A canal boat tour is the quickest way to understand Ghent's layout, because the city grew up around its rivers and the water still links the best sights. Boats depart from the Graslei, and a live guide tells the story in English, French and Dutch as you glide past the guild houses on Graslei and Korenlei, under the low stone bridges, along the moat of Gravensteen and out toward the old Rabot towers. The tour lasts about forty minutes, runs rain or shine and leaves every fifteen to forty minutes through the day. It is gentle and visual, so it suits all ages and is a good first activity on arrival, helping you decide what to see on foot afterward. Seen from the water, the castle looks even more imposing, and the guild house facades at water level are at their best.
Ghent was once one of Europe's largest cities, a centre of the cloth trade built where the Lys and the Scheldt meet, and its canals carried the grain, wool and goods that made it rich. The cruise follows the Lys and the Lieve, a canal dug in the thirteenth century to link the city to the sea, and shows you the old harbour, the quays and the bridges from the water. A live commentary points out the guild houses, the houses of rich merchants and the story of the city's rebellious spirit.
The boat leaves from the box office at Graslei 6, and you show your smartphone ticket to board. The commentary is live and is given in several languages, so listen for the language options when you board. Dress warmly in winter, since you will be on the water. The operator's page shows the same daily hours, but it does not describe a winter timetable, so check the departure times when you book. The tour is free to cancel or reschedule up to twenty four hours before.
It is a brief, low-cost activity, which makes it an easy add-on to a day that includes the castle and the Graslei quays. If you are travelling with children or with older relatives, it is the gentlest way to see the centre. For a longer experience, a larger group or an evening cruise, ask at the quay about other sailings. Choose a morning departure for softer light on the facades.
What to expect
The experience
A guided cruise from the Graslei, with live commentary in English, French and Dutch.
Best time
Morning, or the first departure after arriving in the city, to orient yourself before you explore.
How long
About forty minutes from boarding to returning.
Tips
Show your smartphone ticket at the box office, check the winter timetable when you book and sit on the side facing the quays on the way out.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want an easy overview of the old town.
- Families
- Short and gentle, so it works for young children and for grandparents.
- Couples
- A relaxed way to see the guild houses and the castle moat together.
- Pair with
- Gravensteen, Graslei and Korenlei and a walk through Patershol.
- Time needed
- One hour including boarding.
Good questions
Where does the boat leave from?+
From the box office on the Graslei at number 6, in the heart of the old town. Show your smartphone ticket there to board.
How long does the tour take?+
About forty minutes, with departures every fifteen to forty minutes during the day. It runs rain or shine.
Which languages does the guide speak?+
The live commentary is given in English, French and Dutch. Ask at the quay which language the next departure uses.
Does it run in winter?+
The operator's page shows daily hours but does not describe a winter timetable. Check the departure times when you book, and note that you can cancel free of charge up to twenty four hours before.
Is it suitable for children?+
Yes, the trip is short and the guide tells the story in a relaxed way. Children usually enjoy passing under the low bridges.
