Bruges Christmas Market Guide: Festive Day Trip from Zeebrugge
By Tom and Dom Travel | Updated: 09 November 2026
Warming up with a hot mug of festive Glühwein in Bruges’ historic Markt during our port day ashore
Docking in Zeebrugge during the festive season leaves many cruise passengers wondering whether a winter port call is worth braving the cold, or if the city will simply be shut down. You will be pleased to know that visiting the fairytale streets of Bruges in winter is genuinely magical, faff-free to organise on your own, and bursting with festive cheer.
Visiting the Bruges Christmas market independently from Zeebrugge is straightforward: catch the complimentary port shuttle to the cruise terminal exit, take the 25-minute Cruise Express coach directly to Bargeplein, and cross the red footbridge to reach the festive stalls, seasonal markets, and floating ice rink in around 15 minutes on foot.
Our Interactive Map of Zeebrugge and Bruges
Leaving the Ship: How to Avoid the Port Shuttle Mix-Up
Zeebrugge is an industrial working port, so port authorities strictly forbid passengers from wandering around the quayside unattended. You must board a shuttle bus directly from the gangway to leave the docks.
A major trap catches out several cruisers here every single season. When you walk down the ship's gangway, you will see two separate free shuttle buses waiting:
The Blankenberge Shuttle: This complimentary bus carries passengers to the nearby coastal town of Blankenberge, where you can catch regional trains.
The Port Exit Shuttle: This bus travels only as far as the secure port exit and terminal building, which is where independent tour buses, pre-booked private coaches, and taxis meet guests.
We saw a fair few passengers accidentally jump onto the port gate bus thinking it was headed all the way into Blankenberge. They had to ride it to the gate, wait, and get back on the return shuttle to the ship just to switch queues. We were heading into Bruges via pre-booked coach, so we took the port exit bus. If you have booked an official cruise line excursion, those coaches pick up right on the pier alongside the ship.
Prefer to Watch?
From Zeebrugge to Bruges Christmas Market!
In this vlog, we explore the Bruges Christmas Markets, wander the charming cobbled streets, admire the canals, and sample delicious festive treats. Whether you’re visiting Bruges on a Cunard Cruise excursion or exploring on your own, this video will help you plan the perfect day trip from Zeebrugge.
Looking out across the Zeebrugge cruise terminal shuttle area directly opposite the Cruise Express booking desk
Getting to the Christmas Markets: Cruise Express vs Train
While hopping on the local train from Blankenberge or Zeebrugge station is an option, we reckon the Cruise Express coach service is the most convenient and reliable route.
The coaches pick up right outside the cruise terminal gate and run back and forth throughout the morning and afternoon roughly every 30 minutes. Return tickets cost around €25 to €30 per adult. You can book tickets online before you leave home to secure your time slot, or purchase them at the counter directly opposite the terminal exit on the day.
After showing our tickets, we only waited around ten minutes before boarding. The journey took approximately 25 minutes into the dedicated coach car park at Bargeplein on the southern edge of Bruges city centre. Having a frequent, dedicated shuttle takes all the stress out of managing foreign train connections on a tight cruise schedule.
If you fancy a journey without juggling foreign train timetables, we reckon pre-booking the direct Cruise Express return shuttle via Viator is your best bet. It collects you right outside the Zeebrugge terminal gates and drops you just a gentle stroll from the festive markets.
Crossing the Red Bridge into a Winter Wonderland
The coach drops you at Bargeplein, which leaves you a scenic 15-minute walk from the historic quarter.
Here is our top navigation tip: immediately after getting off the coach, look out for the red pedestrian bridge, the Bargebrug. Walk across this red bridge, take an immediate left, and follow the path along the water. This route brings you straight towards the Minnewater and the old town.
Just past the bridge near the park entrance is a public toilet block. This is your first chance for a comfort break after the coach journey, so make sure to keep a €1 coin handy for the turnstile entry.
Minnewater Lake looked stunning dressed for the festive season. As part of the city's winter festivities, a floating ice skating rink had been constructed right out over the water. It looked fantastic, surrounded by wooden terrace walkways, food chalets, and cosy covered bars equipped with patio heaters. Even on a grey, drizzly day, the lively buzz and festive atmosphere made the chill completely disappear.
Browsing the artisan food chalets and sweet stalls at the bustling Simon Stevinplein Christmas market
Exploring Bruges Christmas Markets on a Sunday
From Minnewater, we followed the winding cobbled streets into the heart of town. Along the way, we spotted the city’s famous white swans gliding along the misty canals, alongside traditional horse and carriage rides clip-clopping over the bridges.
First-time visitors often wonder whether visiting Bruges on a Sunday in winter means finding a ghost town. We were a bit apprehensive about whether shops would be closed, but we found the city delightfully bustling. While a few small independent boutiques had their shutters down, popular high-street names like Zara and Rituals were open, and the entire city was welcoming shoppers with open arms.
Bruges hosts two distinct Christmas market locations in the centre:
Simon Stevinplein Market: The first market you reach as you stroll up from the south. It focuses heavily on artisan food stalls, sweet treats, and local crafts.
