Walking and cycling in the city

Bruges is the ideal city to explore on foot or by bike, either accompanied by an experienced guide or by yourself. With its manageable scale, Bruges is perfect for wandering along lanes or canals and strolling along the city ramparts. If you choose to get around by bike, you will see a bit more of the city.

Walking

Without a guide

Wandering around Bruges at your own pace is a lovely way to explore the city. The following three walks are described in detail in the city guide, or see here for a more compact version:

• “Bruges, proud world heritage city” takes you past world-renowned monuments, ancient squares and contemporary architecture. Bruges is proud to have been a UNESCO world heritage site for 20 years.
• “Bruges, a Burgundian city” takes you to the places where the noblemen, tradesmen and artists who wanted to benefit from the riches of the Burgundian court spent a lot of time.
• “Strolling through silent Bruges” is a walk for Bruges connoisseurs. On this walk, visitors who are already familiar with the city can find some peace and quiet in the working neighbourhoods of Sint-Anna and Sint-Gillis as they wander past the windmills, the ramparts and the archer’s guilds, finishing up with a beer at Bruges’ oldest café.

If you’re a real culture vulture, why not try the "Heritage app"? The app uses Augmented Reality & iBeacons to provide extra information and you can use it to explore the museums and heritage routes in the neighbourhood.

Guided tours

If you have visited Bruges in the past, you may already be quite familiar with the city. So how about uncovering some of Bruges’ hidden secrets on a tour with a qualified guide? There are three official guide associations each with a unique theme and story to tell - the Koninklijke Gidsenbond Brugge, Hello Bruges and S-wan Guides with a twist are the ambassadors of Bruges, speaking about their city with passion and pride and sharing fascinating stories and anecdotes.

If you’d rather take a tour individually in a small group, you can join an exclusive walk:

• “Bruges from the heart” is more than just a great introduction to the city – as well as exploring the many wonderful buildings and sites of interest, you will discover some hidden spots in the city such as the Concertgebouw roof terrace.

Bruges’ three guide associations also offer themed walks for which you can make an individual reservation. These will vary, because the associations try to reflect the seasons and current events, giving you the opportunity to get to know Bruges in a special or unusual way. Take a look at the websites for the Koninklijke Gidsenbond Brugge, Hello Bruges and S-wan Guides with a twist to see what’s on offer during your stay in the city. 

Cycling

Without a guide

If you want to get off the beaten track, the best way to explore Bruges is by bicycle. It is a great way to reach the quiet ‘workers’ neighbourhoods, the ramparts and the windmills. You can bring your own bicycle or hire a bike at one of the bicycle-hire locations in the city.

Guided bicycle tours

If you would prefer to have a guide and learn some interesting new facts, you can take the “Bruges by Bike” tour with a knowledgeable guide from QuasiMundo Bike Tours. The three Bruges tour guide associations Koninklijke Gidsenbond Brugge, Hello Bruges and S-wan Guides with a twist also offer guided cycling tours or you can request a custom-made tour.