Zeebrugge to Bruges Cruise Stop: How We Visited Bruges from Regal Princess
Our Regal Princess cruise brought us to Zeebrugge, but the place we really wanted to see was Bruges, around 20 kilometers inland.
We had been looking forward to exploring its medieval streets and canals and chose to visit independently with friends.
After sharing a taxi from the port, we spent a few hours wandering through Bruges, with architecture that reminded us of our first European adventure together.
Markt Square brought back memories of Grand Place in Brussels, but Bruges' waterways gave the city a character all its own.
Despite the chilly, overcast weather, the historic streets and canal boat ride made Bruges one of our favorite stops on the crossing.
In this guide, we're sharing our experience of visiting Bruges independently from Zeebrugge cruise port, including how we got there, what we explored, our favorite moments, and practical tips for making the most of a cruise stop in this beautiful Belgian city.
Key Takeaways
● Cruise Port Location: Our Regal Princess docked at Zeebrugge, approximately 20 kilometers from Bruges, making the historic city an excellent option for a cruise day trip.
● Exploring Independently: We arranged a private taxi outside the cruise terminal and explored Bruges at our own pace, without booking a cruise line excursion.
● Historic Highlights: Markt Square, ornate Flemish architecture, cobbled streets, and picturesque canals made Bruges one of our favorite stops on the crossing.
● Our Favorite Experience: A canal boat ride offered beautiful views of the medieval city from the water and became the most memorable part of our visit.
● Time and Planning: We spent around five hours away from the ship, including transfers. Allow plenty of time for sightseeing, queues, and your return journey.
● Our Experience Rating: 4.5/5. Despite the crowds and overcast weather, Bruges exceeded our expectations, and we would happily return for a longer visit.
Our Visit at a Glance
Visited
April 17, 2025
Cruise Ship
Regal Princess
Princess Cruises
Location
Bruges
Belgium
Port
Zeebrugge
Time Ashore
5 hours
Transport
Shared private taxi (both ways)
Explored
Markt, historic streets, canals
Our Rating
4.5/5
Our Highlights
Bruges had captured our imaginations long before we arrived.
We'd seen photographs of its canals, medieval buildings, and cobbled streets, but standing among them felt different.
What captivated us most was the extraordinary sense of history
Everywhere we looked, elaborate façades, decorative gables, and intricate rooflines caught our attention.
Seeing so much of the city's architectural heritage still standing made us pause to appreciate the craftsmanship behind it.
We've always been drawn to places where history feels alive, and Bruges gave us plenty to imagine.
Its brickwork and Gothic buildings brought to mind the merchants and traders who once filled these streets.
Markt Square was particularly special for us
Markt reminded us of Grand Place in Brussels, one of the first European places we explored together.
Years later, we were still wandering hand in hand, sharing that same sense of awe. It was a lovely reminder of how our travels together began.
Then we took to the canals.
If the architecture captured our imaginations, the waterways captured our hearts
From the water, little bridges passed overhead, and centuries-old buildings rose directly from the banks, their reflections rippling alongside us.
Our boat was full, yet the experience felt unexpectedly intimate. As we drifted beneath the bridges, the conversations around us seemed to fade.
For a few moments, it felt like just the two of us and the city.
Even the overcast skies suited Bruges, softening the light across the weathered façades and winding waterways.
What made Bruges so memorable wasn't simply what we saw, but how it made us feel.
There was the excitement of somewhere new, the nostalgia of our early travels, and the quiet pleasure of sharing another place together.
We had only a few hours but left wanting to follow another cobbled street and linger beside another canal.
That was what stayed with us: a city visited by so many people could still give us moments that felt entirely our own.
The History of Bruges
Bruges grew around waterways that connected inland Flanders with North Sea commerce.
During the 12th to 15th centuries it became one of the great trading centers of medieval Europe. English wool, Flemish cloth, and goods from across the continent brought merchants, craftspeople, and bankers into the city.
The wealth of this trade helped shape the buildings we admire today. Markt Square was a commercial heart of Bruges, while the Belfry represented its civic confidence and independence.
Nearby Burg Square developed as another center of civic and religious life. The stepped gables, richly decorated façades, and distinctive Flemish brickwork reflect generations of skill and prosperity.
Changing waterways, trade patterns, and the rise of competing ports gradually reduced Bruges' commercial influence.
The story is more complicated than a single silted-up channel, but the shift helped spare parts of its historic center from later wholesale redevelopment. Conservation and restoration eventually brought renewed attention to the city.
UNESCO designated the Historic Centre of Brugge a World Heritage Site in 2000. Walking through Markt and beside the canals, we could see why.
