Hidden Countryside Bike Tour: from Bruges to Medieval Damme

Most visitors stay in Bruges, but just a few minutes outside the city a completely different world begins. I grew up in Bruges and have cycled the route to Damme hundreds of times. It remains my favourite way to leave the crowds behind and discover the quiet landscapes that surround the city. Join me on a relaxed journey from Bruges to Damme and follow the path medieval merchants once travelled when bringing goods from the sea to one of Europe’s richest cities. We begin on Bruges’ Market Square before leaving the busy streets behind and cycling along a beautiful canal lined with tall poplar trees. Soon the city disappears and we enter the peaceful Flemish countryside. In charming Damme, once the harbour of Bruges, we discover stories of medieval trade and everyday life. Along the way we’ll enjoy a cozy coffee and cake break in the countryside. My goal is simple: by the end of the tour I want you to feel like you explored Bruges and the Flemish countryside with a local friend.

I can pick you up at your hotel, or we can meet at ’t Zand in Bruges. From there we can either rent bikes and cycle to Damme along the canal, or travel there by car if you prefer. Once we set off, we’ll make the following stops along the way: - Market Square - De Beurze - Jan van Eyckplein - Cycle along the Damse Vaart - Explore Damme - Countryside break with coffee and cake - Return boat or ride back to Bruges This itinerary is flexible and can easily be customised according to your interests and schedule. If you prefer a shorter experience, the tour can start after lunch and be completed in about four hours. Another way to shorten the tour is by skipping the coffee and cake break, while still enjoying the main highlights of the ride between Bruges and Damme.