Ghent Tours

In the northwest of Belgium you will find a port city that stands out for its impressive architecture, exquisite gastronomy and unforgettable experiences. The ideal is to consider an organized tour that will allow you to save time and optimize your itinerary to enjoy the best activities in Ghent. You have several options at your disposal, including bike rides, boat and water train rides.

Additionally, you can delight yourself with Belgian chocolate, wine or beer that are part of the contrasting gastronomy. The city is also characterized by escape games, which encompass different themes that will allow you to spend a different afternoon. There are also tourist races ideal for athletes, as well as self-guided experiences for free spirits. Here is a guide to the most outstanding activities.

Cycling around Ghent can be a fun and de-stressing activity, so it should not be missing in your itinerary. You will be able to see many places of interest in approximately two and a half hours, starting with the heart of the city where the oldest square, known as Vrijdagmarkt, is hidden. On this type of tour it is also possible to visit the ruins of St. Bavo's Abbey, a monument noted for its lavatory, cloister and tombstone museum.

There is no need to leave the city to breathe fresh air and enjoy natural spaces, since the bicycle route makes it easy to reach the Abbey of St. Peter whose gardens, Gothic ruins and historical heritage make it an obligatory stop.

In general, you can enjoy the street art that surrounds Ghent and pass by a former hospital converted into the Bijloke Music Center. In the city you can rent a bike and ride on your own, or enjoy a guided tour for small groups.

Details of interest

• Price: from 50 € per person.
• Duration: about two and a half hours.
• Means of transport: generally a meeting point is fixed, so you must arrive on your own.
• Advantages of this option: may include professional guide and child seats, as well as the necessary equipment for safe cycling.
• Disadvantages of this option: be aware that it is not usually wheelchair accessible.

To create a connection with Ghent you can consider a personalized tour, as you will be free to choose the itinerary and opt for the company of a professional guide, who will provide you with practical information on where to eat, what to visit and how to get around. It is ideal for free spirits looking for flexible schedules with options of 2, 3, 4, 4, 5 and 6 hours tailored to your needs. They are usually walking experiences with access to the most emblematic places, if you do not know where to go I leave you some useful suggestions:

• Graslei and Korenlei Quays: these are the famous facades that are reflected in the river Lys, where you can see boats, learn about the history of Ghent and see the popular grain buildings, very important during the sixteenth century.
• Castle of the Counts of Flanders: it is a medieval castle with charming spaces and amazing panoramic views.
• Patershol district: one of the oldest neighborhoods, known for its cobblestone houses, 17th century convents and old-fashioned lifestyle.
• Werregarenstraat: is Ghent's famous art alley, where vibrant life will captivate you.

Details of interest

• Price: from 58 € per person.
• Duration: there is usually a choice of two, three, four, five and six hours, depending on the type of experience you select.
• Means of transportation: can include pick-up and drop-off from centrally located hotels in Ghent.
• Advantages of this option: it is a private activity with a professional guide, so only your group will participate and you can customize the itinerary to your liking.
• Disadvantages of this option: please note that it is usual that visits to the attractions have an additional cost, as you will have to pay your entrance fee and the guide's fee.

Upon arrival you can immerse yourself in the exquisite local gastronomy, where the renowned chocolate awaits you. The Belgians were one of the first producers of cocoa, thanks to the agreements with the Congo, therefore there are ancestral recipes encapsulated in different locations. In Ghent it is possible to take a tour of at least two hours through its charming streets, where the best chocolate shops are hidden.

Glide through the wonders of the Chocolaterie Deduytschaever, the best in the city, and other important stores where you can taste chocolates, truffles, brownies and sweets. Also, be prepared to taste exotic blends such as passion fruit chocolate.

Or savor chocolate filled with pralines, an almond cream that was created in France, but was first used as a bonbon filling in Belgium. If you want to test your palate, the city is most famous for the Chocolaterie Van Hoorebeke, an explosive experience offering tastings of combinations with mustard, bacon or chili.

Details of interest

• Price: from 47 € per person.
• Duration: approximately two hours.
• Means of transportation: a meeting point may be arranged.
• Advantages of this option: you will usually have access to approximately 8 tastings accompanied by a professional guide.
• Disadvantages of this option: if you have dietary restrictions you may not be able to participate in the tasting offered by the tour.

Another experience you can't miss is a Belgian beer tour, whose popularity is due to its flavor and particular history. In the past, the people of Ghent preferred to drink beer instead of canal water, since people got sick inexplicably and suspected it was water pollution. This allowed it to strengthen its roots with more than 1,500 proposals and stand out in the market.

Therefore, I suggest you visit the most famous bars and book a beer tour, where it is common to taste 5 Belgian beers in the company of a local guide. In this way, you are likely to get to know the abbey beers and Trappist beers, produced on the farms during the 16th and 17th centuries for the monks. In general, you will find more fermented flavors, wheat-based, malty, sweet, fruity, bitter, sour, spicy, among others.

Details of interest

• Price: from 60 € per person.
• Duration: about three hours.
• Means of transport: may include transfers from the hotel, in the case of private tours.
• Advantages of this option: it is usually a very complete experience with tasting of Belgian craft beers, as well as local sweets and chocolates. In addition, you can select a private and personalized tour.
• Disadvantages of this option: you must be 18 years old to participate.

