Belgium · CANAL CRUISES

The 15 Best Canal Cruises in Belgium

18 tours  ·  from $8 a head

Bruges and Ghent were both built to be read from the water, and the boats are cheap. These 15 compare the sailings on length, departure point and whether a guide talks you through it.

Ghent: 50-Minute Medieval Center Guided Boat Trip - Graslei and the old port
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Ghent: 50-Minute Medieval Center Guided Boat Trip

1.50-Minute Medieval Center Guided Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,637 reviews · 1 day · from $12Our pick

Take a 50-minute boat ride through Ghent’s medieval center, passing the Three Towers, Gravensteen, guildhalls, old port, and Prince’s Court. Live commentary is given in Dutch, English, and French, with illustrated translations in six more languages. Guides such as Kobe, Brent, Anna, and Tom have been praised for clear stories and humor.

“Great activity with a knowledgeable guide. Seeing Ghent by boat is a great option!”

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Bruges: Walking Tour, Canal Boat Trip w/Beer Tasting Option - Starting near the station and the Lake of Love
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Bruges: Walking Tour, Canal Boat Trip w/Beer Tasting Option

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

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

Follow a live English, French, or Spanish-speaking guide through Bruges, from the Lake of Love and Begijnhof to Markt and the Belfort. The walking tour covers the city’s essential sights, then a 30-minute canal cruise offers a new view of the medieval center. English tours can add a tasting of four Belgian beers.

“Maria was a really great and insightful guide, who made everything about Bruges really interesting. She kept us entertained and was also very helpful in giving us tips on bars and must dos in Bruges”

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From Brussels: Bruges Day Trip with Boat Tour Option (ENG) - Meeting at Brussels Central Station
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From Brussels: Bruges Day Trip with Boat Tour Option (ENG)

3.Bruges Day Trip with Boat Tour Option (ENG)

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,352 reviews · 570 minutes - 10 hours · from $50

Travel by coach from Brussels to Bruges for a two-hour English walking tour led by guides such as Peter, Blanca, or Jorge, followed by about four hours to eat, shop, and explore. Add the canal boat ride for a different view of the city. Expect cobblestones, headphones, and no bus toilet.

“Blanca was a great guide, she has a good grasp of the history of the place we visited and she gave good recommendations on where you eat and the places where you should spend your money”

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From Brussels: Bruges Day Trip with Boat Tour Option (ES) - Meeting the guide outside Brussels Central Station
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From Brussels: Bruges Day Trip with Boat Tour Option (ES)

4.Bruges Day Trip with Boat Tour Option (ES)

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,171 reviews · 9h 30m · from $50

Travel from Brussels to Bruges with a Spanish-speaking guide, then explore the UNESCO-listed center on foot. See Minnewaterpark, Begijnhof, Market Square, the Belfry, and the canals before four hours of free time. You can add a canal boat ride, hunt for chocolate, or enjoy lunch at your own pace.

“I really enjoyed my trip to Bruges. Our guide Lucia was very kind and helpful. The city is worth visiting, but with the help of a guide it makes the experience even more rich.”

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Ghent: 40 Minute Medieval Center Guided Boat Tour - Boarding at the medieval harbor
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Ghent: 40 Minute Medieval Center Guided Boat Tour

5.40 Minute Medieval Center Guided Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 884 reviews · 1 day · from $12

See central Ghent from the River Leie on a 40-minute guided boat ride. Your guide covers the medieval harbor, three famous towers, Prinsenhof, guildhalls, churches, monasteries, and Castle of the Counts in Dutch, English, or French. Illustrated text is available in Spanish, German, Italian, Russian, and Japanese.

“Loved this boat tour! Our guide was hilarious and knowledgeable. The best combination! Fit so much into and details in during the boat ride. Highly Recommend!”

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Guided boat trip and walk - Starting at the Markt and the Belfry
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Guided boat trip and walk

6.Guided boat trip and walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 703 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $53

Walk Bruges with a local guide such as Fabienne, Patrick, Bruno, or Mark, then cruise its canals for 30 minutes. You’ll see the Markt, Basilica of the Holy Blood, Beguinage, Beerwall, Gruuthuse area, and more. The gentle route suits first-time visitors, but bring warm clothing and arrive early for the boat.

“Delightful walking tour with Brigit and fun canal boat ride with Captain Alan. Brigit had a wealth of interesting knowledge about the magical 800 year old UNESCO World Heritage city of Brugge. Totally worth the time, gentle walk, easy pace. Beautiful to see the details of the city. Canal boat ride was excellent-great to see Brugge from the canal view. Highly recommend! Visit Brugge Madonna after! Oh and we especially loved the area founded by and lived in exclusively by women- Begunenhuisje is a 12th century community formed by women who had husbands out on the crusades (felt unsafe) or widows and nuns-only women have ever lived here through to…”

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Ghent: 40-Minute Historical Boat Tour of City Center - Starting at the Graslei jetty
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Ghent: 40-Minute Historical Boat Tour of City Center

7.40-Minute Historical Boat Tour of City Center

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 430 reviews · 40 min · from $12

Cruise Ghent’s center for 40 minutes with a local guide speaking Dutch, English, or French. From the Graslei jetty, you’ll pass medieval façades, the Great Butcher’s Hall, Dulle Griet, the Old Fish Market, Gravensteen, and Rabot. Open and covered boats run according to weather, with written commentary available in Spanish, Italian, and German.

“It was a great tour and the guide spoke in 3 languages to give the tour.”

