Walking tours in Ghent cut right to the heart of this wonderfully preserved medieval city.
The best guided walks combine the must-see highlights – like St. Bavo’s Cathedral and the Gravensteen Castle – with hidden backstreets most travelers never find.
Private history tours are engaging and thorough, while the chocolate-themed walks satisfy both your sweet tooth and cultural curiosity.
After decades of exploring Europe’s great cities, I’m particularly impressed by Ghent’s evening “Dark Side” tours and the food-sampling walks through the historic center.
These well-organized tours, led by knowledgeable local guides, offer the perfect mix of history, culture, and authentic experiences.
Read on for my personally tested top picks for Ghent walking tours.
Key Points
The Private Historical Highlights Walking Tour offers a comprehensive 2-hour tour visiting Ghent’s key historical sites like the Belfry, City Hall, and Gravensteen Castle.
The Guided City Highlights Walking Tour with Light Meal provides a 105-minute walking tour that covers major landmarks and includes a local food tasting experience.
The Private Chocolate Walking Tour focuses on Ghent’s chocolate heritage, offering insights and chocolate sampling experiences from a professional local guide.
The Dark Side of Ghent Private Walking Tour explores the city’s hidden corners, mysteries, and dark stories, providing a unique perspective on Ghent’s history.
The Walking Food Tour in Ghent is a highly-rated 3-hour gourmet journey through local eateries, offering food tastings and historical insights into the city’s culinary culture.
Ghent: Private Walking Tour
Typically, the Ghent: Private Walking Tour offers visitors a comprehensive exploration of medieval Ghent’s captivating history and landmarks.
Priced at $231.69 per group of up to 15 participants, the 1.5-hour tour is led by a live guide who shares insights in English or French.
Highlights include admiring UNESCO-listed sites like the Belfry and St. Nicolas Church, as well as exploring St. Bavo’s Cathedral and the Gravensteen Castle.
Travelers can also uncover city myths, legends, and everyday life in Ghent, a former textile trade hub.
The tour is flexible, allowing for customization based on group interests, and boasts a perfect 5/5 rating from past visitors.
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Taste of Ghent: A Private Chocolate Walking Tour
The Taste of Ghent: A Private Chocolate Walking Tour invites visitors on a delectable exploration of the city’s renowned chocolate and confectionery scene.
Priced at €399 for up to 2 participants, the 2-hour private tour takes guests to renowned chocolate shops and local sweet spots.
Highlights include visiting Chocolaterie Vandenbouhede, Frituur Vrijdagmarkt, and Confiserie Temmerman, as well as sampling crispy Belgian fries and traditional sweets.
The tour culminates in the Ghent city center, where participants can enjoy the city’s historic architecture and charming canals.
Led by a professional local guide, this experience offers a flexible, insider’s perspective on Ghent’s vibrant chocolate culture.
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Ghent: Guided City Highlights Walking Tour With Light Meal
Ghent’s Guided City Highlights Walking Tour With Light Meal offers visitors a comprehensive introduction to the city’s rich history and iconic landmarks. Priced from $71.61 per person, the 105-minute tour takes participants to major sites like the medieval towers, Graslei, Korenlei, and Graffiti Street.
Led by a knowledgeable guide, the experience includes a light meal featuring local dishes. The tour accommodates up to 10 participants, with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.
Suitable for individual travelers and couples, the tour requires participants to be able to walk 3-5 km comfortably. Operating rain or shine, the tour provides an informative and delicious way to explore the highlights of Ghent.
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Ghent: Guided Walking Tour and Canal Boat Trip
To immerse visitors in Ghent’s rich history and picturesque landmarks, the Guided Walking Tour and Canal Boat Trip offers an engaging 2.5-hour experience.
Priced at €31 per person, the tour showcases the city’s historic center, including the Sint-Baafsplein, Belfry, and medieval churches. Guided visits to key sites are complemented by a 30-minute boat cruise on Ghent’s canals, with an audio guide providing illustrated translations.
Knowledgeable local guides impart in-depth information on the Mystic Lamb painting, trading history, and the Castle of the Counts.
With a 4/5 rating from 52 reviews, the tour’s flexibility and multilingual guides are praised. Comfortable shoes are recommended, and no refunds are given for last-minute cancellations.
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Ghent: The Dark Side of Ghent Private Walking Tour
For those intrigued by Ghent’s lesser-known haunts and dark histories, the Ghent: The Dark Side of Ghent Private Walking Tour offers an immersive 1.5-hour experience.
Priced at CZK4,174 for up to 2 participants, the tour explores the city’s hidden corners, unveiling its mysteries, dark stories, and old legends.
Led by knowledgeable guides, the tour takes visitors to notable sites like St. Bavo’s Cathedral, Gravensteen, and the Bridge of Imperial Delights.
Participants receive a booklet with discounts for local restaurants, museums, and shops.
With a 5/5 rating based on 11 reviews, this tour promises excellent value and an engaging look at Ghent’s shadowy past.
Comfortable shoes are recommended, as the tour operates rain or shine.
