Organized Tours

A must for every visitor is a boat cruise on the city canals. There are several departure points, all marked with an anchor icon on maps available at the tourist office. Those open-top canalboats can be scorching in hot weather and bracing in cold, but they're fun and they give you a uniquely satisfying view of the city. They operate March to November daily from 10am to 6pm, and December to February on weekends, school vacations, and public holidays from 10am to 6pm (except if the canals are frozen!). A half-hour cruise is 6.50€ ($10) for adults, 3€ ($4.80) for children ages 4 to 11 accompanied by an adult, and free for children 3 and under. Wear something warm if the weather is cold or windy.

Another delightful way to tour Bruges is by horse-drawn carriage (tel. 050/34-54-01; www.hippo.be). From March to November, carriages are stationed on the Markt (on Wed on the Burg). A 35-minute ride is 34€ ($54) per carriage for up to 5 people.

Minivan tours by Sightseeing Line (tel. 050/35-50-24; www.citytour.be) last 50 minutes and depart hourly daily from the Markt. The first tour departs at 10am; the last tour departs at 8pm July to September, at 7pm April to June, at 6pm October, at 5pm March, and at 4pm November to February. Fares are 12€ ($19) for adults, 6€ ($9.60) children ages 6 to 11, free for children 5 and under, and 30€ ($48) for families.

From March to October, get some exercise and at the same time visit little-known parts of Bruges, or head out of town to explore the nearby flat Flemish countryside and the village of Damme, on a bike tour, with commentary in English, led by QuasiMundo Biketours (tel. 050/33-07-75; www.quasimundo.com). Tours are 24€ ($38) for adults, 20€ ($32) for ages 8 to 26, and free for children 7 and under. Call ahead to make a reservation. The meeting and departure point is the Burg.

If you'd like a trained, knowledgeable guide to accompany you in Bruges, the tourist office can provide one for 50€ ($80) for the first 2 hours, and 25€ ($40) for each additional hour. Or in July and August, join a daily guided tour at 3pm that leaves from the tourist office; it costs 7€ ($11) for adults and is free for children 13 and under.