Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Gent
Overview
Join our daily Free Historical Tour of Ghent and discover the highlights of our gorgeous city in the company of a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide. We take you on a journey through the legendary past of Ghent and give you lots of tips on where to go and what to do in the city today.
History and funny stories, legends and interesting facts, highlights and hidden gems — this tour has got everything to make your experience of Ghent authentic and exciting!
If you cannot make it to the tour for whatever reason, please notify us, so we can open your slot to other visitors. Thank you and enjoy the tour!
IMPORTANT NOTE: Our guides are volunteers who offer tours for tips. The charged fee only covers the cost of booking via this platform.
History and funny stories, legends and interesting facts, highlights and hidden gems — this tour has got everything to make your experience of Ghent authentic and exciting!
If you cannot make it to the tour for whatever reason, please notify us, so we can open your slot to other visitors. Thank you and enjoy the tour!
IMPORTANT NOTE: Our guides are volunteers who offer tours for tips. The charged fee only covers the cost of booking via this platform.
Inclusions
- All Fees and Taxes
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: St Michael's Bridge, Sint-Michielsplein, Ghent 9000 Belgium
We start here with an introduction to the history of Ghent and the role the city played as a trading hub in medieval times. We also introduce you to the 3 towers of the Ghent skyline, which are best visible from this spot.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Graslei and Korenlei, Graslei en Korenleih, Ghent Belgium
At the Graslei, the beating heart of the historical city centre, we show you which buildings were involved in the trading activities when this area functioned as the city’s port.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Design Museum Gent, Jan Breydelstraat 5, Ghent 9000 Belgium
Here we explain why a specific aspect of the Design Museum very much symbolises the stubborn and rebellious mindset of the Gentenaars!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Het Groot Vleeshuis, Groentenmarkt 7, Ghent 9000 Belgium
With a view of the medieval covered Great Butchers’ Hall across the water, we tell you some darker facts about this majestic building.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Gravensteen, Sint-Veerleplein 11, Ghent 9000 Belgium
Unlike most castles, the medieval Castle of the Counts is located right the middle of the city and and is very well preserved. We will tell you all about its impressive past!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: St. Veerleplein, Ghent 9000 Belgium
The square in front of the castle is both known as the square of death as well as the square of life. You’ll find out why!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Het Huis van Alijn - The House of Alijn, Kraanlei 65, Ghent 9000 Belgium
The House of Alijn was a hospital and is the only remaining ‘god house’ in Ghent. We will tell you the unfortunate story of how it became a hospital.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Vrijdagmarkt, 9000 Gent, Belgium
This illustrious square has played a prominent role in Ghent’s history, as well as the man whose statue is located in the middle. Our guide will share its fascinating history with you!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Werregarenstraat, 9000 Gent, Belgium
As a way to keep our monumental buildings from being sprayed by graffiti, the city has designated a specific area for street artists to go wild. We’ll walk you through it!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Ghent Town Hall (Stadhuis), Botermarkt, Ghent 9000 Belgium
To understand why our city hall looks a little bit ‘confused’, our guide will explain the most significant conflict in the history of Ghent.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: St. Bavo's Cathedral (Sint-Baafskathedraal), Sint-Baafsplein Casco Historico de la Ciudad, Ghent 9000 Belgium
Our cathedral has a rich history and houses many art treasures, most notably the world-famous Ghent Altarpiece by the brothers Van Eyck. We’ll share some of this history with you.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Het Belfort van Gent, Sint-Baafsplein, Ghent 9000 Belgium
The Belfry is the people’s tower and reflects the stubbornness, power and independence of the city. As the former prison, its façade also tells the story of a bizarre legend that our guide will share with you.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Saint Nicholas Church, Cataloniestraat 4 Korenmarkt, Ghent 9000 Belgium
This gem from the early 12th century looks out over Korenmarkt and has St Nicholas, the protector of merchants and sailors, as its patron saint. The façade of this building shows us the legend of its patron saint: the perfect way to end this legendary tour!
