Nostalgic Tours · Belfry, Markt
A two-hour walk in a small group with a guide from Bruges, from the Belfry through the Burg and along the canals, with a stop inside the Holy Blood Chapel and a Belgian praline. Pick it for the stories and the smaller group, with the canal boat as an extra half hour afterwards.
The walk starts in front of the Belfry on the Markt, where the guide waits with a black umbrella carrying the Nostalgic Tours logo. The story is the rise and fall of the medieval trading city, told on the move: the Burg, the oldest square in Bruges, with a visit inside the Holy Blood Chapel and the Basilica chapel, the Fish Market, Tanners' Square, the Rozenhoedkaai and the hotel where Colin Farrell stayed while filming In Bruges. Then the Gruuthuse palace with the smallest Gothic window in town, the Paradise Portal of the Church of Our Lady, the Old St John's Hospital site and a door the guides call the Door to Narnia. A chocolate shop hands out a free truffle or praline. The listing gives 2 hours and an end at Walplein, next to the Halve Maan brewery.
About the boat. The listing title says boat option, its description says the boat tour after the walk is included in your ticket, and the official list of inclusions does not mention it. Read the option you pick at checkout before you pay. Recent reviewers describe getting a boat voucher at the end of the walk to use later the same day, at a time that suited them. Walplein is a short walk from the Stael jetty at Katelijnestraat 4, the one with the fewest stairs. Without a voucher you can buy the ride at any jetty: €15 for adults in 2026, no booking needed. From 15 March to October the boats run every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., last trip half an hour before closing. From November to 14 March at least one jetty sails every day by rotation and the others choose for themselves, so in winter look for the jetty that is open rather than a particular one. The comparison of every tour with the boat is in our worth-it guide.
Dogs are welcome on the walk, which is rare, but they wait outside the Church of Our Lady and the Holy Blood Chapel; on the boat only small dogs on a lap, so ask at the jetty. The tour runs in English; wear good shoes for the cobbles and dress for the weather. The Holy Blood Chapel and the free part of the Church of Our Lady are in the price; climbing the Belfry, 366 steps, is not. Neither the boats nor the jetties are wheelchair accessible.
In front of the Belfry on the Markt. Look for the black umbrella with the golden Nostalgic Tours logo.
The oldest square in Bruges, with a visit inside the Holy Blood Chapel and the Basilica chapel.
The old Fish Market, Tanners' Square and the most photographed quay in town, with the In Bruges hotel story.
The smallest Gothic window, the Paradise Portal, the Old St John's Hospital site, the Door to Narnia and a praline stop.
The walk finishes near the Halve Maan brewery. Use your boat voucher, if your option has one, later the same day.
★★★★★The small size of the group was perfect, making the moments of explanation very intimate and engaging. [...] at the end of the visit, we were given a discount to buy chocolate and the voucher for the boat ride, which we could take before the end of the day, at the time that was most convenient for us. [...] The duration of the cruise was half an hour. An excellent overall experience [...] highly recommended!
★★★★★Nick was a very knowledgable and entertaining guide. As a native of Brugge he knew so much about the history of the city and clearly loved being able to talk about it. [...] His stories and enthusiasm were well appreciated on the very blustery day.
★★★★★We absolutely loved the tour with Maria! It was my third time in Bruges, but she still managed to share so many new and interesting things. The lovely walking tour in a small group really made our day!
★★★★★Maria gave us great insight into how Brugge came to be, her knowledge was extensive and her delivery was excellent and engaging thank you Maria!
Read next:
It depends on the option. The title calls the boat an option and the description says it is included in the ticket. Reviewers received a boat voucher at the end. Check the option at checkout.
It starts in front of the Belfry on the Markt and ends after about two hours at Walplein, by the Halve Maan brewery.
Yes, dogs are welcome on the walk. They are not allowed inside the Church of Our Lady and the Holy Blood Chapel. On the canal boat only small dogs on a lap, by agreement with the boat company.
It starts at the Belfry, but the climb of 366 steps is a separate Musea Brugge ticket and not part of the tour.
Ready to book
A small group with a local guide, a Belgian praline and the canal boat if you add it.
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