Visit Bruges From Zeebrugge Cruise Port: One Day in Bruges
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How to visit Bruges, Belgium, from cruise port Zeebrugge, including transportation info, safety tips, local food, excursions, and plenty of great things to do.
See Bruges From Zeebrugge: (Jump To)
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How to Get to Bruges from the Zeebrugge Port
The easiest way to get from the Zeebrugge cruise port to Bruges is by taking the port shuttle or local tram to Blankenberge and catching the train to Bruges from there. If you're short on time, taxis from Zeebrugge to Bruges take about 30 minutes and drop you off close to the historic center.
Zeebrugge is your starting point for a day trip to Bruges. Cruise lines usually offer a free shuttle to the nearby coastal town of Blankenberge. If not, you can walk about 10 minutes to the Zeebrugge Kerk station and take the local streetcar to Blankenberge train station. From Blankenberge’s train station, you can catch a direct train to Bruges. The train ride takes about 30 minutes and runs frequently throughout the day. It’s one of the most efficient cruise port transfers in Europe. Tickets for both the streetcar and the train are available from ticket vending machines at the station.
Alternatively, some cruise passengers take taxis or book private transfers straight from the port, but this is usually unnecessary unless you have mobility concerns or want a fully private experience. Renting a car would be more of a hassle than a help. Once you arrive in Bruges, the train station is located about a 20-minute walk from the city center or a short local bus ride away.
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Is Bruges Safe?
Bruges is considered very safe, even for solo travelers navigating on foot or by bike. The main risks are tourist pricing traps or getting lost in narrow alleyways—both easily avoided if you’re prepared.
Bruges is one of the safest places you’ll visit on a European cruise. Crime rates are very low, and the town is small, compact, and heavily tourist-oriented. Most visitors report no issues at all, even at night. That said, Bruges can get crowded in peak hours and during summer festivals, so always keep an eye on your belongings in large groups. The train station area is safe but not especially charming, so don’t linger there longer than needed. Once you’re in the historic center, you’re good to go.
How to Get Around Bruges
The center of Bruges is walkable and compact, so you won’t need a car or taxi once you’re in town. Many of the top things to do in Bruges, Belgium, are within a 15-minute walk of each other, including museums, shops, and the canal boat docks.
You won’t need a car, train, metro, or scooter. Bruges is an easy city to navigate entirely on foot. From the train station, you can either walk into town via a scenic park path or hop on a local De Lijn bus for a few euros. Once in the historic center, every major sight, restaurant, and shop is within about a 20-minute walking radius.
There are a few cobblestone streets and narrow alleys, but it’s all very manageable. If you're concerned about the walk from the train station, you can take a horse-drawn carriage, but it's more for the experience than necessity. Bike rentals are available, but the compact size and pedestrian crowds make walking easier for a day visit.
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Things To Do in Bruges, Belgium
Top things to do in Bruges, Belgium, include climbing the Belfry, walking the Markt square, and visiting the Basilica of the Holy Blood. For a quieter experience, walk the canals or visit one of the smaller museums in Bruges, Belgium, that many cruise passengers skip.
The Markt
Map: Google Maps
This is Bruges’ central square. You’ll end up here at least three times, whether you plan to or not. The square is surrounded by stepped gable buildings, tourist restaurants, horse-drawn carriages, and loads of people posing for the same photo over and over again. Despite the crowds, it’s hard not to be impressed by the size and scale of the square. It feels like something out of a medieval Lego set. During the day, it’s mostly packed with tour groups and people eating overpriced waffles. There are food stalls at the edge, but the views are the main draw.
Belfry of Bruges
Map: Google Maps
Website: Link
This tower is not for the faint of thigh. You’ll climb 366 narrow stone steps in a tight spiral that gets more claustrophobic as you go. But once you make it to the top, the views are worth every leg cramp. You’ll see the rooftops of Bruges spread out like a pop-up storybook—churches, canals, and those classic stepped roofs in every direction. There are a few landings along the way where you can stop to let someone pass or catch your breath. The top level has mesh windows to prevent your phone from meeting an untimely end, but you can still get some good photos.
