The 4 Best Canal Cruises in Bruges & Ghent

1.Walking Tour, Canal Boat Trip w/Beer Tasting Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 2,759 reviews · from $41Our pick

Follow an English, French, or Spanish-speaking guide through Bruges, from the Lake of Love and Begijnhof to Burg Square and the Belfort. Guides such as Maria and JK bring history to life. Finish with a 30-minute canal cruise, plus an optional tasting of four Belgian beers on English tours.

“Our guide, JK, was informative and engaging. We covered a lot of ground and learned even more. Bruges did not disappoint.”

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2.Guided Walking Tour and Canal Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 128 reviews · 2h 30m · from $32Best value

Walk Ghent with an English-speaking local guide, visiting the three towers, guild quays, markets, Patershol, and Gravensteen. Then take a 30-minute canal cruise with illustrated audio translations. Guides such as Ariel, Peter, Juliana, and Eros have been praised for clear, lively storytelling.

“Excellent tour giving us a crisp snapshot of the best things in central Ghent. Our guide Ariel was knowledgeable and witty, and his English was very good. The little radios worked well. Boat tour also very good.”

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3.Day trip to Bruges from Paris with canal cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 81 reviews · 13 hours · from $159

Travel from Paris to Bruges in a minivan or coach, with groups of up to eight possible. Guides such as Jean Baptiste, Serge, Simon, and Roland lead the visit in English, French, or Spanish. See the Belfry, canals, Beguinage, and Grand Place, then enjoy free time and a seasonal cruise.

“Beautiful city worth the long trip and the guide was very entertaining. Would highly recommend.”

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4.Bruges Tour with Canal Cruise from Zeebrugge Cruise Port

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 78 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $82

Travel from Zeebrugge to Bruges by air-conditioned coach, then walk past the Belfry, Burg Square, Holy Blood Basilica, canals, Beguinage, and Minnewater Lake. Guides such as Veronique, Sharene, Daniel, and Charlene lead the tour in English, followed by a canal cruise and free time near Markt Square.

“A wonderful tour and the guide was very informative. We would recommend this tour to anyone. Our only negative comment was since the cruise ship was in town the historical town was overrun with tourists.”

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