Historical Walking Tour of Ghent - Legends of Gent
by Legends of Gent Free Walking Tour
Choose from 2 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€5.98Overview
This two-hour walking tour in Ghent covers many of the city's historical highlights. It begins at St Michael's Bridge, where the guide explains Ghent's medieval role as a trading hub and points out the city's three main towers. Next, the group visits Graslei and Korenlei, the historic port area, to learn about the buildings involved in trade. The tour continues to the Design Museum Gent, where you will hear about an aspect representing the local character. Then you walk to Het Groot Vleeshuis, the medieval Great Butchers’ Hall, where darker historical facts are shared. The well-preserved medieval Castle of the Counts, known as Gravensteen, is next, situated in the city center, with stories about its past. Afterward, the tour visits St. Veerleplein, known both as the square of death and the square of life, followed by Huis van Alijn, a former hospital and the last 'god house' in Ghent, with its history explained. The guide also shows a prominent square featuring a statue linked to Ghent's past. A walk through a city-designated graffiti area follows, created to protect monuments from vandalism. Then the tour reaches Ghent Town Hall, where the guide describes the main historical conflict behind its appearance. The group moves on to St. Bavo's Cathedral, home to the famous Ghent Altarpiece by the Van Eyck brothers, and hears about its history. The Belfry of Ghent, once a prison and called the people’s tower, is next, with stories of power and a unique local legend. The tour concludes at Esglesia de Sant Nicolau, an early 12th-century church overlooking Korenmarkt, dedicated to St Nicholas, protector of merchants and sailors, with its legendary façade explained. The tour is led by knowledgeable guides and includes all fees and taxes, but gratuities are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
St Michael's Bridge
The tour begins at St Michael's Bridge with an introduction to Ghent's history as a medieval trading center. From here, the guide points out the three prominent towers that define Ghent's skyline.
15 min
Graslei and Korenlei
At Graslei, the heart of the historic city center, the guide explains which buildings were used for trading activities when this area served as the city’s port.
10 min
Design Museum Gent
The group visits the Design Museum Gent, where the guide highlights an element representing the determined and rebellious spirit of Ghent's citizens.
10 min
Het Groot Vleeshuis
Facing the medieval covered Great Butchers’ Hall across the water, the guide shares some of the darker historical facts about this notable building.
10 min
Gravensteen
The medieval Castle of the Counts stands well preserved in the city center. The guide provides detailed stories about its significant past.
10 min
St. Veerleplein
This square in front of the castle is known as both the square of death and the square of life, with the guide explaining the reasons behind these names.
10 min
Huis van Alijn
The House of Alijn was originally a hospital and is the only remaining 'god house' in Ghent. The guide tells the story of how it became a hospital.
10 min
Prominent city square with statue
The guide shares the history of this important square and the man commemorated by the statue in its center.
10 min
Graffiti area
The tour passes through a designated graffiti zone set up by the city to protect monumental buildings from vandalism.
10 min
Ghent Town Hall (Stadhuis)
The guide explains the main historical conflict behind the unusual appearance of Ghent Town Hall.
10 min
St. Bavo's Cathedral
The cathedral houses many art treasures, most notably the world-famous Ghent Altarpiece by the Van Eyck brothers, with the guide sharing its history.
10 min
Het Belfort van Gent
Known as the people’s tower, the Belfry reflects the city's independence and stubbornness. The guide tells a local legend connected to its former use as a prison.
10 min
Esglesia de Sant Nicolau
This early 12th-century church overlooks Korenmarkt and is dedicated to St Nicholas, protector of merchants and sailors. The guide explains the legend shown on its façade.
10 min
Meeting point
We meet in front of Hostel Uppelink on the St Michael's Bridge. Look for the RED umbrella! IMPORTANT NOTE: Our guides are volunteers who offer tours for tips. The fee only covers the cost of booking via this platform.
