The 15 Best Ghent Tours & Canal Trips

1.50-Minute Medieval Center Guided Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,637 reviews · 1 day · from $12Our pick

Cruise Ghent’s medieval center for about 50 minutes, passing the Three Towers, guildhalls, Gravensteen, and the Ancient Port. Live commentary is in English, Dutch, and French, with illustrated translations in six other languages. Boats run often, umbrellas are provided, and winter trips have blankets.

“Highly recommend this trip! The guide was funny and informative and the boat was kept very clean and comfortable. The tour was so interesting and its such a beautiful way to see this stunning place”

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2.Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Gent

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,761 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $3Best value

Start at St Michael’s Bridge and walk through Ghent’s medieval core with an English-speaking local guide. See Gravensteen, the three towers, St Bavo’s Cathedral, Werregarenstraat, and more. Guides such as Tatiana, Kasia, Kenny, and Sophia are praised for warm storytelling and useful food and beer tips.

“Tatiana was a knowledgeable, professional, exciting tour guide. She shares her love and appreciation of Ghent with her guests.”

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3.40 Minute Medieval Center Guided Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 884 reviews · 1 day · from $12

Board at Ghent’s green boathouse for a 40-minute cruise along the Leie. A live guide in Dutch, English, or French points out the medieval harbor, three famous towers, Prinsenhof, guildhalls, churches, and Castle of the Counts. Illustrated texts are available in Spanish, German, Italian, Russian, and Japanese.

“Loved this boat tour! Our guide was hilarious and knowledgeable. The best combination! Fit so much into and details in during the boat ride. Highly Recommend!”

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4.Evening Tour of the Dark Side of Gent

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 646 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $3

Follow an English-speaking guide through Ghent at night, from St Michael’s Bridge to Patershol. Expect medieval trade, torture, religious conflict, Charles V, local legends, and lesser-seen streets. Guides such as Kenny, Isabel, Ben, and Julian bring the darker tales to life with humor.

“Kenny, our tour guide, was very entertaining and enthusiastic during our tour. He took us off the beaten path to see parts of Gent you would not find on your own. He was very knowledgeable about the history of the city.”

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5.Ghent Bike Tour Off-the-beaten-track

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 505 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $58

Join Bike Ghent for a 2.5-hour ride through lesser-known parts of Ghent with guides such as Christophe, Kristoff, Chris, Levi, or Sammy. You’ll use a comfortable CUBE mountain bike, visit street-art spots and historic buildings, stop for photos, and may pause at a local brewery.

“Nice bikes with good suspension. Guide was great with fun information and biking to put of the way spots that were unique.”

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6.40-Minute Historical Boat Tour of City Center

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 430 reviews · 40 min · from $12

Cruise Ghent’s center for 40 minutes with a local guide in Dutch, English, or French. You’ll pass Graslei, the Great Butcher’s Hall, Dulle Griet, the Old Fish Market, Gravensteen, and Rabot. Boats may be open or covered, and written text is available in Spanish, Italian, and German.

“Very enjoyable. We had to swap days in a pre-booked ticket snd this was no problem. Very accommodating. The guide was excellent. Multi linguistic, knowledgable and amusing. We went out at 18.10 and light was perfect as we caught sunset which was great for photography.”

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7.Guided Urban Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 297 reviews · 2h 30m · from $56

Join Christophe, Chris, or another Bike Ghent guide for a 150-minute ride from central Ghent into its creative suburbs. You’ll use a semi-pro mountain bike, see street art and lesser-known places, receive a water bottle and photos, and travel in a group of up to 10.

“I had family visiting Europe from the US and the three of us joined Chris's bike tour of Gent. He was enthusiastic and welcoming, and took us around the edges of Gent, sharing cool street art, pretty corners, and fun surprises. We loved that it was a small group and the pace was very manageable. Loved being tourists on bikes - a totally different experience than walking through the city centre (which we did later). He shared digital photos afterwards - a fun extra!”