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Christmas Experience in Ghent – Walking Tour
Enjoy Ghent’s festive charm with the Christmas Experience in Ghent – Walking Tour.
This 2-hour guided walk showcases the city’s beautifully decorated landmarks and medieval heritage. Explore the Gravensteen Castle, learn about Ghent’s history, and stroll along the Lys River.
The tour culminates at the festively adorned Sint-Baafsplein Street.
For $483.40 per group (up to 4 participants), you’ll enjoy the services of a professional local guide, admission to the Gravensteen Castle and Stadshal/City Pavilion.
Flexible booking options and free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance make this tour an appealing choice to experience Ghent’s enchanting Christmas atmosphere.
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Ghent: Walking Tour From Friday Market to the Cathedral
The Ghent Walking Tour from Friday Market to the Cathedral offers a captivating exploration of the city’s historic heart.
Priced at Kč7,463 for up to 40 participants, the 2.5-hour tour is available in Dutch, English, French, and German, with a private group option.
Highlights include the Belfry, Town Hall, Friday Market, Fish Market, Patershol, and the stunning St. Bavos Cathedral. Guests will also enjoy views of St. Michael’s Church and Ghent’s three iconic towers.
The tour provides insights into Ghent’s rich history, from its role as the birthplace of Emperor Charles V to its status as home to Belgium’s largest student population.
With free cancellation and a pay-later option, this walking tour is a must-do for visitors to Ghent.
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Ghent: First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour
Ghent’s “First Discovery Walk” and “Reading Walking Tour” provide a captivating introduction to the city’s rich history and cultural landmarks.
The “First Discovery Walk” is a 2.5-hour guided tour that showcases the city’s highlights, including the Friday Market and the Cathedral. Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars by 115 reviewers, the tour offers food and drink tastings, providing a holistic experience.
For a literary twist, the “Reading Walking Tour” takes visitors on a 2-hour journey through Ghent’s streets, exploring the city’s literary heritage. With a rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars from 86 reviews, this tour offers a unique perspective on Ghent’s cultural richness.
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Ghent: Private Historical Highlights Walking Tour
Exploring the medieval heart and legendary history of Ghent, this private walking tour takes visitors on a 2-hour journey through the city’s most captivating historical highlights.
Priced at $174.88 for up to 2 participants, the tour is offered in English, Spanish, and Dutch, and is wheelchair accessible.
Guests will visit the Belfry, City Hall, Gravensteen Castle, Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, Saint Nicholas Church, and more, while also discovering hidden gems and must-visit spots.
Reviewers praise the insightful stories and recommendations from the guide, as well as the intimate setting of the private tour.
The tour operates rain or shine and includes a booklet with local discounts.
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Ghent: Guided Walking Tour
Immersing visitors in Ghent’s captivating medieval history, this 2-hour guided walking tour showcases the city’s most iconic landmarks and hidden gems. Priced from $15.90 per person, the tour’s highlights include the grand Saint Bavo Cathedral, the striking Ghent Town Hall, and the atmospheric Graslei waterfront.
Knowledgeable guides bring the city’s past to life, sharing insights into the Van Eyck brothers and Charles V. Travelers can explore the Patershol neighborhood and Gravensteen Castle, while also discovering Flemish cuisine and Belgian beer.
With a 4.3/5 overall rating and 5/5 for guide quality, this tour offers excellent value for money and an immersive cultural experience.
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Ghent: Private 2-Hour Walking Tour
For those seeking a more intimate and personalized exploration of Ghent’s historic gems, the Private 2-Hour Walking Tour delivers a captivating experience.
Priced at $201.37 for up to 20 participants, this private tour offers the chance to discover the city’s medieval center, including its only neighborhood retaining its original street plan.
Led by a multilingual guide, the tour visits key attractions like Gravensteen Castle and St. Bavos Abbey, while also showcasing the charming Graslei and Korenlei waterfront.
With high overall ratings and positive reviews praising the knowledgeable guides, this tour provides an immersive and flexible way to uncover Ghent’s rich history and architecture.
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Ghent: Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour
Navigating Ghent’s historic gems through a self-guided scavenger hunt and walking tour offers an engaging way to uncover the city’s rich cultural heritage.
This activity allows visitors to explore Ghent at their own pace, uncovering hidden attractions and discovering the city’s top sights, including the Graslei, Belfry of Ghent, and Gravensteen.
With this self-guided experience, travelers can enjoy a flexible itinerary, taking breaks as needed and focusing on the areas of greatest interest.
The scavenger hunt component adds an element of fun, encouraging participants to actively engage with their surroundings.
This is an ideal option for independent-minded visitors seeking an immersive, budget-friendly way to experience the best of Ghent.
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Ghent: Self-Guided City Walking Tour With Audio Guide
With the help of a smartphone and the CityAppTour app, travelers can embark on a self-guided walking tour through the captivating city of Ghent.
The 2-3 hour tour covers 4.3 km and 29 stops, providing engaging audio clips in 7 languages. Participants can flexibly explore at their own pace until the end of the next day.
