18 Excellent Things to Do in Ghent Belgium

In the triangular circuit between the three most visited places in Belgium, Antwerp, Bruges and Brussels, Ghent sits cosily equidistant from all these three cities. Ignoring this charming Old Town Ghent would be unfair. Join me on this virtual travel and explore the interesting things to do in Ghent Belgium. The long list of tourist attractions in Ghent will make you crave to linger on in the city for more than a day, if not stretch your vacation to three days in Ghent.

Where is Ghent

Ghent is located west of Belgium. Bruges, Antwerp or Brussels – from whichever city you arrive the distance is nearabout the same:
Distance from Bruges to Ghent is 56.2 km
Distance from Brussels to Ghent is 56.6 km
Distance from Antwerp to Ghent is 61.3 km.
this makes it a convenient Europe day trips destination by road.

Ghent when compared with Bruges may fail in terms of scenic beauty, yet it is a city worth touring if you are anywhere around. The medieval atmosphere is so well preserved; modernity hasn’t corrupted the beauty of the city yet. I have known  friends who have made a stopover at Ghent either on their way to Bruges or on their way back for just a few hours. They have regretted a  lot, having fallen in love the medieval charm of the Old Town Ghent.

The name ‘Ghent’, ‘Ganda’, is derived from the Celtic word ‘ganda’ which means confluence. There are proofs that life existed here even during the Stone Age and Iron Age.

Ghent Belgium 

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18 Excellent Things to Do in Ghent

1. Stroll around Ghent City Center

The Korenmarkt is the heart of the city, the best place where you will experience the bustling vibes of the Old Town Ghent. There is lots to see just around this one place. May be you can return back in the evening, grab a chair at one of the cafes, munch on waffles and watch life passing by.

2. Historical Tour of City of Ghent

Planning your last minute trip to Ghent? Not sure what to do in Ghent? Here is a link that will help you get there faster:
Join the daily Free Historical Tour of Ghent which starts at St Michael’s bridge and ends at Belfry of Ghent. Discover the highlights of the gorgeous city of Ghent in the company of a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide.

Ghent’s Four Towers

Like Bruges, Ghent too has three impressive towers. They are: the Belfry, St. Bavo’s Cathedral, and St. Nicholas’ Church. Make time to climb any one of these to get a great view of the city of Ghent. All three towers of Ghent are located close to each other. The fourth one is Gravensteen. While not a traditional tower, Gravensteen is a medieval castle with several towers, including the main keep.

3. St. Bavo’s Cathedral

Saint Bavo’s Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ghent. The cathedral is home to the famous Ghent Altarpiece by the Van Eyck brothers, this cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.

The interior is adorned with stunning stained-glass windows and ornate details. The intricate details of the artwork left me in awe – the vibrant colors, the meticulous brushstrokes, and the sheer dedication that had gone into creating this masterpiece. Indeed amazing! Read more: Saint Bavo Cathedral.

4. Belfry of Ghent

Walk 180 m from St Bavo’s Cathedral, 2 min, to reach the Belfry of Ghent. The tower of Belfry of Ghent is included in the UNESCO World Heritage site, a symbol of Ghent’s medieval prosperity. A spiral staircase goes right up to the viewing platform and get close to the copper dragon that has been keeping an eye on the city. This is the tallest of the four towers, at 91 meters.
Read more: Visit to Belfry and Cloths Hall in Ghent

Belfry of Ghent Belgium

5. St. Nicholas Church (Dutch: Sint-Niklaaskerk)

Just 300 m, 4 min, walking distance to west of the Saint Bavo Cathedral is the Saint Nicholas’ Church. It is built in Scheldt Gothic style, a local variation of the Gothic architectural style, which makes it very unique. Watch out for highlights of Saint Nicholas Church –

• Rich interior decorated with stained glass, sculptures, and paintings
• The altarpiece by the Flemish painter Jan van Eyck, which was completed in 1432.
• A large organ, which was built by the famous French organ builder Aristide Cavaillé-Coll in 1862.

6. Ghent Cloth Hall

The Cloth Hall is the fourth tallest of the four towers of Ghent. It was built in the 14th century and was used as a market hall for cloth traders.

7. Gravensteen Castle

Het Gravensteen called the “Castle of the Counts” was once the seat of the Flanders’ counts during the medieval period. The castle was the stronghold of Ghent, built with strong thick walls and an entrance way with a long tunnel leading to the castle. This medieval fortress is a prominent landmark in Ghent. Explore the castle’s towers, dungeons, and even the beautiful view from its battlements. Lots do see inside and outside. FREE audio tour, the narrator is amusing.

The Gravensteen Labyrinth is worth touring. It is an underground network of tunnels beneath Gravensteen Castle, providing an experience of the castle’s history from a unique perspective.

