Ghent in 7 days

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.

Day 1, Land & wander

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

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.

Eat: Waterzooi, a creamy Ghent chicken or fish stew

Day 2, Iconic sights

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

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.

Eat: Cuberdon, the cone-shaped 'nose' candy, a local sweet

Day 3, Food & markets

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

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.

Eat: Belgian frites with sauce and a strong abbey beer

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Sint-Pieters & student quarter, The lively university area near the station, with cafés, nightlife and a young energy.

Morning: Street art tucked down the city's hidden alleyways (the Werregarenstraat).. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Sint-Pieters & student quarter, The lively university area near the station, with cafés, nightlife and a young energy.

Evening: The view of the three towers aligned from St Michael's Bridge.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Stoverij, a beef stew slow-cooked in dark beer

Day 5, Day trip

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

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Historic Centre, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

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

Evening: Dinner at Waterzooi, a creamy Ghent chicken or fish stew, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Historic Centre.

Eat: Waterzooi, a creamy Ghent chicken or fish stew

Day 6, Hidden gems

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

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Patershol, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

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

Evening: Dinner at Cuberdon, the cone-shaped 'nose' candy, a local sweet, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Patershol.

Eat: Cuberdon, the cone-shaped 'nose' candy, a local sweet

Day 7, Slow finish

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

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Prinsenhof & Tussen Bruggen, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

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

Evening: Dinner at Belgian frites with sauce and a strong abbey beer, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Prinsenhof & Tussen Bruggen.

Eat: Belgian frites with sauce and a strong abbey beer

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.

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.

Ghent in 3 days | Ghent in 5 days | Full Ghent guide