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Gravensteen

Gravensteen: Our most recommended tours and activities

Ghent: 50-Minute Medieval Center Guided Boat Trip

1. Ghent: 50-Minute Medieval Center Guided Boat Trip

Take a boat close to the amazing Castle of the Counts to discover the most beautiful places of Ghent. A guide will take you through the fascinating history of medieval Ghent and its historical buildings and architecture on this 50-minute tour. Enjoy the famous three towers of Ghent, various medieval churches and monasteries, the birthplace of Charles V of Spain, majestic guild halls, a breathtaking castle, and much more! Hear the stories behind these magnificent monuments. Your tour is guided in English, Dutch, and French. There are also illustrated translations into German, Spanish, Italian, Russian and Japanese available on board.

From Brussels: Bruges and Ghent in a Day Guided Tour

2. From Brussels: Bruges and Ghent in a Day Guided Tour

Meet your guide in the center of Brussels and relax on the 100-kilometer journey to Bruges. Upon arrival, discover the charms of “the Venice of the North” and see why the entire historic center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Marvel at highlights such as the Lake of Love (Minnewater Lake) and the 13th-century Begijnhof complex, founded in 1245 to house lay religious women. Go to Walplein Square, where the shady trees and cafes provide a perfect place to relax. Visit Stoofstraat on the site of the city's former Red Light District, and see medieval monuments such as the 11th-century Old St. John’s Hospital. Look at the world's second tallest brickwork tower at the Church of Our Lady, and see other historic monuments such as Gruuthuse Palace, the Dijver Canal and the tiny piazza of Tanners Square (Huidenvettersplein). Go to one of the city's most photographed spots at Rozenhoedkaai, and admire the Belfry on Castle Square. Admire the facades of the Gothic-style Town Hall and the 12th-century Basilica of the Holy Blood. Visit Market Square (Grote Markt) to see the Bell Tower (Belfort) and Sint-Salvator’s Cathedral. Then enjoy 1-hour's free time for lunch (at your own expense) and the chance to sample some of the city's delicious chocolates.  Next, drive to Ghent, where the inhabitants have been popularly known as "noose-bearers“ since the days of Charles V. Take a guided tour of the city's historic buildings, such as the Castle of Gerald the Devil and Saint Bavo Cathedral, where you can look at the painting “The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb” by the Van Eyck brothers. Admire the Belfort (Bell Tower) and peculiar Gothic and Renaissance-style Town Hall. See one of the city's oldest monuments at St. Nicholas’ Church opposite the unusual facade of the Masons’ Guild House. Journey along the embankments of the medieval port of Graslei, and discover other highlights such as the majestic Castle of the Counts of Flanders, the charming Patershol neighborhood, the Great Butchers’ Hall, the Old Fish Market, and Friday Market Square.

Ghent: Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt and Tour

3. Ghent: Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt and Tour

Uncover the highlights in Ghent with an interactive smartphone app. Stroll through the city solving location-based riddles on this walking tour. Marvel at the Gothic-style Saint Michael's Church and the medieval Gravensteen castle.  Uncover 10 of the most important attractions in the city as you walk. Stop and find clues at each attraction to reveal your next destination. Enjoy the challenge of using logic, imagination, observation, and team spirit to finish the game. Start or pause the tour whenever you want as you control the schedule. Explore the city at your own pace, and stop to snap pictures as you please. Reveal an exciting puzzle at the exterior of each attraction and learn local facts along the way. Start your tour from Sint-Michielskerk, in the center of Ghent. Visit Sint-Michielsburg with its unique architecture and explore Sint Niklaaskerkt with its magnificent architecture. Take a picture of the Belfry of Ghent that is straight out of a fairy tale. Let yourself get lost in Sint-Baaf's Cathedral with its unique interior and imposing exterior. Learn about the ornate Gothic facade of Ghent City Hall and see the Korenmarkt at the heart of the city. Admire Place de Neuve with its imposing statue and be enchanted by the Sint-Jacobskerk. Pass by Vrijdagmarkt with its lifelike statue and great history. Gaze at the medieval castle of Gravensteen and learn about knights, princesses, and stories from the past.

