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.
Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.
Gonzalo– United Kingdom –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Great, although the riddles were easy, it was really interesting the story bits it had.
Evie– United Kingdom –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Good all round fun to learn about Gent, enjoyed the riddles.
Richard – Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Met de juiste app en tips kom je in Gent heel ver. Het was te doen en leuk.
Marlies – Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Erg leuke puzzel/speurtocht waardoor je de stad goed leerde kennen. De tocht was afwisselend, goed in eigen tempo te doen en de vragen/ puzzels waren leuk. Niet te moeilijk ook. Erg leuk om op deze manier de stad te verkennen.
Kristina– Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Freie Zeiteinteilung und man hat alle Highlights der Stadt gesehen. Sehr gut für den erste. Eindruck….
Hannah– United Kingdom –
Collected on GetYourGuide
App was fairly clear to navigate and this activity lasted us 2-3 hours with detours. We liked that we could stop at any time we wanted and learned some really cool information about the city.
Alexandra– Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
App werkte perfect, vragen waren leuk maar ik had graag meer historische feiten over de stad en hoogtepunten willen lezen
Claudia – Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Via deze manier Gent op een leuke, spelenderwijs ontdekt! Echt een aanrader!
Beatriz – Belgium –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Comme il y avait un seul téléphone pour une famille de 3 et que nous restions ensemble, nous avons payé 3x pour la même activité. L’activité est sympathique et ludique.
Madhuri – Australia –
Collected on GetYourGuide
It was a great way to get to know the city
Corinda– Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
We vonden het heel leuk om met een speurtocht de stad te zien. Het is alleen vreemd dat je 2 apps moet installeren.
Alwina– Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Einfacher weg durch die Stadt zu kommen in eigenem Tempo.
Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Leuke manier om de belangrijkste gebouwen van Gent te bezichtigen. Korte afstanden om te wandelen. Ook krijg je tussendoor wat info over Gent.
Robin– Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Goed, alleen de app gaf soms een andere taal weer en een puzzel klopte niet meer
Adeline – Belgium –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Très bonne activité pour découvrir la ville par soi-même Explications intéressantes et complètes
Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Hartstikke leuk! Echt leuke tocht met interessante feitjes
Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Leuk om zo de stad te verkennen. Verschil qua niveau tussen vragen was wel wat jammer.
Didier– Belgium –
Collected on GetYourGuide
sympathique découverte de la ville .
Belgium –
Collected on GetYourGuide
interessant
Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
sommige puzzels waren ok maar de andere waren te gemakkelijk.
France –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Un bon moyen de découvrir les principaux bâtiments de la ville. Surtout pour les enfants qui adhèrent au principe de chasse au trésor. Pourtant, les énigmes sont difficiles à comprendre et à résoudre sans indice. De plus, les explications données sont plutôt à destination des adultes.
Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Ontzettend leuke manier om Gent te ontdekken!
Izabela– United Kingdom –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Interesting and good value + fun to play
Jane– United Kingdom –
Collected on GetYourGuide
We really enjoyed this guided tour/hunt. We saw lots of sights and learnt some interesting facts. Particularly good that we could go at our own pace and stop for food/refreshments when we wanted. Defo recommend and would look for at other locations!
Monique– Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
De verstrekte informatie over Gent en de gebouwen (waar je langs geleid werd) was goed. De vragen, behorend bij de puzzeltocht, vonden we matig. Een paar keer misten we de vraag en moesten we (aan de hand van een plaatje) maar gissen wat de bedoeling was.
Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Wij zijn gelijk gestart toen we arriveerden. Hierdoor werd je door de stad heen geleid om alles over de bezienswaardigheden te weten te komen. Onderweg zie je ook de winkels en restaurants, dat ideaal is voor de avond. Leuke indrukken en vragen, dingen waar je anders zo langs zal lopen. Goede schoenen is zeker een aanrader.
Belgium –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Heel leuk!!
Italy –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Simpatico. Da fare con la famigliola
Spain –
Collected on GetYourGuide
It was great Fun and a good way to be guided through the city. Although we don’t agree on the score we got ????
sabine – Belgium –
Collected on GetYourGuide
L’activité est très ludique, je vous la conseille
Victor – Belgium –
Collected on GetYourGuide
L’interface de l’application est un peu viellote mais pas mal d’explications intéressantes! 🙂 Approche sympa pour visiter la ville 🙂
Belgium –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Zeer gesmaakt door het ganse team!
