Three towers, a dragon and a castle: Ghent as a riddle trail
The Ghent scavenger hunt is a self-guided city game you play on your phone: you walk from landmark to landmark through the medieval centre, solve a riddle at each one by looking closely at what is in front of you, and unlock the stories and legends behind it. Distances in Ghent are short: only around 30 minutes of walking over 2.5 km in total, which leaves most of the roughly 3 hours for riddles, stories and gazing up at towers, whenever you choose to begin.
Highlights include the view of the three towers from Saint Michael's Bridge, Saint Bavo's Cathedral, home of the Ghent Altarpiece, the 91-metre Belfry with its gilded dragon, the Korenmarkt, the Vrijdagmarkt and the Gravensteen castle. The old centre is compact and threaded by the Leie, so the walks between the stops are short and every corner has something to look at.
- Durationabout 3 hours
- Walkingabout 30 min · 2.5 km
- Stops10
- LanguagesEnglish, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch
Riddles along the Leie, under the towers and at the castle gate
A dragon on the spire, an arm pointing to England
Every stop sets a riddle you solve on the spot: the gilded dragon guarding the top of the Belfry, the two faces of the City Hall, Late Gothic on one street and Renaissance on the other, Jacob van Artevelde's arm stretched towards England on the Vrijdagmarkt. Keep your eyes open and your logic switched on, and the answers follow.
Van Eyck, an emperor and a beer-tax revolt
Each answer opens a Ghent story: the Ghent Altarpiece by Hubert and Jan van Eyck in Saint Bavo's, the baptism there of the future Emperor Charles V, born in the city in 1500, the 134-metre spire that Saint Michael's never received, and the students who occupied the Gravensteen in 1949 over a new tax on beer. The audio narration can tell them while you lean on the bridge parapet.
2.5 km, mostly spent looking up
On foot you cover only around 30 minutes over 2.5 km, from the Leie across Saint Michael's Bridge, past the three towers to the City Hall, then north to Saint James' Church, the Vrijdagmarkt and the castle. Google Maps steers you through the lanes, while the trams and bikes deserve a watchful eye.
Cuberdons, a boat and a bench by the water
With no countdown, you can taste the purple cone-shaped sweets the locals call cuberdons, take a boat trip from the Graslei or sit by the water with the app's food tips, then carry on later or the next day.
See the route and attractions →
How it works
- Book online Choose the number of players. Your booking reference arrives by email straight away.
- Get the app Download the World City Trail app from the App Store or Google Play and enter your booking reference.
- Play when you like Start whenever you are ready, walk at your own pace and pause any time. No guide, no fixed schedule.
Train day-trippers, young knights and student crews in Ghent
A day out from Brussels or Bruges
Ghent is a short train ride from both, and its centre packs a cathedral, a belfry and a castle into a small area. About 3 hours of riddles still leave time for lunch by the Leie and an evening train back.
Young knights at the castle of the counts
Children love the gilded dragon on the Belfry, the stone castle with its battlements at the finish and the story of the students who took it over in protest at a beer tax. With an adult in every team and only short walks between stops, small legs keep up easily.
Student groups and colleagues
Ghent is a lively university city, and teams of up to 5, each player on their own phone, make a good start to a team day or a reunion. The route runs entirely through public streets and squares, so one ticket per player is all you need.
Good to know
- Bring a charged smartphone with mobile data; a power bank helps.
- No entry tickets needed: everything happens outside the buildings. Going inside is optional and paid separately.
- Family friendly; children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Not suitable for wheelchair users and difficult with strollers.
- Teams of up to 5 work best; bigger groups split into several teams, one ticket per player.
- Every purchase helps support stray cats and dogs in Greece.
The route: from Saint Michael's Church past the three towers and the Vrijdagmarkt to the Gravensteen
10 stops · about 30 min walking · start: Saint Michael's Church (Sint-Michielskerk) · finish: Gravensteen (Castle of the Counts)
The hunt starts at Saint Michael's Church on the Leie and crosses Saint Michael's Bridge to Saint Nicholas' Church. From there it passes the Belfry and Saint Bavo's Cathedral to the City Hall, returns to the Korenmarkt, continues north to Saint James' Church and the Vrijdagmarkt and finishes at the Gravensteen, the castle of the Counts of Flanders. None of the answers lies behind a ticket barrier, not even at the castle or the cathedral, and should you arrive at the Korenmarkt rather than at Saint Michael's, the app lets you open the game there and rearranges everything that follows.
Open the route map ↗
1Saint Michael's Church (Sint-Michielskerk)Start
This late Gothic church on the bank of the Leie was probably begun in 1440, but its tower was never finished: a 134-metre spire designed in 1662 was never built, and a flat roof has covered the tower since 1828. Inside hangs Anthony van Dyck's painting of Christ dying on the cross.
Read the full story →
2Saint Michael's Bridge (Sint-Michielsbrug)
The Ghent architect Louis Cloquet designed this stone bridge over the Leie, built in the years before the 1913 World's Fair. From its centre you see the towers of Saint Nicholas' Church, the Belfry and Saint Bavo's Cathedral lined up above the Graslei and Korenlei quays.