Ghent: Hop on hop off Water-Tramway

4. Ghent: Hop on hop off Water-Tramway

Welcome to the Hop on hop off water-tramway in Ghent, the perfect way to explore this beautiful city by boat! Our water-tramway offers you a unique and scenic way to see the city's most iconic sights and attractions. Ideal to combine with a nice stroll through the streets of Ghent. Using the Hop on hop off water-tramway in Ghent is easy and convenient. Simply purchase your day ticket. Once you have your ticket, just hop on board at one of our 6 stops along the waterside and enjoy the ride. Information regarding the timetable of the departures can be found in the table above. Our water-tramway is equipped with an amazing and informative audio guide in multiple languages (Dutch, French, English and German), so you can sit back, relax, and learn about the history and culture of Ghent as you cruise along the waterways. As the name suggests, our Hop on hop off water-tramway allows you to explore the city at your own pace. With multiple stops along the different waterways, you can hop off at any stop to explore the attractions that interest you most. When you're ready to continue your journey you hop back on the next available water-tramway. Some of the top attractions you can see on our Hop on hop off water-tramway route include the St Bavo’s Cathedral, the Belfry and St Nicholas’ Church, the Ancient Port of Ghent Graslei-Korenlei, the Castle of the Counts, the Saint Bavo Cathedral, the St Peter’s Abbey dating from the 7th century and it’s vineyard among many others. In short, the Hop on hop off water-tramway is a must-try experience for anyone visiting Gent. It's a fun, convenient, and affordable way to explore the city's many attractions. So, don't hesitate to hop on board and start your adventure today!

Ghent: City Highlights Guided Bike Tour

5. Ghent: City Highlights Guided Bike Tour

Ghent continues to be one of world’s most beautiful cities (come and see for yourself). For a long time, it was one of the largest and wealthiest cities in Europe. And this is still noticeable today. You will be cycling along numerous abbeys and churches, the Castle of the Counts, Portus Ganda, the small beguinage (Unesco Site!). All this testifies to the city’s rich history. And nowadays? You immediately feel that Ghent is alive. No wonder, with over 80,000 students and countless young people who live in Ghent. As a result, the city is brimming with creativity, good vibes and high ambitions as to sustainability. A cycling tour of Ghent is the perfect way to experience this.

Ghent: Guided Walking Tour and Canal Boat Trip

6. Ghent: Guided Walking Tour and Canal Boat Trip

A local Ghent expert guide will make sure you finish your tour with the feeling that the city no longer holds any secrets for you. On our tour we will visit the Church of St. Nicholas and the Cathedral of St. Bavo, which, in addition to its architectural value, stands out for housing one of the most outstanding paintings in history: 'The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb', by the Van Eyck Brothers. Interpreting it will be a piece of cake with the explanations we will give you about its symbols. Nearby, you will see the Town Hall and the Belfort of Ghent, a bell tower that acts as a lookout point and is one of its tallest towers. But if the heart of the city surprises you, you've only just begun. Next, we'll delve into 16th-century Ghent by visiting the Herb and Grain Quay, a key trading post in the city at the time. Here we will also learn about the old guild trades. From here we will also discover the Meat and Fish Markets, the supermarket of the time, where we will find out why they played such an important role in the development of the city. We will continue our tour through the Patershol (or weavers' quarter) to the Castle of the Counts of Flanders. Its history is full of legends and curiosities and we will tell you all about them. In addition, so that you can visit other places of interest in Ghent on your own, we will give you recommendations and tips that will make your stay in the city unforgettable. In the second part of our tour we will take a boat trip along the main canals of Ghent. Sailing along the river Leie and the Lieve canal, we will have a wide view of the two banks and their lively life. In the meantime, we will have an audio guide with illustrated translations that will make our trip much more enjoyable and interesting.