The historic street pattern, waterways, and architecture tell the story of a place shaped by trade and culture over centuries.
Exploring Bruges Independently
Frank Van Acker memorial statue Historic bronze sculpture in Bruges
After arriving in Bruges by taxi, we were eager to make the most of our limited time ashore.
We had around five hours away from Regal Princess in total, so with the journey from Zeebrugge taking approximately 40 minutes each way, we knew we wouldn't have time to explore everything.
Rather than follow a rigid itinerary, we decided to concentrate on the historic center, wandering wherever the streets and architecture caught our attention.
This is often our favorite way to discover a new city, and Bruges seemed particularly well suited to it.
Markt Square and Historic Streets
We spent time exploring Markt Square and the surrounding streets, taking photographs and stopping regularly to admire the extraordinary architectural details.
One of the things we particularly enjoyed was how much there was to discover simply by looking around.
From decorative gables and intricate stonework to narrow streets opening onto beautiful squares, there was always something that made us stop for another photograph.
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The center was fairly busy, especially around the most recognizable landmarks, but we didn't find it overwhelming.
The streets were relatively flat, although the cobblestones meant we had to pay a little more attention to where we were walking.
We also enjoyed browsing some of the shops as we wandered. There was no particular urgency to our sightseeing, which made the experience feel more relaxed despite the relatively short time we had available.
Canals, Bridges, and Our Boat Ride
Having admired the canals from the streets and bridges, we decided that seeing Bruges from the water would be a lovely way to experience more of the city.
The canal boat ticket booth beside the waterfront, with flags marking the boarding point.
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We found a canal boat departure point and joined the queue, waiting approximately 20 minutes before boarding. Tickets cost €15 each during our visit, and we were able to pay by card.
We enjoyed looking up at the bridges and waterside façades, spotting architectural details we'd missed from the streets.
According to Visit Bruges, canal tours last 30 minutes and return to the same boarding point without intermediate stops.
With a queue like our 20-minute wait, we'd allow roughly an hour for the whole experience, including boarding. It was worthwhile for us, but worth building into a short cruise-stop itinerary.
The Historic Vismarkt (Fish Market)
We also stopped at the Vismarkt, Bruges' historic fish market. Built in 1821 to a design by Jan-Robert Calloigne, its open-air colonnade was another example of the architecture we enjoyed discovering on foot.
Its 126 Tuscan stone columns give the covered market a very different feel from the open squares nearby.
Fishmongers moved here from Markt in the 18th century because of the smell, before the colonnade was built.
Fresh fish is still sold here from Wednesday to Saturday mornings, and craft stalls operate at the Vismarkt daily. Antique and bric-a-brac markets take place nearby along Dijver on scheduled market days.
For us, it was an easy stop to include in our walk through the center, with a chance to browse the stalls as well as admire the setting.
Chocolate Shopping and a Thank-You
We couldn't visit Belgium without indulging in a little chocolate shopping!
During our wanderings, we stopped at a couple of stores and picked up some Belgian chocolates. We also bought a chocolate bunny for Mary Anne Williams, the Events & Guest Services Supervisor aboard Regal Princess.
Mary Anne had been incredibly kind to us during the cruise, including helping arrange a complimentary experience at Sabatini's (and more besides), and we wanted to show our appreciation with a little something from Belgium.
It was a simple gesture, but one that made our visit feel connected to the wider experience of our transatlantic crossing.
Making the Most of Our Time
With our sightseeing and boat ride complete, we knew it was time to think about getting back to Zeebrugge.
We contacted our taxi driver using the number he'd given us earlier, and he arrived to collect us within approximately 15 minutes.
That flexibility was one of the biggest advantages of arranging our own transport. We didn't have to work around a fixed shuttle departure or worry about finding another taxi at the last minute.
We were back aboard Regal Princess at around 2 pm, leaving us plenty of time before the ship's scheduled departure.
Although there was certainly more of Bruges we would have loved to explore, we felt we'd made the most of our visit without rushing unnecessarily.
How to Get from Zeebrugge to Bruges
Zeebrugge is the cruise port, not Bruges itself. The city is about 20 kilometers inland, and the port is a working industrial area.
Depending on your berth, you may first need a port shuttle to reach the terminal or the landside pickup point. Always follow the arrangements for your own ship.
Our taxi cost approximately €100 round trip for four of us. We arranged it on arrival rather than booking ahead. That was our own negotiated fare, not a current fixed price.
We found the whole process straightforward, particularly because our driver gave us his number for the return.
Taxi
Taking a taxi was how we chose to visit Bruges, and for our group of four, it worked out wonderfully. After leaving Regal Princess, we noticed a long queue at the transfer counter inside the Zeebrugge cruise terminal. Rather than wait, we headed outside and found a friendly, talkative taxi driver who was happy to take us into the city.
