Photos: Loekesss, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Dicklyon, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Haugh, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Photo credits
Photos: Loekesss, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Dicklyon, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Haugh, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Ghent after dark with a lighting designer
Your local guide
Elise Van den Broeck
View profile
Highlights
- Graslei and Korenlei, lit along the water
- Three towers lined up from St Michael's Bridge
- Gravensteen castle, picked out against the dark
- Patershol's lanes, deliberately kept dim
- The city's lighting plan, explained by its designer
About this tour
This session sees Ghent after dark through the eyes of someone who worked on the city's lighting plan, from Graslei and Korenlei lit along the water to Gravensteen castle picked out against the night. You see the view from St Michael's Bridge, where three towers line up at once, and finish in the narrow lanes of Patershol. It explains the decisions behind the light rather than just the sights themselves.
The guide checks sound by the water, then walks the same route the lighting plan follows, explaining choices building by building. You can ask questions about the design, the technology or the history of each monument throughout. A short list of the best viewpoints is sent on afterwards.
This suits anyone interested in how cities are lit as much as in Ghent itself, and photographers planning their own night shots. It also suits former visitors who only saw these buildings by day.
Included
- Live video walk with a local guide
- Questions to your guide all the way
- A short list of places to visit later
Not included
- Internet connection
- Travel to the city
Itinerary
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Welcome and sound check 10 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Ghent before heading out.
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Graslei and Korenlei 21 min
The camera looks across the water at Graslei and Korenlei, their guildhall facades lit up along both banks. The guide, who worked on the city's lighting plan, explains why these two rows of buildings were prioritised first.
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St Michael's Bridge 21 min
From St Michael's Bridge the camera lines up the view of three towers, the cathedral, the belfry and Sint-Niklaaskerk, all lit at once. The guide explains how the lighting angles were chosen so all three stay visible from this one spot.
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Gravensteen at night 21 min
The camera holds on Gravensteen, the moated castle built in 1180, its stone walls picked out against the dark water around it. The guide explains what changes about a medieval building once the lighting design takes over from daylight.
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Patershol lanes 21 min
The walk ends in the narrow lanes of Patershol, where the camera shows small restaurant windows glowing along an otherwise dark street. The guide explains how lighting here was kept low on purpose, unlike the monuments passed earlier.
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Your questions 18 min
Time to ask anything about Ghent: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 8 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Waterzooi and Patershol, worth a slower look.
Good to know
- A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
- Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
- Times are shown in Brussels time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
- Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
- Sessions run in small groups, up to 12 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.
Questions about this tour
What will the session cover?
The guide walks through Ghent, showing you Saint Bavo's Cathedral and Gravensteen Castle live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.
What happens if my connection drops?
Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
Is this suitable if I do not drink?
Yes. Say so when you book and the guide will focus on the atmosphere and venues rather than the drinks list.
How it works
- You get one join link after booking.
- Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
- We meet on Google Meet; the link comes with your booking. I walk Ghent live with my phone and you ask anything as we go.
Times shown in Brussels time (CET)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
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Next: Fri 13 Nov · 12 seats left From 24,00 €
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