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Guided Boat Trip in Ghent - Great Meat Hall: A Look at Ghent’s Trade Past
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Guided Boat Trip in Ghent

8.Guided Boat Trip in Ghent

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 181 reviews · 40 minutes (approx.) · from $13

Cruise Ghent’s River Leie for about 40 minutes in an open or covered boat, with live commentary in English and often other languages. From Graslei, you’ll pass the Historic Port, Great Meat Hall, Castle of Counts, and other old-city sights. Departures run every 15 minutes in high season and every 30 minutes in low season.

“Our guide was great had a nice sense of humor. It was difficult to hear / understand him at times. Couldn’t have asked for a nicer day!”

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Ghent: Guided Walking Tour and Canal Boat Trip - Meeting the guide outside the Belfry
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Ghent: Guided Walking Tour and Canal Boat Trip

9.Guided Walking Tour and Canal Boat Trip

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

Walk central Ghent with an English-speaking local guide, visiting St. Bavo’s Cathedral, the Belfry, Graslei, Patershol, and Gravensteen. Hear the story behind the Van Eyck altarpiece, then take a 30-minute canal cruise with an audio guide and illustrated translations. Guides such as Ariel, Peter, Juliana, and Eros have led recent tours.

“Got a late start as much of the group was coming from Brussels but the guide was very knowledgeable and well informed about the history of Ghent.”

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Day trip to Bruges from Paris with canal cruise - Leaving Paris in a small vehicle
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Day trip to Bruges from Paris with canal cruise

10.Day trip to Bruges from Paris with canal cruise

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

Travel from Paris to Bruges in a small group with a multilingual guide such as Jean Baptiste, Serge, or Roland. See the Belfry, Grand Place, Burg Square, Beguinage, and Lake of Love, then enjoy free time for Belgian food, shopping, and a canal cruise from April to November. Winter visits include the Gothic Town Hall Hall when conditions allow.

“Jean Baptiste was a great guide. Very sociable and informative. The canal boat ride and walking around Bruge was well worth it. Fantastic atmosphere.”

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Antwerp: Private Old Harbour Boat Tour Incl. Drinks & Snacks - The 1918 Notarisboat Rien Elisabeth
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Antwerp: Private Old Harbour Boat Tour Incl. Drinks & Snacks

11.Private Old Harbour Boat Tour Incl. Drinks & Snacks

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 80 reviews · 1h 30m · from $56

Board the restored 1918 Notarisboat Rien Elisabeth at the MAS pontoon for a 90-minute private cruise through Antwerp’s old harbour. Your skipper guides you past MAS, Bonaparte Dock, Havenhuis, Droogdockenpark, Kempisch Dock, and Asiadok, with drinks and snacks included. Tours run from May 1 to October 15.

“Leuke rondvaart in een prachtige oude salonboot met een uiterst kundige maar vooral vriendelijke kapitein.”

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Bruges Tour with Canal Cruise from Zeebrugge Cruise Port - The Belfry and the heart of old Bruges
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Bruges Tour with Canal Cruise from Zeebrugge Cruise Port

12.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 vehicle, then follow guides such as Veronique, Sharene, or Daniel through medieval squares, canals, the Beguinage, and Minnewater Lake. A 45-minute canal cruise and free time for waffles, shopping, and photos round out this five- to six-hour shore excursion.

“Maryjane was very knowledgeable of the area. She took her time and didn’t rush us around. The canal ride was my favorite part of the trip.”

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Best Bruges Shore Excursion – Small Group + Optional Canal Cruise

13.Best Bruges Shore Excursion – Small Group + Optional Canal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 62 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $663

Travel from Zeebrugge Port to Bruges by air-conditioned bus, then follow an English-speaking guide through Minnewater Park, the Beguinage, medieval squares, canals, and major landmarks. Choose a 30-minute canal cruise or extra time for food, chocolate, beer, and shopping. Groups are limited to 24 people per guide.

“This was a nice tour that took us from our ship to the civic center. There is a lot of walking involved”

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Romantic Bruges: Love Between the Canals Exploration Game - Town Hall Square, the Fish Market, and Rozenhoedkaai
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Romantic Bruges: Love Between the Canals Exploration Game

14.Romantic Bruges: Love Between the Canals Exploration Game

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 32 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $7Best value

This smartphone exploration game leads you through Bruges on a search for lost love. Solve clues at 15 stops, from 't Zand and the Markt to Rozenhoedkaai, the Beguinage, and Minnewater Lake. It takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, costs $7.20 per person, and suits private groups who want freedom instead of a guide.

“This was a great way to explore Brugge at our own pace while still seeing all the sites and learning some history. Good for adults and kids.”

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Best Bruges Shore Excursion including Deluxe Canal Cruise - The Belfry and Bruges’ central landmarks
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Best Bruges Shore Excursion including Deluxe Canal Cruise

15.Best Bruges Shore Excursion including Deluxe Canal Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 27 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $79

Travel from Zeebrugge to Bruges in an air-conditioned vehicle, then walk past the Belfry, Basilica of the Holy Blood, Church of Our Lady, and Saint John’s Hospital. A 45-minute canal cruise and free time in Market Square round out the day. Guides including Veronique and Krista have been praised for local stories and a steady pace.

“The tour guide for our walking tour was quite slow. We would also have liked greater detail about the history of Brugge. There was some confusion among the tour group as to whether the canal tour was included, and for many it was not. We did take the canal tour and found it to add a much more complete perspective of the city.”

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