Zeebrugge is one of Belgium's major working ports, but for most cruise visitors, the real reason to stop here is just a short distance inland: Bruges.

With its canals, cobblestone streets, medieval buildings, soaring church towers, chocolate shops, and centuries-old squares, Bruges looks almost too perfect to be real. Its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is compact enough to explore largely on foot once you arrive.

Bruges — what to see and do:

• Markt Square — The heart of Bruges and a great place to begin exploring. The colorful historic buildings surrounding the square are beautiful, and the famous Belfry towers above it all.
• Belfry of Bruges — If you're up for another climb, 366 steps lead to panoramic views over the historic center. The staircase gets narrow toward the top, so this one isn't for everyone!
• Canal Boat Tour — One of the best ways to see Bruges. The roughly 30-minute ride takes you beneath old stone bridges and past historic buildings that look completely different from the water.
• Rozenhoedkaai — One of the most photographed spots in Bruges, where the canals and medieval buildings create that quintessential storybook view.
• Groeningemuseum — A great choice for art lovers, particularly for its collection of Flemish masterpieces.
• Chocolate, Waffles & Beer — This is Belgium, after all! Leave some time to wander into a chocolatier, try a Belgian waffle, or sample a local beer. Bruges has plenty of places to turn sightseeing into snacking. 😂

Getting there: Bruges is approximately 14 km (9 miles) from the port of Zeebrugge. Transportation options may include NCL excursions, organized transfers, taxis, or local transportation.

We'll provide updated transportation and excursion recommendations closer to sailing once the options for our specific cruise are available.

Good to know: Our ship is scheduled to depart at 4:00 PM, so this is one port where you'll want to keep a close eye on the clock and allow plenty of time to return to Zeebrugge.

Cruise lines and local authorities can restrict certain foods from being taken ashore, particularly fresh foods such as fruit, vegetables, meat, and dairy products. When in doubt, leave food from the ship onboard.

Wear comfortable shoes—Bruges is wonderfully walkable, but those beautiful cobblestone streets aren't always kind to your feet!

Kim's pick: Head straight to Bruges. I'd start with a canal cruise to get oriented, then explore on foot with absolutely no guilt about stopping for Belgian chocolate, a waffle, or both. This feels like one of those ports where wandering around without a huge agenda is part of the experience.