Experience Ghent’s Best Medieval Center Guided Boat Tour

Ghent, in Belgium, is one of the country’s most historic cities, with findings of human activity around the area dating back to prehistoric times. With its range of medieval sites, Ghent is one of the most popular destinations for tourists. One of the best ways to explore these sites and enjoy the incredible views of the city is by booking a medieval center guided boat tour in Ghent.

Exploring a Historic City through a Boat Tour

A guided boat tour in Ghent is the perfect way to explore the city with a relaxed and laid-back atmosphere while learning more about Ghent’s history, stories, legends and secrets. This tour offers a unique experience to see the city on the water, while passing by historic sites such as the Gravensteen Castle, St. Michael’s Bridge and the Old Fish Market, as well as some new sites of modern Ghent. Your guide will provide commentary and interesting facts about the city and answer any questions you may have.The boat tour lasts approximately one hour, allowing visitors to take in some of the most iconic and beautiful sights of Ghent from a different perspective. You can take in views of the city’s many canals and bridges, marvel at the Gravensteen Castle from a new angle, or simply let the stunning architecture and riverside pathways draw you in. The boat tour consists of a pleasant drive across the city’s canals, following the route of your friendly guide who will take you past some sights visible only from the river, making it an exclusive experience that you won’t forget.

What to Expect During the Tour

The boat tour departs from Castle Museum in the center of Ghent and takes you along 9 Ghent canals that run through the city before arriving at the picturesque castle grounds. Your local guide will give you information about the city’s history as you peacefully cruise along its rivers and canals. Weather permitting, outdoor seating with rain protection may be available so you can experience an even more pleasant journey. The tour includes various interesting stops at different points along the route to give you an in-depth look into life in Ghent during different historic periods. You will learn about antique trading customs that still find their traces in modern times and marvel at fascinating stories about the castle’s storied past.

Getting to Know Ghent’s Medieval Culture

In addition to a fascinating ride along Ghent’s waters, your guide will tell you about past cultural influences and influences on trade. Your guide will bring to life stories that have been handed down through generations and explore various landmarks and monuments that you will pass by during the course of the tour. You will see iconic monuments such as St Michael’s Bridge (St-Michielsbrug) and visit Graslei—a quay that is located next to a popular food market where you can try some traditional dishes of the region. Finally, you will get to visit Gravensteen Castle—which overlooks the canals of Ghent—and explore its majestic towers and courtyards during a guided castle tour.

Booking Your Trip

Ghent’s medieval center guided boat tour is an unforgettable experience for anyone looking for a unique way to explore this beautiful city. Relying on its river routes, this journey offers an authentic view of what medieval Ghent must have looked like from its lively culture to its majestic architecture and postcard-perfect bridges. To book your trip, visit GetYourGuide, where you can find all the details you need to plan your medieval center guided boat tour in Ghent. There you can find information on things such as departure times, ticket prices and vessel sizes, as well as helpful advice and tips on what to expect during your journey along the city’s unique canals. Organizing a medieval center guided boat tour in Ghent is an exciting way to explore the city’s ancient sights and discover its cultural heritage. With plenty of snippets of history interspersed among magical views of its canals, bridges and ancient monuments, this guided boat trip is a must-see experience for anyone visiting Ghent.

An Insider’s Guide to Ghent: Beyond the Tourist Spots

Ghent’s best-kept secrets lie within its medieval streets and canals that offer a different aspect of this charming, historic city. Here is an insider’s guide to the hidden gems that locals adore.

Local Attractions: Discover Ghent’s Offbeat Side

While the majestic Gravensteen Castle is a popular tourist attraction, Ghent boasts of lesser-known but equally fascinating spots. Take a stroll through the picturesque Patershol district, one of Ghent’s oldest neighborhoods, dotted with quaint houses and gourmet restaurants. Take a break at the tranquil jardin botanique, a small but exquisite botanical garden that offers peace and serenity in the heart of the city.

For a unique experience, visit the quirky Museum of Industry, Labor, and Textiles. It features exhibits detailing Ghent’s industrial history- a testament to the city’s former importance.

Dining Spots: Unravel Ghent’s Food Culture

Ghent is famous for its frites (fries), a local staple that you can find on every street corner. For lunch, try out a traditional Ghent dish like Stoverij, a beef stew made with beer, accompanied by stoemp, a hearty mash of vegetables.

Head over to the Design Museum Ghent for afternoon tea at the Simon Stevin Café. The museum’s illuminated rooftop terrace provides a breathtaking view of the city skyline.

For a unique dining experience, dine at the Pakhuis in the popular Docklands. A former warehouse dating back to 1860, this restaurant serves delicious Belgian fare in an industrial-chic atmosphere.

Cultural Experiences: Immersing Yourself in Ghent’s Traditions

Ghent’s cultural experience is a perfect blend of the past and the present, offering visitors an array of activities to choose from. Visit the ornate Saint Bavo Cathedral that showcases art ranging from the late Gothic period to contemporary. The Belfry, which dates back to the 14th century, provides an incredible bird’s eye view of Ghent’s cityscape.

For music lovers, check out De Handelsbeurs, an iconic concert hall that has been hosting classical and jazz concerts for more than 100 years.

Another fascinating cultural experience is the Ghent Light Festival, held every three years, featuring remarkable installations and projections onto some of Ghent’s prominent landmarks, creating an unforgettable spectacle.

Local History: Take a Journey Through Ghent’s Past

One of Ghent’s lesser-known histories is ‘Ghent’s Nose’, a captivating story about the executioner Louis Lippens and his gruesome habit of preserving decapitated heads in his garden.

Another fascinating chapter in local history is the Ghent uprising of 1949, when students and workers united for better working conditions, leading to a major revolution that lasted for several months.

Off-the-Beaten-Path: Unique Experiences That You Cannot Miss

For a unique and memorable experience, take a guided boat tour through the Ghent canals, offering an entirely different view of the city.

For a slice of nature, take an excursion to the nearby Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen Nature Reserve, a serene wetland area known for its fauna and flora.

Graffiti Street is a hidden alleyway in the city center that is entirely filled with beautiful, colorful street art, providing an unusual but captivating walking tour experience.

These unique experiences are sure to make your trip unforgettable and offer new perspectives on the city of Ghent.