Historic Centre of Bruges (Historisch Centrum van Brugge) Tours and Activities

Bruges often tops the list of Europe’s most picturesque cities, and its Historic Center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, abounds with photo opportunities. A warren of cobbled lanes and scenic canals opens out onto grand medieval squares framed by colorful old buildings and dramatic Gothic facades.
The Basics
No sightseeing tour of Bruges is complete without a visit to Old Town landmarks such as Market Square, the Belfry of Bruges, and the Basilica of the Holy Blood. Join a walking tour to learn more about the city’s medieval history, take a leisurely cruise around the canals, or cycle around the city on a bike tour. Many visitors opt to explore Bruges on a day trip from Brussels, often combined with a stop in nearby Ghent. It’s also possible to visit on a day tour by train from Paris or London.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Many of Bruges’ museums are located in the Historic Center, including the Groeninge Museum, the Gruuthuse Museum, the Historium, and the Hospital of St. John.
- Bruges’ Tourist Information Center is located in Market Square in the Old Town.
- The best way to get around the Historic Center of Bruges is on foot, and most of the area is pedestrianized.
- Most of the attractions in the Old Town are wheelchair-accessible, but some of the narrow cobbled streets might be tricky to navigate.
How to Get There
The Historic Center is the heart of modern-day Bruges and impossible to miss—most hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions are located in or around the district. Most travelers arrive at the main train station, around 1.5 miles (2.5 kilometers) south of the Historic Center. Regular buses run to the center throughout the day (about a 20-minute journey), and taxis are available outside the station.
When to Get There
Bruges’ Historic Center is full of life at all hours of the day, and it’s worth returning in the evening to admire the illuminations and soak up the atmosphere of the city at night. The busiest time to visit is during the peak summer months (July and August), when the small center can get extremely crowded—for the best chance of unobstructed photos, visit top landmarks first thing or in the early evening after the day-trippers have left. Bruges is particularly magical over the festive season, when a giant Christmas Market and open-air ice rink take over the Historic Center; and at Easter, when the traditional Procession of the Holy Blood takes place.
Beer and Chocolate in Bruges’ Historic Center
Belgium is world renowned for its beer and chocolates, and the Historic Center is lined with bars, brewpubs, and chocolatiers. The Bruges Beer Experience is a must for beer lovers, and beer-tasting tours often include a stop at the 2BE Beer Wall or the De Halve Maan Brewery. Those with a sweet tooth can learn more about Belgium’s chocolate-making heritage at the Choco-Story Chocolate Museum, join a chocolate-tasting tour, or pick up some handmade chocolates at shops such as Dumon, Chocolate Line, and the Old Chocolate House.
Address: Brugge 8000, Belgium
8 Tours and Activities to Experience Historic Centre of Bruges (Historisch Centrum van Brugge)
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Evening Tour: The Dark Side of Bruges
91
Discover the fascinating history, myths and legends of Bruges on an evening walking tour with an expert local guide. Get off the beaten track and discover a side of Bruges most tourists never get to see. The tour takes about 1.5 hours and ends with a free beer in a local pub called the Bauhaus (only available during weekends)!
IMPORTANT NOTE: Our guides are volunteers who offer tours for tips. The fee only covers the cost of booking via this platform.
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From
$3.62
From
$3.62
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Bruges History & Heritage Walking Tour with Perfect Introduction
142
We are a guide collective, all passionate about history, stories, beers, chocolate and much more. And we can keep talking about it for hours.
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From
$3.72
per group
From
$3.72
per group

Private History Tour of Bruges - Customize Your Authentic Experience
2
The most passionate guides to be found in Bruges will take only you and your private group on a tour through the fascinating medieval city centre of Bruges. At the beginning of the tour we'll make sure to customise the experience so you'll get to see what's most interesting to you.
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From
$61.49
Price varies by group size
From
$61.49
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Photo Tour "Jan van Eyck"
2
We walk 2 h through the most picturesque parts of the city. On every spot I will show you the best point of view in every place and give you tips for super pictures. Learn some history and fun stories in a funny way.
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From
$49.69
From
$49.69

Visit Bruges, half day, departure in Bruges
9
Bruges is really the most enchanting city of Belgium. The entire city is protected by UNESCO as cultural heritage of humanity. Your guide will take you on a walking tour along the most beautiful sites of the city: the beguinage, the Church of our Lady with Michelangelo’s Madonna, the canals, the Belfry Tower on the Market Square, the Burg Square with the Town Hall and the Church of the Holy Blood… There will be time for an optional but unforgettable canal tour.
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From
$30.28
From
$30.28
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
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Withlocals Your Way: Bruges 100% Personalised Food Tour with a Local
Whether you're looking for the best sweets in Bruges, a beer tasting, the best waffles of the city, or any other food experience, your favorite local foodie has you covered!
This 100% personalised food tour is here to satisfy your Belgian cravings. Trust and believe, the local foodies have explored Bruges, discovering the city bite by bite and are ready to craft the food experience of your dreams. Feel free to get in touch with your favorite host; they know the best food hotspots.
Listen to your stomach and check out the food tour options the locals have created for you. Pick the tastings that meet your eye from the list below. If what you're looking for is not there, don't worry! Let your local host know, and they'll personalise the tour even more.
*Please keep in mind that this experience shows a base price that will change according to your requests and the personalised offer your local foodie creates for you.
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From
$118.69
Price varies by group size
From
$118.69
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Guides required to regularly wash hands
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Private Evening Tour: The Dark Side of Bruges
10
Avoid the crowds that fill Bruges' streets by day by embarking on a private nighttime walking tour. In the company of just your party and a guide, discover the intriguing histories hidden behind the city's ancient walls and top off your evening with an included beer at the Bauhaus bar.
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From
$93.17
Price varies by group size
From
$93.17
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More

Bruges Night Package: Evening Tour & Beer Tasting
1
Join our combo tour for a fun night out to discover the timeless beauty of Bruges, drink delicious beer and make new friends!
First we take you on a tour of the lesser known parts of Bruges, the side tourists never get to see. We'll tell you old tales, legends and ghost stories that are as old as the city itself, and we'll make the fascinating history of Bruges come to life! The tour ends at the Bauhaus bar with a complementary beer.
Next we’ll offer you a tasting of six of the best Belgian beers, including what is widely considered to be one of the best beers in the world, while the guide offers you an insight into our famed beer culture. The beer tasting takes approx. 2h and entirely takes place at the Bauhaus.
Explore the dark side of Bruges along with Belgian beer culture in this 2-in-1 tour!
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From
$30.28
From
$30.28
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More
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