The 15 Best Ghent Tours & Boat Trips

1.50-Minute Medieval Center Guided Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,637 reviews · 1 day · from $12Our pick

Cruise Ghent’s medieval center aboard a small boat, passing the three famous towers, Graslei, guildhalls, the Castle of the Counts, and the Prince’s Court. Live commentary is in English, Dutch, or French, with illustrated translations in six other languages. Guides such as Kobe, Brent, Anna, and Kristi are praised for humor, clear stories, and local tips.

“Great activity with a knowledgeable guide. Seeing Ghent by boat is a great option!”

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2.Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Gent

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,761 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $3Best value

Walk Ghent with a local English-speaking guide, following a 13-stop route from St Michael’s Bridge to St Nicholas’ Church. Hear stories about medieval trade, rebellious citizens, the Castle of the Counts, the Ghent Altarpiece, and the city’s graffiti lane. Guides such as Tatiana, Kasia, Kenny, and Sophia are known for warm, humorous storytelling.

“Tatiana was a knowledgeable, professional, exciting tour guide. She shares her love and appreciation of Ghent with her guests.”

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3.40 Minute Medieval Center Guided Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 884 reviews · 1 day · from $12

Cruise Ghent’s River Leie for 40 minutes with a live guide in English, Dutch, or French. You’ll see the medieval harbor, three famous towers, Prinsenhof, guildhalls, churches, monasteries, and Castle of the Counts. Illustrated texts are available in Spanish, German, Italian, Russian, and Japanese.

“A great snapshot of Ghent. I was staying at Bruges and heard about this medieval city, so booked this guided canal boat tour. It’s a perfect way to see almost everything and learn about the city. It’s only 40 minutes, so I had plenty more time to explore key sites after the tour. Lots of time slots to choose from, so very flexible. If you are travelling like me, this will work very well!”

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4.Evening Tour of the Dark Side of Gent

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 646 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $3

Walk through Ghent at night with guides such as Kenny, Isabel, Ben, and Julian, hearing grisly legends alongside real city history. The route links St Michael’s Bridge, the medieval harbour, the Castle of the Counts, Rabot Sluice, and Patershol. Expect a relaxed pace, plenty of storytelling, and a few tales that are better suited to older children.

“This was lovely! I deeply appreciated this free daily activity that is accessible to everyone. The guides were informative, the walk was pleasant and the scenery was charming.”

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5.Ghent Bike Tour Off-the-beaten-track

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 505 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $58

Ride a comfortable CUBE mountain bike through Ghent with guides such as Christophe, Kristoff, Chris, Sammy, or Levi. This 2.5-hour tour favors street art, old religious communities, parks, reused historic buildings, and lesser-known neighborhoods over the usual postcard sights. Bikes, helmets, water bottles, and a small-group setting are included.

“Heerlijke energieke tour langs de buitenrand van Gent! Met zijn goeie humor en veel kennis over Gent ervaar je Gent op een sportieve manier. Oog & oor voor de klant en het fietsmateriaal is in goede staat. Een echte aanrader als je geen standaard (suffe) fietstour wil!”

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6.40-Minute Historical Boat Tour of City Center

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 430 reviews · 40 min · from $12

Cruise Ghent’s center for 40 minutes with a local guide in Dutch, English, or French. From Graslei, you’ll pass the Butcher’s Hall, Dulle Griet, the Old Fish Market, Gravensteen Castle, and Rabot. Open and covered boats operate according to the weather, making this a useful first look at the city.

“Guide was informative, energetic, patient and helped me getting put of boat. I highly recommend this beautiful, relaxing tour.”

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7.Guided Urban Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 297 reviews · 2h 30m · from $56

Ride through Ghent with local guides such as Christophe and Chris on a 2.5-hour small-group tour. Expect quality mountain bikes, historic sites, street art, parks, lesser-known neighborhoods, local stories, a reusable bottle, Polaroid photo, and GoPro images sent afterward.

“Great day thanks to Chris! New York George & Loriann”

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8.Hop-on Hop-off Water-Tramway

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 279 reviews · 1 day · from $21

Explore Ghent by boat and on foot with a one-day water-tramway ticket. Stop at Gravensteen, Korenlei, Bijloke, Sint-Pietersabdij, Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, and Veldstraat. Guides such as Tom, Gobe, and Astricht bring local stories to life, while audio commentary is available in English, French, German, and Dutch.

