A private, full‑day sweep of Bruges and Ghent: canals, Gothic spires and a Van Eyck masterpiece

BRUXELLES CITY TOUR FIELD GUIDE

A private, full‑day sweep of Bruges and Ghent: canals, Gothic spires and a Van Eyck masterpiece

A customizable, 8‑hour private tour from Brussels with a professional driver and guide that visits Bruges and Ghent’s UNESCO sites and medieval cores.

A private, full‑day sweep of Bruges and Ghent: canals, Gothic spires and a Van Eyck masterpiece.

Duration
8 hours
Location
Bruxelles
Operator
YS Belgium Limousine Services
Category
City Tour
Robert Eric Crews
Founder & Editor, The Adventure Collective
Published Verified

From Brussels, this private full‑day outing pairs two of Flanders’ most photogenic cities — Bruges and Ghent — led by a professional driver and tour guide; the itinerary threads canals, guild houses and UNESCO‑listed landmarks while allowing for optional boat trips and on‑the‑spot customization.

Highlights

Outing Highlights

THE CITIES

Bruges and Ghent in one day

Experience the compact charms of two Flemish centers — Bruges’s canals and gothic town center and Ghent’s medieval heart — on a single private, 8‑hour excursion with a local guide and driver.

ICONIC SITES

Basilica of the Holy Blood and Bruges’ Belfry

Visit Bruges’s Burg square and the Basilica of the Holy Blood (with its distinct lower Romanesque chapel and a Gothic upper chapel that houses the revered relic) and take in the city’s famed 13th‑century belfry and surrounding gothic architecture.

MEDIEVAL ART

Saint Bavo’s altarpiece and Ghent’s waterways

See Ghent’s cathedral holdings — including the Van Eyck brothers’ 24‑panel Adoration of the Mystic Lamb — stroll the Graslei and Korenlei old harbourfronts, and explore medieval sites such as the Gravensteen castle.

What the day feels like

What the day feels like

The day unfolds as a tailored circuit: pickup in Brussels, a guided pass through Bruges’s canals, squares and key museums with time for an optional boat ride and lunch, then onward to Ghent to view its cathedral treasures, canals and castle, before return drop‑off in Brussels.

Suitability

Who it's for

Who this private day tour suits best.

1
Active familiesSuitable for all ages and structured as a private tour, making it a manageable way for families to see Bruges and Ghent in a single day.
2
History and art buffsIdeal for visitors focused on medieval architecture and art—highlights include the Basilica of the Holy Blood and St Bavo’s Van Eyck altarpiece.
3
Visitors short on timeA good match for travelers who want to cover both Bruges and Ghent in a single, 8‑hour private excursion from Brussels.
4
Small groups and private partiesOperated as a private tour with a professional driver and guide and limited to up to six people, it works well for couples or small groups seeking a customizable itinerary.

Practical planner

Details to review before reserving

Timing & Duration

This is an 8‑hour private day tour that typically departs from Brussels and returns to a Brussels drop‑off.

Meeting & Pickup

Pickup is arranged from a meeting point of your choice in Brussels; at the end of the day the driver and guide will drop you off at your hotel or another agreed location in Brussels.

Group Size & Booking

This private tour accommodates up to six people; pricing is quoted per person.

Boat Trips & Customization

Optional boat trips are available in Bruges and Ghent and the overall visit is customizable—confirm any boat rides or museum entries with the operator when booking.

Booking Notice

Review cancellation policies before reserving.

Frequently asked questions

Planning Your Outing

How long is the tour?

The full private tour lasts 8 hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

Pickup is from a meeting point of your choice in Brussels; at the end of the day the guide and driver will drop you off at your hotel or another agreed location in Brussels.

Which cities do we visit?

The itinerary covers Bruges and Ghent, including key canals, medieval centers and major landmarks.

Is the tour private and how many people can join?

Yes — it is a private tour accommodating up to six people; pricing is provided per person.

Are boat trips included?

Boat trips are optional and available in Bruges and Ghent; include them by request when arranging your tour.

Will there be time for lunch?

Yes — the itinerary includes free time for lunch during the Bruges portion of the day.