Ghent is by far one of the prettiest cities that I have visited in Belgium till date. The port city is right at the confluence of the Leie and Scheldt rivers. This makes the city look a little like the canal lined streets of Amsterdam. Ghent however has its own unique style and look. One that is totally worth visiting to see. Its vibe is also totally different from the capital of the Netherlands. The city is very laid back and peaceful.
Ghent was also one of the prominent cities in the Medieval times. You can see a lot of this architecture today including the famous Gravensteen castle. Today the city is not as crowded as Brussels but it is still an important university city. You will feel the atmosphere as soon as you start walking around the city.
The best part is that there are tons of things to do in Ghent and it honestly doesn’t matter if you are visiting for a day or a week.
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Table of Contents
Best Places To Stay In Ghent
Ghent is a pretty small city and if you stay in the city center, you will find that you can walk all over. Luckily there are so many different options that are available. These cover both budget and luxury accommodation though as a point of note, I would like to say that Belgium as a whole tends to be expensive as far as accommodation is concerned.
Luxury: 1898 The Post
Mid-Range: Ghent Marriott Hotel
Budget: KaBa Hostel
Things To Know Before Visiting Ghent
How To Get To Ghent: Ghent does not have its own airport. The closest airports to it are in Brussels. From there you can take the train to the city. Or like us, you could also choose to drive to Ghent.
Transport In The City: Ghent is a very walkable city. It is also wheelchair and stroller friendly. Aside from being able to walk everywhere you can always choose to use the public transport which includes buses and trams.
Language Spoken In Ghent: In Ghent people speak Flemish but they will also easily start up a conversation with you in fluent Dutch and English. You will find that people also speak French here sometimes too. It’s amazing how they switch languages with such ease.
Things To Do In Ghent, Belgium
After the brief introduction to the city above, it is time to dig into all the amazing things to do in Ghent. Now I know that many people like me stop in the city for just a day but Ghent will leave you wanting more. There is so much to see and do here.
Plus the city is one of those places in Europe that you have to slow down at to really experience. You have to feel the heartbeat of the city, savor the ciders and beers, relish the chocolate and obviously meander down its soul…. Sorry. Got a bit poetic there. But that’s exactly what Ghent does. It awakens the sleeping poet in you when you visit.
1. Take A Cool Tour Of Gravensteen
I’ve been to numerous castles all over Europe, seen some spectacular sights but when it comes to entertaining tours, Gravensteen is by far the best one that I have ever taken. It’s not a conventional tour mind you. Once you pay the entry fee, you will be provided an audio guide. There are numbers placed all over the castle. All you have to do is follow the numbers and listen to the hilarious anecdotes.
The best part about this tour is that it is self paced. Ideally speaking it takes about 1.5 hours to complete the whole circuit. Gravensteen is really well known for all the torture devices that are housed within the castle walls. There are some pretty gruesome stories that are linked with executions in this castle.
The other highlight is the 360 degree views that you are treated to from the rooftop of the castle. There are a couple of things that I do have to warn you about.
- There are loads of steps in Gravensteen so know that you may get winded at times.
- It is definitely not wheelchair or stroller accessible.
- The castle can get crowded so make sure to book your tickets online.
2. Visit The Ghent Belfry
One of the first things to do in Ghent that we ticked off the list was visiting the Ghent Belfry. Now this iconic monument is pretty easy to spot. It has a huge watch on its face and is located very close to many of the other iconic monuments in the city.
At 91m high this is the tallest building in the city and it is also a UNESCO heritage monument. Every hour you can hear it chime out various melodies and that’s not all. Should you want a bird’s eye view of the city, you can even climb up to the top of this magnificent building.
We were running short of time and really wanted to see the Gravensteen castle so we moved on to the other things to do in Ghent without climbing to the top.
3. Saint Bavo’s Cathedral
Another iconic monument in Ghent is the Saint Bavo’s cathedral. You will probably be taken aback by the sheer number of different churches in the city and this one in particular is absolutely gorgeous. It is however also a place where people still actively worship so be mindful that you don’t disturb them when you visit.
Saint Bavo’s Cathedral is built in a mixture of Romanesque, baroque and gothic styles. This makes the cathedral truly unique. Unlike any of the other cathedrals, this one has multiple towering spires. You will also notice the high arched ceiling and the huge stained glass pieces that line the walls. The interior of the church is sparse and yet tasteful. The altar being the highlight of the visit. The fleeting sunlight illuminates the sanctum beautifully and this makes it a very warm and cozy place to be.
4. Ghent City Hall
One of the biggest realizations that I’ve had when exploring Germany and Belgium is that the city hall buildings are always gorgeous. The Ghent City Hall is no different. The building is a short walk away from Saint Bavo’s Cathedral and the Belfry and its facade is gorgeous.
The building has two very contrasting types of architecture that are obvious instantly from the outside. The flamboyant Gothic that is seen in the Hoogpoort facade and the sober Renaissance style that is on the side of the Botermarkt facade. You can visit the interior of this building but only with a guide.
5. Saint Nicholas Church
The next iconic church that should be on your list of things to do in Ghent is the Saint Nicholas church. This church is located less than 3 minutes walking distance away from the Belfry so it is very close. Entrance to this church is free so that’s another big bonus.
