Nieuwpoort RETURN 3-Night Itinerary
Set off on a gentle round-trip cruise from Nieuwpoort and discover the timeless charm of Flanders by boat. Your journey takes you inland to the enchanting city of Bruges, where winding canals, medieval architecture, and cosy cafés create a picture-perfect escape. As you make your way back to Nieuwpoort, enjoy a fresh perspective on the scenic waterways you’ve come to love. Ideal for first-timers and seasoned boaters alike, this itinerary blends cultural highlights with the relaxed pace of life on the water.
Suggested Itinerary
Arrive at base
2pm-5pm
After you have arrived and checked-in, we’ll show you to your boat as quickly as possible. Spend time settling in, freshen up and await your pre-departure briefing which will be given by one of our base technicians. They will familiarise you with the boat’s domestic systems and give you a hands-on demonstration of the boat controls and how to operate it. They will make sure you are comfortable and confident controlling the boat, as well as navigating the waterway, before you set off.
Food for the journey: With both Colruyt and Aldi grocery stores just an 8 minute drive from our base, we recommend picking up a few essentials for dinner and a scenic first breakfast on board before you set off – just make sure to allow yourself a little time to pop into town and stock up.
Navigation made easy: To help you cruise with confidence, you’ll find helpful information on navigating locks and lifting bridges – including opening hours – at the end of this itinerary. Have a quick read before your journey begins.
Nieuwpoort > Oudenburg
5pm-8pm
Approx. 3 hrs | 5 lifting bridges
Make your way to your first overnight mooring in Oudenburg, just a gentle 3 hour cruise away. This easygoing stretch of canal is perfect for getting into the swing of things, with five lifting bridges along the way – a great chance to practice calling ahead to the bridgemasters! The peaceful surroundings make for a relaxed introduction to your cruise. Moor up and settle in for your first night on board at this charming spot – this isn’t a marina, but a quiet free mooring you’re welcome to enjoy at your own pace.
- Lifting bridge: De Rattevallebrug – +32 (0) 59 26 60 62 (call when you leave the base)
- Lifting bridge: Slijpe Brug
- Lifting bridge: Leffingebrug*
- Lifting bridge: Gistelbrug
- Lifting bridge: Zandvoordebrug
The above lifting bridges close at 8pm.
*Please note: If you’re running short on time and won’t make it all the way to Oudenburg before dark, simply moor up just before Leffingebrug – the third lifting bridge on your route – for free overnight mooring.
Dinner on board
8pm-9pm
As it’s your first night on board, we recommend enjoying a cosy dinner in your new floating home. With a fully equipped kitchen at your fingertips, the possibilities are endless. Unpack the groceries you picked up in Nieuwpoort and treat yourself to your very own canal-side dinner party – relaxed, scenic, and all yours to enjoy.
Overnight in Oudenburg
Breakfast on board
8am-9am
Oudenburg > Bruges
9am-12pm
Approx. 3 hrs | 2 locks | 10 lifting bridges
It’s time to make your way into bustling Bruges, known for its rich history and iconic medieval architecture. Along the way, you’ll pass through two locks and several lifting bridges – some of them true engineering gems. Once in Bruges, follow the Ring Canal around the city and moor at Coupure, a quiet canal inlet protected by a harbour master-operated barrier. If you’re cruising on a Horizon boat, continue to Flandria Marina, where there is more space for bigger boats and shore power is available. Both are excellent options – choose whichever suits you and your crew best.
From either marina, it’s just a 15-minute walk to the heart of Bruges. This picture-perfect medieval town is a truly Belgian experience. With over 80 bridges connecting its charming streets and canals, it’s the perfect time to take out your camera and start exploring!
- Lock: Plassendale Lock – +32 (0) 59 26 60 62
- Lifting bridge: Stalhillebrug
- Lifting bridge: Nieuwegebrug – +32 (0) 59 26 60 62
- Lifting bridge: Scheepsdalebrug
When you arrive at Scheepsdalebrug, please call ahead to Kruispoort on +32 (0)50 35 35 59 to arrange entry into Bruges.
- Lifting bridge: Krakelebrug
- Lifting bridge: Warandebrug
- Lock: Dampoort lock
- Lifting bridge: Kruispoortbrug – +32 (0) 50 35 35 59
- Lifting bridge: Coupure Brugge – +32 (0) 479 246 387
- Lifting bridge: Gentpoortbrug
When you arrive at Gentpoortbrug, please call ahead to Flandria Brugge Marina on +32 (0) 477 384 456 to let them know you’ll be arriving.
