bruges water tour

Discover the city of Bruges via a boat trip on the Bruges canals

What are the opening times.

Reservations are only possible for groups of minimum 20 people between 9 am and 5 pm, from 1 March to 31 October. In the winter months we are, depending on the weather conditions, only open on Saturdays and Sundays and reservations can only be made between 9 am and 11 am. Without a reservation it is usually impossible to take a boat trip with a group.

Where do we have to board

Departures and arrivals are at the same address: Bootexcursies Gruuthuse, boarding point 3, Nieuwstraat 11, 8000 Bruges. This is near the Our Lady church (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk), on the corner of the Nieuwstraat and Dijver. (It is not possible to get on or off the boat anywhere else.)

Admit it, a visit to the beautiful city of Bruges is not complete without a boat trip on the Bruges canals.

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Bruges Boat Tour: Take a Magical Cruise Through the Bruges Canals

If you are looking for a romantic destination, the Canals of Bruges are the perfect choice. The picturesque waterways wind through the city, and the historic buildings that line the canals create a magical and charming atmosphere. You can take a leisurely boat ride with your loved one, stroll through the quaint streets, and admire the beautiful architecture. The city is also home to many romantic restaurants, cafes, and bars where you can enjoy a romantic meal or drinks.

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Quick Answers

Boat tours in Bruges usually run from early March to mid-November . During other times, the decision to operate lies with the shipping companies.

A boat tour in the Canals of Bruges typically costs 12 €, with discounted rates of 7€ for children aged 4 to 12. Children under 4 can join for free.

Tickets can be bought on spot. Read on for a list and map of the shipping companies and their locations.

History of the Bruges Canals

The enchanting Canals of Bruges have a history that spans back to the 12th century, a time when these waterways were meticulously crafted to facilitate the transport of goods into the heart of the city. Evolving over the centuries, the canals evolved into a crucial component of Bruges’ transportation system, serving diverse purposes from commerce to public transit. Today, while primarily catering to tourism, the canals remain deeply ingrained in the city’s cultural tapestry, preserving the echoes of its storied past.

Bruges Boat Tours: An unforgettable experience

Embarking on a boat tour is one of the best ways to delve into the beauty of the Bruges canals. Several reputable companies offer boat tours, all following the same enchanting route. Lasting approximately 30 minutes, these tours provide a unique perspective of the city, offering insights into the rich history and culture of Bruges.

Shipping Companies & starting points

Five distinct shipping companies operate these boat tours, each with its own starting point. Despite the differences in starting locations, all companies follow the same picturesque route. These non-covered boats, provided with umbrellas in case of rain, offer a capacity of 35-40 people.

The starting points include:

• Coudenys at Rozenhoedkaai
• Venetië van het Noorden at Huidenvettersplein 13
• De Meulemeester at Wollestraat 32
• Gruuthuse at Nieuwstraat 11
• Stael at Katelijnestraat 4

Dates, availability & Prices

Boat tours in Bruges typically run from early March to mid-November . During other times, the decision to operate lies with the shipping companies. The standard price for a boat tour is 12€ , with discounted rates of 7€ for children aged 4 to 12. Children under 4 can join for free. Tickets can be conveniently purchased on the spot with the respective shipping company.

Guided Boat Tours & Walking Tours

For those preferring a combined experience of a boat tour and a guided walk, expert guides lead captivating walking tours. These tours navigate the city’s winding streets and scenic canals, offering historical insights and showcasing iconic landmarks.

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Last Updated on 13 December 2023 by BertBeckers

THE 5 BEST Bruges Boat Tours

Boat tours in bruges.

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1. Boottochten Brugge

2. City Tour Belgium

3. Boats Of Bruges

4. Harbor Tour Zeebruges

5. Boottochten Stael

6. Coudenys N.V.

What travellers are saying

• City Tour Belgium
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Bruges by boat

Discover Bruges from a completely different perspective, surrounded by water and swans. There are 5 boarding points at which you can embark and enjoy the half-hour boat trip. The captain takes you in a loop along the most beautiful spots on the canals, and past some of the highlights of Bruges. The captain will also give you information and you will see these highlights from a completely new angle. The boats run from early March to mid-November and reservations are not possible.

