Ghent, the fascinatingly hidden gem of Belgium that combines the medieval charm with the modern vibrancy. Ghent is a picturesque city that boasts the cobblestone streets lined with the stunning architecture and the waterways. This place is away from the bustle of the tourist crowds of Brussels and Bruges. It allows you to enjoy some authentic experiences of Belgium in Ghent. But, which places to visit or things to do in Ghent during your trip?
Well, you will come across some incredible attractions like the:
The city also comes alive with some wonderful cultural events and the buzzing student atmosphere. So, to make sure that you have the best Ghent getaway, go through this guide. It will give you some amazing places and experiences for your Ghent itinerary!
One of the popular attractions of the Ghent are the fascinating waterways. These help provide a unique perspective of the historic city of Belgium.
The boat tours usually last around 40 minutes during which you will see the magnificent medieval architecture. You will get the chance to glide under the charming bridges while learning stories about the rich past of Ghent.
On the other hand, there are the evening cruises. These provide magical views of the buildings with the beautiful illuminated buildings against the night sky.
Most of the boats depart from the Graslei harbor which is essentially the historic port area of Ghent.
During the cruise, you will hear the guides sharing interesting historical facts and the local legends. You will also see how the water shapes the development and commercial success of the city. So, when are you filling the Belgium visa application form? Belgium awaits your arrival!
The food scene of Belgium quite unique blends the traditional Flemish cuisine with the innovative culinary approaches. The city proudly offers many of the local specialties such as the Waterzooi. It is a creamy chicken or fish stew,t hat you will love savoring.
Do not miss out trying the signature dish of Ghent, “Stoverij”. It is also a stew of the rich beef made with beer.
Then, there are the Belgian chocolate shops that you will find across the historic city centre. These offer the hand made pralines and the truffles!
Ghent also claims the title of being the Vegetarian capital of Europe, thanks to the numerous plant-based restaurants. Then, there is Vrijdagmarkt square where you will come across the weekly markets. Here, you can sample the local cheese and the fresh produce.
In addition to this, beer enthusiasts can check out the traditional brown cafés. These serve hundreds of the beer varieties that you can choose from!
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When the evening falls, the Ghent transforms into a lively nightlife destination where you will get many options.
The students from the university bring their energy to the many bars and clubs in the city. Then, there is the historic center that is home to many of the traditional pubs. These serve many varieties of the Belgian beer.
If you want to move away from the bustle, go to the Patershol district. This place offers the intimate wine bars and the cocktail lounges, in the medieval surroundings.
Apart from this, you can explore the live music venues. Here you can enjoy everything from jazz to blues and even the electronic dance music.
Another wonderful place to check out is the Overpoort street. This place becomes a centre of the youthful celebrations, thanks to the many student bars.
For enjoying the cultural evening entertainment, check the schedule of the NTGent or Opera Ghent. All you need to do is secure a Belgium visa appointment to get started!
The even calendar of Ghent is full of the festivals which celebrate:
One of the popular festivals that you should check out is the Gentse Festeen (Ghent Festival). This event in July transforms the city into a place full of revelries for tend days. It is a massive cultural extravaganza that features hundreds of the performances across the multiple stages throughout the city.
Then, there is the Film Fest Gent that takes place in October. This event attracts the international cinema makers and enthusiasts with the premieres and the retrospectives.
You can also check out the OdeGand music festival that boasts concerts. But, these take place on the floating stages along the canals of the city.
One of the popular festivals in the Ghent is the Christmas. During this time, you will come across the fascinating Christmas markets and the traditional crafts in December.
Throughout the year, the small neighborhoods of Ghent celebrate local culture and the community that you can be a part of!
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The Gravensteen is an imposing medieval fortress that dominates the skyline of the Ghent, thanks to its unique stone towers.
Dating all the way back to 1180, many call it as the “Castle of Counts”. At one point in time, it was home to the powerful Flemish rulers!
But today, you can grab the chance to explore its massive stone walls or climb towers for the panoramic views. The castle houses a fascinating collection of the tourture devices and the medieval armour.
Then, there are the audio guides which share stories about the noble elements and the violent revolts of the place. Children will especially enjoy the interactive elements or explore the many passages of the castle.
The authorities ensure to preserve many of the areas exactly as they were centuries ago. Visiting this place ranks amongst the popular things to do in Ghent with family!
The Saint Bavo Cathedral is actually a gothic cathedral. This place houses one of the most famous art treasure of Belgium – The Ghent Altarpiece.
Popularly known as “The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb”, this masterpiece attracts art lovers from around the world.
As for the cathedral, it features the stunning architecture which spans many historical periods.
There is the crypt that comprises the remarkable religious artefacts and the tombs of the past bishops. In addition to this, you should see the beautiful stain glass windows. These create the colourful light patterns throughout the vast interiors.
