenvettersplein - Our next stop is Tanners Square, where we will learn about the tanners’ work in medieval Bruges.
Burg Square - This square features the Gothic Town Hall, the Old Court House, and the Basilica of the Holy Blood.
The Markt - The final stop of our Bruges tour is The Market Square or Grote Markt. Here, our guide will describe the various buildings around the square and offer tips on where to eat and shop for traditional chocolate. The guide will also remind you when and where to meet for the bus to Ghent.
Bruges - Free time: You will have about 1.5 hours of free time, depending on traffic and the group’s pace.
Bargeplein (Katelijnparking) - Our guide and bus will be waiting here. Time to continue our journey to Ghent.
Ghent - We arrive in Ghent, one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities. We will walk to the center to begin our guided tour.
Ghent Town Hall (Stadhuis) - Our tour starts in front of the Town Hall, where our guide will explain the building’s different architectural styles.
Belfry and Cloth Hall (Belfort en Lakenhalle) - Our guide will discuss this iconic tower and the history of its dragon.
St. Bavo’s Cathedral (Sint-Baafskathedraal) - You will explore the exterior and interior of Ghent’s Cathedral, home to the most stolen painting in history, “The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb” by the Van Eyck brothers.
Saint Nicholas Church - Did you know that Belgian churches host concerts and other events?
Masons’ Guild Hall - In front of the original facade of the Masons’ Guild House, our guide will explain guild houses and the uniqueness of this one.
Korenmarkt - In front of Saint Nicholas Church, we find the Korenmarkt. Here, the history of the building that once housed the post office will be explained.
Saint Michael’s Bridge - From this bridge, you can take stunning photos. Our guide will also share the story of Saint Michael’s Church tower.
Graslei and Korenlei - We will follow the Lys riverbank, learning about the buildings along the river, such as the Masons’ Guild House and the current Marriott Hotel. You will also have the chance to take photos.
OOOST - The Great Butchers’ Hall, dating back to the 15th century, was originally a covered market.
Kleine Vismarkt - In front of the Great Butchers’ Hall, we will stop at a traditional market stall where the vendor will tell us about Ghent’s famous candy, the cuberdon.
St. Veerleplein - The final stop of our guided tour is Sint-Veerleplein Square. Here, our guide will explain the square’s history and the surrounding buildings. The guide will also offer tips on where to drink traditional beer and buy souvenirs, and remind you when and where to meet for the bus back to Brussels.
Ghent - Free time: You will have about 1 hour of free time, depending on traffic and the group’s pace.

What's Included

Professional English-speaking guide
City tips
Guided walking tour in Ghent
Guided walking tour in Bruges
Round-trip with A/C

What's Not Included

Food and drinks
Headphones
Bruges has a tourist regulation and sometimes the service is provided using radios with headphones.
Customers can use their headphones, if they don’t have them, we offer headphones for only €1

Additional Information

Maximize your visit to Belgium with this comprehensive day trip to Bruges and Ghent from Brussels. Forget the hassle of public transportation; instead, enjoy convenient round-trip shuttle service and gain a deeper understanding from a local guide who can provide beneficial information you wouldn’t uncover by yourself. Then, freely discover the cities on your own time.

You will receive the confirmation at time of booking
Our guides have your best interests in mind; while the tour usually includes the sites & stories mentioned and lasts about 2.5 hours, your tour may vary depending on what your guide thinks is best for your group.
No meals are included but your guide will be happy to point you some great food spots :)
Groups over 24 pax must use headphones in Bruges, you can purchase them for 1€ a pair directly to our guides
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately

Location

Carrefour de l'Europe

In the Carrefour de l'Europe square under the columns of the main entrance of the train and metro station, in front of the Hilton Grand Place hotel. Our guides will be wearing ID of Buendia Tours.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

4.3

(544 Ratings)

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Jostyn_h

Jul 10, 2024

History lesson in Belgium - Diego was more than an excellent tour guide. He was a history professor explaining all the top sights. He also recommended the best places to get real Belgium chocolate and local food. An excellent trip for an excellent price.

Review provided by Viator

S8926gesheilas

Jul 7, 2024

A tale of two cities - A lovely trip to experience two similar yet also very different cities. Each place had it's own unique charm and quality. The old of Bruges city centre largely preserved so it felt like you are stepping back in time. Whereas Ghent has combined the delicate balance of the old and the new to be a beautiful and vibrant place.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Brenda_l

Jul 4, 2024

Mesmerizing! - I was amazed by the Beguinage story, I learned and enjoyed! I recommend you to take the boat trip too!

Review provided by Viator

442alcinac

Jul 4, 2024

Fantastic Summer Retreat - This was overall a scenic and engaging experience despite the unfortunate weather and poor traffic conditions. The tour guide was informative and helpful. aside from giving in-depth explanations of the historical background of the various attractions, he also recommended activities, restaurants, and shops we could visit in the free time allocated at each location. While we found the timing slightly rushed, as we only had limited time to explore the cities by ourselves, it was on the whole a pleasant experience.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Heewon_l

Jul 2, 2024

Great trip - Great day trip to Bruges & Ghent! I was a little worried about the max size being 45. However, it turned out that there were two guides and we were split up into two smaller groups. We all rode in one bus (good condition) together but at each city, we split into separate smaller groups. Juliana our guide gave a lot of great info. I liked both the guided tour and the free time they gave in each city to explore on our own.

Review provided by Viator

Gary_k

Jul 2, 2024

I had a great experience!... - I had a great experience! the visits went according to the schedule and with just enough self tour time.

Review provided by Viator

Curioustrotter

Jun 30, 2024

Bruges and Ghent day trip out of 2 day visit to Belgium is highly recommended. - The trip is very worth it, both Bruges and Ghent was amazing, spectacular architecture and lot of history. You get to explore, learn and also enjoy in optimal time. The guide Julian was very good, he explained the historical background of sites very well. He also gave lot of tips for best places to eat, drink and shop. I would highly recommend.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Hillary_m

Jun 30, 2024

Loved this one! Do not miss!! - Take this tour - do not hesitate!!! Our trip to Belgium would have been incomplete if we had not!! Our tour Marc (from Seville, Spain) was amazing! So knowledgeable and funny and simply a great guide!! He really made our day fantastic!! We absolutely loved everything about this tour! Highly recommend!!

Review provided by Viator

Daryl_m

Jul 10, 2024

Great day out - We loved our trip to Brugge and Ghent , our tour guide was very good , we had a large group and it was controlled well Very informative and interesting

Review provided by Viator

Fatimat_s