From Brussels: Ghent Full-Day Guided Tour in English

7. From Brussels: Ghent Full-Day Guided Tour in English

Meet your English-speaking guide at 8:30 AM in the center of Brussels and relax on the 60-kilometer journey to Ghent. Explore Ghent and learn the history at sights such as the 13th century Castle of Gerald the Devil, and St. Bavo's Cathedral, where you can see The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb by the Van Eyck brothers.  Hear why Ghent's inhabitants are known as noose-bearers as you visit the Belfry of Ghent and the Town Hall. Go to St. Nicholas’ Church and the Masons’ Guild Hall and see the quay side buildings of the Graslei. Visit medieval Gravensteen castle and enter the pretty Patershol neighborhood. Explore Ghent's trading history at the Great Butchers’ Hall, Old Fish Market and Friday Market. Get 4 hours of free time for lunch and to stroll on your own.

From Brussels: Full-Day Guided Tour of Ghent in Spanish

8. From Brussels: Full-Day Guided Tour of Ghent in Spanish

Explore Ghent with a Spanish-speaking guide and learn the history at sights such as the 13th-century Castle of Gerald the Devil and St. Bavo's Cathedral, where you can see “The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb” by the Van Eyck brothers.  Hear why Ghent's inhabitants are known as "noose-bearers“ as you visit the Belfry of Ghent and the Town Hall. Go to St. Nicholas’ Church and the Masons’ Guild Hall and see the quay side buildings of the Graslei. Visit medieval Gravensteen castle and enter the pretty Patershol neighborhood. Explore Ghent's trading history at the Great Butchers’ Hall, Old Fish Market and Friday Market. Get 4 hours of free time for lunch and to stroll on your own.

From Brussels: Bruges & Ghent Full-Day Trip

9. From Brussels: Bruges & Ghent Full-Day Trip

Discover the highlights of Bruges and Ghent, Belgium's most attractive cities, with a round trip by train from Brussels. Tour two of the most fascinating medieval cities in Europe with an English/Spanish or French-speaking guide on a 10-hour guided day trip. Depart from the Grand Place at 9:30 AM only on Sunday. Upon arrival at the central station of Bruges, begin with a 2.5-hour walking tour and 2 hours of free time for eating, souvenirs, and a boat trip. The scheduled return to Brussels will be at 17:00 and arrival at 6 PM with your guide. In the case of small groups, there is the possibility of choosing between returning with the guide at the scheduled time or spending more time there and returning later by yourselves. Program in Bruges: In the ancient city wall park, the "Lake of Love" is one of the main water reservoirs nourishing the canal system of the Venice of the North. Visit the Beguinage, one of the best-preserved examples of medieval gated communities in which only women could live. See Brewery De Halve Maan, the only brewery still operating in the city center. Afterward, Old St. John’s Hospital is one of the oldest hospitals in Europe, where you can appreciate 800 years of European architecture, learn about its history and visit the museum of Hans Memling (optional). Head on to Our Lady of Bruges one of the oldest churches in the city. Admire its impressive tower which is still one of the tallest brickwork towers in the world, and take a look at its art treasures, including Michelangelo’s Madonna with the Child (optional). Stop by the VisMarkt (fishmarket) and the Tanners’ Square, two of the oldest squares in Bruges with their beautiful guildhalls and lovely cafés and restaurants. You will also visit the Groeninge Museum, Burg Square, and Markt Square, the economic heart of Bruges. Admire its imposing guildhalls and its Belfort tower, which is one of the most famous Gothic buildings in Belgium. In the end, have an optional canal tour (8 EUR per person, pay while embarking on the boat), which is one of the best ways to see Bruges. Program in Ghent: Journey to the port city of Ghent, located at the scenic confluence of the Leie and Scheldt Rivers. Start your tour of the historic city at Saint Bavo Cathedral and admire the spectacular Gothic church and Baroque ornamentations. Next, step into the marble choir and private chapels, and appreciate the painting of “Saint Bavo Enters the Convent at Ghent” by Rubens and the beauty of the Rococo pulpit. Look at the stunning frescoes of the Romanesque crypt. Then, opt to visit the altarpiece of "The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb" by the Van Eyck brothers and admire one of the most important works of art from the Middle Ages for a small extra fee. Continue to City Hall to see its extraordinary mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. Go to Market Hall to look at the Belfort Tower and the covered market. Marvel at the nearby churches of Saint Nicholas, Saint James, and Saint Michael, serving as reminders of Ghent’s medieval past. Proceed to the old port of Graslei for beautiful views of the river Leie and the old guildhalls. Then, head to the medieval castle of Gravensteen, where the counts of Flanders used to live. Explore the picturesque district of Patershol and see charming buildings with brick facades where restaurants and cafes offer the best Flemish cuisine. Finally, head to the 15th-century Great Butchers' Hall to discover one of Europe's oldest meat markets.

