Essential Free Tour Ghent
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Essential Free Tour Ghent
- Visit the imposing Gravensteen Castle and discover its turbulent and fascinating past.
- See the breathtaking Ghent Belfry dominating the city’s skyline.
- Be amazed by the outstanding views from St. Michael's Bridge.
Tour Features
Gravensteen Castle
City Pavilion
Belfry
St. Nicholas’ Church
Rabot Gate
Town Hall
Great Butcher’s Hall
These are some of the features your tour might include, but please bear in mind that every guide create their unique itinerary to provide the best possible experience.
Departures not found
Faq
Where does the tour start?
You will receive the full meeting point details and a map after you finalize your booking, in a confirmation email.
Do I have to book my Free Tour?
Yes, it's necessary to book your Free Tour in order to receive the full meeting point details via email on time. This helps ensure an enjoyable experience and good coordination between guides and tour guests. Booking is free, quick, and easy!
Can I contact my guide?
Yes, you will be able to message your guide with any questions that you might have after making a reservation, up until the start of the tour.
Can I make a booking for a larger group?
Maybe! In order to keep the group sizes manageable, each guide sets their own limit of guests per booking and departure. Choose the Free Tour you want to book, select the number of people in your group, and see if there are any departures available that suit your needs.
Are Free Tours really Free?
Yes, with Free Tours, there's no set price; instead, the guides rely on the tips of participants to sustain their livelihoods. By contributing a fair amount that reflects the value you receive from the tour, you not only support the guides but also express your appreciation for their expertise and dedication.
Ghent is a city rich in history and conveniently compact, with an endless list of impressive sights to see. That’s why the Essential Free Tour Ghent has been designed to be the perfect introduction for both first-time visitors and those who want to dive deeper into its history and uncover some of its hidden secrets. Most tours will begin around St. Bavo's Square, the medieval heart of Ghent’s Old Town. This historic square features two of Ghent’s principal religious landmarks: the Belfry and St. Bavo's Cathedral. Here your guide will give you an introduction to the origins of the city. As you begin to wander through the medieval marvel that is Ghent Old Town, you'll learn more about its volatile past from Frankish invasions, Viking raids, Calvinist iconoclasts, and rebellions.
Guests on the Essential Free Tour Ghent will discover a city full of architectural wonders, including the remarkable Ghent Town Hall, which displays both gothic and renaissance style features. Nearby is one of Ghent’s emblematic three towers St. Nicholas' Church like many churches in this area, has had an unsettled existence, surviving destruction by religious iconoclasts and the effects of the French Revolution. One of the highlights that guests will come across is Gravensteen Castle, a huge medieval castle in the heart of the city! Here, guests will discover its link to the crusades and learn about medieval court life. Guests will also embark on a walk along the stunning canals, a feat of engineering perfect to take incredible photos of the medieval skyline.
Another important landmark included on the Essential Free Tour is Rabot Gate, built in the 15th century after a weak point was exposed by invading Austrian forces. This impeccably preserved gate with twin towers offers lovely views over Ghent’s waterways. Nearby are the charming Graslei (Grass Quay) and Korenlei (Wheat Quay), their names coming from when Ghent was the center of the grain and cereal trade. These quays have been working quays since the 11th century. Visitors will find that this is the perfect area to relax and have a drink whilst enjoying the lovely views. During your tour, please don’t hesitate to ask as many questions as you like. And, of course, all guests will come away with an armful of recommendations and tips for what to do during the rest of their stay.