- Lifting bridge: Katelijnepoortbrug
Lunch at Bistro t’ Lammetje, Bruges
12:30pm-2pm
Take a stroll to this cosy, family-run gem in the heart of Bruges. The menu features a variety of classic Belgian dishes, with highlights including their much-loved lamb and fresh seafood options. Grab a seat on the terrace overlooking the square for a warm and welcoming introduction to the city.
For bookings: +32 (0) 50 34 30 95
If your sweet tooth kicks in after lunch, you’re in luck – there is a great Waffle Bar just across the way. You’re welcome!
Explore Bruges
2pm-7pm
Start your Bruges adventure right where you’ve stopped for lunch. Just steps away is the iconic Rozenhoedkaai, a postcard-perfect corner and the most photographed spot in the city – it’s the ideal place to snap a selfie with your loved one against the romantic backdrop of canals and medieval facades. Next up, visit the Grote Markt – buzzing with life and surrounded by stunning medieval buildings. Don’t miss the Belfry of Bruges, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Historium – offering an immersive experience of the city’s golden age in the 15th century.
Time for a sweet stop? Visit The Chocolate Line or the Old Chocolate House on Mariastraat – both local favourites. Or, if you haven’t had your fill of waffles yet, you’ll find plenty of tempting options in bakeries throughout the city.
Take your time exploring the charming side streets before enjoying pre-dinner drinks at ODA Rooftop Bar just a short stroll from your dinner spot, near Sint-Salvatorskathedraal.
Dinner at Réliva, Bruges
7pm-9pm
Make a reservation at Réliva for dinner, just south of the Holy Savior Cathedral on Goezeputstraat. Here, you’ll treat yourself to a truly local and seasonal dining. Chef Lien brings her passion for pure, fair-trade ingredients to life in every dishes, inspired by what the land, sea, and sky have to offer that day. Working closely with nearby farmers, fishermen, and hunters who follow nature’s rhythm, Réliva offers a menu that changes with the seasons.
For bookings: en.reliva.be | +32 (0) 50 33 13 07 | info@reliva.be
Overnight in Bruges
For families with younger children
Bruges: For families with young children, Zeven Torentjes (Seven Towers Farm) is a lovely spot just outside the city where kids can meet farm animals, explore gardens, and see a 17th-century dovecote. For more outdoor fun, Tillegembos Provincial Domain offers forest trails, a castle, and play areas – perfect for a picnic and a bit of adventure. Please note: Both destinations are best reached by taxi, with travel times of around 10-15 minutes. We recommend requesting a taxi via the Uber app.
Breakfast at Carpe Diem Bakery, Bruges
9am-10:30am
Enjoy your last morning in Bruges with a pastry (or two) from Carpe Diem Bakery, a much-loved spot near either mooring spot. Choose from buttery croissants, fresh breads, and homemade treats, and enjoy them on the quiet terrace or to-go as you stroll the cobbled streets one last time. A peaceful and flavourful way to say goodbye to this enchanting city. Open from 7am.
For bookings: tearoom-carpediem.be | +32 (0) 50 33 54 47
Bruges > Nieuwpoort
11am-5pm
Approx. 6 hrs | 2 locks | 11 lifting bridges
Your journey from Bruges back to Nieuwpoort follows the same route you took at the – but seen from a whole new perspective. With the scenery unfolding in reverse, familiar sights take on a fresh charm, offering a different angle to enjoy the peaceful canals and countryside. You’ll pass through the same two locks and several lifting bridges, but this time with the confidence of experience. Navigating them will feel smoother and more familiar, making for a relaxed and enjoyable cruise all the way back to Nieuwpoort.
