Bruges & Damme: Scenic Countryside Bike Tour with Tapas

5.0 (2 reviews) 3 h 30 min Free cancellation

out of 5

2 reviews

5.0

Bruges & Damme: Scenic Countryside Bike Tour with Tapas — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Bruges & Damme: Scenic Countryside Bike Tour with Tapas, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Begin your adventure in the enchanting monastery garden of Hof Bladelin, a hidden oasis. Behind the walls of an authentic 15-th century city palace, meet your local guide before setting off on an unforgettable 3,5-hour cycling experience.

Ride through the peaceful beauty of the Flemish countryside on an E-bike towards Damme, a picturesque medieval town just outside Bruges. Cycle along winding canals, green meadows, historic farmhouses & quiet polder landscapes where nature & heritage blend beautifully.

Along the way, we’ll take a break, enjoying an offered drink and some tapas in the peaceful countryside.

And there’s something extra special for us: our grandfather lived and worked in Damme as a sculptor, and we’re incredibly proud to share the stories behind two of his legendary figures with you.

A relaxed and authentic experience combining cycling, nature, history, local scenery and a little taste of adventure, all just outside Bruges.

The Retro Biketour Family awaits you!

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At a glance

Duration: 3 h 30 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 10 people
People per booking: 1–14
Guide: English, French, Dutch
Operated by: Retro Biketours Bruges

Ages: Infants (1–2 years) · Children (3–12 years) · Youth (13–22 years) · Adults (23–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: bottle of water
Included: Tips and tricks to discover the area
Included: Poncho for rainy days
Included: Classic bikes - E-bikes on request at an additional price
Included: Entry or admission ticket to our Secret Garden of Hof Bladelin
Included: Helmet (optional)
Included: drink and tapas along the road (beer, lemonade or water + some cheese, olives and salami)
Included: Basket to put your stuff

Itinerary

Burg Square

5 min

Oldest part of the city
Stop 2

5 min

The Manhattan of Burgundian Bruges in the Middle Ages. A lively port where busy traders assembled from all over Europe, and you could hear every imaginable language. A tangle of people loading and unloading pressed around the Toll House and the Rijkepijndershuis while citizens and merchants watched approvingly from the Burghers’ Lodge. Today the square is dominated by the stately presence of the world-famous master painter Jan van Eyck.
Adornes Estate & Jerusalem Chapel

5 min

The Jerusalem Chapel, located on the Adornes estate, is the private chapel of the noble Genoese Adornes merchant family. It was consecrated in 1429 and was inspired by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
Windmills of Bruges

10 min

Sint-Janshuis Mill is the only one of the four windmills on the city ramparts where grain is still actually ground. If the wind is favourable, you can even see the mechanism in operation. Moreover, anyone who climbs the steep stairs gets a breathtaking view of the green city ramparts of Bruges
Damme

30 min

We'll follow the scenic way along the canal to Damme
Statue of Jacob van Maerlant in Damme

10 min

In the heart of Damme, the statue of Jacob van Maerlant stands proudly in the Markt. The medieval poet looks thoughtful and dignified, dressed like a learned scholar. At his feet lie several heavy books, symbolizing the many works he wrote. With one hand raised, he seems almost ready to speak to the people gathered around him. Behind him rises the historic town hall, giving the statue a timeless, medieval atmosphere.
Stadhuis Damme

10 min

Damme's Gothic town hall dates back to the 15th century. The niches on the façade feature important figures from Damme's history. Two justice stones are mounted on the right-hand corner of the town hall. The clock tower houses a carillon with 39 bells. The sundial and the clock mechanism also date from the 15th century.
Stop 8

10 min

Damme's absolute must-see is the robust Church of Our Lady with its characteristic flat tower. From April to September, you can climb the 206 steps to enjoy a wonderful panorama. There is a phenomenal view of the 17th-century city walls, the Damme Canal and the extensive polder landscape.
Stop 9

15 min

This market square refers to the herring pile. In the 15th century, 28 million jacked herrings were traded in Damme on an annual basis, mainly brought in from Schonen (Sweden). Coopers supplied the barrels for the herring trade. Under the Tree of Liberty (1905) stands the fraternity monument of Damme with Damme-Oldenburg in Germany, a statue made by our Grandfather, Jef Claerhout.
Damme

30 min

The road towards Siphon winds quietly through the open polder landscape around Damme. On both sides, wide green fields stretch towards the horizon, divided by narrow canals and ditches. Tall poplars and rows of trees line parts of the road, while old farmhouses appear here and there among the fields. The flat landscape creates a feeling of endless space, with huge skies above and few buildings to disturb the peaceful view. As you travel towards Siphon, the winding road, waterways and distant church towers create a typically Flemish countryside scene! Calm, spacious and almost timeless.
Schellemolen

15 min

The Schellemolen was built in 1867 on the mound of an old wooden mill. For centuries, a ban mill stood here, the feudal rights of which were sold to the city in 1267 by Countess Margaret of Constantinople. The Schellemolen is a protected monument managed by the Provincial Government of West Flanders and is part of a protected townscape. An oil mill is housed in the mill mound.
Hoeke Windmill

10 min

The Hoeke Windmill is a charming historic windmill standing in the open polder landscape near Damme. Its tall wooden structure rises above the flat green fields, making it easy to spot from a distance. Surrounded by quiet farmland and wide skies, the mill creates a picturesque Flemish countryside scene. The sails and dark wooden body contrast beautifully with the bright fields and changing colours of the landscape. It is a peaceful place where the traditional character of the Damme polders can be seen at its best.
Stop 13

10 min

At Kobus, the small ferry takes us across the canal. The crossing is short and peaceful, offering a lovely view of the surrounding polder landscape. Instead of following the road around, we step onto the little ferry and let it carry us to the other side, adding a charming and slightly adventurous moment to the journey.
Historic Centre of Brugge

25 min

And if we are lucky, the sunset turns the sky golden, casting a warm glow across the fields and waterways. It is the perfect ending to the day: fresh air, peaceful roads, beautiful scenery and the unmistakable feeling of having discovered a quieter, more authentic side of Flanders. A ride you won’t simply remember. You’ll want to do it again.
Bladelin House (Hof Bladelin)

15 min

We end our Damme tour in style at Bladelin House, where a beautiful hidden garden awaits behind the historic walls. After the bike ride, it’s the perfect place to slow down, enjoy a cosy drink and have a relaxed chat. . It’s a place to linger, share stories and soak up the atmosphere while reflecting on the day. The perfect hidden gem to finish a beautiful journey through Damme and the Bruges countryside.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

Meeting point

Search for a green gate. Besides, you'll see a bike with our business name on the basket of the bike. Enter the Secret Garden and your local guide will be there.

End point

Search for a green gate. Besides, you'll see a bike with our business name on the basket of the bike. Enter the Secret Garden and your local guide will be there.

Cancellation

Free cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

If you cancel	You get back
At least one day before	100%
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.