Things to do and see in Ghent Belgium?

Ghent is one of the most beautiful cities in Belgium and one of the most visited by tourists every year, along with Bruges. Its charm lies in the collection of canals, bridges and medieval architecture that can be seen on every façade. Among all the things to see in Ghent, there are several churches, museums and castles not to be missed. Don’t know where to start? Here are some ideas to help you organize what things to do in Ghent, Belgium.

What are the best things to do in Ghent?

Besides its history and cultural richness, probably the most spectacular thing about the city is its network of medieval houses, their luxurious facades and the reflection they leave on the canals. Walking around is a real pleasure as you’ll see, but there are also many other sights to see in Ghent, as we’ll tell you below.

1. Patershol quarter, the best place to see in Ghent

The Patershol quarter is a must-see in Ghent. Located around the castle of the Counts of Flanders, this neighbourhood still retains its original essence with its cobbled streets and brick houses. It’s a very pleasant place to stroll around and take a thousand photos.

There you can visit the House of Alijn, a free museum that recreates a typical Flemish house in the olden days. If you have the chance, it’s best to visit this neighbourhood at sunset, when there are fewer tourists and the streets are clearer.

2. Castle of the Counts of Flanders

Commissioned by the Counts of Flanders in the 12th century, this fortress is today one of the best preserved in Europe. The most curious thing about the castle is its location in the middle of the river Lys, which served a defensive function. The castle can be visited inside, but unfortunately the original furnishings have not been preserved. Instead, there are exhibits of weapons and instruments of torture. You can also climb the keep from where the views of the city are breathtaking. The castle is open Monday to Sunday from 10:00h to 18:00h and admission costs 12€. Guided tours in Spanish are also available.

3. Korenmarkt

This is Ghent’s main square and the main meeting place for locals and tourists. During the Middle Ages the square was used for commercial purposes, but today it’s a tourist spot where you can eat, taste Belgian beer or enjoy the surrounding buildings such as the post office. The best plan is to sit on one of the square’s terraces and discover Belgian craft beer. There you will also find some of the best restaurants in town.

4. Saint Nicholas’ Church

The Church of St Nicholas is probably the most impressive building to see in Ghent. It was built in the 13th century and at first glance the bluish-grey colour of the stones used in its Gothic-style walls is striking. It is also worth going inside to see the spectacular stained-glass windows that fill the interior with light and the organ, made by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll, one of the most famous organ builders in the world. The church is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm and Monday from 2pm to 5pm.

5. Walk along the canals of Ghent

Ghent’s canals are precisely what give the city its magic, and around them many points of interest have been built that are well worth your attention. For example, the quays of Graslei and Korenlei are one of the most interesting places to see in Ghent as they were the areas with the greatest commercial activity in the Middle Ages. As a consequence, houses dedicated to guilds of merchants and craftsmen were built in these same streets and have remained intact to this day.

Another must-see is St Michael’s Bridge, located between Graslei and Korenlei streets. The photos from there are spectacular, especially at sunset. However, the best way to visit the canals is by boat. There are docks at different points in the city from where you can hire small boats for €8.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see around Ghent?

The city is located in a prime position between Bruges and Brussels, which means we can organise a couple of day trips when there’s nothing else left to see in Ghent. Both are well connected by train, and if you choose to drive your own car, you’ll also find free or cheap parking close to the city centre. Here are some ideas of what to see in Bruges and Brussels.

1. Brussels

Brussels is one of the most touristic capitals in Europe for its cultural and historical richness. In the city you can visit numerous museums, including the Magritte museum, the museum of musical instruments and the museum of comics. In the historical area you should also visit the Grand Place, the Saint Hubert Galleries and look for the Manneken Pis. On the other hand, and in contrast to the city centre, the parliament buildings and the European Commission, which can also be visited, offer a different view of the city. If you are coming from Ghent, you can take the train, which takes 35 minutes, or the car, which takes almost an hour. For Brussels, the car is the worst option, as car parks are more expensive.

