Ghent: Medieval Center Guided Boat Tour

Ghent’s medieval center beckons travelers with its enchanting waterways and historic landmarks. For just €10 per person, a 40-minute guided boat tour offers a unique perspective on this Belgian city’s architectural gems. Knowledgeable local guides lead the way, narrating the journey in multiple languages. As you glide past St Bavo’s Cathedral and the iconic Belfry, you’ll gain rich insights into Ghent’s heritage. This budget-friendly experience promises stunning views and a fresh understanding of the city’s past. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned explorer, this tour may just unveil a side of Ghent you never knew existed.

This experience made our list of the 9 Best Cruises And Boat Tours In Ghent.

Key Points

• A 40-minute guided boat tour through Ghent’s historic waterways, showcasing landmarks like St Bavos Cathedral, Belfry, and St Nicholas Church.
• Affordable pricing starting from €10 per person, with flexible cancellation and ‘reserve now, pay later’ options.
• Multilingual tour experience available in Dutch, French, and English, with illustrated texts in several additional languages.
• Opportunity to discover Ghent’s medieval harbor and gain insights into the city’s rich history from knowledgeable local guides.
• Scenic waterway views and immersive experience highlighting Ghent’s picturesque medieval architecture and heritage.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Tour Overview

The Ghent Medieval Center Guided Boat Tour offers visitors a 40-minute journey through the city’s historic waterways, providing an intimate glimpse into Ghent’s medieval heritage.

Priced from €10 per person, the tour allows guests to discover the medieval harbor and admire iconic landmarks such as St Bavos Cathedral, the Belfry, and St Nicholas Church.

Sailing along the River Leie, the tour showcases the city’s hidden gems and highlights, with a local guide sharing insights into Ghent’s rich history.

The tour is available in Dutch, French, and English, with illustrated texts in several other languages.

Flexible cancellation policies and the option to reserve now and pay later make this tour an accessible and convenient way to explore Ghent’s medieval center.

Pricing Details

Pricing for the Ghent Medieval Center Guided Boat Tour starts from €10.00 per person, making it an affordable option for visitors.

The 40-minute tour offers excellent value, with passengers enjoying a cruise along the River Leie to see the city’s historic landmarks, including St Bavos Cathedral, the Belfry, and the Castle of the Counts.

What’s more, the tour is available in multiple languages, including Dutch, French, and English, with illustrated texts in Spanish, German, Italian, Russian, and Japanese.

Customers can also benefit from the tour’s flexible cancellation policy, which allows them to cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Highlights and Experience

Travelers can discover Ghent’s medieval harbor and admire iconic landmarks like St Bavos Cathedral, the Belfry, and St Nicholas Church during the guided boat tour. As they sail along the River Leie, passengers will enjoy observing hidden gems and highlights from a unique vantage point:

1. Marvel at the stunning Castle of the Counts, a medieval fortress with a rich history.

2. Learn about Ghent’s past from a knowledgeable local guide who brings the city’s medieval roots to life.

3. Capture breathtaking photos of the picturesque waterways and historic buildings that line the riverbanks.

This 40-minute boat tour offers an immersive experience, allowing visitors to enjoy Ghent’s captivating medieval ambiance.

Meeting Point and Requirements

To embark on the Ghent Medieval Center Guided Boat Tour, guests should head to the green boathouse marked with red and white ‘Hier tickets, boottrips’ signs, which serves as the meeting point.

Guests are advised to wear weather-appropriate clothing, as the tour takes place on the River Leie.

It’s important to note that the tour isn’t suitable for wheelchair users. Pets aren’t allowed, with the exception of assistance dogs.

The guide will lead the group on a 40-minute journey through Ghent’s medieval harbor, providing insights into the city’s rich history and highlighting the stunning architectural gems along the way.

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Cancellation and Booking Policy

Guests can cancel their Ghent Medieval Center Guided Boat Tour reservation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Alternatively, they may opt to book their spot and pay nothing today, reserving their place on the tour.

The cancellation and booking policy offers travelers three key advantages:

1. Flexibility – Guests can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund, allowing them to adjust plans as needed.

2. Convenience – The ‘reserve now, pay later’ option enables customers to secure their spot without an immediate payment.

3. Stress-free planning – With free cancellation and no upfront costs, guests can book the tour with confidence, knowing they can make changes if necessary.

Customer Feedback Ratings

The Ghent boat tour boasts an impressive 4.4-star overall rating from 454 reviews, with consistently high marks across various aspects of the experience. The guide received a 4.4/5 rating, with participants praising their multilingual skills and professionalism. The transportation aspect of the tour was rated even higher at 4.5/5, and customers felt the tour offered great value for money, rating it 4.4/5. The service provided was the standout, earning a perfect 5/5 score.

Metric	Rating
Overall	4.4/5
Guide	4.4/5
Transportation	4.5/5
Value for Money	4.4/5
Service	5/5

Customer Reviews

Customers have highlighted the Ghent boat tour as a positive experience, particularly for those on short visits, as it provides a good way to see more of the city. The guide’s multilingual skills and professionalism have received praise, with the tour being a popular choice for both English and Dutch speakers.

However, some feedback suggests that French could have a more prominent presence during the tour. Plus, the guide’s adaptability in accommodating participants’ needs has been noted as a positive aspect of the experience.

The top 3 things customers enjoyed about the Ghent boat tour:

1. Seeing the city’s medieval landmarks from the water

2. Learning about Ghent’s rich history from the knowledgeable guide

3. The overall value for money and convenience of the tour

Multilingual Experience

Although the tour offers multilingual support, with Dutch, French, and English being the primary languages, some customers have noted that the distribution of languages during the guided commentary could be more balanced. The tour’s language accommodations are summarized in the table below:

Language	Guided Commentary	Illustrated Texts
Dutch	Prominent	Available
French	Less Prominent	Available
English	Prominent	Available
Spanish, German, Italian, Russian, Japanese	N/A	Available

While the availability of multiple language options is appreciated, a more even distribution of the main tour languages could enhance the overall experience for all participants, ensuring everyone feels equally included in the commentary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Any Age Restrictions for the Tour?

The tour does not have any age restrictions. Children of all ages are welcome to participate. However, the tour may not be suitable for young children who struggle to sit still for the 40-minute duration.

Can I Bring Food and Drinks on the Boat?

Passengers are generally allowed to bring food and drinks on the boat, but it’s best to check with the tour provider first. Consumption of alcohol or messy items may be restricted to maintain a pleasant experience for all participants.

Is There an Option to Book a Private Tour?

Yes, there is an option to book a private tour. Customers can reserve a private boat for their group, allowing for a more personalized and intimate experience on the guided tour of the medieval center.

Do the Boats Have Restroom Facilities?

The boats do not have restroom facilities. Guests are advised to use the restrooms before or after the boat tour, as there are no on-board amenities of this nature. The focus is on providing a scenic and informative experience along the waterways.

Are There Any Discounts Available for Students or Seniors?

Yes, the tour operator offers discounted tickets for students and seniors. Specific discount amounts may vary, so it’s best to check the tour website or contact the operator directly for the current pricing and eligibility details.

Recap

The guided boat tour offers a budget-friendly way to experience Ghent’s medieval center.

Glide through picturesque waterways, marvel at historic landmarks, and gain insights into the city’s heritage from knowledgeable local guides.

Whether you’re seeking a unique perspective or simply want to soak in the charm of the medieval setting, this tour provides a compelling experience.

You can check if your dates are available here: