Private & personalized tours - just for you!

Experience the best of
Bruges with Withlocals

Whether you're a foodie, history lover, urban explorer or a traveling family. Enjoy Bruges to the max with the best things to do in Bruges with a local expert. The best thing? It's private & personalized - just for you!

Tours in Bruges

Private guided tours
No strangers on your tour. It’s just you and your local host.
100% Customizable
Let your local host tailor the tour completely to your wishes.
Responsible
Our tours are designed with people, places & the planet in mind

Top 5 things to do in Bruges

Make your stay in Bruges complete with these things to do

Choose your local
1Highlights & Hidden Gems of Bruges
3 hours • city highlight tours
Book now
From €38.62 per person
Choose your local
2The 10 Tastings of Bruges
3 hours • food tours
Book now
From €79.50 per person
Choose your local
3Withlocals Your Way! - Bruges City Tour
3 hours • city highlight tours
Book now
From €43.54 per person
Choose your local
4For the Love of Belgian Beer! - Private Tour
2 hours • food tours
Book now
From €55.65 per person
With Philippe
5Private Bike Tour in Medieval Bruges with a Cultural Science Teacher
2.5 hours • city highlight tours
Book now
From €32 per person

Travelers love our locals

What other guests say about our tours and locals

5.0
An exceptional afternoon
"Tom was our introduction to Bruge, it's history, it's culture, and it's personalities past and present. We spent a delightful 3 hours meandering through the city with him. He is thorough and knowledgeable, and indeed an excellent storyteller. And to top it all off, he's personable and good humored. "
KathyAbout local TomBruges, October 19, 2024

5.0
Exceptional experience
"Patrick was an excellent guide very personable and knowledgeable. Highly recommended. "
FrankAbout local PatrickBruges, October 15, 2024

5.0
A remarkable guide; a wonderful experience
"We connected with Artur via Withlocals chat prior to our tour, and he gave us wonderful recommendations for things to do before we met up with him. It was Voting Day in Bruges, which it turns out led to early closing of several spots Artur had hoped to take us; but since he gave us suggestions earlier in the day, we were able to get to those anyway (they were great!); then we got to a few possibly lesser known, but really fun, local pubs with Artur. Several beers that were "only poured in this location." It was an excellent tour, and Artur was great fun to spend time with. He knows his beers and conveys, as well, his love of Bruges. "
GeoffreyAbout local ArturBruges, October 15, 2024

5.0
Persoonlijke tour
"We had a nice tour with Jeff as tour guide. We were delayed in traffic, so we called Jeff and we were able to start the tour an hour later without any problems. He has the route and listened carefully to our interests and wishes. We probably deviated significantly from the "standard" tour because of this. Heard and experienced a lot of nice things, also with a personal touch. Thank you on behalf of the Regulars"
JarithAbout local JeffBruges, October 15, 2024

5.0
Amazing tour with Artur!
"Artur tailored tour to our interests. He was fun and informative, told interesting stories, selected amazing tastings from it seemed the best of best establishments, walked us through the most beautiful streets, and pointed out historic buildings and shared their stories. Tour and Artur, particularly, exceeded our expectations. Definitely recommend. Well worth time and coin! Mahalo nui loa Artur!!!"
PauletteAbout local ArturBruges, October 14, 2024

5.0
Great few hours with Jay
"Jay was a great guide, knowledgable and friendly and of course very funny. Brugge is such a beautiful city and Jay is an amazing knowledge taking you to places you would never normally find such as bar Le Garre."
LorraineAbout local JayBruges, September 27, 2024

5.0
Knowledgeable and entertaining
"Arthur was an excellent guide, we learned so much about both Bruges and about Belgian beer. It was an outstanding tour! "
KarenAbout local ArturBruges, September 21, 2024

5.0
Great experience
"Artur was flexible and made the tour great fun for my 10 year old son and I. Would recommend. "
RenartaAbout local ArturBruges, September 16, 2024

5.0
Great experience with Jay
"We had such a good time with Jay. He not only educated us about Bruges but took us to so many places to try all the different foods and drink. He was so, so entertaining and enthusiastic about the tour. It truly was the highlight of our trip. We highly recommend Jay."
TomAbout local JayBruges, September 7, 2024

5.0
Artur is a delight!
"My wife and I had a private guided tour with Artur. Artur is knowledgeable, charming, and accommodating. His wry sense of humor will leave you smiling. Highly recommend. Matt and Marie"
MattAbout local ArturBruges, September 6, 2024

Explore Bruges with our incredible locals

Learn about their personal stories and find out how you can explore Bruges with locals

XavierThe Countryside LoverSee More
Philippeyour personal cultural adviser See More
NathanThe True Bruges ManSee More
AnnThe classy guideSee More
IgorHistorical researcherSee More
ArturNatural Born Storyteller : Chocolate & Waffle & Beer Expert in BrugesSee More
Tomthe born storytellerSee More
MartinThe entertaining storytellerSee More
JeffAmerican in BrugesSee More
PatrickFood Tasting SpecialistSee More