The Markt (Main Square Market): The larger, central market set directly beneath the medieval Belfort bell tower and provincial palace.
We loved wandering through Simon Stevinplein, sampling sweet nibbles and admiring the enormous slabs of artisan nougat in every flavour imaginable. The stalls offered plenty of opportunities for tasters, making it a cracking stop to pick up gourmet stocking fillers.
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Tom enjoying a hot mug of festive Glühwein amidst the charming wooden chalets in Bruges’ central Markt
Glühwein and Belgian Beer with a View
Continuing into the grand Markt, the main Christmas market was packed with festive wooden chalets selling winter woollens, handmade decorations, and hot street food.
To warm up, we stopped at an open chalet for two mugs of hot Glühwein. At €4.50 per drink, it tasted spot-on, easily beating the mug we tried at the Birmingham Christmas market back home. The stall charged a €2.50 cash deposit per mug. Each mug was nicely branded with official Bruges Christmas Market artwork. You are welcome to keep the mug as a lovely holiday souvenir, or hand it back to get your €2.50 deposit refunded in cash.
After finishing our drinks, we explored the Historium building located right on the edge of the square. It houses a medieval history museum, VR exhibits, the local tourist information centre, and departure desks for walking and Segway tours.
Upstairs on the second floor of the Historium sits the Duvelorium Grand Beers Café. It is completely free to enter; you simply buy a drink at the bar. The covered balcony offers a cracking panoramic view directly across the Markt, overlooking the snow-topped market chalets and the bustling crowds below.
We could not resist ordering a Belgian beer flight for €16.50, which came with three regional draught beers to sample. While neither of us are regular beer drinkers (we would much rather have a gin and tonic any day!), sampling authentic Belgian beers while watching the market buzz from the balcony was a brilliant experience we were glad we ticked off.
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Sampling a Belgian beer tasting flight from the Duvelorium balcony, overlooking the festive stalls of the Markt
Heading Back to the Port
Before making our way back, we popped into a local gift shop to pick up handwritten postcards for our Patreon community, which we send out on every voyage.
The walk back to Bargeplein took around 15 minutes. True to schedule, a Cruise Express bus was already parked at the bays waiting to depart. We hopped aboard, and 25 minutes later we were back outside the Zeebrugge terminal building.
We arrived just as several large ship-organised coach tours pulled up. Thinking we might get stuck in an endless queue, we hopped onto the quayside port shuttle and stood right by the doors. When the shuttle pulled up alongside the ship, we stepped straight off and sailed through security without waiting a single minute.
Is It Worth It?
Visiting the Bruges Christmas market from Zeebrugge port is worth every penny and makes for an unforgettable winter shore day.
Who it suits best: Couples, friends, and independent cruise passengers who love soaking up seasonal atmosphere, sampling festive street food, and wandering historical streets at their own leisure.
Who may want to consider alternatives: Cruisers with severe mobility difficulties. The combination of wet, uneven cobblestones, crowded squares, and kerbs can be tiring for wheelchair users or those unsteady on their feet.
Overall value for money: Outstanding. Compared to paying steep cruise line rates for a basic return transfer, spending around €25 to €30 on the Cruise Express gives you complete flexibility, frequent buses, and huge savings.
Personal takeaway and top recommendation: If you only have a few hours ashore, head straight to the Markt, grab a steaming mug of Glühwein, and head upstairs to the Duvelorium terrace for the best festive vantage point in town.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Bruges Christmas market take place?
The Bruges Christmas market and Winter Glow festivities run annually from late November through to early January. Stalls generally open daily from 11:00 am until late afternoon or evening.
Are the Christmas markets and shops open on Sundays in Bruges?
Yes. Central Bruges is lively on Sundays during the festive period. The Christmas market chalets on Simon Stevinplein and the Markt are fully open, as are most chocolate shops, cafes, and major high-street retailers.
How do you get from the coach drop-off to the Christmas markets?
From the Bargeplein coach park, cross the red footbridge (Bargebrug) and turn left. Follow the scenic canal path through Minnewater, and you will reach the first market stalls at Simon Stevinplein in about 10 to 15 minutes.
Do you need cash for the Bruges Christmas market?
While many chalets and shops take contactless and debit cards, having small Euro coins is very handy. You will need a €1 coin for public toilets near Minnewater and cash for mug deposits (€2.50) at Glühwein stalls.
What is the easiest way to visit the Bruges Christmas market from Zeebrugge port?
The Cruise Express shuttle bus is the easiest and most direct option. It departs regularly from right outside the Zeebrugge terminal gate, takes about 25 minutes, and drops you at Bargeplein within easy walking distance of the markets.
About the Authors
We’re Tom and Dom, the creators behind Tom and Dom Travel. Through our ship reviews, cabin tours, port guides, and cruise tips, we share honest, experience-led advice from our travels around the world. Everything we publish is designed to help you cruise with confidence.
Thanks for reading, and happy cruising.