2. Bruges

Bruges is another of the most beautiful cities to see in Belgium. In one day you can stroll through its streets of medieval architecture, take a boat trip along the canals and visit the most famous museums where famous Belgian artists exhibit their works, such as the Memling Museum or Groeninge. Other highly recommended places of interest are the Beatarium, Minnewater Park and the central square. It is really nice to walk around the city and discover the secrets hidden in its streets. You are sure to fall in love with this city. Bruges is only 30 minutes from Ghent by train, which runs every 15 minutes and costs €9.

Visit Ghent in 1 day

Though there is a lot to see in Ghent, one day is more than enough time to visit the city. To start your day, head to the castle of the Counts of Flanders and then wander through the streets of the Patershol district. On your walk you will find the Korenmarkt square, the Church of St. Nicholas and numerous bridges along the canals. After lunch you can take a boat trip and discover the history of the city from a different point of view. To end the day, the best thing to do is to return to Korenmarkt square and enjoy a typical Belgian beer and the local atmosphere.

Best restaurants in Ghent

Mejillions, French fries or craft beers are some of the specialities of Belgian gastronomy, along with the famous chocolates and delicious waffles. These are some of the best restaurants and cafés where you can eat in the city, but bear in mind that during the tourist season they fill up quickly, so reservations are recommended.

• T Klaverblad: a cosy restaurant with a very good price-performance ratio, though a bit more expensive than usual. We recommend taking the €33 menu as it includes everything, and you’ll eat very well.
• Paul’s Boutique: is a good option for a quick, good and cheap meal. Its speciality is burgers, which are a real highlight of the city. It’s usually very busy but tables empty quickly. The menu is no more than €10.
• Soup Lounge: Another cheap and somewhat different option for a meal in Ghent. For €5 you can eat a menu that includes a hearty soup, bread and fruit. You can also add toppings such as meatballs, cheese or croutons – it’s delicious!
• Quiosco Azul: a small stall in the Kouter district where you can eat oysters with a glass of cava. It dates back to 1885 and although in the past there were many distributed around the city, nowadays it is the only one.

Where to stay in Ghent?

Ghent can usually be visited in a day, in fact, it’s a very common excursion to organise when staying in Brussels. However, to make the most of your stay in Ghent, it is recommended that you spend at least one night in Ghent. Here’s a list of some of the best accommodation in the city.

• Hotel Gravensteen: a three-star hotel in the heart of Ghent’s historic centre with all modern comforts. They also offer breakfast buffet service and parking. The price per night is around 120€.
• Hotel Castel: next to the station, this small hotel is very well connected to the centre. The hotel offers a breakfast buffet service and also has its own restaurant. The price per night is around 90€.
• Kaba Hostel: is a very friendly and well-located hostel that is budget-friendly (€25-30 per night). The hostel has a garden, kitchen and common areas to relax in.

How to get to Ghent?

Ghent does not have its own airport, however, there are many options for getting there. Because of its proximity to Brussels, the best alternative is to fly into Zaventem airport and take a train to Ghent. The journey takes about 50 minutes, costs €9 and departs every 20/30 minutes.

You can also fly into Brussels’ secondary airport, Charleroi South, which is mainly used for low-cost flights. From there you’ll need to take a bus to Brussels Central Station and then a train to Ghent. The total cost of the journey is €20.

Another easy way to get to Ghent is by private car. However, bear in mind that traffic is restricted in the city centre and if you want to park for free you’ll have to go to the outskirts of the city. Closer to the centre there are up to 12 paid car parks.

Ghent Travel Tips

• The official currency of Belgium is the euro, so you won’t have to worry about exchanging currency.
• As European citizens we don’t need a visa to enter the country either, just your ID card or passport is enough.
• If you are travelling from a country with a different currency, we recommend that you exchange your currency in advance.
• The best time to visit Ghent Belgium is from May to September, when temperatures are milder.
• There is no Rooming in Belgium, so you can use the internet on your mobile phone without any problems.
• The city is safe, but as with any tourist destination, it’s best to be careful with your belongings.
• Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured.

Plan your trip to Ghent

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers
• Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
• Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post)
• Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need to make and you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travellers what to see in Ghent, Belgium.

If you have doubts on how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

Frequently asked questions on a trip to Ghent