Het Gravensteen – Things to Do in Ghent Belgium

8. Graslei and Korenlei in City of Ghent

For photography lovers looking out for exciting landscapes I suggest take a walk along the canals of Ghent.

Graslei (Grass Quay) on the right and Korenlei (Corn Quay) on the left, the most picturesque Leie river side streets of the city, are lined with medieval guild houses that showcase Ghent’s historic charm.

9. St Michael’s Bridge

Another picturesque area, insta-worthy place in Ghent is the St Michael’s Bridge, also known by the name Sint-Michielshelling. You will lose track of time admiring the heritage buildings lining the canal and also the medieval towers marking the skyline of city of Ghent.

10. Ghent Museum

For those of you who this thing for visiting museums in every city you visit you can add STAM to your itinerary of Ghent Belgium. It is the Ghent City Museum. This museum offers insights into Ghent’s history and development through interactive exhibits, photographs, and artifacts. The museum is designed well to tell the story of Ghent from the Middle Ages to the present day, with imaginative collections and interactive multimedia.

11. Graffiti Street of Ghent

Werregarenstraat Ghent, Belgium, is a narrow Ghent alleyway is an officially sanctioned, dedicated street art tunnel. Just imagine… Werregarenstraat is a legal graffiti zone! The local and international artists showcase their creative works here and with time this street has become a vibrant and charming. It has ever-changing display of street art; thus, you may not get to see the same art the next time you visit. It is short and you are through it in a minute.

Graffiti Street Ghent

12. Ghent Canal Cruise

Take a boat cruise along the canals. The captain of the boat gives interesting commentary describing the history of the heritage buildings lining the canals. You have the option of hop on and hop off the boats at some points.

Explore the medieval center of Ghent on a boat trip. Get an introduction to the city’s main attractions and learn about its history from your professional guide. Check this – Ghent: Medieval Center Guided Boat Tour

Ghent Canal Cruise

13. Butcher’s Hall in Groentenmarkt

Groentenmarkt is a small traditional market square just along from the larger Korenmarkt. It has the Great Butchers Hall along one side and nice little shops and a couple of small bars.

14. Visit Vrijdagmarkt

If your itinerary for Ghent falls on a Friday then you will be lucky to be able to visit the Friday Market at Vrijdagmarkt.  The place is bustling with activities on Saturday afternoons too.

Comparison of Groentenmarkt and Vrijdagmarkt

15. Visit to nearby Patershol

After you’ve explored the Castle of the Counts, hop over to the charming Patershol next door. The place is best explored on foot at a slow pace to appreciate its narrow streets, historic houses, and a variety of restaurants serving both local and international cuisine. The cobblestone alleyways of Patershol have remained unchanged since medieval times. It’s like walking on history books!

16. Ghent Breweries – chill with your fav. Belgian Beer

Ghent, like many cities in Belgium, has a rich tradition of brewing beer. The city’s breweries were historically a source of pride, and many families had their own brewing recipes and traditions. From fruity lambics to strong Trappist ales, and from refreshing witbiers (wheat beers) to complex, dark abbey ales, you can find a variety of Belgian beer styles in Ghent. Sampling the local brews is an integral part of experiencing the city’s culture.

Check this guided tour – Ghent: Beer and Sightseeing Adventure

17. Relax in Parks of Ghent

Ghent boasts over 150 parks and domains, both well-known and hidden gems, offering ideal settings for relaxation, recreation, and sports. These verdant oases are woven into the fabric of the city. Visit Ghent from April through October to find many parks provide (pink) picnic tables for a touch of outdoor dining pleasure.

Some of the parks you’ll discover charming, smaller spaces like the delightful Appelbrugparkje park and the inviting Baudelopark. The city also proudly embraces expansive landscape parks, such as Citadelpark, home to its two most significant museums, and the sprawling Koning Albertpark.

18. Day Trips from Ghent

If you plan to stay in Ghent you can plenty of day trips to different cities around Ghent like to Bruges, Antwerp and Brussels.

Day trips from Ghent Belgium with Google maps

How to Reach Ghent Belgium

Ghent, a picturesque city in Belgium, is easily accessible by various modes of transportation due to its central location in Europe. Here’s how you can reach Ghent:

Fly into Brussels Airport (Zaventem), from there, you can take a train directly to Ghent. The journey takes approximately 1 hour. Ghent has excellent rail connections to major Belgian cities and European destinations. The city has two main train stations: Ghent-Sint-Pieters and Ghent-Dampoort. If you prefer Europe Road trips, like me, Ghent is easily accessible by car. It’s well-connected to major

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Indrani Ghose is an Indian Travel Writer and Blogger based in Bangalore, India. She has written for numerous publications across the globe – including Lonely Planet, The National UAE, Whetstone Asia, Deccan Herald. You can follow her on her social media handles Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook to see the wonderful destinations, beautiful offbeat places and get instant updates about them.