Read the full story →
3Saint Nicholas' Church (Sint-Niklaaskerk)
Begun in the early 13th century, Saint Nicholas' Church is a leading example of Scheldt Gothic, built of blue-grey stone from the Tournai area. Its central tower served as a lookout and carried the town bells until the Belfry was built, and the guilds of the nearby market added chapels along its sides.
Read the full story →
4Belfry of Ghent (Belfort)
Begun in 1313 and completed in 1380, the Belfry rises 91 metres and is the tallest belfry in Belgium. A gilded dragon was first placed on its top in 1377 and still guards the spire, and the tower is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Belfries of Belgium and France.
Read the full story →
5Saint Bavo's Cathedral
Work on the Gothic church of Saint Bavo began around 1274, and its tower rises 89 metres. It holds the Ghent Altarpiece, the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb by Hubert and Jan van Eyck, completed in 1432, and the future Emperor Charles V, born in Ghent in 1500, was baptised here.
6Ghent City Hall (Stadhuis)
Ghent City Hall shows two faces: a richly carved late Gothic wing on the Hoogpoort, begun in 1519 and never finished, and a more sober Renaissance facade on the Botermarkt, built from the late 16th century. In 1576 the Pacification of Ghent, an alliance of the provinces of the Low Countries against the Spanish troops, was signed here.
7Korenmarkt
The Korenmarkt takes its name from the grain trade: from around the 10th or 11th century, grain shipped in on the Leie was sold here. Today the square links Saint Nicholas' Church with Saint Michael's Bridge, and its west side is dominated by the former main post office, built between 1898 and 1910 by Louis Cloquet and Stéphane Mortier.
Read the full story →
8Saint James' Church (Sint-Jacobskerk)
A first church was built on this spot in 1093, and the two Romanesque towers of Saint James' Church date from the 12th century. The building was extended and rebuilt many times, so Romanesque and later parts stand side by side, and the square around it, Bij Sint-Jacobs, is known for its flea market.
Read the full story →
9Vrijdagmarkt (Friday Market)
For centuries the Vrijdagmarkt was the stage for Ghent's markets, festive royal entries and public executions. In the middle stands Jacob van Artevelde, the 14th-century leader who kept Ghent's trade with England going during the Hundred Years' War, and since 1863 his statue has pointed towards England.
Read the full story →
10Gravensteen (Castle of the Counts)Finish
Count Philip of Alsace built the Gravensteen in 1180 on the site of an earlier fortification. After the counts moved out it served as a mint, a court and a prison, later even as a cotton mill, until the city restored it from 1893, and in 1949 students occupied it in protest against a new beer tax.
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David– Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Het spel is wel een leuke bezigheid in het centrum van Gent. Het zorgt naast vermaak ook dat je een route neemt langs vele bezienswaardigheden. De vragen zijn niet al te moeilijke als je er maar goed over nadenkt. Aanrader voor koppels.
Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Leuke speurtocht met leuke informatie. Wel een beetje onduidelijk hoe je de speurtocht moet beginnen omdat je daar weer een andere app voor nodig hebt. Ook de prijs bleek duurder dan in eerste instantie aangegeven.
Netherlands –
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even wennen maar eenmaal bezig prima te doen
Belgium –
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Difficile à trouver le point de départ. Assez court pour le prix demandé.
United Kingdom –
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An easy to use tour via the app which had lots of interesting information
France –
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Intéressant et ludique qui permet de couvrir une grande zone Nous aurions aimé avoir un plan global avec des explications sur les autres monuments observés
Germany –
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Eine nette kleine Runde durch die Stadt im eigenen Tempo. Man kommt an den größten Punkten der Altstadt vorbei, bekommt einige Informationen in kleinen Texten präsentiert. Die Runde lädt ein, die verschieden Gebäude zu besichtigen, muss man aber nicht. Leider sind manche Aufgabenstellungen nicht ganz eindeutig und man muss auf Hinweise zurückgreifen, um zu verstehen, was man tun soll, bekommt dadurch aber auch Punktabzug. Etwas schade. Trotzdem schöne Tour.
Netherlands –
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Was erg leuk om met z’n 2en te doen. Prima info over de geschiedenus van de stad Gent en leuke route.
France –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Bonjour . Une fois l application installée (qui n’est pas forcément évidente ) Le jeu est très bien fait . Très accessible . N hésitez surtout pas demander de l aide . J ai communiqué par WhatsApp . C est très efficace .
Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Een leuke manier om de stad te verkennen. Het is fijn dat het niet op tijd is, zodat je tussendoor gezellig kan borrelen als je een leuk café tegenkomt. Wat jammer is, is dat de vraag niet duidelijk in beeld komt waardoor het soms lastig is wat en hoe je het moet beantwoorden.
Netherlands –
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Leuke trip door de stad met geinige opdrachten
Allison– Belgium –
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Top activité !
