Zeebrugge Shore Excursion

This Zeebrugge shore trip is for perfect for art lovers. You explore the Groeninge Museum, featuring Dutch Masters and also the Church of Our Lady where you'll see Michelangelo's Madonna. You also explore the most charming corners of Bruges.

After meeting your guide at the pier in Zeebrugge you immediately head for Bruges. A short stop is made on the way so you can see the picturesque village of Lissewege which is considered the best preserved village on the Flemish coastal plain. Lovely whitewashed houses circle the church and are lined along a small canal.

In Bruges you start a walking tour by visiting the Beguinage. A beguinage, or begijnhof in Dutch, is a courtyard surrounded by small homes, typically surrounding by a wall and secluded from the local town by one or more gates. In the case of Bruges, the beguinage is also cut off from the town by canals and bridges. Pious catholic women who lived and dressed like nuns (though they did not take formal vows) lived in these small quarters. This tradition started in the 13th century. Poor and elderly beguines were housed by wealthy benefactors. The homes you see today are from the 17th century and the area is one of the most charming and tranquil in Bruges.

Your walking tour continues as you explore the iconic Market Square which has been used as a market place since the year 958 AD. The square is filled with Gothic Revival buildings, a 250 foot tall bell tower, the famous Burg, rows of stepped facades and outdoor caf̩s serving Belgian specialties and beer. Your guide will provide detailed explanations about this beautiful square and its historic buildings. The square was pedestrianized in 1996 and has since become one of the most beautiful squares in all of Europe.

Next you visit the Groeninge Museum, a treat for art lovers. The museum is small enough to explore in an hour but large enough to hold some of the greatest Dutch works from the 14th to 20th centuries, including works by Jan van Eyck, Hans Memling, Gerard David and more. Your guide will provide a one hour guided visit of the most important pieces and then allow you to have some free time to enjoy others on your own.

Next you have free time to enjoy lunch (meal not included) in one of the many caf̩s. Your guide is happy make suggestions and tell you about the local specialties.

After lunch you enjoy one of the special treats of Bruges, a boat canal tour. These popular boat cruises take you by some of the most picturesque settings in all of Europe. A must for any visitor to Bruges.

Before your Bruges shore excursion ends, you visit the Church of Our Lady, which is the tallest structure in Bruges and the second tallest brick structure in the world. A highlight is Michelangelo's Madonna which was sculpted in 1504 and was intended for the cathedral of Siena. However, two rich Brugean merchants purchased it and brought it here.

Mobility: NO wheelchairs