View of the Old Town at sunset, Ghent

Things to do in  Ghent

Touch of medieval

Ghent—Belgium’s third-largest city and the capital of East Flanders—combines many of the elements that make Belgium such a fun place for travelers. Many of the most popular things to do in Ghent, from touring Gravensteen Castle to admiring the view of the Leie River from Sint-Michielsbrug, are found in the city’s medieval center. But Ghent also benefits from a bohemian tilt due to its student population, with countless beer cafes and bars and restaurants across the spectrum.

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Top 8 attractions in Ghent

#1

St. Bavo's Cathedral (Sint-Baafskathedraal)

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Fronted by a Romanesque, baroque and Gothic facade, Ghent’s cavernous cathedral serves as a repository for a valuable collection of art treasures, including works by Rubens and Laurent Delvaux. Its showpiece attraction is the Van Eyck brothers’ world-renowned 24-panel altarpiece,The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb.More
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#2

Graslei and Korenlei

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The medieval quays of Graslei and Korenlei are boat tour departure points by day and a vibrant dining and drinks district by night. These quaysides in the heart of Ghent originally formed part of the city’s thriving harbor; today, they're home to some of Ghent’s most scenic gabled houses.More
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#3

Gravensteen Castle (Castle of the Counts)

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One of Belgium’s best-preserved medieval fortresses, Gravensteen Castle (also known as the Castle of the Counts) boasts thick stone walls, crenellated towers, and a history laced with intrigue and torture. Today, the landmark is a historical gem in the heart of Ghent; stop by to learn its often dark history firsthand.More
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#4

St. Nicholas’ Church (Sint-Nik­laas­kerk)

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No tour of Ghent architectural landmarks is complete without stopping at St. Nicholas’ Church (Sint-Niklaaskerk). With spiky spires reaching over Ghent, it’s a hard-to-miss church, which is intentional as it was built to signal the city’s wealth to rival trading cities of Bruges and Antwerp. The inside is equally beautiful with its baroque high altar and stained-glass windows.More
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#5

Belfry and Lakenhalle (Bell Tower and Cloth Hall)

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No introduction to the architectural marvels of Ghent would be complete without checking out the Belfry and Lakenhalle (Bell Tower and Cloth Hall). The Unesco-listed Ghent Belfry, topped with a gilded dragon and home to bells that have rung for more than six centuries, offers sweeping views over the city and its gabled buildings from the top of the bell tower. Like Graslei and Korenlei, the Belfry looks spectacular when floodlit at night.More
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#6

Ghent City Center

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Rich in medieval architecture and home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites, Ghent’s city center is replete with canals, cobblestones, and classic Flemish architecture. A European powerhouse during the Middle Ages, Ghent Old Town boasts soaring churches and well-kept merchants’ houses.More
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#7

Mons

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Often overlooked in favor of its bigger and bolder neighbors, Mons is a Belgian city with timeless charm. A former mining town and the site of the notorious Battle of Mons in World War I, it has a long history, but today, it’s best known for its lively art scene—Van Gogh once called the city home—and its annual dragon festival, the Ducasse de Mons, which is held each spring.More
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#8

Portus Ganda Marina

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Ghent, or Ganda as it was originally called, is full of scenic places with water views. Portus Ganda Marina is one such spot where yachts bob alongside riverside boardwalks packed with restaurants and bars. Pedestrianized plazas and promenades in the revitalized marina, opened in 2005, offer space for strolling and picnics. The Van Eyck swimming pool is another draw.More
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Explore Ghent by interest

Top activities in Ghent

Walking food tour: Introduction to Ghent through food

Walking food tour: Introduction to Ghent through food

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$101.69
Guided boat trip in medieval Ghent

Guided boat trip in medieval Ghent

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$10.92
Ghent Private Highlights Tour with local guide

Ghent Private Highlights Tour with local guide

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$114.66
BeerWalk Ghent (English guide)
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BeerWalk Ghent (English guide)

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$49.14
Discover Ghent beer world with a chocolate pairing by a young local
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Discover Ghent beer world with a chocolate pairing by a young local

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$62.24
Ghent Small-Group Chocolate Tour with Local guide

Ghent Small-Group Chocolate Tour with Local guide

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$49.14
Bicycle tour in historic Ghent

Bicycle tour in historic Ghent

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$49.14
Ghent Like a Local: Customized Private Tour

