What comes to mind when you hear the word Belgium? Likely chocolate, beer, waffles, and the Manneken Pis. Many are familiar with Brussels and its abundance of museums, Antwerp with its soaring cathedral in the city center, and of course, Bruges, the fairytale destination where many dream of settling after watching that iconic Hollywood film. But there’s another city in Belgium that is often overlooked by travelers heading from Brussels or Antwerp to Bruges. And that’s a pity, because Ghent is a true hidden gem of Flanders.
How to get to Ghent?
If you are travelling to Ghent by train
You can arrive at one of two stations:
- Gent-Dampoort station, if you’re coming from Antwerp. It’s located 1.5 km from the city center
- Gent Sint-Pieters station, if arriving from Bruges, Brussels, or Lille. This station is 2.5 km from the center
Walk or take the tram
The choice is yours! If the weather’s good and you have time, walk. The Korenmarkt stop is located in the very heart of the city.
- From Gent Sint-Pieters station, tram No. 1 takes about 15 minutes
- From Gent Dampoort, tram No. 3 is four stops to the center
A ticket costs €3 – buy it from a machine at the stop or via the De Lijn app.
Special advice for motorists
Ghent is an old city with narrow, often pedestrianized streets, and finding parking spontaneously is a risky gamble. If you’re traveling by car, select and book a parking space in advance. You can do that through this convenient service.
Walking map
Ghent is a perfect choice for a day trip in Belgium. To see as much as possible and avoid backtracking, follow this suggested route. Although truthfully, getting lost in Ghent isn’t a bad thing – even random turns lead to charming houses, arched bridges, and cafés along canals.
We’ve created an interactive walk around Ghent just for you.
If you’d rather not rush, stay the night. Ghent has many cozy hotels nestled in historic buildings with views over the canals or tiled rooftops. Waking up among Gothic towers and cobbled lanes is an experience in itself.
Select a hotel in the center of Ghent
Let’s start our walk from Cataloniëstraat, near the Korenmarkt stop. From here, you’ll get the quintessential Ghent view – three towers forming a striking architectural perspective:
- The tower of St. Nicholas’ Cathedral
- Belfort (beffroi, the city’s belfry)
- St. Bavo’s Cathedral tower
It’s not ideal to crane your neck for the view, so let’s go higher.
The best observation deck
To see Ghent from above, head to the Belfort (Het Belfort van Gent), the bell tower that once symbolized the city’s autonomy and independence. Its spire is topped with a golden dragon – Ghent’s emblem.
Entry costs €11. After buying a ticket, you’ll be prompted to connect to Wi-Fi and download an audio guide.
Armed with that, begin your ascent. For atmosphere, take the narrow spiral staircase – it’s very dark and wonderfully medieval. Prefer efficiency? There’s also a lift.
Inside the tower are four levels with bells and other historical exhibits. The top floor features a giant drum that operates 40 bells. If the bells ring while you’re inside, be prepared – it’s loud.
The main goal, of course, is the panoramic view: you’ll see both churches – St. Bavo’s and St. Nicholas.
Main attractions of Ghent
Not long ago, St. Bavo’s Cathedral underwent major exterior restoration. Now we can fully appreciate its elegant Gothic details.
Entry is free – step inside and find the Ghent Altarpiece, The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb – a masterpiece of medieval art.
Nearby stands St. Nicholas’ Cathedral. It no longer functions as a church – today it hosts exhibitions, flea markets, and fairs. You might find real gems: antique engravings, vintage comics, ceramics, or unexpected oddities.
Right across the street is the striking Old Post Office (Oud Postkantoor). Its façade is like a stone history book – arches, turrets, and sculptural scenes. Inside, you’ll find boutiques, perfume shops, and a supermarket with ready-to-eat meals.
The canals of Ghent
Cross the Sint-Michielsbrug bridge – take your time here. Midway across, turn around for one of Ghent’s most iconic and photographed views. You’ve likely seen this perspective on postcards.
Descend to the Korenlei embankment and take in the medieval façades of the Graslei across the Leie River.
Walk to the Grasbrug drawbridge, where boats and tour ships depart. This route shows Ghent from an unexpected angle – under bridges, past old warehouses and tranquil quays.
The ride lasts about 40 minutes and offers a refreshing change of perspective.