Things to do in Bruges

Our locals will give you the best experiences that Bruges has to offer

Choose your local
Highlights & Hidden Gems of Bruges
4.9
198 reviews
3 hours • city highlight tours
from €38.62 per person
Choose your local
The 10 Tastings of Bruges
4.9
273 reviews
3 hours • food tours
from €79.50 per person
Choose your local
Withlocals Your Way! - Bruges City Tour
4.9
358 reviews
3 hours • city highlight tours
from €43.54 per person
Choose your local
For the Love of Belgian Beer! - Private Tour
4.9
245 reviews
2 hours • food tours
from €55.65 per person
With Philippe
Private Bike Tour in Medieval Bruges with a Cultural Science Teacher
4.9
108 reviews
2.5 hours • city highlight tours
from €32 per person
With Nathan
The Essence of Bruges Tour with a Local
4.4
125 reviews
2 hours • city highlight tours
from €36.76 per person
With Xavier
Scenic Bike Tour Through Bruges Countryside
5.0
49 reviews
3.5 hours • city highlight tours
from €89 per person
With Igor
Bruges Medieval History & Magic Private Tour
4.9
73 reviews
2.5 hours • city highlight tours
from €48 per person

See all experiences

Other things to do nearby

Other travelers went to these amazing experiences near Bruges

Choose your local
Highlights & Hidden Gems of Ghent
4.8
14 reviews
3 hours • city highlight tours
from €40.44 per person
With Merel
The 10 Tastings of Ghent
4.8
14 reviews
3 hours • food tours
from €78.68 per person

Find experiences by category

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Enjoy the Best of the Bruges
Like a Local

Things to do in Bruges

Bruges attracts thousands of tourists each year. No wonder: the entire town has conquered a spot on the UNESCO List of World Heritage. The city simply breathes history! Have a look at our list of top things to do in Bruges.

Dine at a local’s home
Food is a big deal in Bruges! Belgians in general really love to cook and eat. The best and most authentic way to enjoy Belgian food is by dining at a local’s home. People from Bruges just love having people over and preparing a delicious meal for them!
Over a Belgian beer or a good glass of wine, you and your local host can chatter away about the history of Bruges or any other topic that might come up. After the main dish, your host might serve you one of the famous sweets from Bruges, like the ‘Brugse acht’, a glazed cookie, ‘Brugs beschuit’, toasted, sweetened bread or ‘Brugse sigaretjes’, hollow or cigar-shaped cookies.
Take a siesta in one of the many parks
By far one of the top things to do in Bruges during your holiday is to take some time to relax. The best places to enjoy Bruges are its many parks! Chill out at the patch of green looking out over the Minnewater, for example, a lake in the center of Bruges.
Or stretch your legs in the Koningin Astridpark; this park covers almost 2 ha and is also situated in the center of the town. If you prefer to take a siesta in a lesser well-known park, we suggest you go the Hof de Jonghe, along the Langerei. Sometimes there are sheep which will keep you company! For other hidden gems of greenery, ask your local host.
Feel the romantic vibes
Bruges is a very romantic city due to its peace and quiet, fantastic historic buildings, cobbled streets and beautiful canals on which you can take boat tours. It’s with good reason that people call it ‘The Venice of the North’. Perhaps it’s even a better version of Venice, ‘cause it’s not overrun with tourists yet!
Like Venice, there are also dozens of old, beautiful bridges in Bruges. The Meerstraat Bridge, for instance, probably the most photographed bridge in Belgium. The Minnewater Bridge is also a gorgeous piece of historic architecture. Follow your local host to discover Bruges’ most picturesque spots!
Explore Bruges by bike
A perfect way to discover Bruges is by bike! After having seen the sights within the town’s ramparts, it’s definitely worth to cycle in the surroundings of Bruges as well. A famous cycling route runs from Bruges to Damme, which is only 5 km away.
Just follow the Damse Vaart, a scenic river, and you’ll get there! If you’re feeling really sporty, you might want to follow the coastal route to Oostende (23 km) or Knokke (20 km), two major beach resorts. Cycling in the surroundings of Bruges should definitely be on the top of your things to do list! You don’t even need an excellent physique as the region is as flat as a pancake!
Jog around the city
You do need a good physique to do this item on our top things to do list. You have to jog 7 km to go around the city. Quite the distance for an inexperienced jogger!
But who says you have to jog it in one go? The great thing about a jog in Bruges: there’s so much to look at! You’ll want to stop every once in awhile, not just to catch a breath, but also to look at the gorgeous medieval scenery. This is a really fun way to explore Bruges. Let a sporty host guide you along the ‘Vesten’ (ramparts): he’ll make sure you won’t miss a thing!
Discover the best historic sites
We’ll let you in on a little secret. Bruges has quite some tourist traps! Many of its restaurants are seriously overpriced, and some of its historical sites as well. This is why we really recommend relying on a local guide when visiting Bruges: you will get to know the authentic side of Bruges without getting ripped off!
One of the historic sites that is a true top thing to do is the Grote Markt which features the Belfry. This medieval bell tower might be quite expensive but is truly worth it. It’s the one from the movie In Bruges, by the way! Other important sights are the Wollestraat, the Basilica of the Holy Blood and the Beguinage. Let your local host tell you about the rich history behind them!
Visit the concert hall in Bruges
Did you know Bruges also has modern buildings? Yes, really! Not that many, though. And just one of them is really worth a visit: the concert hall. Bruges constructed this red-bricked enormity in 2002, when the city was elected as the Cultural Capital of Europe. If you go up to the highest floor, you’ll enjoy a gorgeous panorama over Bruges.
This sight alone should convince you to visit the concert hall, but there’s more. The building also holds a sound factory where you can experiment with sounds of old clocks. Curious? Go check it out with your local host! This is among the top things to do in Bruges.
Have a stroll along the Gouden-Handrei
The Gouden-Handrei should definitely be on your things to do in Bruges list if you want to avoid big crowds of tourists – and who doesn’t, right? The Gouden-Handrei is one of the most beautiful hidden gems of Bruges. This small street along a narrow canal is a true feast for the eye. It’s just a short walk, but certainly worth it!
If you take a tour with a local host, you will discover similar cute little places that haven’t been overrun by mass tourism yet. Wander around the lesser-known Bruges with one of our fantastic guides.
Go on a pub crawl
By now, you might be wondering what’s taking us so long to mention beer. But here it goes: BEER! People from Bruges really love this bitter liquid. One of their favorite pastimes is to enjoy some beers in a local bar. Therefore, Bruges is filled with cozy beer cellars where you can choose from dozens of different beers.
In the day time, go to the Beer Museum, and at night, go on a pub crawl! Don’t forget to taste the local beers from Bruges like the ‘Straffe Hendrik’ and the ‘Brugse zot’. Some of the best beer cellars and clubs are based on the Kuipersstraat, by the way. Ask your local guide for more information.
Local tipWalk in at brewery Bourgogne des Flandres for a totally unique range of beers
Immerse yourself in Bruges’ art scene
If you’re into art, this should definitely be on your things to do in Bruges list. The city has a thriving art scene. And this scene goes way back in time. You’ve probably heard of the ‘Flemish Masters’, like Jan van Eyck, Hans Memling and Rogier van der Weyden. The famous Groeninge Museum features many of their paintings.
Perhaps you’re more into contemporary art. In that case, the Bruges Art Route might be your thing, an art- and walking route which features contemporary works of art. Or perhaps you might enjoy an upcycling workshop! Upcycling is a contemporary art form that is gaining a lot of popularity in Belgium.

