Frequently Asked Questions

What is a “Photo Tour”?

A photo tour is at heart a walking city tour combined with a photography workshop towards discovering locations and improving photo results both on tour and afterwards.

Photo Tour Brugge offers you a chance to discover Brugge in a photo-focused way, as well as a chance to pick up a few (optional) tips towards better photography. With both ‘open’ and private photo tours on offer, we humbly believe we offer a photo tour for all photographers..

See our home page (here) for more details.

“Open photo tour” vs. “Private photo tour”

We offer 2 booking options for our photo tours in Brugge: Open photo tours and Private photo tours.

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Overall Rating

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ALL Reviews

Ken S.

			Two years of planning a surprise family reunion including setting up a photo memory for my almost 84 yearold big brother and my determination for the family to all come to Bruges and salute the guy who continues to suffer from diminshing health and near blindness. Nothing better to offer than photo memories in a city we all love. Days prior to the planned event, bro was placed in a remote French hospital from his nearby Seine riverboat tour due to a lung infection. . Sadly we had to cancel all planned activites and hope for a refund , knowing the set program was non refundable. The amazing kindness of this company to understand our grief and pain was awesome. I can not thank them enough for making a big exception and also made a vow to tell everyone to hire them when travel takes them into this beautiful location. In this time, it was a relief to hear that Andy made the exception . The world is better for understanding people as this. Thank you Andy!I am a Virtuoso travel advisor and so willingly recommend a good human as you are. Ken Sause, CTC Wallingford, CT USA		 - 13/05/25 
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Chris S.

			Andy was great both in terms of accommodating our needs on very short notice and taking amazing photos. He’s very skilled whether you want him to shoot you or teach you how to shoot someone else or something else, he’s the man!		 - 11/05/25 
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Mathias M.

			One of the best tours I’ve ever had. The local Canadian Andy provided tiny little insights into the history of Brugge. The best part was of course learning how to get most out of your pictures. Either with a modern camera, a 20-year old DSLR or even your iPhone. Even our kids (13 and 10 y old) were eager to learn from Andy how to make better photographs. Additionally, Andy had very good tips on hardware and software for photography. Well done and thank you very much!		 - 21/04/25 
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John D.

			Photo tour : Hidden Brugge April 2025 I took the "Hidden Brugge" tour and was very informative. 

Andy definitely knew his photography and local history of Brugge. 

He had good examples on his ipad and gave good suggestions and critique of pictures immediately taken.		 - 20/04/25 
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wandao427

			Best Photo Tour!!  Don’t miss it! Andy was our guide and he was amazing!  You will learn so much and have a very enjoyable walk through parts of the old city, over bridges, and through the streets of Brugge.   Can’t recommend this enough.  Make sure to ask for Andy McSweeney!  You will leave a better amateur photographer than  when you started, all within 2 hours.  Best excursion!  Enjoy!		 - 07/04/25 
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Milica K.

			Andy was the perfect person to help us capture memories in a beautiful city. The pictures we received stayed true to the style shown in his portfolio. Best of all, Andy was so nice and easy to spend time with. Neither of us are very comfortable in front of the camera but it was easy with Andy behind the camera. I can't recommend Andy enough!		 - 04/02/25 
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Open Photo Tours

Personal, small-group, fun.

• 2 hour open group photo tour
• Maximum 4 photographers per tour.
• Fixed start from the usual meeting point.
• Free reschedule up to 24hrs before tour.
• +1 "non camera friend" can join for free.
• After-tour Brugge advice & goodies!

Edges of Brugge, Hidden Brugge €60 per guest

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Private Photo Tours

For *full* focus.

• 3 hour private group photo tour
• Includes 4 guests of your choice*
• Fully focused mix of learning vs. locations.
• 100% flexible start time & meeting point.
• Free cancellation up to 24hrs before tour.
• Free reschedule up to 2hrs before tour.
• After-tour tips & extra nice goodies!

*More than 4? +40€ per guest, pay on the day.

All Photo Tours €220 per tour

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Cancellation Policy

General

Open Photo Tours: Open tours are non-refundable after booking as part of the competitive pricing of this offer. However, open tour tickets may be freely rescheduled* or exchanged for a full value voucher until 24hrs before tour.
Private Photo Tours: Private tours include free cancellation until 24hrs before tour, also free rescheduling* until 4hrs before tour.
Photo Shoots: Photo Shoots include free cancellation until 24hrs beforehand, also free rescheduling* until 4hrs beforehand.

*Rescheduling: We are flexible beyond the stated conditions as possible, always happy to consider unusual circumstances.

What if it rains?

Our photo tours generally operate rain or shine.

In light rain we push through with umbrellas, and even help you improve your technique in the wet. If the rain gets too serious we’ll then either move inside for indoor shooting and/or photo-talk over a coffee at a cozy café.

Please note: Booking for ‘open’ photo tours are non-refundable except at our discretion. However, we also understand the rain can “suck hard for photos” and offer a 50% refund up to the start of the tour if there is water on the ground and you wish to cancel.

If -we- cancel due to heavy/unsafe weather, you are offered a 100% refund and our thanks for your understanding.

What’s a +1 “non-camera” friend?

A +1 “non camera” friend is a partner or friend that may join the (paid ticket) photographer at no extra cost. While this guest is welcome to join us on the tour listen in, they are allowed absolutely no photo taking themselves.

Please note: That includes both big cameras and small, even a cameraphone counts as a camera!

Equally, +1 guests must remember that we’re here for the photographers first, and therefore priority on tour is given to the camera crowd first and foremost.