The journey took around 40 minutes, giving us a chance to chat with our driver and enjoy the scenery along the way. We paid approximately €100 for the return journey between the four of us, which worked out to €25 per person during our April 2025 visit.
One of the biggest advantages was being able to arrange our return directly with the same driver. He gave us his phone number, and when we were ready to leave Bruges, we called him. He arrived within around 15 minutes, making the whole experience remarkably straightforward.
💡 Our tip: Agree on the total return fare, collection point, and pickup arrangements before setting off. For couples or groups sharing the cost, a private taxi can be a convenient alternative to organized transfers.
Independent Shuttle
Cruise Express is one independent shuttle option, with pickup at Rederskaai 47 near the Zeebrugge cruise terminal. Its Bruges drop-off and return pickup are at Bargeplein, along Bargeweg, outside the historic center.
The advertised road journey is about 20 minutes, although traffic can make it longer. From Bargeplein, allow another 20 minutes to walk to Markt Square, or around five minutes to the Beguinage. These times exclude any wait for the shuttle.
Cruise Express advertises departures every 30 minutes, with morning transfers into Bruges and afternoon returns arranged around cruise departures. We chose a taxi after seeing the transfer-counter queue, so we didn't try the shuttle ourselves.
💡 Our tip: Check that your ticket includes the return, confirm the Bargeplein collection point, and check your ship-specific return timetable. Cruise Express publishes this the day before arrival. Allow time to walk back to the pickup point; the port's internal shuttle is a separate service.
Train
For the train, check which Zeebrugge station is operating on your visit date. Zeebrugge-Dorp normally serves weekdays outside July and August; Zeebrugge-Strand serves weekends, public holidays, and July and August.
Direct trains reach Brugge station in roughly 15–20 minutes, depending on the service. This is the train ride only: allow separately for getting from the cruise terminal to the departure station and waiting for a train. Follow your ship's port-shuttle arrangements before planning the onward connection.
Stay on to Brugge station rather than getting off at Brugge-Sint-Pieters. Markt Square is about a 20-minute walk from Brugge station, with plenty to see along the way. Local buses also connect the station with the center.
We didn't use the train ourselves. It could suit confident public-transport users, but the short rail journey doesn't tell the whole story when your time ashore is limited.
💡 Our tip: Use SNCB Belgian Rail to check both directions for your exact date, including the station name, departure times, and any engineering works. Plan a return that leaves a generous buffer before all aboard.
Local Bus
De Lijn route 479 links Zeebrugge with Bruges via Zwankendamme and Lissewege. Zeebrugge Kerk is a useful stop near the cruise-terminal area; in Bruges, the route serves 't Zand and Brugge Station.
Allow around 45–50 minutes on the bus from Zeebrugge Kerk to Brugge Station, plus any time needed to reach the stop and wait. Getting off at 't Zand brings you closer to Markt Square, around a 10-minute walk away.
The timetable is limited, so this isn't a turn-up-and-go alternative to a cruise shuttle. We didn't use the bus ourselves; we'd only consider it if both the outward and return services fitted comfortably around our port call.
💡 Our tip: Check route 479 in De Lijn's planner for your exact date, including the return stop and direction. Don't assume a bus will be available when you're ready to leave Bruges, and leave a generous buffer before all aboard.
Tours and Excursions
If you prefer a more organized experience, booking a guided tour or cruise shore excursion can take much of the planning out of your day.
Options range from return transfers that leave you free to explore Bruges independently to guided walking tours covering the city's medieval history, architecture, and most famous landmarks. Some excursions also combine Bruges with nearby destinations such as Ghent, although we'd suggest considering how much time you'll actually have in each place.
We loved the freedom of exploring Bruges ourselves, particularly because we could stop wherever something caught our attention. However, a guided walking tour could be a wonderful option for visitors who want to learn more about the city's fascinating history.
💡 Our tip: Compare the duration of the excursion, meeting location, included transport, and return arrangements before booking. If you're visiting independently, make sure any tour fits comfortably within your available time ashore.
We've included a selection of tours and transfer options below to help you compare what's available.
Rental Car
Renting a car is possible if you're planning to explore beyond Bruges, but for a short cruise stop focused on the historic center, we don't think it's the most practical choice.
Bruges is a wonderful city to discover on foot, and much of its charm comes from wandering through cobbled streets, crossing little bridges, and admiring the architecture at your own pace. Parking outside the busiest central areas, collecting a rental vehicle, and navigating unfamiliar roads would add unnecessary time to an already limited visit.