“Captain Tom’s tour was exceptional. His English is great & he answered all my questions.”

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9.Belgian Chocolate Walking Tour with Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 259 reviews · 2 hours · from $51

Start at the Jacob van Artevelde statue on Vrijdagmarkt for a two-hour English walking tour through central Ghent. You’ll visit local chocolatiers, peek into open ateliers, taste at least nine chocolates and sweets, and finish at Sint-Baafsplein. Guides such as Nick, Mandy, Mathias, and Emma mix food with city stories.

“Our tour was awesome! We saw the highlights of Ghent while getting to try some delicious chocolate and candies! Mandy was very sweet and very knowledgeable! I had to step away at the end and she was very accommodating! Some of those chocolates were expensive so definitely worth the money! Can’t recommend it enough!”

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10.Belgian Waffle-Making Workshop with Beer Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 256 reviews · 1h 30m · from $55

In Ghent, an English-speaking host such as Thomas, Anna, Reuben, or Luc guides you through three Belgian beer tastings and hands-on waffle making. Choose a beer for your batter, or use a non-alcoholic or gluten-free option, then bake, decorate, and eat as many waffles as you can manage in 90 minutes.

“It was a unique experience. Well executed by the hosts and loved every taste of the beers and making the waffles.”

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11.Guided City Tour with Food Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 228 reviews · 2h 30m · from $93

Meet Sophie at Vrijdagmarkt for a 150-minute English walking tour linking Ghent’s landmarks with five food stops. Expect Belgian classics, local products, generous portions, and stories tied to family businesses, coffee, beer, and the city’s past. You’ll walk 3 to 5 kilometers, rain or shine, so wear good shoes and arrive hungry.

“We were very lucky to have the excellent guide to ourselves on a sunny Wednesday morning in September. A great balance of food and history with a number of tastings. If you go on the morning tour you may want to skip breakfast and the hot food at the end will cover your lunch. Recommend as a way to learn about the city and its food whilst having fun!”

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12.Gastronomic Walking Tour of Gent – Tasters included

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 199 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $3

Meet at Hostel Uppelink for a 90-minute English tour through Ghent’s food culture. With guides such as Samuel, Sophia, Marianne, and Hamraz, you’ll taste fries, cuberdon candy, chocolate, waffles, and more, then receive a ticket for a Gruut beer to enjoy when the brewery opens.

“Samuel was enthusiastic and knowledgeable about Ghent and its food. He stopped at a variety of tasting spots and all were excellent. He proceeded at a reasonable pace and there was never any difficulty hearing him. Great tour!”

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13.City Highlights and Hidden Gems Guided Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 196 reviews · 2h 30m · from $53

Spend 150 minutes cycling Ghent with a local guide, often Tim, through safe bike lanes and quiet streets. See abbeys, churches, canals, the Castle of the Counts, Portus Ganda, and the small beguinage, then pause halfway for a drink or coffee. City bikes and raincoats are provided.

“When in Gent, be sure to take this tour! Tim showed us all around, providing a wonderful perspective! We were able to see artwork, statues, parks, canals, quiet neighborhoods and the outside of the city center’s towers & churches. It was all so beautiful! Halfway through the tour we stopped at an eclectic brewery, so you can use facilities and/or get a refreshing drink. The pace of the ride was just right & the information provided regarding Gent and its history was in-depth & interesting. A slight drizzle didn’t stop us, as we just put on our rain jackets and continued on. It was invigorating! Thx Tim!”

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14.Guided Boat Trip in Ghent

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 181 reviews · 40 minutes (approx.) · from $13

Take a 40-minute cruise from Graslei through central Ghent, passing the historic port, Great Meat Hall, and Castle of the Counts. Your guide provides live commentary, often in several languages, with stories about the city, architecture, and local life. Boats may be open or covered, and departures run every 15 to 30 minutes depending on the season.

“Great activity if travelling solo in Ghent. Boat tour was fun, informative, and a great way to meet other travellers”

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15.Private 2-Hour Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 134 reviews · 2 hours

You’ll walk privately through Ghent with a live guide in Dutch, English, French, or German. The route covers Graslei, Korenlei, St. Bavo’s Abbey, Vrijdagsmarkt, Dulle Griet, the House of Alijn, Gravensteen Castle, and the Old Fish Market. Hotel pickup may be arranged, but entry fees, meals, and transport cost extra.

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