Bruges Historical Highlights Private Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore the Belfry of Bruges
- Visit the Church of Our Lady
- Discover the Market Square
- Wander through the Beguinage
- Stroll along the Minnewater Lake
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Private guided tour of Bruges' historic sites
- Personalized itinerary tailored to your interests
- Expert local guide with in-depth knowledge
- Meals and beverages during the tour
Itinerary
We start here with an introduction about the history of Bruges and the role the city played as a trading hub in medieval times. We also go deeper into the troublesome relationship between the city of Bruges and the French king.
We visit the halls behind the bellfry and explain you the important role the tower has played during the Middle Ages.
This newly renovated city palace belonged to a wealthy family in Bruges, who held a monopoly on a specific part of the trade. Our guide will tell you all about it.
We make a stop at the magnificent hospital of St John, one of the oldest still exisitng hospitals in the world and one of the cornerstones of medieval society.
We'll take you for a walk into the picturesque beguinage, the biggest of its kind in the world, where a community of ladies have lived together for over 800 years.
By the Lake of Love we tell you the story of why we have swans on the canals of Bruges and how the city got into a conflict with Emperor Maximilian of Austria.
We stop in front of the brewery to tell you the story of how the people of Bruges got the nickname 'Fools of Bruges' and to show you a piece of the beer pipeline that flows beneath our city.
We'll tell you the story of this iconic church, which is the 2nd tallest brick tower in the world and houses a statue by Michelangelo as well as the tombs of the last Dukes of Burgundy.
We venture into the garden of the Groeninge Museum, where some of the works of the biggest Flemish masters are on display.
We take you to the old Tanner's square, where the smelly business took place of greasing skins and turning them into leather.
After passing by the old Fishmarket, we end the tour on the Burg square, the political heart and birthplace of the city of Bruges.
Important information
Know before you book
- Tour is conducted in English; ensure understanding
- Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult
- Tour operates rain or shine; cancellations are rare
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for cobblestone streets
- Bring a camera to capture the scenic beauty
- Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Stroller Accessible
- Service Animals Allowed
- Easy Public Transport
Good to know
- If you have any questions or if you want to make a booking for more than 15 people, please contact us: bruges@legendstours.be
- Please mention what time you would like to start the tour!
Traveler reviews
Aline very knowledgeable
Excellent command of history and culture, our guide, Aline, has excellent communication skills and grew up in Bruges. She brought her well behaved wire dachshund Tim who was quite friendly and charming.
A marvelous afternoon
Our guide, Chris, was an extraordinary person with whom to experience Bruges. His friendliness and knowledge entertained and educated us throughout the afternoon.
Medieval Specialist
Mauricio made our Bruges experience absolutely exceptional. My husband especially loved the depth of historical and architectural knowledge he shared throughout the tour — it truly brought the city to life in a way we never could have experienced on our own. What made Mauricio so special, though, was that he balanced all of that rich history with warmth, humor, and personality, making the tour engaging and fun for me as well. He has a true gift for storytelling. Bruges is beautiful on its own, but Mauricio made it unforgettable. Highly, highly recommend!
Great city, great Hilde
We were in Bruges for the first time and let Hilde show us the city. She knows the beautiful city super well and has conveyed her home to us sympathetically and lively. We had a good time and are certainly not the last time in Bruges.
Superb Guide and Walking Tour
Exceptional historic walking tour. Sam is a superb guide—a local school teacher who really knows the history of Bruges. We walked all the key sights and Sam’s commentary was fascinating and enjoyable. We highly recommend.