This church was built in the 18th century. One of the characteristic things that you will note immediately after entering is the baroque paintings that are hoisted all over. The statues of the disciples in particular caught the attention of our children because they had very life-like heights and were positioned all around the church.
When we visited the back of the church, the organ was under renovation. It did not however hamper the visit in any way and unless you walk to the end of the church, you probably would not even realize that the renovation was taking place.
6. Visit The Streets Of Garslei And Korenli
I tend to do my research well in advance and when I was checking out the things to do in Ghent, I noticed that Google had labeled Graslei and Korenli as notable streets. I dropped a star and decided to check it out but was totally unprepared for the sheer beauty of this part of the city. Think of cobblestoned stress, flanked with the iconic buildings and the river flowing in between. Bridges connect both sides of the river so crossing is super easy.
According to me, this is one of the prettiest parts of the city. On good weather days, you can just stroll down the street and take in the views which are pretty idyllic. Even though we traveled on a cloudy winter day, we still bundled up and took the walk with the kids.
7. Take A Boat Tour
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While we are on the topic of iconic views along Gaslei and Korenli, I would also recommend taking one of the boat tours. The tours take about 40 minutes and you will get to tour the waterways around the city.
It gives you a totally different perspective of the city and it is a laid back experience that is great when the weather is good.
“This quick trip on the Ghent canals was an excellent introduction to this city. Our captain gave us many insights into the history and culture of Ghent. It is a great way to decide what is best to visit if you have a limited time in the city. Also if you can choose, get the open top boat as it can go deeper into the canals. Excellent value for money.”
Virgilio (read more reviews now!)
The leisurely cruise will give you a chance to rest your legs and enjoy some of the most picturesque views in Europe from the comfort of your seat. It is a great break after spending the day walking around the city.
When the weather isn’t you can opt for one of the covered boats so you can still stay warm while taking in the sights.
8. Saint Michael’s Bridge
This is the most noteworthy bridge in the city. Saint Michael’s bridge was initially a swing bridge. In the early 20th century, it was then converted to the stone arched bridge that we see today. This bridge albeit gorgeous also offers more than just its architecture. Cross the bridge and stop at the very center. From here you will catch one of the most iconic views of the city.
Look towards the main city. Here you will see the Belfry and the Saint Nicholas church in the distance. Turn around and you will spot Saint Michael’s church. If you gaze through the waterways you will be treated to the view of the iconic Gaslei and Korenli.
Things To Do In Ghent That Involve Food
Ghent was a surprisingly good foodie destination. It had loads of restaurants and cafes and we couldn’t help but sporadically stop all over the place for quick bites to eat despite being full and in a hurry.
9. Don’t Forget To Try Out The Local Belgium Beer
Belgium is well known for its beer. This is why you will find that the big cities have a lot of places where people stop to savor the local brands. Ghent is no different. The best part about this city however is the iconic views. Many of the restaurants have a view of the waterways which makes this experience even better.
10. Stop For Some Chocolate
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Leonidas is one of my favorite places in Belgium for chocolate. Ghent too has a store and we couldn’t resist stopping in. Now you can choose your pick from an array of different types of truffles or you can just ask them for an assorted box. Just make sure that you store them well because on hot days the chocolate can melt.
There are many other chocolateries in the city. Chocolade Ambassade, Chocolatier Deuytschaever, HD Ghent and Neuhaus are just a few well known names. I haven’t tried them out though so I can’t offer a personal preference.
“What a nice tour with our guide Nick! He made this tour very friendly and fun. Not only were the chocolates delicious, but the explanations about the place were very interesting. A big thank-you!”
Stephanie (read more reviews now!)
Alternatively if you want to delve deeper into the world of Belgium chocolate, I would recommend taking one of the chocolate tours. Here you will get to meet the local chocolatiers and talk to them about their craft. You also get a chance to sample the chocolates!
11. Waffles Are A Must
You cannot got through Belgium without trying out the waffles. Ghent is no exception to this rule.
Though Ghent did not have a lot of waffle stalls when compared to places like Brussels, it still had some great carts that offered fresh waffles.
You can choose from a simple waffle sprinkled with sugar to something more complex like strawberries and chocolate. We took the latter and it was heavenly.
12. Don’t Forget To Visit The Frites Atelier
Belgium fries are well known and well liked. I may start aini war here but personally I prefer the Dutch fries. They tend to be less oily, thinner and very taste of as we say lekker.
But if you are in Belgium you definitely should try out the fries aka Frites and one of the best places to do so is the Frites Atelier. Be forewarned though. The lines here can get insanely long so if you can get them when the shop just opens, do!
There are various options. The most common one is a standard box of fries served up with two sauces of your choice. We had the fries with Flemish stew. The stew was amazing.
And there you have it, these are all the cool things to do in Ghent, Belgium. As you can see, you can breeze through all the landmarks and activities in a day but that means that you will not truly experience Ghent. The city demands a slower pace where you sit and chill at cafes, down some local beer or just indulge in the local chocolate.
Whether you visit Ghent for a day or a week, you will not regret it because Ghent is one of those locations that is hard not to fall in love with!
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