40-Minute Guided Boat Trip: Through Medieval Ghent

See the medieval heart of Ghent from the water in under an hour

A 40-minute guided boat trip through the medieval centre of Ghent, departing from the city centre jetty at Korenlei. You'll pass the Belfry and Cloth Hall, St. Bavo's Cathedral, and Gravensteen Castle while a live guide provides commentary in English, French or Dutch. The boat runs year-round with multiple daily departures. You pick your boarding time on the day you visit.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided boat trip through medieval Ghent

• Board boat at Korenlei A4 jetty
• Pass by Belfry and Cloth Hall
• Pass by St. Bavo's Cathedral
• See Castle of the Counts of Flanders
• View birthplace of Emperor Charles V
• Complete 40-minute boat tour

The experience

The boat leaves from a jetty in the city centre at Korenlei A4, and you can board whenever suits your schedule during opening hours. A live guide narrates the route in your choice of English, French or Dutch, pointing out the three towers that define Ghent's skyline, the two castles including Gravensteen where Emperor Charles V was born, and the ancient port and guild halls that line the water. Forty minutes is long enough to see the landmarks without eating up your whole afternoon.

Winter runs from November through March with eleven departures daily between 10:45 and 15:45, spaced roughly every 30 minutes. Summer schedules differ, so check your chosen date when booking. The boat accommodates service animals and collapsible wheelchairs if a companion can assist boarding. Infants sit on an adult's lap. All taxes and fees are included in the ticket price, and drinks are available for purchase at the jetty if you want them.

What’s included

• Live guide commentary in English, French or Dutch.
• all taxes, fees and handling charges.
• access to board during opening hours on your chosen date.

Options for this experience

2 options

Boat trip through Ghent in winterGuide in English, French or Dutch · No fixed time

Boat trip through Ghent in summerGuide in English, French or Dutch · No fixed timeLength: 40 minutes

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (24 to 60 years) · Senior (61 and older) · Youth (13 to 23 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 60

Live guideEnglish, French and Dutch

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by De Bootjes van Gent - Rederij Dewaele

Is this one for you?Pick the winter schedule if you're visiting between November and March and want the most frequent departures. The summer timetable suits longer daylight hours if you're there in warmer months. Either way, the 40-minute length means you see the medieval core without committing your whole day to a single activity.

Traveler reviews

4.27★★★★★★★★★★

448 verified traveler reviews

5 ★252

4 ★116

3 ★43

2 ★24

1 ★13

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French and Dutch.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 23 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What are the three towers of Ghent I'll see from the boat?

The Belfry and Cloth Hall make up two of the three towers. St. Bavo's Cathedral is the third. All three are medieval landmarks that dominate the city's skyline and are visible from the water during the trip.

Can I choose what time the boat departs, or is there a fixed schedule?

You pick your boarding time on the day of your visit, within the opening hours. In winter, departures run roughly every 30 minutes from 10:45 to 15:45, so you have flexibility to fit the boat trip around the rest of your day.

Is the guide commentary included, or do I need to rent an audio device?

A live guide is on board and included with your ticket, speaking in English, French or Dutch depending on the group. No audio rental or extra fee is needed.

What's the difference between the winter and summer boat trips?

Both follow the same route through medieval Ghent with the same sights. The summer schedule has different departure times than winter. Check your specific date when booking to see which applies.

Can I bring a wheelchair or mobility device on the boat?

Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated if a companion is with you to help you on and off the boat. Service animals are also allowed on board.