- Lifting bridge: Kruispoortbrug – +32 (0) 50 35 35 59
- Lock: Dampoort lock
- Lifting bridge: Warandebrug
- Lifting bridge: Krakelebrug
- Lifting bridge: Scheepsdalebrug
- Lifting bridge: Nieuwegebrug – +32 (0) 59 26 60 62
- Lifting bridge: Stalhillebrug
- Lock: Plassendale Lock – +32 (0) 59 26 60 62
- Lifting bridge: Zandvoordebrug
- Lifting bridge: Gistelbrug
- Lifting bridge: Leffingebrug
- Lifting bridge: Slijpe Brug
Lifting bridge: De Rattevallebrug – +32 (0) 59 26 60 62
Lunch on board
1pm-2pm
Explore Nieuwpoort
5pm-6:30pm
Spend your final evening soaking up the charm of Nieuwpoort. Take a stroll along the marina or wander through the old town’s quiet streets, lined with cafés, boutiques, and historic architecture.
Dinner at De Ark, Nieuwpoort
7pm-9pm
For your last night, enjoy a relaxed dinner at De Ark, a much-loved spot along Nieuwpoort’s inner marina just a 10 minute walk away. Known for its fresh seafood, Belgian favourites, and friendly atmosphere, an ideal setting to soak in the final moments of your vacation and reflect on your journey.
For bookings: denark.online | +32 (0) 04 72 30 14 66
Another great option slightly further in the opposite direction is De Vierbote – also overlooking a marina. With its relaxed setting and waterside views, it’s another lovely choice for a final dinner or quiet drink by the harbour
Overnight in Nieuwpoort
Breakfast on board
7:30am-8:30am
Depart Nieuwpoort
9am
Navigation made easy
The bridges along your route are automated and operated by bridgemasters. Simply give them a call using the numbers provided in the itinerary below to let them know you’re approaching – they’ll get things ready for you to cruise right through.
Operating Hours
- Monday to Saturday: 08:00 – 18:00
- Sundays & Public Holidays: 10:00 – 18:00
- In April & October: No operation on Sundays
Bridge Opening Restrictions (Weekdays Only)
- No openings between: 07:30 – 08:30 and 16:30 – 17:30
- Wednesdays Only: No openings from 11:50 – 12:30
Restrictions apply from Scheepsdalebrug to MoerBrugesbrug.
Please note: All customers must have a working cell phone before arriving in Belgium. It is no longer possible to purchase prepaid SIM cards in Belgium without a Belgian ID card.
4 or 5 night alternative
If you’ve booked extra nights, we highly recommend spending more time in Bruges. With an extra day, you can dive deeper into the city’s medieval magic – whether by exploring its quieter corners by bicycle or joining a guided walking tour to uncover hidden courtyards and lesser-known local stories. Art lovers might enjoy a visit to the Groeningemuseum, home to six centuries of Belgian art, from the Flemish Primitives to modern masters. When you’re not in a rush, Bruges reveals itself through small, memorable delights around every corner.
Alternatively, you could use your extra time to explore Ghent – one of Belgium’s most bike-friendly and creative cities. Ride along scenic cycle paths or wander cobbled streets on foot. Be sure to stop by Graffiti Street for a burst of color and local artistry, and explore the Museum of Industry, housed in a former cotton mill. For a taste of tradition, visit the Gentse Gruut Brewery, where beer is brewed with herbs instead of hops. Don’t miss the Belfry of Ghent and the peaceful St. Bavo’s Cathedral – historic gems in the heart of the city.
This itinerary is a suggestion only
This suggested itinerary is an indication of what could be accomplished, and your ability to accomplish it, is not a contractual obligation of Le Boat. Le Boat is unable to guarantee when your pre-departure briefing will take place and in some cases it will not be given until the morning after your arrival. In these instances, you will need to adapt the itinerary outlined to accommodate a later departure. All cruising distances and times are approximations and are subject to local navigation restrictions at the time you cruise, planned or otherwise, which may also require you to deviate from the itinerary shown. Please check advertised opening times of sights, attractions and restaurants to avoid disappointment – some may need to be booked in advance. All meals, entry fees and tour tariffs are payable at your own expense. Attractions, restaurants and even locks and/or stretches of the waterway may be closed or can close without notice.
We’d love to hear from you
We’ve tried our very best to ensure the accuracy of the information we’ve provided. If you have followed all or some of this itinerary and have found something isn’t quite right, or perhaps you have some helpful tips and pointers that we could add which might be useful to your fellow boaters, we’d love to hear from you. Please email us at: itineraries@leboat.com
Image credits
Bistro t’Lammetje – www.facebook.com/bistrotlammetje/ | Restuarant Réliva – en.reliva.be | Carpe Diem Bakery – tearoom-carpediem.be | De Ark – denark.online