Historical cruise through the city centerOnce back on land, stroll down Jan Breydelstraat to its intersection with Burgstraat, where you’ll glimpse the canal and the old post office tower. Nearby is Sint Veerleplein square, known for its colorful façades.
Look closely at one building – sculptures of Neptune and the Scheldt and Leie rivers adorn the facade. This was once a fish market. Now, it houses the tourist center. Stop in for a map, a souvenir, or just to satisfy your curiosity.
Directly across from Sint Veerleplein stands one of Ghent’s key landmarks – Gravensteen Castle. Once the residence of counts, later a mint and court, then a factory and prison – today, it’s a museum holding armor, torture devices, and relics of medieval rule.
Entry costs €13.
Expect a two-hour visit, including climbs up steep spiral staircases – but the tower views are worth the effort. You can rest in the courtyard, where tables provide a break before your next climb.
For the best view of Gravensteen Castle
Cross the canal to the Arca Theater. Here begins Lievekaai Street – far from the usual crowds. It’s often empty of pedestrians, though boats float by. On clear days, it’s one of the city’s calmest and most pleasant corners — a few benches under weeping willows, serene waters, and a stellar view of Ghent from the Zilverhof Bridge. A perfect place to pause.
After your break, return toward the center via the Petershol quarter. It’s quiet and charming – but don’t get too relaxed: this isn’t a pedestrian area, and cyclists rule the road here.
At the Kraanlei and Zuivelbrugstraat junction, you’ll find a few houses with preserved 15th-century façades.
One houses Confiserie Temmerman, a sweet shop with a surprising twist: behind the liquorice, there’s a quirky taxidermy zoo. The owner hands out snacks; her husband, they say, practiced taxidermy as a hobby.
If you’re hungry, stop at Souplounge. Simple but satisfying, it offers hot soup for €7–8 – one of the best low-budget eateries in town.
Where to drink beer in Ghent?
Continue along the Kraanlei embankment to the drawbridge. Across the canal, you’ll spot the Bierhuis sign. This is no ordinary bar – it’s a living encyclopedia of Belgian beer. They serve hundreds of varieties.
For something local, ask for klokke roeland – a robust dark beer with 11.5% alcohol. Only two glasses per person are allowed, and only cash is accepted, payable immediately. The ambiance is authentic and unfussy.
Markets and alleys of Ghent
From Groentenmarkt Square, turn onto lively Langemunt Street, a popular shopping strip that leads to Vrijdagmarkt. Turn right and you’ll reach Jacob van Artevelde Square, home to a modest food market every Friday morning. The rest of the week, the square orbits around a beloved French fry kiosk.
A small cone of fries costs around €3 – usually enough for two.
Don’t miss Serpentstraat – a short, energetic street filled with local designer shops, vintage finds, and antiques. At the far end, you’ll see a narrow passage known simply as Graffiti Street.
Its walls are entirely covered in art, and you’ll often catch street artists at work.
Just around the corner, back at Groentenmarkt, you’ll find Ghent’s sweet trademark – cuberdons, or Gentse neuzen (Ghent noses). Two rival stands compete for your attention, each claiming their recipe is the authentic one. Smile, hesitate, and you’ll probably get a free sample. If you like them, buy some – a cheerful souvenir for later.
You’ll find the most unusual versions – shaped like human faces – in that same sweet shop with the taxidermy.
Prefer something more classic? Nearby, you’ll find a traditional bakery and a couple of great waffle shops.
Graffiti Street leads to Hoogpoort, where you’ll see Ghent Town Hall (Stadhuis Gent). Its façade is a mash-up of styles: Gothic on one side, Renaissance on the other. On Fridays, you may spot elegantly dressed couples – this is a favored wedding venue.
You’re now almost back where you began. But don’t leave just yet – as night falls, Ghent transforms. Warm, subtle lighting gives the city a magical aura. In fact, its lighting plan won an international award in 2004. Take one last stroll along the embankments, slip into an alleyway, sit by the canal. End your day quietly, slowly, and beautifully.
Enjoy your walk around the city!
What you should know before visiting Ghent:
- Ghent hosts numerous music festivals. If crowds aren’t your thing, avoid visiting in July
- Locals are passionate supporters of K.A.A. Gent, the local football club. During away games, expect packed bars and restaurants with TV broadcasts
Marcel Dominic / Pixabay
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