Netherlands –
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Een leuk houvast om Gent te leren kennen. Voor de liefhebbers met opdrachten.
Netherlands –
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Prima idee en zeker leuk om iets te doen en niet doelloos rond te lopen in deze prachtige stad. Wel vreemd dat je voor 8 pers betaald. Je kan bijv makkelijk voor 4 pers betalen en 4×2 teams maken. Dat wordt er niet bijgezegd. Ook zouden er iets meer vragen mogen zijn.
United Kingdom –
Collected on GetYourGuide
A nice way to explore the city center, by solving quiz on your mobile smartphone.
Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Speurtocht via een app leuk om zo ook een beetje de stad te verkennen. So mige opdrachten waren lastig te doorgronden. Het ging niet eens op het speuren, maar om te begrijpen wat er gevraagd werd. Na enkele vragen en opvragen van de antwoord wordt dit wel duidelijk. Wat ik wel jammer vond dat de volgorde van de vragen / opdrachten niet heel logisch was. Nu zijn we wel 3 of 4 keer langs hetzelfde punt geloodst.
France –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Très bonne chasse au trésor dans Gand
France –
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Nice quizz tour but would have loved some additional historical background and additional details or stories maybe as an option on top of the basic info.
Belgium –
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Leuk spel om op details te letten tijdens je bezoek in Gent
Belgium –
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enkel wat moeite gehad om de activiteit te openen maar anders een goede ervaring!
Belgium –
Collected on GetYourGuide
We hadden liever wat meer informatie over de stad of over de bezienswaardigheden zelf. De puzzels leerde ons niet heel veel over de achtergrond van de objecten waar je naar keek.
Switzerland –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Amazing tour!
Greece –
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Fantastico
France –
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C’était sympa, avec mon copain on a bien aimé cette découverte ludique.
Netherlands –
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Leuke tocht door de stad met puzzels die soms superleuk waren en soms een beetje flauw. Een van ons vond het teveel cijferpuzzels.
France –
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Visite sympa quand on a pas le temps poir une visite avec un guide local. Permet aux enfants d etre plus impliqués dans la visite.
Switzerland –
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“Ein sehr schönes Erlebnis!”
Germany –
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Man läuft die bedeutendsten Sehenswürdigkeiten ab und erhält lange Info-Texte. Uns hat das nicht so gefallen und nach der Hälfte der Tour haben wir abgebrochen.
Switzerland –
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Super way to explore the city! Well done
Netherlands –
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Leuke manier om snel de high lights van de stad te ontdekken. Er zaten moeilijke en makkelijke vragen bij, voor sommige puzzels hadden we een hint nodig. Niet alle afbeeldingen in de app waren even duidelijk dat zou nog verbeterd kunnen worden
Netherlands –
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Even wennen met werkwijze maar daarna heel leuk
Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Leuke wandeling, je ziet tijdens deze wandeling echt een groot deel van de stad.
Jean-Marie– France –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Nous venons de parcourue la ville de Gand avec nos deux petites filles de 13 et 14 ans. Elles n’ont pas vu passer le temps et sont restées concentrées presque toute la période Une expérience décontractée, ludique et ouverte sur lés monuments de la ville. Je la conseille pour une ballade avec enfants ou petits enfants A tester en groupe peut-être aussi Bravo et bonne continuation à votre équipe
Belgium –
Collected on GetYourGuide
bien et tres pratique pour la visite mais beaucoup trop cher et les explicatiosn pour certraines enigmes ne sont pas tres comprhensibles
Greece –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Super nice way to explore Ghent !
Greece –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Interesting information about the city, nice puzzles, we had great time.
Netherlands –
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In begin beetje uitvogelen hoe de app werkt, maar werkt gewoon goed. Ik vind wel de prijs vd wandeling erg hoog
Greece –
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Belle balade Ca permet de bien visite le centre ville et de découvrir un peu d’histoire sans faire appel à un guide ! A refaire dans d’autres villes
Greece –
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Beautiful way to explore the city, very smart idea!
Greece –
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Es war super
Greece –
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Very nice riddles and route . We will use it for Antwerp also !
Netherlands –
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Geen routebeschrijving en opdrachten hadden niet altijd met het gebouw te maken.
Greece –
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We all agreed that this was a beautiful way to get to know the city!
Greece –
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Fantastic
Netherlands –
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Leuke manier om de stad te verkennen. De puzzels waren wel echt heel moeilijk.
Germany –
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Permet de visiter la ville mais le parcours pourrait être optimisé.
Netherlands –
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Leuke manier om toch wat gericht rond te lopen in Gent, met puzzels die uitdagend zijn. We waren met gezin met kinderen 14 en 15 jaar oud.
Switzerland –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Super activity! Highly recommended!
Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Super leuke stadswandeling met opdrachten waarvoor inzicht en juist gebruik van leestekens nodig was 😉 Geweldige ervaring ondanks dat het technisch niet altijd perfect werkte.
sara43 –
No better way to explore the city for us. We definately going to do this in another city!