Church of Our Lady
Map: Google Maps
Website: Link
Tickets: GetYourGuide
Even if you’ve been in a dozen European churches this trip, this one stands out thanks to a legit Michelangelo sculpture tucked away in a side chapel. The sculpture, called "Madonna and Child," is one of the few pieces by Michelangelo that left Italy during his lifetime. The church itself is made almost entirely of brick and is massive, even by European church standards. Admission is required to see the sculpture up close, but the main nave is free to visit.
Begijnhof
Map: Google Maps
This quiet courtyard complex dates back to the 1200s and was once home to a religious community of women called beguines. Today, it’s still a residential area, so it’s best to keep voices down and just soak up the peaceful vibe. A small white church sits near the entrance. During the day, there’s usually a light stream of visitors taking photos of the whitewashed buildings and manicured lawn. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch it when the trees are blooming.
Canal Boat Tour
Canals crisscross Bruges, and seeing them from the water gives you a different look at the city. Boats leave regularly from several points near the center, and the tour takes about 30 minutes. There’s usually a prerecorded or live narration in multiple languages, but the real highlight is floating past bridges, backyards, and buildings that you wouldn’t otherwise get to see. Some tours can feel a little rushed and crowded, but you’ll still get great views and a bunch of Instagram-worthy angles.
Choco-Story Bruges
Map: Google Maps
Website: Link
Tickets: GetYourGuide
Part museum, part chocolate commercial, but in a fun way. The exhibits walk you through the history of chocolate, with everything from ancient Mayan drinking chocolate to the rise of Belgian pralines. Along the way, there are samples and demos, including a live chocolatier working in a little glass kitchen. Near the end, there’s a gift shop. It’s touristy, but if you like sweets or need an indoor activity when the weather gets ugly, this is a good pick.
Bruges Beer Experience
Map: Google Maps
Website: Link
Tickets: GetYourGuide
You’ll get a crash course in Belgium’s beer culture in this small, modern museum above a tourist shop on the Markt. Interactive screens explain brewing processes, regional differences, and beer history in Belgium. It’s more high-tech than you might expect for a museum about beer. At the end, you can hit the tasting room, which offers several local brews on tap. The experience is self-guided, so you can move at your own pace—and drink at your own pace, too.
Historium Bruges
Map: Google Maps
Website: Link
Tickets: GetYourGuide
Located right on the main square, this is an interactive museum that tries to recreate what Bruges would’ve looked and felt like in the Middle Ages. You’ll walk through a series of rooms filled with elaborate sets while watching a story unfold on screens. There’s also a VR add-on that gives you a digital tour of the city. It’s definitely made for tourists, but it’s well done and easy to squeeze into a tight schedule.
Rozenhoedkaai
Map: Google Maps
There’s a reason this spot is on every postcard and travel brochure for Bruges. It’s the place where several canals meet, giving you one of the most iconic views in town. You’ll see the Belfry peeking out above the rooftops, colorful medieval homes lining the water, and plenty of people trying to get the perfect shot. It gets crowded, especially in the afternoon, but it’s a great place to just pause for a minute before moving on.
Burg Square
Map: Google Maps
Just a block over from the Markt, this smaller square is home to the city’s ornate Gothic City Hall and the Basilica of the Holy Blood. The city hall is a quick photo stop unless you’re into ornate ceilings and civic history. The basilica is small, dark, and moody with a medieval crypt underneath. If the relic of the Holy Blood is out, you’ll see a quiet line of visitors waiting to get close. It’s a short visit but memorable if you catch it during display hours.
