Around Romantic Bruges
Belgium Bike Tours
Self guided bike tour around Bruges, the Venice of the North!
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length5 days
- Prices from€460 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
On this bike tour in Belgium, you are provided with a roadbook with route details for four fantastic itineraries that begin and end in Bruges.
The routes are well marked using a number system very similar to Holland's which also corresponds with the numbers on the roadbook.
Your accommodation throughout your stay will be a highlight for sure. You choose between two historic establishments, the eco-friendly 3-star Hotel Fevery, or the 4-star B & B Bariseele with suites. Both hotels are privately owned and operated and located in the historic center of Bruges, just 150 meters away from the Grand Canal Lange Rei.
Bruges offers so much more than just cycling. Called the "Venice of the North", it is one of Belgium's crown jewels. In no other European city, are the feel and the look of medieval times so pervasive.
Wake up, enjoy a breakfast that features local and organic products, and off you go, enjoying all that exploring by bike offers. At the end of your cycling day, return to your home away from home.
Whether you enjoy, art, fine cuisine, shopping, or the countryside, Bruges and its surroundings has something for you.
Highlights
- Bruges, its history, architecture, and culture
- Castles around Torhout and Wijnendaele
- Picturesque villages of Damme and Lissewage
- Seaside towns of Knokke and De Haan
- Parks and nature around Bulskampveld
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Itinerary
This is a 5 day, hotel based tour. There are 4 fantastic cycle tours to choose from making use of the easy to navigate cycle route network around Bruges. Shorter stays are possible. Just ask.
- To the beach and back along the canals, Napolean Canal to Damme and over the board to Holland, 29 mi. (48 km)
- Castle Hunt, 36 mi. (57 km)
- Polders and picturesque villages, 28 mi. (44 km)
- Land of the Counts, forest of Bulskamp, 33 mi. (54 km)
Here is a suggested itinerary but you can decide your own itinerary from the routes provided. For example, you might want to incorporate a rest day or to organize the order of your days differently. You can even shorten or lengthened your days.
Ride 1: To the beach and back along the canals, Napolean Canal to Damme and over the board to Holland, 29 mi. (48 km)
Today you could enjoy a route along canals through the picturesque village of Damme and on to the town of Knokke at the seaside. Due to its rich history and many things worth seeing, Damme is a popular tourist center. Popular, but fortunately not too crowded. Damme is renowned for its cuisine and lately has come to be known for the place to buy old (and new) books. Afterward, you cycle along the Napoleon canal towards the Siphon and over the border to Sluis. The town of Sluis was almost completely destroyed in 1944 and the Dutch rebuilt the city. Sluis too is known for its cuisine. The route continues along the polders to the National Park of "t Zwin with its Stork Colony. A little further, near the beach, you find the posh city of Knokke Zoute. As you continue to cycle the beach to Duinbergen, you will enjoy the North Sea.Ride 2: Castle hunt, 36 mi. ( 57 km)
This route heads south towards the Tillegem forest and Castle and the Wijnendale Castle. These castles are both surrounded by water and in a wonderful setting. During your trip, you will see many beautiful houses. Your return route has you passing by Beisbroek Castle, with its adjoining forest and grassland. You can also visit Cozmix, which is the public observatory, and the planetarium. (this ride is not suggested for Mondays)Ride 3: Polders and picturesque villages, 28 mi. (44 km)
This ride will take you through the picturesque village of Lissewage and the beautiful seaside towns of De Haan and Blankenberge, cycling between the sea and the dunes. Time in Lissewege seems to move a bit slower than elsewhere. With its picturesque canal, whitewashed polder houses, and extensive fields and meadows, this quaint village is a classic example of how every Flemish village once looked: lively, charming and a touch nostalgic. A visit to De Haan is like a return to the 'Belle Epoque' of the turn of the century. The name De Haan means literally 'The Rooster'. According to a legend, the village got this name because a rooster rescued a group of stranded fishermen. His crowing guided them to this safe place. Legends aside, De Haan is small but beautiful. Its most famous resident was Albert Einstein, who lived there for six months in 1933 after leaving Nazi Germany.Ride 4: Land of the Counts, forest of Bulskamp, 33 mi. (54 km)
Perhaps this ride could be used as a day to familiarize yourself with your bike and to explore the parks and nature reserve area around Bulskampveld Castle near Beernem. The scenery and beauty surrounding the area of the castle served as a source of inspiration for its design. Leaving Bruges, through the green suburb of Assebroek, into the historic land of the counts of Flanders to Maldegem, you will pass the East Flanders border. You make your way back to Bruges along the charming canal Ghent - Bruges canal.Departure from Bruges
You might decide to stay an extra day or two to explore Bruges even more. The incredibly well-preserved medieval architecture makes this small city one of the most exciting tourist attractions in Europe. Besides architecture, sites to see include several museums. The Groeninge Museum, with six centuries of paintings from different styles, including works by Jan van Eyck, a Flemish Primitive painter, and the Memling museum, with the wooden Shrine of St. Ursula. Also, the only work of art by Michelangelo to leave Italy during his lifetime can be seen in the Church of our Lady. Of course, a visit to Bruges wouldn’t be complete without a canal or carriage ride, sampling the chocolates and waffles, shopping for craft work including Bruges famous lace, climbing the belfry, or sampling several of the more than 350 Belgian beers.Looking for more? View all our featured bicycle tours, specials, and news or look at our full list of bike tours in Europe.
Accommodation
You will be accommodated in the lovely Hotel Fevery or the boutique B&B Bariseele. You decide!
