Bruges day trip from Antwerp: Private guide and canal cruise

A local guide walks you through Bruges' medieval squares, then you drift past hidden corners on the canal.

A private day trip from Antwerp to Bruges pairs guided exploration of the city's medieval landmarks with a scenic canal cruise and Belgian chocolate tasting. Your guide leads you through Market Square and the Beguinage, you skip the line for a boat tour past historic bridges and picturesque houses, and the day ends with handmade pralines from a local chocolatier. Private transport from Antwerp and back is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Bruges with private guide

• Private transport from Antwerp to Bruges
• Visit Market Square
• See Church of Our Lady exterior
• Enjoy canal cruise through Bruges
• Pass by Belfry of Bruges
• Walk through Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaarde
• Visit Burg Square
• Pass by De Halve Maan Brewery
• Belgian chocolate tasting

What’s included

• Private transfer from Antwerp to Bruges and return.
• private tour guide speaking English throughout the day.
• canal boat tour ticket with no line at the dock.
• Belgian chocolate tasting at a local boutique.
• guided visits to Market Square, Church of Our Lady, Burg Square, the Beguinage, and De Halve Maan Brewery.

Times

• Every day 07:30 08:00 08:30 09:00 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00

Before you book

Group Private

Live guide English

Meeting point and pickup Hotel pickup included. You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Book up to 12h before

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Public transport nearby Infants must sit on laps

Operated by Green Cats Tours

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

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The experience

The day starts with pickup from Antwerp and the drive to Bruges' Market Square, the vibrant medieval heart ringed by guild houses, cafés and the 122-meter Belfry. Your guide walks you through the city's layout and history, moving between the Church of Our Lady (famous for Michelangelo's Madonna and Child), and the Beguinage, a peaceful UNESCO-listed courtyard of whitewashed houses that once sheltered Bruges' beguines. You'll see Burg Square with its Gothic City Hall and the Basilica of the Holy Blood, each stop chosen to show both the famous sights and the quieter corners a solo visitor might miss.

The canal cruise cuts through the medieval waterways without a ticket line: you board and drift past hidden bridges, historic buildings and the narrow streets that only open onto water. This is where the city's architecture reveals itself: the brick facades, the reflections, the scale of things built centuries ago. After the boat returns, you visit De Halve Maan Brewery, a family operation in the old town famous for Brugse Zot beer and a pipeline that runs underground to bypass the medieval streets. The chocolate tasting at a local boutique filled with handmade pralines and truffles from chocolatier Dominique Persoone closes the day before the drive back to Antwerp.

The whole experience runs seven to eight hours, paced so you're not rushing between stops. Your guide speaks English throughout, and the private transport means no waiting for group departures or coordinating with other travelers. Infants travel on an adult's lap, and the itinerary suits all fitness levels.

Top questions

What is the Beguinage in Bruges and why does the tour stop there?

The Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaarde is a medieval courtyard of whitewashed houses, once home to Bruges' beguines: religious women who lived communally without taking formal vows. It's now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a quiet, peaceful space in the middle of the city, offering a contrast to the busier squares and streets.

Does the canal cruise include a skip-the-line ticket?

Yes. The canal boat tour ticket is included in the day trip, so you board without waiting in line at the dock. The cruise passes through Bruges' medieval waterways, under historic bridges, and past the picturesque houses that line the canals.

What kind of chocolate tasting is included?

You visit a Belgian chocolate boutique filled with handmade pralines, truffles and local specialties from chocolatier Dominique Persoone. The tasting is part of the day and gives you a chance to sample the confections Bruges is known for.

Is the Church of Our Lady museum visit included?

The church itself is included in the guided tour, but the museum visit to see Michelangelo's Madonna and Child sculpture is optional and costs extra. Your guide will show you the church and explain its history and architecture.

How does pickup from Antwerp work?

Private transport from Antwerp to Bruges and back is included. You'll be picked up from your Antwerp location and driven to Bruges, then returned at the end of the day. Public transportation options are also available nearby if you prefer to meet the guide in Bruges instead.