Things to do in

Ghent

Take a boat close to the amazing Castle of the Counts to discover the most beautiful places of Ghent. A guide will take you through the fascinating history of medieval Ghent and its historical buildings and architecture on this 50-minute tour. Enjoy the famous three towers of Ghent, various medieval churches and monasteries, the birthplace of Charles V of Spain, majestic guild halls, a breathtaking castle, and much more! Hear the stories behind these magnificent monuments. Your tour is guided in English, Dutch, and French. There are also illustrated translations into German, Spanish, Italian, Russian and Japanese available on board.

See the highlights and hidden pearls Ghent has to offer on a river cruise. Learn about the city's history from your local guide. Start in the beautiful medieval harbor of Ghent. Board the boat and meet your tour guide. Sail along the River Leie as you take in the sites of the city. Admire the three famous towers of Ghent: St Bavo's Cathedral, the Belfry of Ghent, and St Nicholas Church. See medieval churches and monasteries as you are taken back in time by your guide. Take in the Prinsenhof, the Princes' Court where Charles V of Spain was born. Marvel at majestic guildhalls and the medieval Gravensteen (Castle of the Counts) before heading back to dry land.

Discover two of Flanders’ most enchanting cities and follow your guide back in time! Ghent’s medieval architecture and vibrant atmosphere will impress you as you visit Saint-Bavo’s Cathedral, home to famous Mystic Lamb painting (option), and pass by the Castle of the Counts of Flanders the picturesque medieval harbor Graslei and much more. In Bruges, you will enjoy the peaceful Lake of Love and the old beguinage. Furthermore with your guide you discover the city on foot and you also have the option to enjoy a pleasant boat trip along the narrow canals. Do not forget your comfortable shoes to brave the cobbled streets! Choose between a private and a shared option.

Departing from the picturesque jetty, embark on a relaxing 40-minute cruise of Ghent city center. Learn about the history of this beautiful city from a local, knowledgeable guide. Discover Medieval Ghent and its prestigious and glorious past. See the beautiful house fronts of the Graslei and the old meat-market. Be in awe at the rugged and steep walls of the Castle of Counts. Imagine the lives of the powerful people that once stalked its corridors. Soak in the history from your riverside view point.

Meet your guide in the center of Brussels and relax on the 100-kilometer journey to Bruges. Upon arrival, discover the charms of “the Venice of the North” and see why the entire historic center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Marvel at highlights such as the Lake of Love (Minnewater Lake) and the 13th-century Begijnhof complex, founded in 1245 to house lay religious women. Go to Walplein Square, where the shady trees and cafes provide a perfect place to relax. Visit Stoofstraat on the site of the city's former Red Light District, and see medieval monuments such as the 11th-century Old St. John’s Hospital. Look at the world's second tallest brickwork tower at the Church of Our Lady, and see other historic monuments such as Gruuthuse Palace, the Dijver Canal and the tiny piazza of Tanners Square (Huidenvettersplein). Go to one of the city's most photographed spots at Rozenhoedkaai, and admire the Belfry on Castle Square. Admire the facades of the Gothic-style Town Hall and the 12th-century Basilica of the Holy Blood. Visit Market Square (Grote Markt) to see the Bell Tower (Belfort) and Sint-Salvator’s Cathedral. Then enjoy 1-hour's free time for lunch (at your own expense) and the chance to sample some of the city's delicious chocolates.  Next, drive to Ghent, where the inhabitants have been popularly known as "noose-bearers“ since the days of Charles V. Take a guided tour of the city's historic buildings, such as the Castle of Gerald the Devil and Saint Bavo Cathedral, where you can look at the painting of “The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb” by the Van Eyck brothers. Admire the Belfort (Bell Tower) and peculiar Gothic and Renaissance-style Town Hall. See one of the city's oldest monuments at St. Nicholas’ Church opposite the unusual facade of the Masons’ Guild House. Journey along the embankments of the medieval port of Graslei, and discover other highlights such as the majestic Castle of the Counts of Flanders, the charming Patershol neighborhood, the Great Butchers’ Hall, the Old Fish Market and Friday Market Square.

Go beyond the classic sightseeing and discover what Ghent is all about. Depart from the meeting point with a small group of no more than 10 people and your enthusiastic tour guide. A helmet is there for you to use during the tour and the drinking bottle provided is yours to keep. During the tour, your guide will surprise you with fun facts, street art and hidden spots the city has to offer. The course is off the beaten path and takes you from the city center all the way to the dynamic suburbs. The semi-pro mountain bikes make this urban adventure very comfortable! To remember the tour, take a polaroid picture to take home with you, while the other pictures taken with a Go Pro are sent to your email.

Benefit from pick-up at your hotel or other location on agreement. Then, walk along the pretty Graslei and Korenlei to admire the gables of the guild houses. Get panoramic views of St. Nicolas' Church and medieval St. Bavo's Abbey, where you can see the "Adoration of the Mystic Lamb" by the Van Eyck brothers (own expense). Continue towards the Vrijdagsmarkt and admire the façade of the Town Hall. Encounter the 15th-century cannon of the Dulle Griet (“Evil Woman”), and then cross the Lys to enter the inner courtyard of the House of Alijn. Continue to Gravensteen Castle to take a look at the "Castle of the Counts" and end with a visit to the Old Fish Market.  

Uncover the highlights in Ghent with an interactive smartphone app. Stroll through the city solving location-based riddles on this walking tour. Marvel at the Gothic-style Saint Michael's Church and the medieval Gravensteen castle.  Uncover 10 of the most important attractions in the city as you walk. Stop and find clues at each attraction to reveal your next destination. Enjoy the challenge of using logic, imagination, observation, and team spirit to finish the game. Start or pause the tour whenever you want as you control the schedule. Explore the city at your own pace, and stop to snap pictures as you please. Reveal an exciting puzzle at the exterior of each attraction and learn local facts along the way. During the tour, see Saint Michael's Church, Saint Michael’s Bridge. Handelsbeurs, Saint Bavo’s Cathedral. Belfort van Gent, Saint Nicholas’ Church, Korenmarkt, Sint-Jacobskerk, Vrijdagmarkt, Gravensteen, and more.

Explore Ghent with a friendly local who is passionate about the city and eager to share all the information that will help you make the most of your trip. Get to know Ghent through the eyes of a local guide on a 2 to 6-hour private tour. Meet your guide at your accommodation and head out on the tour to get familiar with the neighborhood. Learn about the best places to eat and buy groceries, the easiest ways to get around and the top things to see and do. By the end of the tour, you'll feel comfortable navigating the city and confident that you have all the information you need to make the most of your stay.

Meet your English-speaking guide at 8:30 AM in the center of Brussels and relax on the 60-kilometer journey to Ghent. Explore Ghent and learn the history at sights such as the 13th century Castle of Gerald the Devil, and St. Bavo's Cathedral, where you can see The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb by the Van Eyck brothers.  Hear why Ghent's inhabitants are known as noose-bearers as you visit the Belfry of Ghent and the Town Hall. Go to St. Nicholas’ Church and the Masons’ Guild Hall and see the quay side buildings of the Graslei. Visit medieval Gravensteen castle and enter the pretty Patershol neighborhood. Explore Ghent's trading history at the Great Butchers’ Hall, Old Fish Market and Friday Market. Get 4 hours of free time for lunch and to stroll on your own.