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Lake of Love

Lake of Love: Our most recommended tours and activities

From Brussels: Ghent and Bruges Day Tour

1. From Brussels: Ghent and Bruges Day Tour

Discover 2 of Flanders’ most enchanting cities and follow your guide back in time on a day tour. Choose between a private and a shared option. Walk through both cities and see some of their most famous landmarks, including Saint-Bavo’s Cathedral of Ghent, Bruges' Old Town, and the Lake of Love. Ghent’s medieval architecture and vibrant atmosphere will impress you as you visit Saint-Bavo’s Cathedral, home to the famous Mystic Lamb painting (option), and pass by the Castle of the Counts of Flanders the picturesque medieval harbor Graslei and much more. In Bruges, you will enjoy the peaceful Lake of Love and the old beguinage. With your guide, discover the city and its cobbled streets on foot and you also have the option to enjoy a pleasant boat trip along the narrow canals.

From Amsterdam. 12-Hour Guided Day Trip to Bruges

2. From Amsterdam. 12-Hour Guided Day Trip to Bruges

Discover the old-fashioned charm of Bruges on this guided tour from Amsterdam. Ride in a comfortable and air-conditioned coach and See sights like the Minnewater lake, Gruuthuse Palace, and the Grote Markt on a guided tour and have free time to explore the sights on your own.  Depart Amsterdam and journey to Bruges to see the UNESCO World Heritage monuments with an English-speaking guide. Get an introduction to the history of Belgium as you visit attractions such as the "Lake of Love" (Minnewater) and 13th-century Begijnhof. Learn more about the beers of Belgium and admire the brick tower of the Church of Our Lady. Explore the charming area around the Dyver canal, and then stroll the cobbled square of Walplein.  Wander the narrow lanes of the Stoofstraat and discover the Gruuthuse Palace, Burg Square, and Basilica of the Holy Blood. End in the Grote Markt and get 3 hours of free time for lunch or to visit the chocolate and lace shops independently.

From Brussels: Bruges and Ghent in a Day Guided Tour

3. From Brussels: Bruges and Ghent in a Day Guided Tour

Meet your guide in the center of Brussels and relax on the 100-kilometer journey to Bruges. Upon arrival, discover the charms of “the Venice of the North” and see why the entire historic center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Marvel at highlights such as the Lake of Love (Minnewater Lake) and the 13th-century Begijnhof complex, founded in 1245 to house lay religious women. Go to Walplein Square, where the shady trees and cafes provide a perfect place to relax. Visit Stoofstraat on the site of the city's former Red Light District, and see medieval monuments such as the 11th-century Old St. John’s Hospital. Look at the world's second tallest brickwork tower at the Church of Our Lady, and see other historic monuments such as Gruuthuse Palace, the Dijver Canal and the tiny piazza of Tanners Square (Huidenvettersplein). Go to one of the city's most photographed spots at Rozenhoedkaai, and admire the Belfry on Castle Square. Admire the facades of the Gothic-style Town Hall and the 12th-century Basilica of the Holy Blood. Visit Market Square (Grote Markt) to see the Bell Tower (Belfort) and Sint-Salvator’s Cathedral. Then enjoy 1-hour's free time for lunch (at your own expense) and the chance to sample some of the city's delicious chocolates.  Next, drive to Ghent, where the inhabitants have been popularly known as "noose-bearers“ since the days of Charles V. Take a guided tour of the city's historic buildings, such as the Castle of Gerald the Devil and Saint Bavo Cathedral, where you can look at the painting “The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb” by the Van Eyck brothers. Admire the Belfort (Bell Tower) and peculiar Gothic and Renaissance-style Town Hall. See one of the city's oldest monuments at St. Nicholas’ Church opposite the unusual facade of the Masons’ Guild House. Journey along the embankments of the medieval port of Graslei, and discover other highlights such as the majestic Castle of the Counts of Flanders, the charming Patershol neighborhood, the Great Butchers’ Hall, the Old Fish Market, and Friday Market Square.