Ghent: Private Historical Highlights Walking Tour

10. Ghent: Private Historical Highlights Walking Tour

Travel back in time to the golden days of medieval Ghent on this private walking tour that shows you the historical highlights of the city. Listen to stories of love, glory, and fortune, as well as tales of intrigue, war, and conflict. After meeting your guide at Saint Michael's Bridge, you’ll walk through the medieval heart of the city on a route that includes all the must-visit spots. You'll visit Saint Michael's Bridge, Saint Nicholas Church, Grass Quay & Corn Quay, Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, the Belfry, the City Hall, the Guild Houses, Gravensteen Castle, Friday Market, Duivelsteen and many more. As you explore highlights and hidden gems, you’ll get the perfect mix of history, funny stories, legends, and facts — everything you need to make your experience of Ghent authentic and exciting. By the end of the tour, you'll know more than a local and you'll have a better idea of where to go and what to do during your time in Ghent. As an added perk, we'll offer you a booklet with discounts and gifts at local restaurants, museums and shops.

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What people are saying about Gravensteen

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 2,735 reviews

Mark was great!! He transported us (literally) back in time on an enthusiastic journey to find his true love, Dori. Mark perfectly intertwined the history of the city of both Brugge and Gent with impressive knowledge and light hearted humour. We would definitely recommend this tour. There was a great balance between guided and free time. Considering we fit in two beautiful city’s in one day we definitely left feeling like we got the best of both. The transportation was easy (one bus the whole time), we could leave our belongings on the bus and the meeting spots were very clear. We even left with some recommendations for great restaurants and places to visit. Thank you Mark for your time and expertise!

This is an excellent tour if you have only a day and want to see two beautiful cities. Our guide Marc was wonderful very knowledgeable and made the tour fun! Wish we had a bit more time to explore Bruges on our own as it is simply a breathtaking city to visit. Maybe the guided tour can get about 15-30 minutes before it did so we get a bit more time to ourselves to explore. I travelled with a teenager and a 8 year old and the walking part was not hard at all and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Highly recommend this tour if you want to visit and see two cities in one day and let someone else figure out all the logistics!

I love doing escape tours to explore new cities, and really liked how this tour is a bit different than 'the usual' escape tour. You meet a lot of historical characters along the way, there's humour in the interactions, and the character art is really original! And I liked that it encourages you to look around, instead of just navigating and reading on your phone. In short, I really enjoyed this one!

Excelente experiencia educativa, visual y divertida en un tour completo y con suficiente tiempo para sacar el mayor provecho. Resalto la vasta educación y conocimientos de los guías y la comodidad del bus.

We left at 8:30 from the meeting point and went to Bruges and then Ghent. The guide explained the essentials to us and then we had time to wander around the beautiful towns