More about: 5 Best Day Trips to Bruges from Paris
The city of Bruges is considered one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe. The state of preservation of its historic buildings is so perfect that the city seems to have stood still in time. Not for nothing has it been declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco.
Another unmistakable characteristic of this city is its canals, which have earned it the name of "the Venice of the North", creating a bucolic atmosphere, with beautiful landscapes that seem to be straight out of a book. I know there are a lot of things to see and do in Paris, but if you have a day in your itinerary that you can book, I recommend you visit Bruges, you won't regret it.
1. Excursion to Bruges from Paris

Discover the magic of one of Belgium's most enchanting cities with this day trip to Bruges from Paris. Known as the "Venice of the North", Bruges will captivate you with its canals, historic squares and perfectly preserved medieval architecture.
During the visit, you will tour its main monuments with a professional guide and, if you travel between April and October, you can enjoy a boat trip on its canals. You will also have free time to sample the local gastronomy and visit its famous chocolate shops.
Details of interest:
- Price - from £144
- Duration: about 14 hours
- Recommended if... you want a guided experience with comfortable transport and free time in Bruges.
2. Bruges tour with audio guide

Explore at your own pace with this audio-guided tour of Bruges from Paris. After a comfortable bus ride, you can explore the city's most emblematic sites with an audio guide if you choose this option.
Admire the architecture of the Market Square, visit the Church of Our Lady with Michelangelo's sculpture and stroll through the medieval streets. Afterwards, enjoy free time to savour the local gastronomy or stroll along the canals.
Details of interest:
- Price - from £116
- Duration: approximately 14 hours
- Recommended if... you prefer a flexible tour without a personal guide.
3. Private tour of Bruges

Enjoy an exclusive experience with this private tour of Bruges from Paris by train. Accompanied by a private guide, you will explore the highlights of the city at your own pace and with a personalised itinerary.
From the Main Square and the Church of Notre Dame to the Lake of Love, this tour is ideal if you are looking for a more intimate and flexible way of getting to know the city. You can also add activities such as a visit to a chocolate factory or a boat trip along the canals.
Details of interest:
- Price - from £180
- Duration: full day
- Recommended if... you want a personalised and unhurried tour.
4. Excursion to Bruges with boat trip, lunch and visit to the chocolate museum

Enjoy a complete cultural and gastronomic experience with this excursion to Bruges with boat trip, lunch, brewery and chocolate museum Throughout the day, you will discover the city on foot, by boat and through its brewing and chocolate tradition.
The tour includes a visit to a local brewery with tasting, a traditional lunch and access to the Choco Story Museum. All complemented by free time to explore further at your own pace.
Details of interest:
- Price - from £390
- Duration: full day
- Recommended if... you are looking for a varied experience with beer, chocolate and culture
5. Excursion to Bruges and Brussels from Paris

This combined tour to Bruges and Brussels is perfect if you want to see two iconic Belgian cities in one day. First you will walk through the medieval streets of Bruges and then continue on to the country's capital, Brussels.
In Brussels, the imposing Grand Place, the Manneken Pis statue and the chance to sample specialities such as waffles and craft beers await you. A complete plan for those who want to make the most of their visit.
Interesting details:
- Price - from £116.
- Duration: approximately 14 hours
- Recommended if... you want to experience two Belgian cities in one tour.
How can I book a tour to Bruges from Paris?

It is best to do this in advance when you are organising your itinerary at home, to ensure the availability of your chosen date. You can do this on tour and sightseeing platforms. With this method you also have the advantage of being able to pay by credit or debit card, but for me the best thing about booking on this type of platform is knowing what I am buying.
It often happens that if you book on the spot you don't really know what you are going to find, someone may recommend a certain excursion, but perhaps they have an interest behind it, such as charging a commission, for example, and not that you have the best experience. On the platforms, however, you have the testimonials of people who have booked that same tour and give their opinion after doing it, you should always read them.
What will I see on the Paris to Bruges tours?

It depends quite a bit on the type of tour, but generally you will walk through the historic centre of Bruges, seeing the most emblematic buildings of the city, such as the Provincial Palace and the Basilica of the Holy Blood, for example (entrance fees are not included in the price of the tours, they are usually paid separately).
Bruges is a fairly small city that is easy to explore on foot. You can also explore the outskirts of the city and take a cruise along the canals of the Venice of the North. Most excursions don't include cruise tickets, but this one I recommend does.
As a general rule, you'll have some free time to do some activities on your own, such as shopping and eating. Despite being a small city, due to the large influx of tourists throughout the year, there is a wide variety ofrestaurants in the city of Bruges.
For shopping, Bruges also has a very good range of shopping areas, such as markets, art galleries, antique shops and pedestrian streets lined with local shops.
What are the must-see places in Bruges?

