podtour
From the Belfry to the Canals
From the Belfry to the canals, look at postcard Bruges with its changes in mind. Not everything that looks medieval is.
Bruges, Port of Europe: audio walk in Bruges
Genoese, Florentines, Hansa Germans and the English, in the quarter where the word "bourse" was invented: a crane painted by Memling, the Medici strongroom, the Great Toll customs house and the sea that slipped away.
What this walk is about
You start on Crane Square, where everything too heavy for the streets was unloaded. Beside an old inn, you'll find out why half the world says bolsa, bourse or borsa, and why it wasn't the world's first stock exchange. You'll pass the Genoese lodge, the house where the Medici bank kept its money and the Florentines' corner; you'll meet the burghers of the White Bear, the painter who signed as if his wife were speaking, and the porters carved on the customs house. You finish with the Hansa, the English and the canal the sea came in by, until it stopped coming.
- Start
- The Crane Memling Painted
- Finish
- The Sea That Went Away
- Who it is for
- For another visit, when you want to look beyond the familiar sights. A walk for history lovers. For anyone curious about economics.
- Languages
- Spanish and British English
- Underfoot
- The walk is mostly level. There are cobbles or uneven surfaces.
- Themes
- Merchants and Nations
The route, stop by stop
An outline of the walk. The full stories are in the app.
Loading the map…
Open a marker to see its page. Use two fingers to move the map on mobile.
- 1
The Crane Memling Painted
- 2
The Word Born in an Inn
- 3
Genoa on a Street Corner
- 4
The Square That Became a Theatre
- 5
The Medici Strongbox
- 6
Florence on the Opposite Corner
- 7
The Burghers' Bear
- 8
The Painter Who Signed His Wife's Name
- 9
The Great Toll and the Porters
- 10
The Eagle of the Hanseatic League
- 11
The English on the Quay
- 12
The Sea That Went Away
Walking directions are based on mapped pedestrian routes. Check local access and signs; the route is not an accessibility guarantee. Times are approximate.
Bruges, before you go
Canals and squares are comfortably close together, but the cobbles have their own requirements. Wear comfortable shoes and step aside to admire a façade when somebody needs to cycle past.
More walks nearby
Spanish Bruges
Spanish merchants had their own streets, quays and arguments in Bruges. Follow those who brought wool, books and new lives to the city.
Bruges in Revolt
In the Burg and the Markt, Bruges fought over who held power. Follow the clashes between counts, guilds and townspeople across its two great squares.
Good to know
What is Podtour?
An app for self-guided audio walks. Choose a city and a route, then listen to the stories behind its streets. You decide when to start and when to stop.
When can I download the app?
Podtour is coming to iOS and Android. There is no confirmed launch date yet. Join the waitlist and we will let you know when it is ready.
Does Podtour include attraction tickets?
No. Street walks and monument audio tours do not include admission tickets, transport or a guide accompanying you.
Can I listen without an internet connection?
Download the audio in the app before heading out, then listen offline. Loading the online base map and calculating a new route from your location require a connection.
What languages are included?
Every route includes Spanish and British English. The English version is adapted for English-speaking travellers, rather than translated word for word.
How do I get a whole city for free?
Join the waitlist, choose a city and confirm your email address. When the app launches, we will email you with access details. No card is required. You can also try one free route in every city.
Can I buy for myself or for a group?
Yes. Your own access is included and you can choose 0–5 guests: up to 6 people including you. Each guest saves up to €0.50 on a walk, €1 on a pack or €2 on a whole city compared with buying separately. The counter shows the total before you confirm one payment.
How do I share, and when must guests accept?
After paying, share your purchase’s invitation link. Each guest opens it in Podtour and accepts their place on their own iPhone or Android phone. They must redeem it within 30 days of purchase. Unclaimed places then expire and cannot be recovered or renewed. Access accepted in time is kept. Opening the link does not use a place; one account takes just one place, and no more people can join once all places are taken.
Can I add guests after buying?
No. Choose all your guests before confirming the first purchase. Afterwards you can share the places you paid for, but you cannot increase their number or restart the 30-day deadline.
Your first city,
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Your first city,
on Podtour.
Join the waitlist and get one whole city free when Podtour launches. You choose where.
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One city per person. All its Podtour routes in Spanish and English. Available at launch. Offer details.