The 12 Historical Tours in Ghent That Earn Their Price

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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4.40-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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5.Private Historical Tour: The Best of Ghent

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 115 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $105

This private two-hour walking tour takes you from St. Michael’s Bridge through Ghent’s medieval center to St. Nicholas’ Church. A local guide such as Arn, Camila, Hans, or Kenny may lead the route, sharing stories about trade, rebellion, castles, civic power, street art, and the Ghent Altarpiece. It is conducted in English, with multilingual service noted.

“What an amazing day with Sebastian. We loved all of the history and the stories as toured Ghent! He shared not only history of the city but also Belgium through the centuries!”

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6.Bicycle tour in historic Ghent

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 87 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $54

Join Tim of CityCycling.Gent for a 2.5-hour small-group ride through historic and modern Ghent. You’ll pedal from St. Peter’s Abbey to beguinages, riverside sites, parks, university landmarks, and a former industrial district, with a break at Dok Brewing Company. Bikes and helmets are included.

“An absolutely fantastic tour! Tim was great and it was a perfect mix of cycling, beautiful sights and learning about the city. A great way to see Ghent if you're visiting and I couldn't recommend it more. 100% worth the money”

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7.Chocolate history workshop Ghent

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $82

At Chocolade Ambassade in central Ghent, an English-speaking guide such as Leo leads a 90-minute small-group workshop for up to six people. You taste chocolates from Belgian makers, sample cacao fruit juice and cacao tea, make a bar from cacao beans, and learn how drinking chocolate developed. The room is kept cool, so bring a sweater.

“I am from Switzerland, we have a big chocolate culture in our country. During my trip in Belgium, I visited a lot of shops to find out which country has the better chocolate. The biggest surprise was doing this history workshop at Chocolade Ambassade. A really fun and engaging activity. I still don't know who makes the better chocolate but you guys are better at offering chocolate experiences ,but without us no milk chocolate, which I learned now, thanks to you.”

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8.Private Tour in Historical Center

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 22 reviews · 2 hours

Walk Ghent’s medieval center with a private English, French, or Dutch-speaking guide. You’ll see Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, the Belfry, City Hall, the Castle of the Counts, the old harbor, and the guild houses along Graslei and Korenlei. Guide Ann is among the local guides praised for adapting the walk to guests’ interests.

“Ann was a great tour guide! Wonderful experience in Ghent.”

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9.Private Historical Highlights Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 17 reviews · 2 hours

Meet your guide under a red umbrella at Saint Michael’s Bridge for a private, customizable two-hour walk through Ghent. Hear stories of love, war, myths, and guild life while visiting the Belfry, Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, Gravensteen Castle, the quays, and more. Tours are offered in English, Dutch, or Spanish.

“mooie wandeling met goede uitleg over de historie van Gent”

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10.2 Hours Private Historical Walking in Ghent

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.)

Walk through central Ghent with Yves, a local guide with a history degree and a sharp sense of humor. Over roughly two to three hours, you’ll visit the old harbor, major landmarks, trade centers, civic buildings, and wealthy merchants’ homes. The private format lets your group set the pace, with hotel pickup available by arrangement.

“The guide was extremely knowledgeable, holds a degree in history, has a great sense of humor, is very personable, and grew up locally. When in Belgium, there is no better option!”

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11.Historic Highlights, by a local guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $40

Join local history professor Jürgen for a two-hour private-style walk through Ghent. Follow the city from its medieval waterways and St. Bavo’s Cathedral to Hotel d’Hane Steenhuyse, Gravensteen, Patershol, and Vrijdagmarkt, with local food tips along the way.

“A thorough two hour guided tour through the historic heart of Gent. From the Celtic origins of Ganda to the industrial revolution and up to date tips on where to go for good food and drinks. A must do experience if you have an interest in history.”

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12.Private tour in historic Ghent

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours (approx.)

Ride through Ghent with a private English-speaking guide, visiting quiet abbeys, beguinages, Prinsenhof, Portus Ganda, and the Bijloke. Guide Tim is praised for his local knowledge and for avoiding the usual routes. Bikes and helmets are included, and the 2.5 to 3-hour tour ends where it begins.

“Tim was a great guide. Very knowledgeable about the city, the history of the city, the buildings as well as the architecture of the city. But also avoiding mainstream routes and exploring lesser known areas of Gent. Would definitely recommend to anyone visiting Gent. Bikes were top notch as well.”

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