Graslei

Take a boat close to the amazing Castle of the Counts to discover the most beautiful places in 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 in German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, and Japanese available on board.

Meet your guide in the center of Brussels and relax on the 100-kilometer journey to Bruges by bus. 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 or the Dijver Canal. Go to one of the city's most photographed spots at Rozenhoedkaai, and admire the Belfry on Castle Square. Visit Market Square (Grote Markt) to see the Bell Tower (Belfort). 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 learn about 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 Great Butchers’ Hall, the Old Fish Market, and Friday Market Square. Enjoy some free time in this magical city before returning back to Brussels. Our adventure is over! Don't wait and enjoy this day with us!

Start your unforgettable trip with your local guide near the Central Station of Brussels (18, Boulevard de Berlaimont, 1000 Brussels) on one of our comfortable coaches. Your adventure begins the moment you step onto the bus: our guide will kick off the day by providing an overview of the country’s and its capital history and significant events. In Ghent— a vibrant student city known for its lively atmosphere and medieval architecture, we will show you the Saint Bavo Cathedral, home to the famous "Adoration of the Mystic Lamb" painting. Next, you will wander through the historic port of Graslei. Marvel at the imposing Castle of the Counts and discover hidden corners of the city like the Great Butchers' Hall. During your free time, you will also be able to sit in a terrace and enjoy other corners of the city. Once in Bruges, the fairytale atmosphere of this UNESCO World Heritage site comes to life! Walk along the cobbled streets to the serene Lake of Love, and explore the historic Begijnhof complex, built in 1245 to house religious women. At lunch time, you will be able to grab a quick snack or follow your guides’ recommendations. After lunch, the guided tour continues through the city's former Red Light District and historic monuments such as the 11th-century Old St. John’s Hospital. Once in the Market Square (Grote Markt), the city’s central square, you will see the famous Belfry tower. You can also enjoy an optional boat trip along the city’s numerous canals, entirely organized by your guide. Bruges is known as our 'Venice of the North' due to its beautiful waterways. Return to the Central Station of Brussels, filled with enchanting and picturesque tales from your day's adventure!

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.

Explore Gent on your terms with this self-guided audio tour, accessible on your smartphone! Immerse yourself in the beauty of this historic city at your own pace and in your preferred language. This self-guided audio tour offers you the flexibility to choose your destinations and decide how long you wish to spend at each site. Nestled in the Flanders region of Belgium, Ghent exudes a unique charm that harmoniously intertwines its storied past with a vivacious modern energy. Often hailed as one of Belgium's best-kept secrets, Ghent surprises its visitors with a vibrant tapestry of medieval architecture, dynamic culture, and progressive sustainability initiatives. The city is threaded with a network of picturesque canals, flanked by cobblestone streets, and dotted with an enchanting array of historical buildings and landmarks. The Gravensteen, or the Castle of the Counts, stands as a monumental reminder of Ghent’s medieval might, while the Graslei and Korenlei, two streets facing each other across the Lys River, showcase a striking array of ancient guild houses that tell tales of the city's prosperous trade history. The splendid Saint Bavo's Cathedral, which houses the renowned Ghent Altarpiece, is another must-visit historical site, showcasing sublime religious artistry. Ghent is also a city that embraces the future. With a large student population, the city pulses with youthful vibrancy, offering a plethora of cafes, bars, and eateries, as well as a thriving arts scene. Ghent has established itself as a champion of environmental efforts in Belgium, notably through its car-free city center and the promotion of vegetarian cuisine. We have carefully crafted the most beautiful walking route for you and gathered more than 29 captivating and interesting stories. You'll pass by all the well-known landmarks but will also be surprised by new discoveries and hidden gems. Explore Gent's rich history, embrace its vibrant present, and be delighted by its captivating legends and stories. Whether you're embarking on a solo adventure, enjoying a romantic city stroll with your partner or exploring the city with friends or family, our self-guided audio tour caters to all preferences. Plus, you'll receive a nice discount when you do the tour with companions.

A local Ghent expert guide will make sure you finish your tour with the feeling that the city no longer holds any secrets for you. On our tour we will visit the Church of St. Nicholas and the Cathedral of St. Bavo, which, in addition to its architectural value, stands out for housing one of the most outstanding paintings in history: 'The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb', by the Van Eyck Brothers. Interpreting it will be a piece of cake with the explanations we will give you about its symbols. Nearby, you will see the Town Hall and the Belfort of Ghent, a bell tower that acts as a lookout point and is one of its tallest towers. But if the heart of the city surprises you, you've only just begun. Next, we'll delve into 16th-century Ghent by visiting the Herb and Grain Quay, a key trading post in the city at the time. Here we will also learn about the old guild trades. From here we will also discover the Meat and Fish Markets, the supermarket of the time, where we will find out why they played such an important role in the development of the city. We will continue our tour through the Patershol (or weavers' quarter) to the Castle of the Counts of Flanders. Its history is full of legends and curiosities and we will tell you all about them. In addition, so that you can visit other places of interest in Ghent on your own, we will give you recommendations and tips that will make your stay in the city unforgettable. In the second part of our tour we will take a boat trip along the main canals of Ghent. Sailing along the river Leie and the Lieve canal, we will have a wide view of the two banks and their lively life. In the meantime, we will have an audio guide with illustrated translations that will make our trip much more enjoyable and interesting.

Taste your way through Ghent on a guided food tour. Combine sightseeing with sampling local foods and learn about the city's culture from your guide. As you explore, see important icons such as the three medieval towers of Ghent: Saint Bavo Cathedral, Saint Nicholas' Church and the Belfry. The Belfry Tower is the tallest of its kind in Belgium and a Unesco World Heritage-listed site. Make sure to take some photos of these picture perfect sights. Meet your guide in the historic center of Ghent and set out on your foodie walking tour. As you walk, learn about local culture, discover the city's most important landmarks and find out why Ghent became famous for its street art. See Korenmarkt, a historic square located between the Old Harbour and Saint Nicholas' Church. Wander along cobblestone streets and admire the intersecting rivers that lend this historic town its character and name. You will also have the opportunity to see important architectural highlights, including the Ghent City Hall (stadhuis) and City Pavilion (Stadshal). Along the way, you'll make a total of 5 stops to savour the tastes of Ghent, sampling a food specialty or drink at each one. Every location has been carefully chosen, with an emphasis placed on small, locally owned businesses. Interact with the proprietors and hear their stories to gain insight into the city of Ghent and its people. Your tour comes to an end near the historic city center, the ideal spot to continue exploring on your own. 

Discover the beauty of Ghent and its medieval monuments on a walking tour with a Spanish-speaking guide, and learn more about its historical former residents, including the famous Van Eyck brothers.  Learn why the local inhabitants have been known as "noose-bearers“ since the time of Charles V, a Ghent native who went on to become the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain. Visit the 13th-century Castle of Gerald the Devil and see the Gothic facade of Saint Bavo's Cathedral, where you can learn about the well-known painting “The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb” by the Van Eyck brothers. Look at the Belfort bell tower and the peculiar Gothic and Renaissance Town Hall. Marvel at St. Nicholas’ Church and the nearby Masons’ Guild House. Go to the Graslei embankment, and see the majestic battlements of the Castle of the Counts. Stroll the Patershol neighborhood, and see the open wooden truss roof of the Great Butchers’ Hall. Experience the lively atmosphere of the Old Fish Market and Friday Market Square.  Ask your guide any questions you may have along the way. Get recommendations on places to eat lunch outside the touristic area, advice about Belgian beer and what monuments and museums you might like to see on your own.

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 learn about "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.

Explore Ghent with a Spanish-speaking guide 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.