For us, sharing a taxi was far more convenient. We were dropped off in the city, explored independently, and arranged our return without worrying about parking.
💡 Our tip: Consider a rental car only if you're planning a wider itinerary through the Belgian countryside or visiting several destinations during a longer port call. Check collection locations, parking availability, and return times carefully.
🎟️ Prefer a Guided Tour or Transfer?
We loved having the freedom to explore Bruges independently, but there are plenty of guided experiences worth considering if you prefer a little more structure to your day.
From organized day trips exploring Bruges and Ghent to convenient return transfers from Zeebrugge, there are options to suit different interests and schedules. A hop-on hop-off tour can also be a great way to discover more of the city's highlights without spending the entire day on foot.
What to See in Bruges on a Cruise Stop
The historic Belfry inner courtyard at Markt square Historic Renaissance archway over Blinde Ezelstraat (Blind Donkey Alley) and the Old Civil Registry.
We would start with Markt and the surrounding historic streets, then make our way toward the canals.
It is a compact and rewarding introduction, with plenty of beautiful façades and bridges to admire without racing from one attraction to the next.
The canal boat trip would be our priority. The views from the water made our day. Burg Square, the Basilica of the Holy Blood, Rozenhoedkaai, and the Church of Our Lady are all worth considering too.
With only a few hours in Bruges, we think choosing two or three highlights is better than trying to squeeze in everything.
Is Bruges Walkable?
We found the streets around Markt relatively flat and enjoyable to explore on foot. Being able to stop whenever a building caught our eye was part of what we loved about Bruges.
The cobbles are beautiful but uneven, and bridges and narrow or crowded areas may be challenging for visitors with mobility limitations.
Canal boat boarding points are generally not wheelchair accessible, so check individual providers before planning that experience. Comfortable shoes are a must.
Tips for Visiting Bruges from Zeebrugge
Leave a generous return buffer
We spent about five hours away from Regal Princess, but the taxi rides took roughly 40 minutes each, so our time actually exploring Bruges was much shorter. Add in queues, traffic, and the ship's all-aboard deadline before deciding how much you can fit in.
Be Cautious With Private Taxis
Agree on the full round-trip taxi price and pickup location, and keep your driver's contact details. Our shared arrangement worked wonderfully, but do not assume the same fare or availability on another sailing.
Be Prepared
We visited on an overcast, slightly chilly day, so a light layer was useful. Bring comfortable shoes for cobblestones, expect some crowds around the squares and boat boarding points, and keep a little flexibility in the plan.
Cash or Card?
We paid for our boat tickets by card, though payment methods can vary by operator (keep some backup euros). Most operators, along with businesses in general, accept major cards and contactless payments.
Our Experience Rating
Bruges, Belgium
Bruges was every bit as lovely as we hoped. The architecture, the memory of Brussels, and the historic streets were wonderful, but the boat ride was the moment that really stayed with us. Even with a full boat, it somehow felt like just us and the city.
We would happily return for longer. There was so much more to see, but we came away delighted with what we managed in just a few hours.
FAQ
Where do ships dock?
Cruise ships dock in Zeebrugge, not Bruges. Follow your ship and terminal instructions for the correct landside pickup point.
How far is Bruges?
Bruges is around 20 kilometers inland. Road transfers commonly take around 30 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic.
Can you walk to Bruges?
No. It is too far for a practical cruise stop, and the working port has access restrictions.
How much is a taxi?
We paid about €100 return for four people in April 2025, or €25 each. Confirm current prices and whether a quote covers both directions.
Is there a port shuttle?
There may be a port shuttle to the terminal or pickup area, but this is not necessarily a transfer into Bruges. Arrangements vary.
Can you take the train?
Yes, but check how to reach the station and verify schedules for both journeys on Belgian Rail.
Is Bruges walkable?
We found the center fairly flat, but cobbles and bridges can be challenging for some visitors.
How long do you need?
A few hours allows a taste of Markt, historic streets and a canal ride. Subtract transfers and queues from your time ashore.
Is Bruges worth it?
Absolutely for us. We loved the architecture and canals and rated our experience 4.5 out of 5.
What if you miss the ship?
Independent visitors are responsible for returning by all-aboard time. Missing it may mean paying to reach the next port.
Related Reads
Our Regal Princess transatlantic cruise review shares details of our full crossing, from Fort Lauderdale to Southampton.
For a contrasting day from the same sailing, read our Azores cruise stop guide, which follows our taxi trip around São Miguel.
Our cruise love story explains why stepping aboard together still means so much to us.
Browse our Cruises hub for the wider series or our Belgium country guide for more destination information.
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