Named by The New York Times as a canal city to visit instead of Amsterdam or Venice. Spend a full day in medieval, lively and very walkable Ghent with a local guide from our trusted Belgian partner.
Discover one of Belgium’s best-kept secrets, a city that perfectly blends medieval history with modern Belgian life. Together with our trusted tour partners, explore Ghent’s striking architecture, picturesque canals and lively squares while uncovering the stories behind one of Europe’s most influential medieval cities.
Walk through the historic centre, passing magnificent landmarks including St Bavo’s Cathedral, the imposing Castle of the Counts, the Belfry of Ghent and the picturesque Graslei and Korenlei. Along the way, learn how Ghent grew into one of Europe’s wealthiest trading cities and discover the fascinating people and events that shaped its remarkable history.
Today, Ghent is just as famous for its vibrant café culture, independent shops and welcoming atmosphere as it is for its rich past. With plenty of opportunities to stop for lunch, enjoy a Belgian beer or simply soak up the atmosphere, this full-day tour offers the perfect introduction to one of Belgium’s most rewarding cities.
See more tours in other Belgian cities about Experience The Best Of The Belgium, or contact us for more information on Ghent and other destinations in Belgium.
Free cancellation up to 7 days before the tour, minus any non-refundable tickets, in writing, under our terms and conditions.
Price Includes
In Ghent itself. Your guide meets you at your hotel or another agreed point in the city, and sees you back there at the end of the day. If you are travelling in from Amsterdam or elsewhere, we can arrange that as a tailored addition, so tell us where you are staying when you enquire.
Bruges is the picture-postcard one, and it gets very busy. Ghent is bigger, livelier and mostly car-free, with a real student population, so it feels lived-in rather than staged. In July 2026 The New York Times picked Ghent as one of six European canal cities to visit instead of Amsterdam or Venice. If you want fewer crowds, choose Ghent. If you want the fairytale, choose Bruges. We run both, so you can also do one on each day.
Eight hours in the city with your private guide, with plenty of time for a relaxed lunch and photo stops.
A local private guide for the full day, pickup and drop-off within Ghent, entrance to one museum of your choice, and a drink with snacks along the way. Anything beyond that, a second museum or a proper lunch, is paid on the day, so you spend more only if you decide to.
You can, and it is a popular choice for the one included entrance. The castle is unusual in sitting right in the middle of Ghent rather than on a hill outside it, so it slots into the walk without a detour. If you would rather spend your included entry elsewhere, your guide will talk you through the alternatives.
Yes, and it is the other obvious candidate for your included entrance. The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb hangs in St Bavo’s Cathedral and your guide will explain its extraordinary history: it is one of the most frequently stolen artworks in the world, and one panel has never been recovered. Seeing both this and Gravensteen inside means paying for the second one on the day.
There is steady walking over the day, mostly on cobbles. Ghent’s centre is compact and largely car-free, which makes it pleasant rather than tiring, and because the tour is private you set the pace.
Yes. The pace adapts to you and the castle is usually a hit with children. There is plenty going on in the squares while the adults linger over a beer.
Practical info
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