The highlights of Ghent
A 1hr tour that takes you through Ghent’s most iconic highlights. It covers the classic postcard sights, ideal for first-time visitors who want to see the best of the historic centre in a short walk.
- Stops
- 8
- Walking route
- 1.7 km
- Estimated route time
- 41 min
Tour languages English · German · Spanish · Finnish · French · Japanese · Dutch · Polish
Places on this walk
- 01
Sint-Michielsbrug
A historic stone arch bridge in the heart of Gent, spanning the Leie River, was built between 1905-1909 and designed by architect Louis Cloquet. The bridge is a prominent landmark offering stunning views of the Gras- and Korenlei, as well as the city's iconic towers. Since 1983, it has been protected as a monument.
From the narration
Welcome to the Sint-Michielsbrug, or Saint Michael's Bridge which crosses the Leie river. Look up at the central lamppost right here on the bridge. You'll notice a bronze statue of Archangel Michael, with a winding dragon defeated at his…
02Graslei & Korenlei
From the narration
Pretty here, isn’t it? For centuries this stretch of river was Ghent’s working harbor. In the Middle Ages, Ghent had something called the grain staple right. Any boat carrying grain up the Leie had to stop right here, a part of the cargo…
03Gravensteen
A medieval castle and former residence of the Counts of Flanders, the Gravensteen features a large central donjon, surrounded by a fortified enceinte and a sizeable moat, now open to the public as a museum and major landmark.
From the narration
Welcome to the Gravensteen, or as its Dutch name directly translates, the 'Count's Stone', a medieval castle with a story that spans over eight hundred years. The main structure you see today was largely built in 1180 by Philip of Alsace,…
04Groot Vleeshuis
A 15th-century market hall in Gent, featuring a preserved 1448 mural painting depicting an Adoration of Christ, attributed to Nabur Martins. The building has served as a central market and guild house for the butchers' guild since the 14th century.
From the narration
The Great Butcher's Hall is an impressive gothic building that dates back to the early 15th century. For many hundreds of years, this was the central place where butchers in Gent were required to sell their meat. In medieval times, selling…
05Korenmarkt, Ghent
A historic city square named after the cereal trade, dating back to the 10th/11th century. It is situated between the Leie river and St. Nicholas' Church, surrounded by historic buildings housing bars, restaurants, and terraces.
From the narration
The name Korenmarkt translates directly to 'Wheat Market'. Grains would arrive here, brought in along the Leie river, through the nearby Graslei and Korenlei we visited before. From there, the cereal was sold right here in this square. The…
06Belfry of Ghent
A medieval tower standing 91 meters tall, the Belfry of Ghent is the tallest in Belgium and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Belfries of Belgium and France.
From the narration
The Belfry of Ghent. At 91 meters, it's the tallest belfry in Belgium. This entire complex is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. For many centuries, this tower served multiple purposes: it announced the time and was a fortified…
07Ghent City Hall
A four-sided complex in Ghent, combining late-Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles, featuring two distinct wings, including the alderman's house of De Keure and Gedele. The building comprises 51 halls.
From the narration
Ghent City Hall is a building that really tells a story about different eras and changing styles. It’s actually a complex made up of several parts, built over centuries. One corner is the alderman’s house of De Keure. You can see its late…
08Saint Bavo Cathedral
A 89-meter-tall Gothic cathedral and the seat of the Diocese of Ghent, named for Saint Bavo of Ghent, and featuring the renowned Ghent Altarpiece. It contains the famous painting Saint Bavo enters the Convent at Ghent by Peter Paul Rubens.
From the narration
We are now at Saint Bavo Cathedral, an example of Gothic architecture that towers eighty-nine meters high. Though the Gothic construction you see dates from around 1274, this site's history goes back much further. In fact, traces of an…
