Ghent: Medieval Center Guided Boat Tour – How to plan your trip?

Are you looking to explore the medieval city of Ghent in Belgium? Then, the Ghent: Medieval Center Guided Boat Tour is an excellent choice for you. This river cruise tour provides you with an overview of the city’s highlights, hidden gems, and its rich history. In this post, we will guide you on how to plan your Ghent: Medieval Center Guided Boat Tour.

Experience

The Ghent: Medieval Center Guided Boat Tour is an hour-long cruise along the River Leie, where you will enjoy the stunning views of the city’s medieval harbor. The tour guide will provide valuable insights into the city’s history and landmarks.

Highlights

The Ghent: Medieval Center Guided Boat Tour offers visitors a chance to explore the city’s highlights and hidden pearls. Here are some of the things that you will experience during the tour:

Discover Ghent’s breathtaking medieval harbor

The tour starts by boarding the boat on a beautiful medieval harbor that showcases the city’s stunning architecture.

Admire the towers of St Bavo’s Cathedral the Belfry and St Nicholas Church

The three famous towers of Ghent are the Belfry, St Bavo’s Cathedral, and St Nicholas Church. The tour allows visitors to admire these famous landmarks from the comfort of a boat.

Take in the impressive Castle of the Counts

The Gravensteen, also known as the Castle of the Counts, is a medieval castle that stands in the heart of Ghent. The boat tour provides an excellent opportunity to admire this impressive structure from the River Leie.

See hidden gems and highlights

The tour covers some hidden gems apart from the landmarks mentioned above. The tour guide will take you through the medieval churches, monasteries, majestic guildhalls, and the Prinsenhof, the Princes’ Court where Charles V of Spain was born.

Learn about the city’s history

The boat tour’s guide will provide insights on the city’s rich history, including its Roman and Viking past.

Full Description

The Ghent: Medieval Center Guided Boat Tour is the perfect opportunity to discover the city’s history and landmarks. The tour begins at the medieval harbor in the city center, and visitors board the boat and are introduced to the tour guide, who will be with them during the trip. The guide is knowledgeable and enjoys sharing their expertise with visitors.

The boat cruise takes you through the River Leie, where you will discover the city’s highlights and hidden pearls. The first Stop is the stunning medieval harbor before heading towards the three famous towers of Ghent: St Bavo’s Cathedral, the Belfry of Ghent, and St Nicholas Church. Visitors on the tour will enjoy the chance to admire these beautiful landmarks from the comfort of the boat.

The tour will then continue through the medieval churches and monasteries of Ghent. The guide will explain the history and significance of each landmark as the boat navigates the river. Visitors on the boat tour will then be taken to the Prinsenhof, the Princes’ Court where Charles V of Spain was born. You will learn about the history and significance of the site and the royals that lived there.

The tour ends with a view of the majestic guildhalls and the medieval Gravensteen (Castle of the Counts), which stands tall in the heart of Ghent. Visitors will enjoy the chance to admire the impressive structure from the River Leie.

Booking the tour

Ready to book? You can book the Ghent: Medieval Center Guided Boat tour via this link:
Book the tour here.

Conclusion

Now that you know the highlights and how to book the Ghent: Medieval Center Guided Boat tour, it is time to start planning your trip. This hour-long guided boat tour is an incredible opportunity to learn about the city’s history, landmarks, and hidden gems. With the information in this post, you are well-equipped to plan an unforgettable trip to Ghent.

An Insider’s Guide: Exploring the Hidden Gems of Ghent

Ghent is a city that mesmerizes visitors with its stunning medieval architecture, picturesque canals, and vibrant cultural scene. While there are well-known tourist attractions like the Ghent Altarpiece or the Castle of the Counts, there is a world of hidden gems that even locals may not know exist. Here’s a guide to discovering the hidden delights in the city of Ghent.

Secret Attractions

Ghent is full of off-the-beaten-path attractions that visitors may not know about. One such gem is the graffiti street, Werregarenstraat. This alleyway is covered with vibrant graffiti, and tourists are invited to add their own art to the mix. Another hidden gem is the 1920s art deco swimming pool, Van Eyck Swimming Pool. It’s a beautiful building with a unique history. Originally opened in 1942, it was used as a place for German soldiers to relax on leave. Nowadays, it has reopened as a spa, but visitors can still see the original tiles, diving boards, and changing rooms.

Dining like a Local

Belgium is famous for its beer and waffles, but Ghent has so much more to offer visitors. A must-try dish in Ghent is ‘Waterzooi,’ a hearty stew originally made with fish, but now also with chicken or vegetables. Another local favorite is ‘Stoofvlees,’ a slow-cooked beef stew with Belgian fries. To taste some of the best Ghent cuisine, visit Keizershof, a charming restaurant in the heart of the city. Here, you can indulge in some fantastic Belgian specialties while enjoying the view of the castle from the terrace.

Uniquely Ghent

Ghent locals take pride in their cultural traditions and enjoy sharing them with visitors. The Ghent Festivities, a 10-day festival held in July, is one such event. The festival features colorful parades, street theatre, and live music performances, and the street food stalls, with tasty treats you cannot get elsewhere. Another event that attracts visitors is the International Film Festival in Ghent, usually held in October. It is an excellent opportunity to enjoy innovative and artistic films from around the world.

Deep Dive into Ghent’s history

Ghent has a rich history spanning back several centuries. It was once the largest and most populous city in Europe, and this legacy is still evident in the small winding streets, grand buildings, and rich traditions. Visitors can visit the Gravensteen, a castle that offers an excellent insight into Ghent’s medieval past. In the 17th century, it was used as a courthouse and even served as a prison until 1748. From the top of the castle, enjoy a panoramic view of the city.

Get off the Beaten Path

To experience Ghent like the locals do, venture to the outskirts of the city to explore the natural beauty of the surrounding countryside. Take a bike ride through picturesque towns like Oudenaarde, famous for its cobbled streets and beautiful marketplace. Or visit the charming villages of Deinze, where you can meander through the winds of a rustic town and enjoy pastries and coffee in their cozy cafés. If you’re feeling more adventurous, get out of the city altogether and visit the picturesque and peaceful nature reserve, the Meetjesland for a relaxing day trip.

Ghent is a city full of hidden gems, each more exquisite than the other. From the secret alleys to the authentic cuisine, there is something special that each traveler is sure to enjoy. As you plan your trip, don’t forget to explore Ghent’s local traditions, fascinating history and take the six bridges boat tour down the Ghent canal. You’ll understand why it’s nicknamed “the Venice of the North.” Seek out what makes Ghent unique and unforgettable.