You can also explore the many side chapels which display the impressive baroque paintings and sculptures. As for the tower of the cathedral, it boasts top sights in Ghent. So, make sure to climb it when you get the chance!
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If there is one place that you should not miss out on, it is the Ghent Belfry.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that stands tall as the symbol of the medieval independence of Ghent. One of the top attractions of the Belfry is the 91-meter tower. It offers some of the best views of the city. However, you will need to climb its 300+ steps to enjoy the views. But, fret not, because there is a glass elevator which provides a hassle-free way of reaching the observation platform.
The Ghent Belfry is home to the massive carillon of the 54 bells. The best part is that these bells still play regularly. This place was originally constructed as a watch tower. However, it later became a symbol of the civic pride.
This place has a special room that goes by the name cloth hall. When you visit here, you will realize that Ghent has a prosperous textile trading history.
You will also come across the digital displays that explains the various functions of the tower. These differ across the different historical periods of the Belgium!
If you are wondering about “what to see in Ghent”, this place is the ideal answer and choice for you!
This place is a charming neighbourhood which is popular for its narrow cobblestone streets. These line the beautiful and historic buildings that you will love seeing.
Originally, it was home to the craftsmen. But, now, this area houses the trendy restaurants and the boutique shops. The carefully preserved architecture of this place tranports visitors back to many centuries in time.
Make sure to check out the hidden gems in Ghent, the hidden courtyards. This place reveals the secret gardens and the quiet spots which are away from the tourist paths.
The district also contains some of the best dining options of the Ghent. Many of the buildings here, feature the distinctive stepped gable roofs which are staple of the Flemish architecture.
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Yes, Ghent is absolutely worth your time, and rightly so.
First, three is the authentic Belgian experience that you can dive into. The best part is, it is much more authentic when you compare to Bruges or the Brussels.
Then, there are more locals than tourists. What this means is more meaningful conversations in the cafés, rather than the superficial touristy talks.
The prices for the food, accommodations and the activities are much more reasonable than the tourist hotspots. You can also check out the free things to do in Ghent like:
Apart from this, you can explore most beautiful place in Ghent like Citadelpark, famous for its lush greenery, waterfall and the sculptures!
Apart from this, there are the architectural marvels that you can see like:
The architectural styles of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque stand harmoniously beside each other. In addition to this, the lighting plan of the city charming illuminates the historic buildings. This helps create a magical evening ambience, perfect for the visitors.
All of these make Ghent, a destination that is worthy of your time, energy and efforts!
Ghent boasts some wonderful accommodations with many concentrated near the historic center. Some of the recommended hotels in Ghent, where you should book your stay include:
1). Hotel Harmony – This is a charming hotel which boasts the spacious rooms overlooking the canal. Relish the delicious breakfast while soaking in the historic ambience with the modern amenities.
2). Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof – It is a stylish boutique hotel popular for its elegant rooms. Additionally, there, is the friendly service and the good breakfast. This hotel is also located at a walking distance from the city centre.
3). Ghent Marriott Hotel – You will come across this hotel in the historic centre on the canal. This is one of the places to stay in Ghent which offers a fantastic location with easy access to the main sights of the Ghent.
4). NH Collection Gent – Many praise this hotel for its central location and the quality service. This hotel is ideal for those who want to explore the historic core of the Ghent on foot!
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Ghent truly stands as one of the most underrated treasures of the Belgium. Thanks to its medieval splendor without the overwhelming crowds, you will enjoy some amazing things to do in Belgium.
Right from the magnificent architecture to the world-class museums and vibrant cultural scene, Ghent rewards travelers with many exciting experiences.
In fact, you will discover the perfect balance of the historic ambience and the contemporary energy throughout your trip.
You should plan to stay around two or three days in the Ghent. This will give you the sufficient time to explore the major attractions without rushing. You can see the highlight attractions in a day and experience the relaxed charm for the rest of the days.
Well, both the cities offer the medieval charm. However, the Ghent feels more authentic and less touristy. It balances history with the contemporary energy. On the other hand, Burges features the picture-perfect scenes. Many visitors prefer the local ambience and the student vibrancy of the Ghent.
The Spring and the early autumn season offer the pleasant temperatures and features fewer tourists. July is when the hugely popular Gentse Festeen takes place transforming the city. In winter, you can check out the magical Christmas markets and the beautiful light displays across the historic centre.
You can catch the direct trains that connect Brussels to Ghent in around 30 minutes. These run frequently throughout the day. The fare costs just around €10-15, each way and depends on the type of train you are boarding. On the other hand, driving a car will take 45 minutes, but parking the car can be a challenge.
Ghent offers the better value than the Brussels or the Bruges while offering high quality experiences. The restaurant meals average around €15-25 for the main courses at the mid-range establishments. The Museum entry ticket costs about €8-12 per person. Try to secure a city pass to enjoy good savings.
May 30, 2025