There are many places of interest in Bruges, including museums, public buildings, squares and parks. Of all the things to do, you will have to choose according to the time you have available, but you should not miss the opportunity to visit:
1. The historic centre of Bruges
The historic centre of Bruges has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its entirety, a rare occurrence.
Within its boundaries are many of the city's main buildings and monuments. It is a good place to start your personal tour so that as you walk through the streets you can enter the buildings that interest you most.
2. The city's main square (Burg)
Throughout several centuries of history, Bruges' main square has been the heart of the city and continues to be the heart of the city, where several of the most important buildings such as the Franconate and the Basilica of the Holy Blood are concentrated.
3. Bruges City Hall
The Bruges Town Hall is well worth a visit. You will be dazzled by the more than 600 year old gothic hall and the works of art throughout the building, from magnificent sculptures to frescoes of typical Flemish art that are a marvel to behold.
4. Old Franconate of Bruges
This centuries-old building was the centre from which the entire campaign of the Burgh of Bruges was controlled. Over the years, the Franconate of Bruges changed its functions, became a courthouse and is nowadays the most visited building in the city, as well as the seat of the city archives.
5. The city's bell tower
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Belfry of the City of Bruges, besides being worth a visit for what it represents and for its architectural beauty, houses important medieval documents that can be seen and the incredible score that makes the bells ring.
6. The Basilica of the Holy Blood
With breathtaking structural and decorative beauty, the Basilica of the Holy Blood is a must-see in the city of Bruges. It houses a relic containing the blood of Christ, carried by the Crusaders, hence its name.
7. The Begijnhof Beguinage (Beguine Beguinage)
The Beguinage in Bruges has a rather peculiar history. It was founded in 1245 as a hostel for emancipated lay women, but also led a cloistered life. Today it is a monastery of the Benedictine Order.
8. The Rosary Wharf (Rozenhoedkaai)
This must be one of the most popular places in the city of Bruges, as everyone who visits it is used to taking photographs there, as it is one of the most emblematic places in the city.
The Rosary Quay is undoubtedly one of the most romantic places in the city and is the ideal place to take a picture of your visit to Bruges and remember this trip forever. The pictures you can take there are magnificent.
9. Museum of the Church of Notre Dame (Notre Dame)
The Museum of the Church of Notre Dame is a must-see on any tour to Bruges. The church tower is the second tallest in the world and you will be able to see one of Michelangelo's most famous works, known as the Madonna of Bruges. You can also see the spectacular mausoleums of Mary of Burgundy and Charles the Bold, along with a priceless collection of religious frescoes.
10. St Boniface Bridge (Bonifaciusbrug)
St. Boniface Bridge is one of the places in Bruges that is enveloped by a different, almost magical atmosphere. The bridge's setting, which is particularly beautiful and peaceful, is an invitation to sit and enjoy moments of introspection and relaxation, even though it is very popular with visitors.
Tips for a trip to Bruges from Paris

- Book a guided tour if you are visiting Bruges for the first time.
- Try to be there a few minutes before the bus departs.
- Try to choose seats on the bus for you and your group before the day of the tour so that you can go together.
- Bruges is a city best explored on foot, so wear comfortable shoes.
- Bruges is a city best explored on foot, so bring a coat.
Why do we recommend a trip to Bruges from Paris?

If you are visiting Paris and have the opportunity to include Bruges in your itinerary, don't hesitate to do so. To travel to Paris and for everything to be perfect you have to plan your trip well and if during the planning you see that you have a free day to leave the city, a trip to Bruges is an excellent alternative for the rich heritage that the city has.
The city of Paris is quite close to Bruges so it is advisable to take advantage of this proximity to make this visit, if it is not in your immediate plans to visit Belgium. Bruges is a small city and you don't need many days to see the main sights, a day trip will take you to the most important places in the city.
Why is it better to take a tour to Bruges and not do it on my own?

My first visit to Bruges was on my own and while I really enjoyed the trip, I didn't get as much out of it as I could have. Despite detailed planning of the places I wanted to visit, not getting to know the city created setbacks due to the changing weather and the prioritisation of sights. On a guided tour you will be able to make much better use of the time you spend in the city.
Having a person who speaks your language and knows the city like the back of their hand makes things much easier. In a guided tour you will know which are the places you can't miss, you will have a route based on distances and travel times, taking into account possible setbacks depending on the time of the year. The latter is very important because the summer crowds in the city are overwhelming and often cause delays at the entrance to the various attractions and also make it quite difficult to get around the city.
Are there other excursions available from Paris, where to and which are the best?

If you are visiting Paris, I recommend you to take some of the best excursions from Paris to other places of interest, which are really worth doing. Leaving Paris, you have excursions to the main tourist attractions that you can't miss being so close. You'll see that there are tours to suit all tastes, including the youngest members of the family. Below, I will tell you which are the 3 most recommended excursions from Paris:
1. Disneyland Paris
If you are travelling with children, visiting Disneyland Paris is a must or your little ones won't forgive you. In case you are not travelling with children, Disneyland Paris is also a recommended destination because there are many activities for adults. There are several ways to get to Disneyland from Paris but the most recommended, based on my personal experience, is on an organised tour. On a tour you can forget the hassle of traffic and driving around looking for parking.
2. Excursions to Mont Saint Michel
You're going to love a trip to Mont Saint Michel, it's another must-see destination if you're in Paris and can spend a few days touring other areas of interest in France. The views, the setting, the history, the architecture and above all the mystique of Mont Saint Michel make it one of the most popular places to visit year after year.
3. Visiting the Loire Châteaux from Paris
Visiting the Loire Châteaux from Paris is another excellent option. When you arrive and start touring the castles of this region you will feel like you are in a fairy tale. The scenery you'll be able to see and photograph makes this tour one of the best to consider if you're in Paris and want to extend your visit.