Dreamy things to do in Bruges

Feel like a local in Bruges! From indulging in creamy chocolates to exploring historical city walks, your local host will help you discover the most magical things to do in Bruges. With so many picturesque streets and interesting activities to discover, you’ll be wishing you had more time in Bruges. Architects will be fascinated by Sint-Annakerk Church, and will love hearing stories of the historical hospital, how Bruges began and what life was like in the 14th Centaury. Foodies will be running for craft beers, fresh-caught seafood, Danish pastries and homemade chocolates. Your local host will show you all the best things to do in Bruges. Simply let them know where your hobbies and interests lie, and they will know where to go to find the top things to see in Bruges! Exploring such a dreamy city with a genuine local who knows where to go to find all the best picture spots is the perfect way to get to know Bruges. Whether you take a bike ride through the countryside, head for the craft beer or take a night tour to listen to ghost stories, your local host will help you choose the activities that are just right for you. With your friendly local host by your side, you’ll discover the local favorite places to go to find the top things to do in Bruges on your private tour! If you’re planning your activities for Bruges, a Withlocals private tour that is 100% customizable is the perfect way to get to know the real Bruges at your own pace. Tell your host which things you would most like to see, and they will help you decide the right things to do in Bruges. Whatever your preferences, they will arrange it all locally for you!

Belgium
Bruges

Private guided tours

100% Customizable

Responsible

Top 5 things to do in Bruges

1Highlights & Hidden Gems of Bruges

2The 10 Tastings of Bruges

3Withlocals Your Way! - Bruges City Tour

4For the Love of Belgian Beer! - Private Tour

5Private Bike Tour in Medieval Bruges with a Cultural Science Teacher

Travelers love our locals

An exceptional afternoon

Exceptional experience

A remarkable guide; a wonderful experience

Persoonlijke tour

Amazing tour with Artur!

Great few hours with Jay

Knowledgeable and entertaining

Great experience

Great experience with Jay

Artur is a delight!

Explore Bruges with our incredible locals

Things to do in Bruges

Other things to do nearby

Find experiences by category

Enjoy the Best of the BrugesLike a Local

Things to do in Bruges

Dine at a local’s home

Take a siesta in one of the many parks

Feel the romantic vibes

Explore Bruges by bike

Jog around the city

Discover the best historic sites

Visit the concert hall in Bruges

Have a stroll along the Gouden-Handrei

Go on a pub crawl

Immerse yourself in Bruges’ art scene

Dreamy things to do in Bruges

Related Bruges pages

Enjoy the Best of the Bruges
Like a Local