TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN GHENT, BELGIUM

On your way to Ghent and wondering what are the best things to do in Ghent? You’re in the right place!

Ghent is a small town in Belgium that’s going to make you feel like you stepped inside a fairytale. The incredibly old and historic city has so many unique and picturesque buildings that you won’t really know where to even look once you reach the old town.

So to make your visit to Ghent easy, I’m bringing you this guide on how to experience Ghent in the best way possible.

Do these 10 things and Ghent will feel like home to you!

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WHERE IS GHENT AND HOW TO REACH IT?

Ghent is a wonderful small city in Belgium, in the center of Europe. You can reach it from many different cities like Brussels, Brugge, or even Amsterdam.

If you fly into Brussels, be careful what airport you’re flying into. If you are flying into Brussels main airport, it will only take you 50 minutes by train to the wonderful city of Ghent.

On the other hand, if you fly into Brussels Charleroi airport (which is a budget airport for many low-budget flights in Europe) you will have to take a Flibco bus to the Brussels train station and after that a fast train to Ghent. Filbco is around 30 Euros for a return ticket, and the 35-minute train ride is 10 euros per adult ticket, and 6.60 euros for youth under 26.

If you’re coming from Amsterdam or Brugge, you can choose between a train ( from Amsterdam 30 euros one way, from Brugge 9 Euros) or Flixbus (from Amsterdam 20 euros).

Read more >>> IS GHENT WORTH VISITING?

WHERE TO STAY IN GHENT?

Ghent is not an extremely expensive city so finding accommodation won’t be a problem. We stayed at B&B Hotel Gent Centrum and we loved it. The hotel has 3 stars but I’m not sure why since the rooms are big, full of light, really clean, and the hotel is only 3 minutes away from the city center. We paid 200 Euros for 2 nights on a weekend. If we ever go back to Ghent we will definitely come back to this hotel.

WHAT TO DO AND SEE IN GHENT:

1. Take a morning or evening walk through Ghent

Ghent is an absolutely incredible city and trust me, many people know that. During the day, the town is very crowded and you don’t have the liberty to take in the city at your own pace. Mornings and evenings allow you that. Most of the stores open at 10 am, so if you get up before that you will have this lovely city all for yourself.

I also must recommend evening walks simply because the town’s charm is amplified by the wonderful lights shining over the most important landmarks and buildings.

2. Take a Ghent boat tour

As the city is on the canals, you can get a boat tour to discover the city from a different perspective. I definitely recommend it because our boat tour was wonderful.

The tour is 9 euros (8.5 for students) and it lasts around 40 to 45 minutes. You can see the incredible houses, bridges, and churches from the water. The tour guide gives you insight into all the buildings your passing and they talk in Dutch, French, and English so don’t worry if you’ll understand – you will.

3. Gravensteen tour

This incredible castle was a really wonderful surprise. Firstly, I couldn’t believe how old yet well-preserved it was. The castle was made in 1180 and it’s huge!

The castle had many different purposes but the main one was being the residence of the Counts of Flanders. The tickets are cheap for the amount of content you get – 12 euros for a regular adult ticket and 7 euros for a Youth ticket(18-25 years). The tour of the castle is accompanied by a wonderful, free audio guide which is quite funny so I’m sure you will have a wonderful time. Here’s a whole guide on how to visit Gravensteen, for more information!

4. Lunch at Poule & Poulette

Depending on your budget, it can be tough to find a lunch spot simply because there are so many tourists and the city isn’t really that big. We chose a wonderful chicken restaurant called Poule & Poulette. The french restaurant was PACKED, and we managed to grab the last free table. Thankfully, the lunch was delicious. If you’re thinking of eating here, for a full meal and a drink, you’ll need around 20-25 Euros per person.

5. Rent a bike in Ghent

Similarly to it’s neighbour the Netherlands, Belgium is very bike-friendly. The bike allows you to explore the city in a much different way than you can by walking. You can rent a bike at the train station or in the city centre, and go on an adventure on your own.

6. Try the best waffles in Ghent

Waffles are a true Belgian treat that you shouldn’t miss! You can get them at many places in town but be careful as not all of them are delicious. As in most cities, you can find tourist traps in Ghent too. Don’t pay more than you need to. Our waffle recommendation is Caffe Rosario!

7. Climb the Belfry of Ghent

The magnificent watchtower is definitely worth a visit! This UNESCO World Heritage Site gives you an incredible view of the whole Ghent skyline which will leave you speechless. The Belfry itself is 91 meters tall and it gives you a great view of the St. Nicolas Church. The entrance fee for the tower is 8 Euros!

8. Visit Graffiti Street

If you’re a lover of street art, you might enjoy this street! This narrow street is a free canvas for any artist that might find themselves in Ghent. The art is changing daily as many artists are passing through Ghent’s most intriguing street. You should definitely go there and take pictures.

9. Visit Ghent Museums

Museums are well worth a visit in Ghent. Although we’ve only visited Gravesteen as our history lesson of Ghent, a local recommends S.M.A.K. and MSK as the best museums in the city.  

10. Kayak in Ghent’s canals

Kayaking is very popular in Ghent since the city is situated on canals. Although we preferred the boat ride which was more relaxing if you’re up for an adventure you can rent a kayak and explore the city on your own!

Kayaks Korenlei is the most popular kayak rental and you can rent a kayak for up to 3 hours, which is more than enough to explore the city. You can book a single kayak for 23 Euros and a double/twin kayak for 36 Euros.

I hope you found this blog post helpful, and I wish you the best time whenever you end up in the lovely city by the name Ghent!