Bruges: Private Historical Highlights Walking Tour

4. Bruges: Private Historical Highlights Walking Tour

Travel back in time to the golden days of medieval Bruges on this private walking tour through the historical heart of the city. Your guide will share stories of love, glory, and fortune, as well as tales of intrigue, war, and conflict. After meeting your guide on the main square of Bruges, walk through the medieval heart of the city that includes all the must-visit spots. The highlights include the Market Square, the Church of Our Lady, St. John's Hospital, the Gruuthuse Palace, the Minnewater (Lake of Love), the Beguinage, Half Moon Brewery, Fish Market, Burg Square, and many more. Make a stop at the Rosary Quay (Rozenhoedkaai), the most photographed spot in town, where you can take your own snapshots of this memorable spot. As you explore highlights and hidden gems, you’ll get the perfect mix of history, funny stories, legends, and facts — everything you need to make your experience of Bruges authentic and exciting. By the end of the tour, you'll know more than a local and you'll have a better idea of where to go and what to do during your time in Bruges. As an added perk, you'll receive a booklet with discounts and gifts at local restaurants, museums, and shops.

Bruges: 2-Hour Guided Tour

5. Bruges: 2-Hour Guided Tour

Your guide will meet you at the meeting point, just a few minutes from the central train station at 10:30 AM and begin this 2-hour tour. Experience the many charms of the Venice of the North and see why the historic center of Bruges was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the city tour you'll see the Lake of Love, the Begijnhof (founded in 1245), Walplein Square, the Stoofstraat, Old St. John’s Hospital, the Church of Our Lady, Gruuthuse Palace, the Dijver Canal, Rozenhoedkaai, Tanners Square (Huidenvettersplein), the Burg Square with its Gothic Town Hall, the Basilica of the Holy Blood and the Market Square (Grote Markt) with the Belfort. At the end of the visit, inside the Beer Museum of Bruges, your guide will answer all your questions and recommend places for lunch outside the tourist area. The guide will also give you advice about Belgium’s famous beer and about additional places to visit, including museums.

From Amsterdam: Day Trip to Bruges in Spanish or English

6. From Amsterdam: Day Trip to Bruges in Spanish or English

From Amsterdam you will go to Bruges by bus. During the tour you will have an introduction to the history of Belgium and cities near the route like Utrecht and Breda, both connected with Spanish history. This journey takes approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes.  The city of Bruges was declared a World Heritage City in 2000 and is also known as the Venice of the North. Enjoy a guided tour and visit the most attractive and interesting places of this city. Begin at the Minnewater or Lake of Love. During the tour, see important places of the city such as the Markt Square dominated by the Belfry, the Brug Square and Town Hall, the Church of Our Lady where you can appreciate one of Michelangelo's masterpieces "The Madonna of Bruges," among others. At the end of the guided tour, the guide will indicate a collection point and time to return to the bus, after free time in the city. Have free time to eat, take a walk, or go shopping. Later, you will return to the starting point of this excursion, the Dutch capital of Amsterdam.

From Amsterdam: Day Trip to Bruges

7. From Amsterdam: Day Trip to Bruges

Embark on a day out to Bruges from Amsterdam and discover the World Heritage Site. See the romantic Lake of Love, walk around the Burg Square, and enjoy some free time to taste the Belgium beers. Depart from the center of Amsterdam in a comfortable and airconditioned bus. Learn from your guide all about the historic center of Bruges and why it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Start your tour with an introduction to the history of Belgium and Bruges. See the Lake of Love and the Begijnhof, founded in 1245. Visit the historic city center, learn more about Belgium’s world-famous beers and see the Church of Our Lady. Admire one of the most charming areas, around the Dyver canal. Continue your walk to Walplein Square, the Stoofstraat, Gruuthuse Palace, Burg Square with its Gothic Town Hall, the Basilica of the Holy Blood, and the Grote Markt with the Belfort. The tour finishes in the Grote Markt, in the heart of Bruges. Get recommendations on where to eat, drink and shop during your 3 hours of free time in the city. Sit back and relax as you head back to Amsterdam, where the tour ends.