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8.Hop-on Hop-off Water-Tramway

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 279 reviews · 1 day · from $21

Explore Ghent by boat and on foot with a one-day ticket covering six waterside stops, six walking routes, and audio in English, French, German, or Dutch. Guides such as Tom, Gobe, and Astricht add local stories, while the 90-minute wait between boats calls for planning.

“We had a lovely time, Tom the guide was great, very friendly and informative, we were able to stop off, have a walk around Gent, have lunch and get back on the boat at one of the stops again for another tour. Would definitely recommend!”

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9.Belgian Chocolate Walking Tour with Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 259 reviews · 2 hours · from $51

Start at the Jacob van Artevelde statue on Vrijdagmarkt for a two-hour, small-group walk through central Ghent. Guides such as Nick, Mandy, Mathias, and Sarah pair at least nine chocolate and sweet tastings with city stories, artisan visits, and practical local tips.

“Mandy was fantastic and gave us a very knowledgeable, fun and informative tour of the central Ghent sights, particularly around the confectionary and things you wouldn't find out from the main tourist attractions. Delicious chocolates and treats along the way! Highly recommended.”

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10.Belgian Waffle-Making Workshop with Beer Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 256 reviews · 1h 30m · from $55

In central Ghent, hosts such as Thomas, Anna, Reuben, and Luk guide you through three Belgian beer tastings and a hands-on waffle class. Choose a beer for your batter, or use a nonalcoholic or gluten-free option, then bake unlimited waffles with chocolate, speculoos, whipped cream, and more.

“What a fun and interesting experience. Learned a lot”

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11.Guided City Tour with Food Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 228 reviews · 2h 30m · from $93

Walk Ghent with local guide Sophie from Vrijdagmarkt to five food stops, tasting Belgian classics, local products, beer, chocolate, and more while seeing the medieval towers, Graslei, Korenlei, and Graffiti Street.

“Sophie was so amazing and so knowledgeable and happy to share the stories of Ghent. we jad some good tastings and great tome and met new people. I would highly recommend this tour as it was a lot of fun and takes you to many places that you probably want yo see anyway.”

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12.Gastronomic Walking Tour of Gent – Tasters included

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 199 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $3

Meet your English-speaking guide at Hostel Uppelink for a 90-minute tasting walk through Ghent. Try fries, cuberdon candy, handmade chocolate, waffles, and more, then use your Gruut beer voucher when the brewery opens.

“Our guide, Hamraz, clearly loves the city and its culture. She enthusiastically explained the local foods and their history. We enjoyed the tour very much and highly recommend it to anyone visiting. Make sure ti enjoy a fresh beer at the Artevelde Brewery when you finish the tour!”

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13.City Highlights and Hidden Gems Guided Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 196 reviews · 2h 30m · from $53

Ride through Ghent with guide Tim or another Dutch or English-speaking guide, linking famous sights with quiet lanes, parks, canals and lesser-known corners. Bikes and raincoats are provided. The gentle route includes a halfway drink stop, though food and drinks cost extra.

“The tour was fascinating. Our guide Tim was very friendly and knew lots about tbe city as his family had lived there for generations. He took us through quiet city streets and cycle paths and the bikes were good. I would reccomend if if you visit Ghent.”

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14.Guided Boat Trip in Ghent

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 181 reviews · 40 minutes (approx.) · from $13

See Ghent from an open or covered boat on a 40-minute Leie River cruise. Your guide points out the Graslei, Castle of Counts, Great Meat Hall, and historic port, often in English, Dutch, and French. Flexible departures make this a handy first look at the city.

“Very nice tour with pertinent information. Good service all around.”

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15.Private 2-Hour Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 134 reviews · 2 hours

Join a private two-hour walking tour of Ghent with a Dutch, English, French, or German-speaking guide. Follow the medieval street plan from Graslei to Gravensteen Castle, see the Dulle Griet cannon, and visit St. Bavo’s Abbey area. Hotel pickup may be arranged.

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