Regina – Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Super. Wir konnten viel nützliches und interessantes über Gent erfahren
An Van Den– Belgium –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Wandeling was leuk.De vragen waren over het algemeen duidelijk. Enkel het installeren van de app verliep iets moeizamer. Maar al bij al een leuke activiteit.
wim– Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Prima manier om de stad te zien. Afstand is goed maar de speurtocht een beetje onduidelijk en simpel. Teksten vrij lang. Nét niet helemaal wat we zochten.
Angelique– Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Een leuke, interactieve en leerzame ervaring! Steeds een stukje lopen (nooit langer dan 10 minuten) en dan weer een puzzel oplossen. De puzzels waren uitdagend maar de hints waren goed te gebruiken. Goed te doen met een groep, op één telefoon, mits het niet te druk is (want dan moet je een boxje meenemen anders versta je de verhalen niet meer).
victor – Belgium –
Collected on GetYourGuide
J’ai apprécié le jeu et surtout les commentaires sur les lieux visités.
Koen– Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Je kijkt toch op een andere manier naar dingen
Annick– Belgium –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Leuk om met (jongere) kinderen te doen. Als je enkel met volwassenen op stap bent, zijn de vragen veel te makkelijk.
Paul– Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Erg leuke manier om de stad en de geschiedenis erachter te leren kennen. De vragen zijn niet te moeilijk, maar je moet echt je best doen om een 100% score te halen (als je dat belangrijk vind :))
Wolfgang– Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Tolle Erfahrung, viel erlebt und gesehen. Nur absolut schade, dass die Kirchen bis auf eine alle geschlossen waren, sogar am Pfingstsonntag.
Pieter– Belgium –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Op zich was het een leuke zoektocht, maar de opdrachten mochten moeilijker. De eerste vraag was de leukste, degene die volgde…weinig uitdaging. We zijn meer te weten gekomen over Gent (ook on line terug te vinden), maar om hiervoor te betalen zou ik niet meer doen, 10 vragen waren ook echt te weinig. We bleven ook in de 2km2 van het stadscentrum wat de voorbereidingen teniet gedaan hebben. Wat wel heel ?? meeviel, de klantenservice. Deze hebben zonder probleem (in het Engels weliswaar) mijn fout van reservatie binnen 20min opgelost via WhatsApp. Dikke duim! Mijn idee is dat deze activiteit ideaal is voor beginners mbt zoektochten. En met een beperktere fysieke capaciteit. Doch…genoeg terrasjes onderweg. Gent is een mooie bruisende stad, het bezoeken zeker waard. Aan de lezer de keuze om t via deze organisatie of met de brochure van de toeristische dienst te doen. Ik denk dat de zoektocht fijner is met kinderen. Onze waren er niet bij, dus misschien was dat het ontbrekende aspect.
Alexandra – Belgium –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Amusant et nous a fait découvrir d’autres endroits de Gand
Erika – Italy –
Collected on GetYourGuide
It is a great option if you want to visit the city’s main attractions but don’t want to bother planning an itinerary by yourself and want a little bit of flexibility during your day to fit in any extra experiences or do it at your own pace. The puzzles are not hard but still fun and you always have interesting information about the places and buildings included and other points nearby. My main tip is that you just really need to remember to charge your phone and have a power bank at hand, because you will need it between using the app, the GPS and your camera all day. Me and my girlfriend actually bought another “pass” for Bruges the day after we went to Ghent and plan on buying it again in the future for other cities we may visit.
Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Leuke activiteit waardoor ook de meiden (13 en 14 jaar) het leuk vonden om door de stad te lopen. Vragen waren iets te gemakkelijk.
Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Mal eine andere Art der Stadtführung die einem auch zwischendurch eine Pause erlaubt, wenn man sich eine Sehenswürdigkeit genauer angucken möchte.
Netherlands –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Leuke vragen. Informatie en instructies ruim onvoldoende. Ik heb volledig onnodig twee maal betaald terwijl we samen waren. Voor 10 vragen en een paar foto’s is het dan wel heel erg duur. Tevens mag duidelijker worden aangegeven dat er nog een app moet worden gedownload.
Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Es war sehr unterhaltsam und cool. Ich wenigen Stunden konnte man die ganze Innenseite mit den meisten Sehenswürdigkeiten besuchen. Und dazu hat man eine kleine Schnitzeljagd. Sehr zu empfehlen.
Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Im eigenen Tempo die Städte zu erkunden, super Sache.
Germany –
Collected on GetYourGuide
Was echt een leuke speurtocht door Gent. Prima om te doen op een regenachtige dag.