Duration: 10 minutes
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: St Michael's Bridge, Sint-Michielsplein, Ghent 9000 Belgium
We start here with an introduction to the history of Ghent and the role the city played as a trading hub in medieval times. We also introduce you to the 3 towers of the Ghent skyline, which are best visible from this spot.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Graslei and Korenlei, Graslei en Korenleih, Ghent Belgium
At the Graslei, the beating heart of the historical city centre, we show you which buildings were involved in the trading activities when this area functioned as the city’s port.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Design Museum Gent, Jan Breydelstraat 5, Ghent 9000 Belgium
Here we explain why a specific aspect of the Design Museum very much symbolises the stubborn and rebellious mindset of the Gentenaars!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Het Groot Vleeshuis, Groentenmarkt 7, Ghent 9000 Belgium
With a view of the medieval covered Great Butchers’ Hall across the water, we tell you some darker facts about this majestic building.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Gravensteen, Sint-Veerleplein 11, Ghent 9000 Belgium
Unlike most castles, the medieval Castle of the Counts is located right the middle of the city and and is very well preserved. We will tell you all about its impressive past!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: St. Veerleplein, Ghent 9000 Belgium
The square in front of the castle is both known as the square of death as well as the square of life. You’ll find out why!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Het Huis van Alijn - The House of Alijn, Kraanlei 65, Ghent 9000 Belgium
The House of Alijn was a hospital and is the only remaining ‘god house’ in Ghent. We will tell you the unfortunate story of how it became a hospital.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Vrijdagmarkt, 9000 Gent, Belgium
This illustrious square has played a prominent role in Ghent’s history, as well as the man whose statue is located in the middle. Our guide will share its fascinating history with you!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Werregarenstraat, 9000 Gent, Belgium
As a way to keep our monumental buildings from being sprayed by graffiti, the city has designated a specific area for street artists to go wild. We’ll walk you through it!
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Ghent Town Hall (Stadhuis), Botermarkt, Ghent 9000 Belgium
To understand why our city hall looks a little bit ‘confused’, our guide will explain the most significant conflict in the history of Ghent.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: St. Bavo's Cathedral (Sint-Baafskathedraal), Sint-Baafsplein Casco Historico de la Ciudad, Ghent 9000 Belgium
Our cathedral has a rich history and houses many art treasures, most notably the world-famous Ghent Altarpiece by the brothers Van Eyck. We’ll share some of this history with you.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Het Belfort van Gent, Sint-Baafsplein, Ghent 9000 Belgium
The Belfry is the people’s tower and reflects the stubbornness, power and independence of the city. As the former prison, its façade also tells the story of a bizarre legend that our guide will share with you.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Saint Nicholas Church, Cataloniestraat 4 Korenmarkt, Ghent 9000 Belgium
This gem from the early 12th century looks out over Korenmarkt and has St Nicholas, the protector of merchants and sailors, as its patron saint. The façade of this building shows us the legend of its patron saint: the perfect way to end this legendary tour!
Duration: 10 minutes
Additional information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
- Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 24 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
VickyA608
May 2022
Very informative and fun way to get to know the city. Hit all major attractions. I really enjoyed the tour.
Very informative and fun way to get to know the city. Hit all major attractions. I really enjoyed the tour.kathleenmV6923ZS
May 2022
Very informative and entertaining. Sebastian, our guide, was terrific. He told us about the history, showed us all of the highlights and gave us tips on where to eat, drink, etc.
Very informative and entertaining. Sebastian, our guide, was terrific. He told us about the history, showed us all of the highlights and gave us tips on where to eat, drink, etc.mariarX468CM
May 2022
Super nice Elien! Ty so much for all the stories and curiosities! We have visited all the buildings and heard all the stores
Super nice Elien! Ty so much for all the stories and curiosities! We have visited all the buildings and heard all the stores12aislingf
May 2022
Great review with our tour guide Bram. Fun, interesting and he gave great recommendations. Beautiful architecture and great stories about each place we stopped.
Great review with our tour guide Bram. Fun, interesting and he gave great recommendations. Beautiful architecture and great stories about each place we stopped.nickyc121
May 2022
Sophia was an excellent tour guide. She led our group through the streets of Ghent while providing both historical and contemporary information. She provided information on food & beer. Her recommendations were great and her personality, a dry sense of humor, amplified the quality of the walking ...
Sophia was an excellent tour guide. She led our group through the streets of Ghent while providing both historical and contemporary information. She provided information on food & beer. Her recommendations were great and her personality, a dry sense of humor, amplified the quality of the walking tour. I’d highly recommend this tour!Mark N
May 2022
An excellent walking tour led very ably by Debra. Throughout she showed a great deal of knowledge but, most importantly, she made it interesting and funny. Highly recommended.
An excellent walking tour led very ably by Debra. Throughout she showed a great deal of knowledge but, most importantly, she made it interesting and funny. Highly recommended.