We obviously won’t be ignoring you (far from it), it simply must be kept in mind on full tours especially.

Are children included as unpaid guests?

While we love kids and encourage them to join the photo tour either as guests or a +1 “non camera” friend, we don’t include children without charge as guests if not included in our +1 policy.

As an exception, babies (up to 3 years old) are permitted to join without charge. One unpaid baby per paid guest only.

As a further exception, any child (5-8 years old) who’s registered as a photographer will be loaned a waterproof/shatterproof camera at no extra charge. Please note: Parents are responsible for the camera cost (200€) if lost or broken on tour.

Where do tours meet?

Open Photo Tours

All ‘open’ photo tours leave from the Burg square #14, in front of the Basilica of the Holy Blood.

Look for the grey building with 2 lions in front and the red door with a ‘b’ above it. Andy is often there when tours start, but best to book or contact us first.

Private Photo Tours

Private Photo Tours include optional meeting at the location (within the city center) of your choice. See our private tours (here) for details.

Do you offer hotel/special pick up?

All Private Photo Tours (here) involve optional meeting point of your choice within the city ring.

Otherwise, we meet at the Burg Square (here) for all ‘open’ photo tours, please be sure to book ahead or contact us so we know you’re coming.

Meeting Point Directions

How do I get to the Meeting Point from the train station?

Take a bus from the station (1, 3, 4, 11. 13. 14 & 16 go through the center) as many stop at central locations.

Ask the conductor to drop you off at the Market Square (near the Belfy on the map below), then only a 3 minute walk to the Burg (next square over).

See the Meeting Point (here) for further details.

How do I get to Brugge from Brussels?

By Train

From Brussels National Airport (Zaventem) : Buy a train ticket at the airport’s railway station (basement level -1). Up to 4 trains an hour connect the airport to Brussels (Nord/Noord, Central/Centraal or Midi/Zuid). Take an intercity train in direction of Oostende or Knokke/Blankenberge from any of these three main train stations. Trains run every 30 minutes.

From Brussels : Take an intercity train in direction of Oostende or Knokke/Blankenberge from any of the three main train stations in Brussels (Nord/Noord, Central/Centraal or Midi/Zuid). Trains run every 30 minutes.
For train departures please see the Belgian railways website : rail.be

By Car

From Brussels National Airport (Zaventem) : Take the A201 and follow the E40 from Brussels in direction of Gent. Take Exit 7 to Bruges in the direction of the railway station. Leaving the railway station on your right, you are now on the ring of Bruges.

From Brussels : Take the E40 from Brussels in direction of Gent. Take Exit 7 to Bruges in the direction of the railway station. Leaving the railway station on your right, you are now on the ring of Bruges.

How do I get from Zeebrugge (cruise ships) to Brugge?

We’ve had many guests on the photo tour happen to arrive from the port of Zeebrugge, often on a day stop from the cruise liners.

10am Photo Tour – Depending on your transport (see this thread) you should have enough time to make the 10am photo tour.

However, if like many cruise guests your boat disembarks around 8am, we warn you that time is tight.

1pm Photo Tour – The 1pm tour ends at 3pm by the Church of Our Lady (April-October only), close to either the Market Square, bus depot, and public transport.

By Bus and Train : The ship runs a free shuttle to the local train station where you can get a train every hour (10 past) to Bruges, cost €5.90 return, then immediately outside the train station you either enjoy a 20 minute scenic walk into town or you take the bus for €2 which drops you off in the center. A total journey time of about 60 minutes.

By Taxi : As taxi’s fill up quickly, it’s best to make advanced reservations through your travel company. Around 45-50€ one way for a up to 8 people.

Automobile Hire

Auto hire locally is available from a few sources, we've used Luxauto (website, Dutch or French only) and otherwise Avis is an easy option.

Compare and book parking for Belgian airports via vliegenenparkeren.be (also useful for Germany & Netherlands).

How to book a photo tour online?

Use the calendar (here) to select a photo tour, especially if you want to book an open photo tour.

As you’d expect, choose a date and the tour that interests you to join. You’ll then see details of the tour, prices, and a button to register or details for a private tour.

If you’d like to book multiple tours: Simply register for a tour, return to the calendar, select and register for another tour and repeat as needed. When you’re done, click ‘View Cart’ on the booking page to finish your registration.

Cash on the Day: Cash on the day is welcome, contact us to arrange a booking.

Please Note: You are welcome to check for tours without booking, but reservation is highly recommended.

Other Things to do in Brugge

Other (non photo) tours in Brugge

- Quasimundo Bike Tours - The best way to discover Bruges on a bike, Jos and his crew of certified city guides will show you around the city center (morning tour) or the discover nearby Damme over the afternoon.

- Horse Carriage Rides: Available from the Markt Square and Begijnhof daily, relax from the camera time to enjoy a classic perspective. Note: Brugge horses are treated with true care and compassion, working 1/4 days with rest beyond that and strict treatment conditions followed to the letter.

- History Tours: Our city is simply stuffed with certified guides to share the rich history of this timeless city, from private guides like Your Bruges to guilds and groups like S-Wan offering a range of options and adventures into Brugge's past.

- Quasimodo Battlefield Tours: Nearby Flanders Field shown to you by the best: Sharon & Philippe started over 25 years ago and can accommodate private to open groups with informed grace.

More ideas on what to do? Try the Bruges Travel Guide (via Kayak Tours).

Edges of Brugge

Essential Brugge

Hidden Brugge

Shades of Brugge

Photo Shoot Brugge

Private Photo Tours

Private Group Tour

Your Photo Guide Andy

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