Ghent, Belgium travel guide

Bruges without the crowds: a medieval port city of canals, gabled guildhalls, a famous altarpiece and student buzz.

Best time to visit: May-September
Average daily budget: $90 to $150 USD
Ideal trip length: 1 to 2 days

Ghent is the perfect Flemish city break, as beautiful as Bruges but bigger, livelier and far less touristy, thanks to a large student population that keeps it buzzing. Medieval guildhalls line the canals, a moated castle sits in the centre, and the cathedral holds one of art's greatest treasures, the Ghent Altarpiece. Add great beer and food and it's a delight. Joy Plus shapes the canals, the castle, the cathedral and the food into an easy day or two.

Ghent itinerary

Day 1, Get oriented

Morning: Graslei & Korenlei waterfront. Admire the row of medieval guildhalls reflected in the canal, Ghent's most beautiful spot.

Afternoon: Explore Historic Centre, The medieval core around the Graslei, the belfry, the cathedral and the castle, laced with canals.

Evening: Climb the Belfry. Ride up the UNESCO-listed bell tower for panoramic views over the rooftops and canals.

Day 2, Go deeper

Morning: St Bavo's Cathedral & the Ghent Altarpiece. See the dazzling 15th-century 'Adoration of the Mystic Lamb' by the Van Eyck brothers.

Afternoon: Explore Patershol, A charming maze of cobbled lanes near the castle, full of cosy restaurants and bars.

Evening: Gravensteen Castle. Explore the moated medieval Castle of the Counts in the heart of the city.

Day 3, Hidden side

Morning: Sunset over the Graslei with a Belgian beer in hand.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Prinsenhof & Tussen Bruggen, Atmospheric old quarters of bridges, quiet canals and historic houses.

Evening: The atmospheric, lantern-lit lanes of the Patershol after dark.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Best neighbourhoods

Historic Centre: The medieval core around the Graslei, the belfry, the cathedral and the castle, laced with canals.
Patershol: A charming maze of cobbled lanes near the castle, full of cosy restaurants and bars.
Prinsenhof & Tussen Bruggen: Atmospheric old quarters of bridges, quiet canals and historic houses.
Sint-Pieters & student quarter: The lively university area near the station, with cafés, nightlife and a young energy.

Must-do experiences

Graslei & Korenlei waterfront: Admire the row of medieval guildhalls reflected in the canal, Ghent's most beautiful spot.
St Bavo's Cathedral & the Ghent Altarpiece: See the dazzling 15th-century 'Adoration of the Mystic Lamb' by the Van Eyck brothers.
Gravensteen Castle: Explore the moated medieval Castle of the Counts in the heart of the city.
Climb the Belfry: Ride up the UNESCO-listed bell tower for panoramic views over the rooftops and canals.

Hidden gems

Sunset over the Graslei with a Belgian beer in hand.
The atmospheric, lantern-lit lanes of the Patershol after dark.
Street art tucked down the city's hidden alleyways (the Werregarenstraat).
The view of the three towers aligned from St Michael's Bridge.

Daily budget

$90 to $150 USD per day.

What to eat

Waterzooi, a creamy Ghent chicken or fish stew
Cuberdon, the cone-shaped 'nose' candy, a local sweet
Belgian frites with sauce and a strong abbey beer
Stoverij, a beef stew slow-cooked in dark beer

Getting around

Ghent's historic centre is compact, largely car-free and best explored on foot, with canals and landmarks close together. An extensive tram and bus network (De Lijn) links the centre with the main station (Gent-Sint-Pieters) and wider city cheaply. Trains reach Brussels and Bruges in around 30 minutes, and the flat layout makes walking and cycling a pleasure.

Safety

Ghent is very safe and comfortable for solo travellers including women, day and night. Violent crime is rare and the lively student atmosphere keeps the centre feeling welcoming. The main caution is minor pickpocketing in crowded tourist spots and around the station, so use normal city sense and you'll have no trouble.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Ghent?

One full day covers the canals, the cathedral and altarpiece, the castle and the belfry, but staying overnight lets you enjoy the city's lively evening atmosphere once the day-trippers leave. Two days allow a relaxed pace and a beer-and-food crawl through Patershol.

Is Ghent safe for solo travellers?

Yes, very. Ghent is a safe, lively city and excellent for solo travellers including women at any hour. Its large student population keeps the centre buzzing and welcoming; the only minor caution is pickpocketing in crowded tourist spots and around the station.

When is the best time to visit Ghent?

May to September brings warm weather and lively canal-side terraces, with the huge Ghent Festivities (Gentse Feesten) filling the streets in July. Spring and early autumn are pleasant and quieter, while December's Christmas market and winter lights are atmospheric but cold.

Is Ghent better than Bruges?

It depends on what you want. Bruges is smaller and more picture-perfect but very touristy, while Ghent is bigger, livelier and more authentic thanks to its students, with equally beautiful canals and architecture plus a better nightlife and food scene. Many travellers prefer Ghent, or visit both.

Is Ghent worth visiting?

Yes. Ghent offers all the medieval beauty of Bruges, canals, guildhalls and a moated castle, plus the world-famous Ghent Altarpiece, but with a livelier, more local feel and fewer crowds. Combined with great beer and food, it's one of Belgium's best city breaks.

How do I get to Ghent from Brussels Airport?

A direct train links Brussels Airport to Ghent's main station, Gent-Sint-Pieters, in around an hour. From the station, a tram or a 25-minute walk brings you into the historic centre.

What is the Ghent Altarpiece?

The Ghent Altarpiece, or 'Adoration of the Mystic Lamb', is a monumental 15th-century polyptych painted by Hubert and Jan van Eyck, housed in St Bavo's Cathedral. A masterpiece of early Flemish art and one of the most influential paintings in history, it's a must-see.

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