Ghent Like a Local: Customized Private Tour

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$60.06
Private Ghent Beer & Brewery Tour by a young local
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Private Ghent Beer & Brewery Tour by a young local

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$245.69
Ghent Bike Tour Off-the-beaten-track

Ghent Bike Tour Off-the-beaten-track

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$52.41
Ghent Beer and Sightseeing Adventure

Ghent Beer and Sightseeing Adventure

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$97.18
Guided Boat Trip in Ghent

Guided Boat Trip in Ghent

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$10.92
Ghent Private Chocolate Tour with local guide

Ghent Private Chocolate Tour with local guide

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$163.79
Guided Tour Ghent

Guided Tour Ghent

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$16.38
Ghent Small-Group Tasting Tour with local guide

Ghent Small-Group Tasting Tour with local guide

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$64.43
Unique skyline sailing

Unique skyline sailing

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$36.03
Private 10-hour Tour to Ghent and Bruges from Brussels with Hotel Pick Up
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Private 10-hour Tour to Ghent and Bruges from Brussels with Hotel Pick Up

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Ghent Beer Guided Walking Tour
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Ghent Beer Guided Walking Tour

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$49.14
Unforgettable sea trip to the wind farms in the North Sea

Unforgettable sea trip to the wind farms in the North Sea

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$97.18
Ghent Private Off The Beaten Path Tour with local guide

Ghent Private Off The Beaten Path Tour with local guide

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$191.09
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All about Ghent

When to visit

Summer is when you’ll find Ghent at its most lively, both in terms of the bright, sunny weather and of the crowds that come for Ghent Festivities—a 10-day festival in July that sees the historical center become home to free concerts and street theater. Similarly, the lead-up to Christmas brings plenty of festive energy with the city’s various Christmas markets. A dusting of snow across the city’s medieval center only adds to Ghent’s charm.

Getting around

The historical center of Ghent is well-suited to getting around on foot, with many of the city’s main attractions within walking distance from one another. For traveling quickly or getting to outer parts of the city center, there are Ghent’s two train stations and the city’s tram and bus lines. And although they’re not an especially practical way for getting from A to B, the river boats from Graslei provide a relaxing way to see the sights around Ghent.

Traveler tips

For a memorable Belgian pub experience, head for Dulle Griet on Vrijdagmarkt. Besides serving the city’s largest selection of Belgian beers, the beer café also offers its special MAX beer, served in a giant yard glass that requires one of your shoes as a deposit to deter theft. If you prefer your beers served riverside, pull up a seat outside the laid-back Barrazza café.

Attractions
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Tours
113
Reviews
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People Also Ask

Is Ghent in Belgium worth visiting?

Yes, Ghent is definitely worth visiting—whether as a stop on your Belgium tour or as a weekend getaway. The city is home to a medieval center full of gothic architecture, a postcard-perfect riverfront, loads of bars and pubs serving up Belgian beer, and restaurants both traditional and international.

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Is one day enough for Ghent?

Yes, one day in Ghent is enough to see the main attractions in the city center. However, if you choose to spend two days in Ghent, you have plenty of interesting places to go outside the historical center and a long list of bars and restaurants to try.

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Is Bruges or Ghent better?

Whether Ghent or Bruges is better to visit comes down to personal preference, as both cities are entertaining to visit. Bruges is the more famous of the two and is easier to explore, while Ghent has a bohemian feel to it and a better nightlife thanks to its student population.

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What is Ghent in Belgium famous for?

The Belgian city of Ghent is famous for several reasons. There's the Ghent altarpiece painted by brothers Hubert and Jan van Eyck, the purple cone-shaped candy called cuberdon, the city’s medieval landmarks including Gravensteen Castle, and the university—older than the nation of Belgium.

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How should I spend a day in Ghent?

With just one day in Ghent, start by visiting the Ghent Belfry for its city views. Continue through the historical center to the Graslei and Korenlei quays—they're lined by the city’s prettiest buildings—before reaching Gravensteen, the city’s moated castle. End the day with a Belgian beer at a pub.

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How far is Ghent train station from the city?

Gent-Sint-Pieters, the main train station in Ghent, is a 30-minute walk or a 15-minute tram ride from the Korenmarkt square in the center of the city. The other train station in the city is Gent-Dampoort, which is a 20-minute walk or 10-minute bus ride away.

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Frequently Asked Questions
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