Another great plan for your vacation in Ghent is to travel along the Leie river by boat for about forty minutes, an adventure that offers privileged views of the main monuments and canals. It can be an ideal relaxing experience to save walking and get to know the city in a short time. To make sure you don't miss anything, you'll have onboard narrations with interesting facts about St. Bavo's Cathedral, the Towers of Ghent and the Castle of the Counts of Flanders, places that loom nearby.

One of the visual sights that fascinates me is Prinsenhof, the famous residence of Emperor Charles V, who ruled during the Holy Roman Empire. Keep in mind that these tours are usually shared with other travelers and the limit is 60 people, so I advise you to travel in low season to enjoy a more intimate, quiet and relaxed experience.

The low tourist influx is a privilege that the months of April, June and November give you, however of that list June is usually the month with the most pleasant temperatures. If boats are not your thing or you are looking for a more private activity, you can consider booking a guided tour, as they are usually for groups of friends or family.

Details of interest

• Price: from 13 € per person.
• Duration: approximately forty minutes.
• Means of transport: a meeting point is usually arranged.
• Advantages of this option: you will discover Ghent by boat and you will usually have narration on board, as well as the company of a professional guide.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is an activity for large groups, if you are looking for a personalized option, please note that there can be up to 60 people.

If you want to enjoy outdoor activities you can join an escape game, where you will be a detective. In this type of tours the route is unlocked as you complete challenges and solve clues. There are different themes such as the Walter Case, which revolves around a blackmail story involving the secrets of a peculiar millionaire.

In this way, you will witness the vibrant atmosphere of Ghent and take a walk at your own pace. It is ideal to do this with friends or family and although it does not usually include a professional guide, you will have online assistance. Of course, you must bring your battery-powered cell phone, have an Internet connection and download the game app. Note that there are other themes such as:

• Zombie Invasion: the undead take over the city, so you will have to escape through the most interesting passages of Ghent.
• The Alchemist: travel back to the year 1555 and get to know the city, while you discover stories of witch hunts and other phenomena.
• Peter Pan: if you travel with children this can be an activity for them to live a magical experience with Tinkerbell in Neverland and face Hook.

Details of interest

• Price: from 19 € per group of up to 6 people.
• Duration: usually two and a half hours.
• Means of transportation: the tour is on foot and a starting point is set.
• Advantages of this option: the tour usually includes an escape game through an application.
• Disadvantages of this option: it usually does not include a professional guide.

If you like marathons and want to get some exercise during your vacation, nothing better than a sightseeing run at a leisurely speed. You don't need to be a professional, as it includes a short warm-up and the idea is to see the main monuments and move your body slightly, in fact you can jog or walk depending on your physical condition.

Remember to bring your most comfortable sneakers and a desire to get to know the hidden stories of the region. The usual itinerary is done with a tour guide and revolves around the origins of the city, the most important events during the Middle Ages and walks through less touristy areas.

You will also pass through the artistic spaces, as well as the Cathedral of St. Bavo, the Belfry of Ghent and the Church of St. Nicholas.

Details of interest

• Price: from 45 € per person.
• Duration: between forty-five minutes and one hour.
• Means of transport: it does not usually include transport, only a starting point is fixed.
• Advantages of this option: it is ideal to add a sporting activity to your vacation.
• Disadvantages of this option: it is unlikely to include important food and beverages to recharge your batteries. Also, it is not recommended for pregnant women or travelers with serious health problems.

As I told you gastronomy is a prominent feature of Ghent, so the perfect choice to immerse yourself in its flavors is a tour of the best places to eat. These types of culinary adventures combine stops at places of interest with tastings of cheese, chocolate, wine, charcuterie and other delicious dishes.

If it's your first time in Ghent or you want to skip the planning, it's best to join a guided experience. A local expert knows where to eat and will meet your dietary requirements with advance notice. This way, you can stop by the Vrijdagmarkt market and the iconic Flower Market.

In addition, must-try dishes include Ghent stew, snowballs, kroakemandels peas and waterzooi, a dish from the Middle Ages.

Interesting details

• Price: from 96 € per person.
• Duration: between two and three hours.
• Means of transport: transfers are not usually included.
• Advantages of this option: food and drink tastings are usually included, as well as the company of a tour guide. In addition, the tour usually includes stops at some stores, where you are likely to receive a 10% discount.
• Disadvantages of this option: you need to be able to walk a distance of 2 to 5 km, so it is not recommended for people with serious health problems.

Ghent's canals are among its main attractions, not surprising considering their inexplicable beauty. In addition, the city is full of different proposals, among the favorites is the non-stop water train that offers several departure times. You'll navigate the local culture and history with an interactive route that gives you the option of 6 stops of interest.

A trained expert will be on board to provide informative commentary, plus the ticket usually includes an audio guide that you can use during free time. Please note that at the 6 designated stops you will find around 50 iconic locations thatare worth a visit, among the highlights:

• St. Bavon Cathedral.
• St. Nicholas Church.
• Belfry of Ghent.
• St. Peter's Abbey and its vineyard.

If you prefer relaxing options you can stay on the train without making stops or book a boat tour of the medieval center.

Details of interest

• Price: from 17 € per person.
• Duration: it is usually a one-day pass and you can complete the tour at your own pace.
• Means of transport: the tour is done on a water train, so you must approach the pier in Ghent on your own.
• Advantages of this option: most water train experiences include an audio guide that you can use at the separate stops, as well as an on-board guide and a map.
• Disadvantages of this option: the activity takes place regardless of weather conditions, something to consider between November and December which are the rainiest months in the region.