Bruges continues clampdown on 'over-tourism'

Bruges is planning to introduce new restrictions on guided tours, with residents calling for action to curb the city's massive influx of visitors.

With its nickname of Venice of the North, it is not surprising Bruges is Belgium’s most popular tourist draw. Some eight million people flocked to the pretty Flemish city last year.

But behind the charming picture postcard facades and scenic bridges, some residents and local officials have had enough.

From March 2026, the city wants to set a limit of a maximum of 20 tourists per guided visit.

For tour guide Stefan Dhondt, revealing Bruges’ secrets to his party of 44 American tourists, this would not cause a great deal of difficulty. "If a second guide is there to take care of the other half of the group, I think it is a good idea," he told RTBF. "I do not know how the organisation will react, but if it has to be done, then so be it."

However, he is surprised by circumstances leading up to this new rule. It follows complaints from residents who feel that the centre is too crowded with tourists.

“People who buy a house in the Golden Triangle know full well that there are a lot of tourists. It is a consequence of living there. It is a bit like living near an airport and then complaining about the planes flying overhead,” he said.

Another rule to be imposed, to ease the flow of people in narrow streets and on the two most popular bridges, is that even the smallest guided tour groups will not be able to stop for a break or to take a photo.

According to Minou Esquenet, Bruges alderwoman for economy, tourism, agriculture and fisheries, this will not scare tourists away. “We are a hospitable city. We also love our tourists. They are part of our town, but they will have to comply with new rules. I think it will also be more pleasant for them,” she said.

At present these new rules only exist in Venice and certain neighbourhoods of Barcelona, that also impose tourist taxes of €5 and €4 per day, respectively.

They follow plans, still to be finalised, announced in March by the city’s mayor Dirk de fauw, to extend the €4 tax already applying to overnight tourists to short term boat cruise and bus visitors from 1 January 2027.

“If an overnight tourist pays €4, then we believe a cruise tourist should pay €4 as well,” he told VRT, adding that despite their significant presence in the city, “they spend very little in our restaurants and stores”.

Meanwhile, the new restrictions will mean that one current rule will be scrapped. In 2018, Bruges was the first city to mandate the use of headphones for tours of more than 25 people. From March 2026, when the new 20-person limit is imposed, they will no longer be necessary.