Bruges Private tour

Program:

Tailor-made service: the itineraries are arranged to suit your needs and preferences. We have prepared for you several circuits and guided tours of Bruges that are 100% customizable in terms of content, duration and means of transport.

The must-see places to visit in Bruges:

• The ancient city wall park. Admire parts of the ancient city wall and the ancient moats while taking fresh air.
• Markt Square, the tenth century city market that has been for a millennium the economic heart of Bruges. Admire its imposing guildhalls and its bellfort tower, which is one of the most famous Gothic buildings in Belgium.
• Burg Square, the political heart of the city, place in which the city was born around the castle of the first Count of Flanders. Admire the oldest Gothic city hall of the Low Countries, the Basilica of the Holy Blood (it treasures a relic of the blood of Jesus Christ), and the civil register built in Renaissance architecture.
• VisMarkt (fishmarket) and the Tanners’ Square, two of the oldest squares in Bruges with their beautiful guildhalls and lovely cafés and restaurants.
• GroeningeMuseum (possibility to enter the museum and see the paintings of the Flemish Primitives).
• Our Lady of Bruges is one of the oldest churches in the city. Admire its impressive tower that is still one of the tallest brickwork towers in the world, and take a look to its art treasures, including Michelangelo’s Madonna with the child.
• Old St. John’s Hospital is one of the oldest hospitals in Europe, where you can appreciate 800 years of European architecture, learn about its history, and visit the museum of Hans Memling.
• Brewery “De Halve Maan” is the only brewery still operating in the city center. During lunchtime try one of the famous Bruges beers and a “Flemish Carbonnade”, a traditional beef stew made with local beer.
• The Beguinage. Visit one of the best-preserved examples of medieval gated communities in which only women could live. Learn about its history, visit its courtyard, appreciate its unique architecture and art treasures (including the oldest sculpture of Our Lady of Bruges), and enjoy a moment of calm and contemplation.
• The “Lake of Love” is one of the main water reservoirs that nourish the canal system of “the Venice of the North”. Admire a stunning panoramic view of the city in a bucolic spot that seems to whispers into your ears the secrets of the city.

Examples of other places of interest and particular topics that can be addressed during the visit:

• Hansa Quarter: from the 13th to the 15th century, Bruges was an important trading centre at the crossroads between the Hansa cities of Scandinavia, England and Germany (known collectively in those days as the ‘Easterners’) and the most important commercial regions in France, Spain and Italy. The Spanish traders established themselves at Spaanse Loskaai (Spanish Unloading Quay), while the Easterners set up shops on the Oosterlingenplein (Easterners’ Square). Places where you can still feel the atmosphere of days long gone by.
• The Flemish primitives: during Bruges’ Golden Age, the 15th century, the fine arts prevailed. In the wake of the prestigious Burgundian dynasty, the great Flemish Primitives made a name for themselves. The world-renowned works of Jan Van Eyck, Hans Memling and those of other prominent Flemish Masters can be admired at the Groeninge Museum, St John’s Hospital, St Saviour’s Cathedral and the Church of Our Lady.  Michelangelo’s world famous ‘Madonna and Child’ can also be found in the Church of Our Lady.
• Canals of Bruges. Experience the city by following an age old tradition. Cruising Bruges’ canals – the remarkable city arteries – you will discover secret gardens, picturesque bridges and wonderfully beautiful views. Although it sounds incredible, Bruges’ loveliest places ooze even more charm when you admire them travelling by boat.
• Brugse Vesten (Bruges’ City Ramparts): while the picturesque town center is endlessly fascinating we mustn’t forget Bruges’ city ramparts. The green lung encircles almost the entire town and offers a variety of interesting locations worth discovering. You can for example admire the four remaining windmills as well as several medieval town gates. The modern Conzettebridge spans the entrance to the small marina and is just one of many bridges that frequently open for boats. The ramparts between the train station and Ezelpoort town gate allow you to leisurely stroll and enjoy nature. A tour along the ramparts is an ideal opportunity to process all your Bruges impressions.
• Religious heritage: over the centuries many of Bruges’ churches, monasteries, abbeys and chapels have been active centres of religious life. This accounts for the city’s remarkable ecclesiastical heritage. But this patrimony is testimony to more than just its religious past. If the stone façades could speak they would have countless fascinating stories to tell about evolutions in education, the economy, society and culture:
  • L.V.-kerk Museum (Museum of the Church of Our Lady): the 115.5 metre-high brick church tower, the second tallest of the world, illustrates the craftsmanship of the Bruges builders. Inside you can find a wealth of art treasures, with Michelangelo’s world-famous Madonna and Child as the absolute highlight. The rich church interior contains numerous paintings, 13th and 14th century painted crypts and the 15th and 16th century tombs of Mary of Burgundy and Charles the Bold.
  • Sint-Salvatorskathedraal (Saint Saviour’s Cathedral): Bruges’ oldest parish church (12th–15th century) has amongst its treasures a rood loft with an organ, medieval tombs, Brussels tapestries and a rich collection of Flemish paintings (14th-18th century). The treasure-chamber displays, amongst others, paintings by Dieric Bouts, Hugo van der Goes and other Flemish primitives.
  • Basiliek van het Heilig Bloed (Basilica of the Holy Blood): The Basilica of the Holy Blood consists of an upper and a lower chapel. The lower chapel, dedicated to Saint Basil, is a rare example of Romanesque architecture in the coastal region. The Relic of the Holy Blood, said to have been brought to Bruges by the crusaders, is kept here in the Chapel of the Holy Blood. The Chapel was built in the 15th century in the Gothic style, but is mainly important for its late-19th century neo-Gothic decoration. The church was raised to the status of basilica in 1923, due to the special veneration of the Holy Blood.
  • Adornesdomein – Jeruzalemkapel (Jerusalem Chapel): The Jerusalem Chapel is the private chapel of the Adornes family, an Italian merchant family from Genoa. The chapel was consecrated in 1429 and was inspired by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The architecture, layout and extraordinary relics provide an exceptional illustration of the great reverence of the Adornes family for Jerusalem. The tomb, the wonderful stained glass and the relic of the Holy Cross are unique.
  • Sint-Annakerk (St Anne’s Church): this simple Gothic single-nave church, built in the 17th century, surprises with the opulence of its rich Baroque interior – the result of donations by wealthy local patrons. Admire the intricacy of the marble rood-screen, the rich wooden panelling with inset confessional booths, the canvases of Jan Garemijn and the largest single painting in all Bruges.

Unusual activity recommended in Bruges:

• Bike trip to Damme: on the natural journey that links Bruges to Damme along the Sluis canal, also known as the Napoleon canal and Flanders fields.  We will observe a magnificent landscape full of large trees called poplars. These trees were intentionally planted in rows parallel to both sides of the canal. The poplar’s reflection in the water and the bike lane along the canal creates a worthy scene that allows a deep breath of fresh air and a great spot to take pictures. In addition, this route is a stop-over site for water birds such as cormorants, ducks or herons, surrounded by potato fields and cattle and sheep farms. This description can explain why today Flanders recognizes this landscape in the middle of its famous polders as a natural monument.

We have a team of professional guides who will accompany you at all times and who will adapt to your pace.