Adults € 10,00 Children (4-11) € 6,00 Children (< 3) free

Tickets can only be paid in cash.

Time information

From 1st March 2021 - 15th November 2021 Every day from 10:00 - 18:00 h

Boarding places

Huidenvettersplein 13

Rozenhoedkaai

Wollestraat 32

Nieuwstraat 11

Katelijnestraat 4

https://www.boottochten-brugge.be/

THE 5 BEST Bruges Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in bruges.

• Kayaking & Canoeing
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for Kids
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Couples
• Good for Big Groups
• Honeymoon spot
• Adventurous
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Boottochten Brugge

2. City Tour Belgium

3. Boats Of Bruges

4. Harbor Tour Zeebruges

5. Boottochten Stael

6. Coudenys N.V.

7. Bruges Kayak Club

What travellers are saying.

• City Tour Belgium
• Boottochten Stael
• Boottochten Brugge
• Boats Of Bruges
• Harbor Tour Zeebruges

Brugesboattour

All boat trips in the historical inner city of Bruges take place on the same fixed course , imposed by the city government. They take about 30 minutes. There is no eating or drinking allowed on board.

Our starting point  is located in the Katelijnestraat 4, which is also the end point of the cruise.

Our hours of operation for individual round trips or cruises with the family are from 10 am until 5 pm, with departures roughly every 15 minutes.

Reservation is only possible for groups from 25 persons and up. In this case we work with set departure times.

Our mooring place is located at the Katelijnestraat 4 in Bruges, right next to Saint John's Hospital and the Church of Our Lady. A toilet is available.

Our course takes you along the most scenic spots in Bruges. You get to see the most famous places of interest from a totaly different perspective.

Detailed course

Prices 2024:

Individual:  15,00 euro/person Group (+20 people):  12,00 euro/person Children (4-11 years):  9,00 euro/child Private boat:  375,00 euro (max. 25 people)

Payment by bank card possible.

Opening hours: from 10/02/2024 - 30/12/2024 daily from 10:00 AM untill 5:00 (5:30) PM Opening hours are subject to change due to weather conditions and maintenance works by the City of Bruges.

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• 5 /5 1 opinión

Bruges Guided Walking Tour and Boat Trip

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Last reviews.

Bruges is known as the quintessential medieval city and the “Venice of the North”. Discover why it has earned these titles by exploring its corners and secrets on foot with an expert guide. End your tour with a boat ride through its canals. Have we enchanted you yet?

Kid 4 to 11 y/o

Under 4 y/o

Bruges is the quintessential medieval city and also known as the “Venice of the North”. Call it what you want, it doesn't matter, because the city will capture you as if by magic —cue mysterious music— okay, we're kidding, its name has little to do with magic. However, it is associated with medieval beauty, so much so that since 2000, the Historic Center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its entirety.

Its corners are full of stories and secrets that our local guide will share with you without holding anything back. A stop at the Lake of Love? How romantic! It is also known as Minnewater , and we assure you that it is a natural environment that forms one of the most beautiful postcards of Bruges.

We will talk about the béguinages , which were structures that associated Christian women with a vocation for serving the sick and destitute. Get ready to discover the history! Next stop: Walplein Square , which literally means “wall square,” referring to the city's first walls, a real journey through time!

From there, we can also enter Stoofstraat, one of the narrowest streets in Bruges, whose literal translation into Spanish is “stove street.” These stoves are associated with thermal baths, where gentlemen during the golden age of the 14th and 15th centuries came to bathe and relax. However, some of these “baths” had a characteristic that was not immediately apparent but was part of the essence of this alley… Do you want to discover what we mean?