End point
Belfry of Ghent.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Historical Walking Tour of Ghent - Legends of Gent
by Legends of Gent Free Walking Tour
Choose from 2 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€5.98Overview
This two-hour walking tour in Ghent covers many of the city's historical highlights. It begins at St Michael's Bridge, where the guide explains Ghent's medieval role as a trading hub and points out the city's three main towers. Next, the group visits Graslei and Korenlei, the historic port area, to learn about the buildings involved in trade. The tour continues to the Design Museum Gent, where you will hear about an aspect representing the local character. Then you walk to Het Groot Vleeshuis, the medieval Great Butchers’ Hall, where darker historical facts are shared. The well-preserved medieval Castle of the Counts, known as Gravensteen, is next, situated in the city center, with stories about its past. Afterward, the tour visits St. Veerleplein, known both as the square of death and the square of life, followed by Huis van Alijn, a former hospital and the last 'god house' in Ghent, with its history explained. The guide also shows a prominent square featuring a statue linked to Ghent's past. A walk through a city-designated graffiti area follows, created to protect monuments from vandalism. Then the tour reaches Ghent Town Hall, where the guide describes the main historical conflict behind its appearance. The group moves on to St. Bavo's Cathedral, home to the famous Ghent Altarpiece by the Van Eyck brothers, and hears about its history. The Belfry of Ghent, once a prison and called the people’s tower, is next, with stories of power and a unique local legend. The tour concludes at Esglesia de Sant Nicolau, an early 12th-century church overlooking Korenmarkt, dedicated to St Nicholas, protector of merchants and sailors, with its legendary façade explained. The tour is led by knowledgeable guides and includes all fees and taxes, but gratuities are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
St Michael's Bridge
The tour begins at St Michael's Bridge with an introduction to Ghent's history as a medieval trading center. From here, the guide points out the three prominent towers that define Ghent's skyline.
15 min
Graslei and Korenlei
At Graslei, the heart of the historic city center, the guide explains which buildings were used for trading activities when this area served as the city’s port.
10 min
Design Museum Gent
The group visits the Design Museum Gent, where the guide highlights an element representing the determined and rebellious spirit of Ghent's citizens.
10 min
Het Groot Vleeshuis
Facing the medieval covered Great Butchers’ Hall across the water, the guide shares some of the darker historical facts about this notable building.
10 min
Gravensteen
The medieval Castle of the Counts stands well preserved in the city center. The guide provides detailed stories about its significant past.
10 min
St. Veerleplein
This square in front of the castle is known as both the square of death and the square of life, with the guide explaining the reasons behind these names.
10 min
Huis van Alijn
The House of Alijn was originally a hospital and is the only remaining 'god house' in Ghent. The guide tells the story of how it became a hospital.
10 min
Prominent city square with statue
The guide shares the history of this important square and the man commemorated by the statue in its center.
10 min
Graffiti area
The tour passes through a designated graffiti zone set up by the city to protect monumental buildings from vandalism.
10 min
Ghent Town Hall (Stadhuis)
The guide explains the main historical conflict behind the unusual appearance of Ghent Town Hall.
10 min
St. Bavo's Cathedral
The cathedral houses many art treasures, most notably the world-famous Ghent Altarpiece by the Van Eyck brothers, with the guide sharing its history.
10 min
Het Belfort van Gent
Known as the people’s tower, the Belfry reflects the city's independence and stubbornness. The guide tells a local legend connected to its former use as a prison.
10 min
Esglesia de Sant Nicolau
This early 12th-century church overlooks Korenmarkt and is dedicated to St Nicholas, protector of merchants and sailors. The guide explains the legend shown on its façade.
10 min
Meeting point
We meet in front of Hostel Uppelink on the St Michael's Bridge. Look for the RED umbrella! IMPORTANT NOTE: Our guides are volunteers who offer tours for tips. The fee only covers the cost of booking via this platform.
End point
Belfry of Ghent.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.