Bruges: Full-Day Guided Tour from Brussels in English

8. Bruges: Full-Day Guided Tour from Brussels in English

Depart the Belgian capital in the morning and transfer to the charming town of Bruges. Upon arrival, see why the entire historic center of Bruges is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Go to the Lake of Love to see a calm oasis in the heart of the city. Marvel at the 13th-century Begijnhof,  covered in a carpet of daffodils in the spring. Continue to the quiet, paved square of Walplein, and stroll down the narrow Stoofstraat. See sights such as the 800-year-old St. John’s Hospital, and the imposing façade of the Church of Our Lady. Learn the history of the opulent palace of Gruuthuse, and walk alongside the banks of the Dijver Canal. Other highlights include the charming canal-side houses of the Rozenhoedkaai, the tiny square of the Huidenvettersplein, and the site of the 1st count’s castle on Castle Square.  Then, enjoy 2 free hours for lunch and explore the city as you please. Taste some of the exclusive chocolates of Bruges and pop into some of the legendary lace shops. Transfer back to Brussels, with an approximate 6:00 PM arrival time.

Bruges: City Sightseeing Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour

9. Bruges: City Sightseeing Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour

Bruges’s city plan hasn’t changed since the middle ages. On this walking tour, you’ll get to peek behind the curtain of history to see what life was like back then, on a journey through time. You’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in medieval Bruges where, through stories and quirky facts, you’ll get an understanding of what this city once was, and still is, all about. You’ll visit all the main sites and lesser known ones too. You’ll venture into little alleys, squares, inner courtyards and secret inner gardens that most visitors don’t see. By the end of the tour, you’ll know: • Why pigs were banned from the streets in the middle ages and Bruges still keeps swans in its canals • The barbershop symbol’s connection to a medieval hospital • Exactly where within the city you were considered safe from the law • Why Bruges’s citizens are called “the fools” • How a heroic blind donkey got a street named after him • The reason sightings of witches and angels could have been real • Why urine was traded in one tiny square, and where sayings like “piss-poor” originate from I’m a traveler and I started Legends Tours with a friend after years of taking tours and realising that I only remember the quirky, interesting facts along the way. Legends Tours brings history to life through entertaining stories, so after this tour you’ll be sure to have plenty of fun facts to share with others. This tour suits first time travelers, Bruges locals, folks interested in history, and even quickly bored kids. Allow at least 90 minutes for the tour but feel free to take your time, linger in some of the bars and restaurants en route, and take as many photos as you desire.

Bruges: 2.5-Hour Private Walking Tour

10. Bruges: 2.5-Hour Private Walking Tour

Discover Bruges, a growing tourist destination in Belgium, for the beautiful medieval town center still intact. Customize this private tour to your interests and comfort, such as walking, coach or driving. With the plethora of museums in Bruges, the highlights of museums and popular restaurants will be recommended to help you establish your visit in Bruges. See the old facades reflect in the canals and give Bruges its charm. Find out why the entire town center is listed as UNESCO World Heritage. Admire beautiful buildings, stately churches, wandering canals and picturesque alleys. Enjoy a boat ride along the canal, and relax while seeing the sights. Purchase lunch and catch a boat ride during the break.  See the Lake of Love, the Beguinage, the Walplein with the de Halve Maan brewery, the St. John's Hospital with masterpieces by Hans Memling, the Church of Our Lady with Michelangelo's Madonna, the Gruuthuse Museum and the Dijver with the Groeninghe Museum, The Tanners' Sqaure, The Fish market, The Burgplein with the town hall, the Market Square with the Belfry, the Cloth Halle, the former post office and the guild houses along the way.

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What people are saying about Lake of Love

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 2,739 reviews

Everything was so easy from checkin to the tour and the app made it so easy to find where to go! Jan our guide was so informative and made sure we knew where to be and what time. So nice that he took care of booking the extra boat ride and collecting in Bruges. The bus was spectacular and very comfy. The walk was incredible 12 km all together so wear good walking shoes! We will definitely recommend this tour to all of our friends.

I find the Ghent and Bruges tour interesting, I'm glad I understand English. Just a pity that it rained too much and was too cold. But otherwise always book again. The tour guide explained well.

Our guide was incredible and made the experience a great time for me and my friends. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone staying in Brussels for the weekend.

Very good guide .. gives good explanations about the city. Directed us to a very good restaurant. The car was perfect.

A super well informed guide. And some really good tours in the 2 cities. A bit of a long day though.