Bruges Historic Centre Walking Tour: Legends & Highlights
Introduction to Bruges, its history and culture. We trace the rise and decline of this great trading city on a walk through the medieval historic centre — from Market Square and the Belfry to the Church of Our Lady, St. John’s Hospital, and the Beguinage.
Basic Information
Total time
2h
Language
English (check the calendar for availability)
Price
„Pay what you wish” tours do not have a fixed price. It is up to you to evaluate your guide’s work and reward it. Some people give 10€, others 50€ depending on their satisfaction and abilities.
Meeting point
Statue on the main square (Grote Markt) of Bruges Nearest public transport: Brugge Wollestraat bus stop; Markt bus stop
Additional info
☂︎ This tour is organised by Legends Tours guides. Look for the guide with the red umbrella.
Booking rules
Booking is obligatory. Our pay as you wish tours are designed for individual travellers and small groups. We don’t accept parties of more than 6 people on them. If you travel in a party of 7 or more (school groups, bigger groups of friends etc.), please book a Private Tour. For more information on the latter, please contact us.
About the tour
Diamonds, amber: the most beautiful jewels are made by nature by removing one of the bloodlines of the given material and letting it stay beautiful – forever! But how do you stop time and preserve the richest and most powerful trading city north of the Alps with its gothic and renaissance architecture? Well, you actually cut it off from its bloodline just the same – in terms of Bruges, you deprive it of direct access to the sea. This paradoxical event that occurred in northern Flanders over four centuries ago allowed the city to stay intact and be a true witness of time, sidelined by history at the peak of the city’s power, freezing its assets just as they were in the middle of the 16th century.
Today, we can marvel at this mediaeval gem in its unrivalled beauty. Town houses and stately buildings adorn the canals in the pearl of Flanders and are a testament to the city’s position. The waterways remind us of yet another fascinating feature of the city and land surrounding it: we are still close to the North Sea and its might. In order to regulate the waterways, a system of windmills was set up here, and you can still see some of those today. The cobbled historic centre spans over 400 hectares, making it one of the biggest European old towns. The 83-metre Belfry tower marks the power of the city government. Indeed, Bruges attracted great capital and became one of the richest in Europe, which in turn resulted in another wonder: the art of Bruges. Yeah, you will meet the “Flemish masters” here: Jan van Eyck and Hans Memling (although the latter’s most famous work, The Last Judgement, is to be found in Gdańsk, why? Ask your guide 😊) and their distinct painting style, but also… Michelangelo’s sculpture of Madonna!
On this tour we will take you around the historic centre of Bruges. Not only will you learn about the rise and decline of this great Hanseatic city, once the champion of the North Sea and today one of the leading tourist destinations in Europe, but we will also talk about other localities: food and drinks, with famous chocolate, mussels, wafer, and beer at the forefront. Altogether, it will be a journey full of stories of romance, war, devotion, and striving for greatness. And greatness we will reach.
Highlights
- 1
Market Square
The historic heart of Bruges, surrounded by picturesque guildhalls and the impressive Provincial Court.
- 2
Belfry of Bruges
The city's iconic 83-metre medieval bell tower, a symbol of Bruges's wealth and power.
- 3
Church of Our Lady
A Gothic church that is home to Michelangelo’s famous marble sculpture, the Madonna and Child.
- 4
Beguinage
A tranquil architectural complex, once home to a community of emancipated lay-religious women.
- 5
Lake of Love
A serene lake surrounded by a park, famously known for its romantic legends and swans.
- 6
St. John's Hospital
One of Europe's oldest surviving hospital buildings, now a museum with art by Hans Memling.
7Flemish Masters
Discover the art of painters like Jan van Eyck and Hans Memling who flourished here.
Map
Statue on the main square (Grote Markt) of Bruges Nearest public transport: Brugge Wollestraat bus stop; Markt bus stop