Gruuthusemuseum
Map: Google Maps
Website: Link
Tickets: GetYourGuide
This restored 15th-century mansion used to belong to a wealthy beer magnate and now functions as a museum. Inside, you’ll find everything from tapestries and stained glass to antique furniture and religious relics. It’s not huge, but it’s well laid out and better curated than most small-city museums. If you’re into historic interiors and want a peek at Bruges’ wealthy past, it’s worth a visit. Bonus: there’s a nice view of the Church of Our Lady from the upstairs windows.
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Best Shore Excursions at the Port of Zeebrugge
Popular excursions from the Zeebrugge cruise port include guided walking tours of Bruges or combo tours that also visit Ghent. But if you want to visit Bruges on your own from Zeebrugge, it’s totally doable with public transit or a taxi.
Bruges Guided Walking Tour
A professional guide walks you through the highlights of Bruges including the Markt, Burg, Begijnhof, and the canals. You’ll get local context and avoid missing easy-to-overlook spots.
Bruges and Chocolate Workshop
A hands-on class where you’ll learn basic chocolate techniques and decorate your own truffles or pralines to take home.
Bruges for Foodies
Visit a mix of chocolate shops, beer cellars, fry stands, and waffle stops with a guide who can walk and talk you through what to order.
Self-Guided Bruges Shuttle
Some cruise lines offer a simple shuttle transfer into Bruges with no tour. This is a good option if you want freedom to explore on your own.
Must Try Local Cuisine and Restaurants in Bruges, Belgium
Belgian fries, chocolate, and waffles are everywhere, but don't skip the mussels and stew at sit-down restaurants in Bruges, Belgium. If you're only here for one meal, try to book a spot at a café near the canals for the full experience.
Fries from 't Brugsch Friethuys
Map: Google Maps
This popular stand is just off the Markt. Try the fries with andalouse or samurai sauce. The cone is large enough to share, or not.
Flemish Stew at De Vlaamsche Pot
Map: Google Maps
Website: Link
A traditional slow-cooked beef stew made with dark Belgian beer. Served with bread or fries, this is one of Bruges’ most authentic meals. Note that children under 14 are not allowed.
Waffles at Otto Waffle Atelier
Map: Google Maps
Website: Link
A small shop doing modern takes on Belgian waffles. Crisp, light, and topped with fresh fruit, chocolate, or cream.
Beer and food pairing at De Halve Maan Brewery
Map: Google Maps
Website: Link
The on-site brasserie serves local dishes and beer brewed on premises. Grab a table and order the Brugse Zot blonde with your meal.
Speculoos at Juliette
Map: Google Maps
This cookie shop sells both plain and chocolate-dipped versions of the famous spiced Belgian cookie. A good spot for edible souvenirs.
Chocolate from Dumon Chocolatier
Map: Google Maps
Website: Link
A small family-run chocolatier with several shops around town. They sell beautifully wrapped pralines and boxes that are easier to carry back than some others.
Waterzooi from Poules Moules
Map: Google Maps
Website: Link
Though known for mussels, this restaurant also serves a good waterzooi, a creamy chicken or fish stew rarely found outside Belgium.
Hot Chocolate from The Old Chocolate House
Map: Google Maps
Website: Link
Two-story chocolate cafe near the center with huge pots of pour-your-own hot chocolate. You’ll want to split one unless you’re very committed.
Bruges Cruise Port Map
Check a Bruges map, Belgium edition, before arriving—most maps will show key attractions like Markt, Minnewater, and the best zones for shopping in Bruges, Belgium. The Zeebrugge port to Bruges route is easy to follow, but the city itself can feel like a maze if you're unprepared.
Map: Google Maps
Best Things to Do in Port of Bruges, Belgium
The Markt
Belfry of Bruges
Church of Our Lady
Begijnhof
Canal Boat Tour
Choco-Story Bruges
Bruges Beer Museum
Sint-Janshospitaal
Historium Bruges
Rozenhoedkaai
Burg Square
Gruuthusemuseum
De Vlaamsche Pot
Otto Waffle Atelier
De Halve Maan Brewery
Dumon Chocolatier
The Old Chocolate House