Let's go to the hospital! Or rather, now a museum that houses Memling, Picasso, Miró… A real attraction for art lovers! If we add a museum located in the Saint John’s Hospital , the oldest hospital in Europe, curiosity and interest in this visit are guaranteed.

Would you like to see the second-tallest tower in the world? Yes, you read that right, in the world! Our Lady's Church awaits you. How many meters tall do you think it can be? The Gruuthuse Palace won't leave you indifferent. Get your camera ready!

The Tanners Square and the Castle Square, where some of the most incredible buildings in Bruges are located, will help us understand the city's essence and history. Before ending the tour, we will stop at the Basilica of the Holy Blood. A Catholic temple where the relic of the blood of Christ is kept. Legend or reality?

We bid farewell at the Market Square, but don't forget that you have a boat ride included to discover the secret corners of Bruges , which can only be explored from the water.

If it's called the “Venice of the North,” there must be a reason. Sail through the canals and waterways, which are the true arteries through which the people of Bruges move. However, don't expect too much intimacy because there are some locals who tend to join you on your ride: the swans. Are you ready to join us?

• 3 hours  aprox
• Guided visit  2h 30min
• Boat trip  30min
• Local guide in English
• Small groups of maximum 24 people
• Boat ride through the canals of Bruges

The visit is carried out in English

Rules and tips

• You have to present the confirmation voucher that you receive by email printed for the boat
• The departure time is indicative, adapting of course to the established departure times. If the boat is full at the selected time, you can do it in the following time slot.

FREE Cancelation Cancelation

Free! Cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the start of the tour. If you cancel with less time, arrive late or do not show up, no refund is offered

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Todas las opiniones son de clientes reales y verificados por la plataforma Trustpilot y su informe de transparencia. Solo se puede enviar una opinión después de haber reservado y realizado la actividad.

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Bruges by Boat: Tips for the Famous Canal Tour

The first thing that comes to mind for most people when they think of Bruges, Belgium, are serene winding canals abutted by quaint stone houses. The city’s famous canals give it the nickname The Venice of the North .

The thing that was most surprising to me about our trip to Bruges this July was how relatively inaccessible the canals are. There are few places where you can actually walk along the canal since they’re lined with buildings, so the main views are along the few, crowded bridges that cross the water. In order to really experience the canals and the beautiful buildings along the water, you need to be on a boat , which is why the canal tours are one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city.

One of five boat landings for Bruges Canal Tour

Luckily, a canal tour is a relatively inexpensive way to experience the canals and architecture of this historic city. Here are some useful tips I learned based on our experience:

• There are 5 boat landings along the canals, but the route and price are the same for all ( 8 Euro for a 30-35 minute tour ). It’s only the start and end point that will vary, so my suggestion is to simply pick the one with the shortest line. We approached one with a relatively short line but decided to keep looking and found another one just a block away where we were able to walk straight onto the boat. Click here for a map showing the location of the five boat landings (link will open in a new window).
• The boats typically run every 15-20 minutes . The boats will also wait until the boat is full or nearly full before departing.
• The best seats for getting unobstructed photos are at the very front or very back. The boats have a row of single seats that run down the middle, which would be the worst for photos. It may be worth waiting until the next boat to come along if only middle seats are available.
• The tours run daily from 10:00am to 6:00pm (last boat leaves at 5:30pm) from March to mid-November . Bruges is flooded by cruise ship patrons and day-trippers during the peak hours of the day, so the lines are significantly shorter before 11:00 and become very long in the afternoon. Plan accordingly!
• Our boat driver/guide did a nice job narrating the ride, pointing out sights and answering questions for us along the way. We saw some boats with a recorded audio guide, which seemed less interesting. The guide asked everyone on the boat what language they spoke and carried out the tour in both English and French.
• The tour is cash only . You may also want to bring a few extra euros along to tip your driver.

Any other questions? Leave them in the comment section and I’ll try my best to answer them. Happy boating!

Alison Macbeth

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