Bruges Activities: Boats, Belfry and Museums

October 30, 2026

Bruges activities at a glance

Bruges is small enough to cover on foot, and most of its best activities are a handful of ticketed sights plus some free walks. Each ticketed sight has its own closed days, so a little planning saves a wasted trip. The centre is busiest from about 11:00 to 17:00, so early mornings and evenings are calmer.

Canal boat

The canal boat ride lasts 30 minutes and follows a fixed route between Jan van Eyckplein and the Begijnhof, with no stops. A skipper narrates, the boats are open, and umbrellas are handed out if rain starts suddenly. In 2026 an adult ticket costs EUR 15, children aged 4 to 11 pay EUR 9, and under 4s go free. You pay on the spot by Payconiq or cash, and individuals cannot book ahead.

There are five landing stages, all with the same route and fare: Katelijnestraat, Nieuwstraat, Wollestraat, Rozenhoedkaai and Huidenvettersplein. Boats run daily from 10:00 to 18:00 from March to October. From November to February at least one stage stays open on a rotating basis. The boats have steps down to the water and are not wheelchair accessible; the Katelijnestraat stage has the fewest steps. See the Visit Bruges boat page for the current tariff.

Belfry

The Belfry on the Markt is 83 m tall with 366 steps and no lift. It holds a 47-bell carillon, and the carillonneur plays on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 to 12:00. An adult ticket costs EUR 16 in summer, at weekends and from 26 to 31 December, and EUR 15 on winter weekdays. Under 18s pay EUR 14 or EUR 13, and under 7s are free.

Booking a time slot online is recommended, and tickets carry a start time, so arrive on time. Opening hours are 09:00 to 20:00 daily from April to early November, with shorter weekday hours in winter. The last entry is one hour before closing. Details are on the Musea Brugge Belfry page .

Museums

The Sint-Janshospitaal on Mariastraat shows seven Memling works plus the St Ursula Shrine in the hospital church, and the 17th-century pharmacy is included in the ticket. Entry is EUR 15 for adults, EUR 13 under 26 and EUR 7 under 18, with under 13s free. It is open 09:30 to 17:00 and closed on Mondays.

The Gruuthusemuseum on the Dijver costs the same and is closed on Wednesdays. The Church of Our Lady museum holds Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child, and a combined ticket with the Gruuthuse costs EUR 19. The Groeningemuseum closes on 11 January 2027 for several years of refurbishment, and the core of its collection is shown at the BRUSK art space next door while the works continue.

The Musea Brugge Card is the official museum pass: EUR 49 standard, EUR 37 under 26 and EUR 25 under 18, valid for 72 hours with one visit per location. It pays off at about four or five visits. It does not cover the canal boats, De Lijn buses, De Halve Maan or Choco-Story.

Beer and chocolate

The De Halve Maan brewery, at Walplein 26, has been run by the same family since 1856. The classic tour takes about 45 minutes for up to 25 people and costs EUR 16 with one beer. Children aged 7 to 15 pay EUR 8.50. It involves about 220 steps, some of them steep, so wear sturdy shoes, and it is worth booking ahead.

Choco-Story, at Wijnzakstraat 2, is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00 and shows about 1,000 objects over three floors. An adult ticket costs about EUR 16, so check before you go. Praline workshops can be booked.

Quiet corners

The Adornes Estate and Jerusalem Chapel on Peperstraat costs EUR 11 for adults and is open Monday to Saturday, closed on Sundays. No photography is allowed inside, and visitors are asked to speak softly.

For organised options, compare Bruges tours on GetYourGuide .