Bruges by boat – A journey you’ll love to remember

A visit to Bruges is never complete without a Bruges by boat trip on its canals. The half-hour trip that one can board at five landing stages, allows you to appreciate the most spectacular delights of the city from an entirely different perspective. From the water and from different angles.

Bruges on a canal boat tour, Belgium

Bruges is a beautiful small town and we did experience the best of it on our One day in Bruges, Belgium. And top in our priority was this canal boat tour which you must not miss out experiencing with us today. You’ll surely feel a lot fresher and refreshed, visualizing the good days that are just round the corner. Days when we would travel again, fly again and of course sail again. Like before. But before that a happy day for you here with us today.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Bruges on a canal boat tour, Belgium

Normally during a conducted tour, it is the guide who decides for you and we normally go where he takes us. For us his decision was this nice boat company with an impressive entrance and interiors, Boten Stael.

Bruges on a Boten Staet canal boat tour, Belgium

Boten Staet canal boat tour, Belgium

Boten Staet canal boat tour, Belgium

Boten Staet canal boat tour, Belgium

Boten Staet canal boat tour, Belgium

Before we start the journey just a small request. To get the best out of this tour right now, please close your eyes for three seconds, visualize you are in Bruges and imagine there is a boat waiting for you to take you around. And there are lots of happy people with you. Now open your eyes. And there we go.

Boten Staet canal boat tour, Belgium
As we board and start to sail..

Boten Staet canal boat tour, Belgium

There are several canal tours to choose from and all belonging to the five different companies that operate here in Bruges. They use the same boats, do the same tour, offer almost the same narration and charge the same price. Euro 10 per adult and Euro 8 for children.

Bruges on a canal boat tour, Belgium

Our captain Andy, a smart young guy, had a nice way of speaking with his lovable tone and articulation. Since all of us were English speaking he spoke in English. Normally they can speak French and German too. Hear him speak as he beautifully explains while pointing out the attractions and the history of some of the buildings, bridges and canals. Come let’s start to get into the real action. Enjoy every bit of this lovely journey with some wonderful history to take note of.

Bruges often called the ‘Venice of the North’ originated on the banks of the river Reie. In the course of time a real town gradually developed, which was connected through canals to the deeper branch of the North Sea, the Zwin.

Bruges on a canal boat tour, Belgium

Lake of Love, Bruge, Belgium
Lake of Love

The inner canals were once part of Bruges’ old ramparts and city walls which were built after the death of the Flemish Count Charles the Good, who was murdered in 1127. In the weeks after the assassination the citizens of Bruges built a rampart around the city, which followed the path of the inner canals of the city: the Dijver, Groenerei, St. Annarei, Goudenhandrei, Smedenrei, Augustijnenrei and Kapucijnenrei. Come let’s experience some more of the beautiful architecture to get an insight into the taste and tradition of this picturesque canal town. This time it’s a photo journey.

Bruges on a canal boat tour, Belgium
Buildings old and new..
Bruges on a canal boat tour, Belgium
The innumerable bridges..
Bruges on a canal boat tour, Belgium
As we go past historical landscapes..
Bruges on a canal boat tour, Belgium
And landmarks like Belfry of Bruges..
Bruges on a canal boat tour, Belgium
The modern structures..
Bruges on a canal boat tour, Belgium
And the historical designs..
Bruges on a canal boat tour, Belgium
Some housing boutique hotels with great views..
Bruges on a canal boat tour, Belgium
While others where the affluent live..
Bruges on a canal boat tour, Belgium
The narrow streets going past the houses..
Bruges on a canal boat tour, Belgium
As many tourists stroll along to feel the town..
Bruges on a canal boat tour, Belgium
The Church of our Lady Bruges stands out..
Bruges on a canal boat tour, Belgium
While the oldies and their new neighbors stare at us..
Bruges on a canal boat tour, Belgium
As this window opens out some great views..
Bruges on a canal boat tour, Belgium
The business houses occupying strategic locations..
Bruges on a canal boat tour, Belgium
While tourists chill out in yet another cozy hotel..
Bruges on a canal boat tour, Belgium
One of the renowned breweries of town as we pass by..
Bruges on a canal boat tour, Belgium
Having a fun time on the busy canal, as other tourists wait for their turn..
Bruges on a canal boat tour, Belgium
While some just chill with family and friends, we enjoy going under the many low bridges..

Bruges boat tour. Those precious thirty minutes have stayed in our heart. And ones that we would always love to remember.

Hope you loved the trip as much as we did. PIN it for later and friends!

Bruges by Boat

35 thoughts on “Bruges by boat – A journey you’ll love to remember

  1. Wow! What a nice experience. Happy to know that can communicate in different languages as it is helpful for a tourist like me. This is just an awesome way to see the landmarks and historial landscapes in Bruges.

  2. What a great way to see the city! If/When I ever get back to Bruges, I’ll definitely take a boat tour. It’s something that we did not do as young, poor, college students.

  3. Cities with canals are fascinating. I love the way there’s hardly any separation between the house and the water — well, obviously there’s a wall, but that flow that makes them part of a bigger whole. I keep wondering how humid it is in those buildings, but maybe it isn’t. Thanks for the tour!

  4. Bruges was one of the first cities I traveled to in Europe and I fell in love with it! The canal tour was definitely one of the best parts of the place. Your pictures and your wonderful writing brought me back there!

  5. This looks and sounds like such a fun way to explore Bruges and learn all about what it has to offer. I love looking at all the architecture. Those buildings all look so grand and breathtaking. I definitely need to include this in our plans if we are ever going to be in that corner of the world!

  6. Oh, how cool! I love anything to do with water, so this would be an awesome idea for me if/when I can visit Bruges. When my grandmother was in London for a visit, we all went on a canal boat and rode down the canal. That was a wonderful trip.

  7. Lyosha Varezhkina

    The more reports on Brugges I see the more I feel sad we couldn’t make it there during our trip. Combining it with a boat makes so special. I need to see it for myself.

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