While the tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, most travelers can participate, as long as they’ve an internet-connected smartphone with GPS.
The tour has received overwhelmingly positive reviews, with users praising the reliable GPS, immersive audio, and flexibility to discover Ghent at their own leisure.
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Unveiling the Treasures of Mons Walking Adventure
Travelers seeking to uncover Mons’ hidden gems can embark on the Unveiling the Treasures of Mons Walking Adventure, a captivating tour provided by Opatrip.com Belgium.
Priced from $184.65 per person, the tour kicks off at the iconic Saint Nicholas Church and concludes at the Chapelle Saint-Calixte de Mons.
Along the way, a local professional guide will provide insights, and you will enjoy included entrance fees to various sites.
The tour isn’t wheelchair accessible, but most travelers can participate.
Adventurers can secure their spot through the “Reserve Now and Pay Later” option, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts.
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Taste of Ghent: Private Chocolate Walking Tour
For those seeking to indulge in Ghent’s rich chocolate heritage, the Taste of Ghent: Private Chocolate Walking Tour offers an intimate and flavorful exploration.
Priced from $213.64 per person, this private tour provides a professional local guide and a chance to sample Belgium’s renowned chocolates.
With a confirmed booking and no refund for cancellations, the tour departs from Chocolatier Deduytschaever and ends in the Gent City Center.
Although not wheelchair accessible, the tour is suitable for most travelers.
Based on a single review, the tour has a perfect 5-star rating, promising a delightful chocolate-focused experience in the heart of Ghent.
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Experience Christmas in Mons – Walking Tour
The Experience Christmas in Mons – Walking Tour offers a festive and atmospheric exploration of the historic city of Mons, Belgium. This private tour, operated by Opatrip.com Belgium, takes visitors on a guided walk through the charming streets adorned with holiday decorations.
The tour starts at the Beaux-Arts Mons and concludes at the Saint Waltrude Collegiate Church. A local professional guide leads the way, providing insights into the city’s rich history and Christmas traditions.
The tour is accessible to most travelers, though it’s not wheelchair-friendly. Participants can secure their spot with a flexible booking and can cancel up to 24 hours in advance.
Prices start at $269.47 per person, with the final cost varying based on group size.
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Ghent Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide
Ghent, the captivating medieval city in Belgium, beckons visitors to explore its rich history and architectural marvels.
The Ghent Private Walking Tour is an excellent way to discover the city’s hidden gems with the guidance of a local expert. Priced at $236.19 for up to 15 people, this private tour offers a customizable experience tailored to your interests.
You’ll start at the Pakhuisstraat and return to the same meeting point, with all gratuities and entrance fees included. The tour is wheelchair and stroller accessible, and most travelers can participate.
With limited availability, this tour is likely to sell out, so it’s best to reserve your spot in advance.
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Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Gent
On Saint Michaels Bridge, in front of Hostel Uppelink under a RED umbrella, the Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Gent commences.
With over 1,077 reviews and a 98% traveler recommendation, this highly acclaimed tour provides a rundown of Ghent’s rich history and landmarks.
Led by knowledgeable volunteer guides, the experience offers engaging storytelling and historical insights, including notable sites like Galveston Castle and St Bavos Cathedral Museum.
Praised for their depth of knowledge and personal stories, the guides enhance the overall experience, making this tour a great value compared to paid options.
Suitable for all, the tour is wheelchair and stroller accessible, with a maximum group size of 35 travelers.
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Walking Food Tour in Ghent
Travelers seeking a gourmet exploration of Ghent’s culinary delights can embark on the captivating Walking Food Tour. Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars with 7 reviews, this 3-hour walking tour offers a delectable journey through the city’s vibrant food scene.
Guests will savor 5 food tastings, discover local eateries, and learn about Ghent’s rich history from a knowledgeable guide. The tour accommodates up to 10 travelers and departs from the Vrijdagmarkt.
While not wheelchair accessible, the moderate physical activity is suitable for most guests. However, those with certain medical conditions may want to exercise caution.
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Ghent Walking Tour – City Highlights and Beyond Tradition
Set out on a captivating exploration of Ghent’s rich history and modern charm through the Ghent Walking Tour – City Highlights and Beyond Tradition.
This small-group tour takes you on a journey through the city’s most iconic landmarks and hidden gems. Guided by a local expert, you’ll discover the best of historical and contemporary Ghent, with inclusions like city sightseeing, gratuities, and more.
The tour departs from the Jacob Van Arteveldeplein, easily accessible via tram. While suitable for moderately fit travelers, those with physical limitations may find the tour challenging.
With a maximum group size of 10 and non-refundable policies, it’s essential to plan your visit carefully.
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Break Down
Ghent offers a variety of walking tours that allow visitors to explore the city’s history, architecture, and culinary delights. From private tours to guided group outings, there’s something to suit every interest and budget. Whether you’re interested in the city’s dark past or its chocolate-making heritage, Ghent’s walking tours provide an immersive and engaging way to experience this charming Belgian destination.