Ghent Walking Tour: Gothic Landmarks & Optional Boat Trip

Two and a half hours through five centuries of Ghent's stone and water

A walking tour of Ghent led by an expert guide in English, covering the Belfry, St. Bavo's Cathedral (home to the Van Eyck brothers' Adoration of the Mystic Lamb), Gravensteen Castle, and the riverside streets of Graslei and Korenlei. You choose whether to add a boat trip along the canals and, if you're 18 or older, a local beer tasting. The guide is included. Entrance fees to tower interiors and castle are separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Belfry and Cloth Hall15m
2. Ghent Town Hall15m
3. St. Bavo's Cathedral15m
4. Graslei and Korenlei15m
5. Gravensteen Castle15m

Explore Ghent's historic landmarks

• Visit the Belfry landmark
• Learn legends at Ghent Town Hall
• See The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb
• Admire Gothic architecture
• View medieval and Renaissance facades
• Walk along Graslei and Korenlei streets
• Explore Castle of the Counts

The experience

The walk starts at the Belfry, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Ghent's most recognizable landmarks, where the guide explains the medieval history and the legends of its bells. From there you move through the cobblestone streets to St. Bavo's Cathedral, where the Van Eyck brothers' Adoration of the Mystic Lamb hangs: a painting that draws art historians and curious travelers in equal measure. The route takes in the Ghent Town Hall with its Gothic and Renaissance facades, then heads down to Graslei and Korenlei, the 16th-century riverside streets where merchants once traded grain and cloth along the Leie River.

Gravensteen Castle, the "Castle of the Counts," rounds out the walking portion. Built as a fortified residence for the Counts of Flanders, it anchors the medieval side of the tour. If you book the walking tour alone, this is where the experience ends. If you add the boat trip, you'll leave the streets and glide along the canals for a different angle on the same landmarks you've just walked past. For visitors 18 and up, the boat option includes a local beer tasting: a chance to taste what Ghent brewers make without the planning of finding a bar on your own.

The guide speaks English throughout. Infants and small children can come in a pram or stroller, and the route is suitable for all fitness levels, though you'll be on your feet for the full duration. Public transportation stops are nearby if you need them before or after.

What’s included

• An expert guide speaking English throughout the tour.
• the walking route covering the Belfry, St. Bavo's Cathedral, Ghent Town Hall, Graslei and Korenlei, and Gravensteen Castle.
• and if you choose the boat option, a canal ride with a local beer tasting (for guests 18+).

Options for this experience

2 options

Walking tour of Ghent, no extrasGuide in English · 10:00Only the walking tour, so the boat tour and the beer tasting are not included.

Walking tour plus boat tripGuide in English · 10:00Includes the walking tour along with a scenic boat tour.

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

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday, Friday and SundayDeparts at 10:00

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Buendía

Is this one for you?Choose the walking tour to explore at your own pace and see landmarks from street level, or add the boat to have a guide narrate the same sights from the water and include the beer tasting.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb and where do I see it on this tour?

The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb is a monumental oil painting completed by the Van Eyck brothers in the 15th century and housed in St. Bavo's Cathedral, one of the main stops on the walking portion of the tour. The guide will point out the cathedral and explain the painting's significance as you pass through.

Do I need to buy separate tickets to go inside the Belfry or Gravensteen Castle?

Yes, entrance to the Belfry Tower and Gravensteen Castle are not included in the tour price. The guide will show you these landmarks from the outside and share their history, but if you want to climb the Belfry or explore inside the castle, you'll need to purchase those tickets separately.

Can I do just the walking tour without the boat trip?

Yes. You can book the walking tour on its own, which covers the streets, churches, and castle exteriors on foot. The boat trip is optional and added at checkout if you want it.

Is the beer tasting included if I add the boat trip?

The beer tasting is included with the boat trip option, but only for visitors 18 years and older. If you're under 18, you'll still enjoy the canal ride without the tasting.

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for people with limited mobility?

The tour lasts two and a half hours and covers Ghent's cobblestone streets on foot. It's suitable for all fitness levels according to the operator, though the uneven medieval streets and continuous walking may be challenging for some. If you have specific mobility concerns, contact the operator before booking.