Zeebrugge
Zeebrugge Zeebrugge, in West Flanders, is Belgium’s largest port, with more than 10,000 ship moorings a year. Several dozen cruise ships visit Zeebrugge in a typical year, with most passengers heading for nearby Bruges and Ghent. The port is connected to Hull, Dover, and Rosyth (Edinburgh) by ferry, and has an attractive marina that can accommodate up to 100 ships. The town is a seaside resort with many hotels and cafes, and a sandy beach, and is connected to the historic town of Bruges by a seven mile canal. Zeebrugge is the starting point for exploring other cities in Flanders, of which Bruges, often dubbed the "Venice of The North", is the closest. It is the perfect destination for families with children. History Zeebrugge’s history is closely associated with that of its more famous neighbour, Bruges. The Count of Flanders built a castle here in the 9th century to defend against the Vikings. Later, Zeebrugge became a flourishing economic and cultural centre, trading mainly with Scandinavia and England. But after the late 15th century social disorder caused a decline to set in that was to last over 400 years. Attempts at expansion of the canal network between Bruges and Breskens under Napoleon failed because of the Belgian Revolution. Until the 19th century, the citizens of Bruges and Zeebrugge lived mostly in poverty. It was only with a comprehensive port expansion between 1970 and 1985 that the town and its harbour returned to the map, and now the port of Zeebrugge is one of the fastest growing ports in the Hamburg-Le Havre stretch. As a result of the new port infrastructure, several large companies have opened new terminals in Zeebrugge, where a range of tonnages can be served and nearly all types of goods handled. Many shipping companies have included Zeebrugge as a fixed port of call for their European and intercontinental lines. What to See & Do in Zeebrugge