Both historic establishments are privately owned and operated. In 1865, the family Bariseele owned one of the biggest and most luxurious hotels in Bruges, which thrived until just before WWII. In 1940, the hotel closed its doors, and the large building was split into three parts.
The main building, where Bariseele and Fevery are today, was a private home with local businesses (butcher, bakery, small supermarket).In 1965, Hotel Fevery opened as the small Pension Vandaelea and the story began anew. Paul bought the hotel in 1996, and through the years, has made his hotel into what it is today, obtaining many awards, including being the first hotel in Belgium to receive the European Ecolabel.
In 1998, the entire main building was bought back and the B & B Bariseele opened its door featuring suites with kitchen amenities and a boutique and romantic atmosphere.
Whether you are looking for very nice 3-star accommodations or a more boutique 4-star suite experience, we can accommodate.
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodation for 4 nights (shorter stays may be possible)
- Breakfast
- Coffee & tea from 3 - 6 pm
- Complimentary drink at B and B (minimum stay of 3 nights)
- Maps, tour description, & tourism information.
- 7-speed city touring bicycle (three-day rental) including basic breakdown service, helmet, bike lock, plus one map holder & one pannier bag per two people
What’s Not Included
- Individual arrival to Bruges
- Remaining meals
- City tax (€4 per person per night)
- Bike protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
Daily arrivals between April 1 and October 31, 2023
Please Note
- Rates are based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
Hotel Fevery Bariseele Suites Twin/double $ 723 £ 418 $ 682 € 460 ₪ 1735 NZ$ 790 NOK 5135 kr 5304 $ 512 $ 817 £ 473 $ 771 € 520 ₪ 1962 NZ$ 893 NOK 5804 kr 5996 $ 579 Single $ 880 £ 509 $ 830 € 560 ₪ 2113 NZ$ 961 NOK 6251 kr 6457 $ 623 $ 1289 £ 745 $ 1,215 € 820 ₪ 3094 NZ$ 1408 NOK 9153 kr 9456 $ 912 City tax per person/night, approx. (payable on arrival): $ 6 £ 4 $ 6 € 4 ₪ 15 NZ$ 7 NOK 45 kr 46 $ 4
Extra Options
Bike rental options
E bike rental (limited availability) $ 47 £ 27 $ 44 € 30 ₪ 113 NZ$ 51 NOK 335 kr 346 $ 33 Extra day, city touring bike $ 27 £ 15 $ 25 € 17 ₪ 64 NZ$ 29 NOK 190 kr 196 $ 19 Extra day, e bike $ 44 £ 25 $ 41 € 28 ₪ 106 NZ$ 48 NOK 313 kr 323 $ 31 Extra nights (not including bike rental)
Hotel Fevery Twin/double $ 99 £ 57 $ 93 € 63 ₪ 238 NZ$ 108 NOK 703 kr 726 $ 70 Single $ 198 £ 115 $ 187 € 126 ₪ 475 NZ$ 216 NOK 1406 kr 1453 $ 140 Bariseele Suites Twin/double $ 124 £ 72 $ 117 € 79 ₪ 298 NZ$ 136 NOK 882 kr 911 $ 88 Single $ 248 £ 144 $ 234 € 158 ₪ 596 NZ$ 271 NOK 1764 kr 1822 $ 176 Parking
Per day $ 24 £ 14 $ 22 € 15 ₪ 57 NZ$ 26 NOK 167 kr 173 $ 17 Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy
This is an easy, self-guided, hotel-based tour on quiet roads and the European cycle route network (EuroVelo). Each route’s distance can easily be shortened by using the signpost system. This tour is designed for the cyclist looking for a very relaxed pace. You should have a good orientation, self-independence, and experience cycling. There are not always separate bike paths so at times you will be sharing the road with car traffic.
Airport Info
Fly to Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) or Brussels International Airport (BRU).
Local Travel
From Schiphol, you can purchase train tickets to Bruges in the Arrivals Hall at the ticket counter. The train terminal is located downstairs from the Arrivals Hall. You will see the signs. The ride is about 3 ½ hours and costs approximately €50. The ride usually requires 1 to 2 connections.
If you are arriving from the Brussels airport, the railway station is located under the airport building at level – 1. The train ride from the airport to Bruges is about 1‐½ hours and requires one connection. Train departures are approximately every 20 minutes.
From the Bruges train station to your hotel, it is easiest to take a taxi or public transportation. You take Bus 4 or 14 and get off at the third stop after Market Square. The stop is called Gouden Handstraat at 150 m from the hotel. Continue along the canal and go left on St. Gilliskoorstraat which is the first street on your left. At the church, go right. B&B Bariseele is on your left next to Hotel De Pauw. Hotel Fevery is further down the street on the left. Tickets for the bus cost €2 if purchased on the bus and €1.20 if purchased at the station. A taxi will cost between €10 and €13.
Climate
Bruges is close to the North Sea and has a mild climate all year round.
Day of Rest
Because this is a hotel based tour, cyclists can choose which days to cycle and which days to rest.
Remarks
Please note that tour confirmation is based on the availability of the accommodations.
Important to know
Travel Documents
It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, visa requirements and acquisition, blank passport pages required for your destination (s), etc.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and entry into other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU and EU residents: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and your destination country or countries.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visaCovid-19 Info
Country Entry Requirements
Due to the changing requirements for entry, it is imperative that you stay up to date on requirements set by the country/countries that you are visiting. Please visit our Travel Restrictions Tool page and the country/countries government webpage for this information.
Extra Stay
Extra nights are always possible and definitely recommended. Bruges is just a train ride away from Antwerp, Brussels, and Ghent.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Pack and Pedal Europe.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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