A weekend trip to Ghent is hard to beat. This Belgian city, often called the City of Towers, has breathtaking medieval architecture, a food scene that punches well above its weight, and a street art culture that keeps things from getting too serious. The Belfry, St. Bavo’s Cathedral, a castle in the middle of the city center, a famous missing panel from one of Europe’s greatest paintings, and more good restaurants than you can visit in three days. This guide covers the best things to do in Ghent, plus where to stay and where to eat. My complete restaurant guide for Ghent has all the details on where to eat specifically.

Updated in 2026

This blogpost contains affiliate links, so I earn a small commission when you book through my website, at no extra cost to you. Thank you if you do!

Best things to do and hotels in Ghent

Finding the right base makes a big difference in Ghent. The city center is compact and very walkable, so a central location saves you a lot of time. These are the hotels I recommend.

NH Collection Ghent Belfort

My go-to in Ghent, and for good reason. This beautifully renovated hotel combines modern comfort with real historic character; the building has one of the two best-preserved crypts in Ghent, which you can actually rent for private events. Rooms are spacious, the beds are the kind you genuinely do not want to leave, and the bathrooms are stocked with Nathal Island Edition products. Breakfast is one of the best I have had in a Belgian hotel. The hotel also has 120 underground parking spaces, which is genuinely rare this close to the center.
Check rooms and rates at NH Collection Ghent

The completely renovated NH Collection Hotel in Ghent | Best things to do in Ghent

More boutique hotels in Ghent

For a more boutique experience, 1898 The Post is a converted post office on Korenmarkt, home to the Porter’s House cocktail bar and some of the most atmospheric rooms in the city. Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof is set in an 18th-century mansion with a courtyard garden that makes you forget you are in a city center. And ONE TWO FOUR Hotel and Spa has a full spa, rooftop terrace and indoor pool for trips where you want to mix city exploring with proper downtime.

Best things to do in Ghent

Ghent is compact enough to explore on foot, but there is more here than most people expect from a weekend. Medieval castles, world-class art, a street that is entirely dedicated to graffiti, and a festival in July that turns the whole city into one big outdoor party. Here is where to start.

As Belgium’s third largest city, Ghent offers a remarkable mix of medieval grandeur and modern university-city life. Its historic center and Old Town Ghent are filled with famous places, from the iconic Graslei and Korenlei along the canal to impressive landmarks and hidden gems, all worth visiting for their unique blend of history and everyday life. Ghent is a living city where history and daily life coexist, giving visitors an authentic sense of local life and making it a favorite among travelers.

Ghent is also often combined with a visit to Bruges, making it an ideal base for exploring the region’s most beautiful towns.

1. Explore Ghent by bike

The historic center of Ghent is one of the largest car-free zones in Europe, making it ideal for both cycling and walking. A guided urban bike tour is the fastest way to get your bearings, find the hidden spots you would never stumble upon alone, and actually understand the layout of the city before wandering off on your own. Book your bike tour here!

Such a beautiful historic city | Best things to do in Ghent

2. Visit Gravensteen Castle

A medieval fortress in the middle of the city center, the Castle of the Counts (Gravensteen) is a well-preserved 12th-century stronghold complete with a moat and fascinating exhibits on Ghent’s history. Gravensteen Castle, along with St. Bavo’s Cathedral and the Belfry, stands out as one of the top attractions in Ghent, offering visitors a deep dive into the city’s rich historical significance and medieval architecture. Once the residence of the Counts of Flanders, it now provides a genuinely interesting, occasionally gruesome look at Ghent’s past. After exploring the castle, walk through Patershol, the cobbled neighborhood just behind it, for a drink or an early dinner in one of the small restaurants there.

3. The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb

Inside Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, a historic church, you will find the famous Ghent Altarpiece. Formally titled The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, this 15th-century polyptych by Hubert and Jan van Eyck is regarded as a landmark in Northern Renaissance art. The Ghent Altarpiece is one of the most visited and important artworks in Europe, drawing countless art lovers and history enthusiasts to Bavo’s Cathedral each year. Jan van Eyck, one of the most renowned painters of the Northern Renaissance, created this masterpiece with his brother. One of its twelve panels was stolen in 1934 and never officially recovered, which is either fascinating or deeply unsettling depending on your mood. Either way, seeing the full altarpiece in person is worth the ticket.

4. Discover Ghent’s street art scene

Ghent is one of Belgium’s most creative cities. Head to Werregarenstraat, also known as Graffiti Street, for constantly changing murals, or use the free Sorry, Not Sorry Street Art Map for a self-guided tour of hidden artworks across the city. This is one of the best things to do in Ghent if you want to go beyond the standard sightseeing list.

For all my favorite hotels, check my guide to the best boutique hotels in Ghent.

5. Take a boat trip through the medieval center

A canal cruise or boat tour is a popular and relaxing way to experience Ghent’s picturesque canals and medieval architecture. Boat trips in Ghent offer guided tours along scenic rivers and historic bridges, often providing panoramic views of the city and its iconic towers. Canal cruises typically last around one hour and are a favorite activity for visitors, allowing you to see the city’s historic architecture from the water. A 50-minute guided boat trip takes you through the medieval center past the Graslei, the Korenlei and the castle.

If you have the Citycard Ghent, a 45-minute boat trip is included for free. Otherwise, book a guided tour here.

BOOK: GUIDED BOAT TRIP MEDIEVAL CENTER

6. Visit the Artevelde Brewery

Ghent is renowned for its Belgian beer and vibrant food scene, making it a great destination for foodies. Belgium and beer go hand in hand, and a brewery visit is one of the more enjoyable things to do in Ghent on a rainy afternoon. At Artevelde Brewery you can sample craft beers and get a behind-the-scenes look at the brewing process. The brewery also offers great food, with a menu featuring local specialties and unique pairings that complement their craft beers. For a guided tour with a young local and several rounds of tasting included, book the brewery tour here..

The Artevelde Brewery and Bookz & Booze | Best things to do in Ghent

7. Bookz & Booze

A bookshop where every book comes with a matching bottle of wine or spirits. The owner pairs literature with alcohol and will guide you through the collection with tastings along the way. You will leave slightly tipsy and with a book you actually want to read. One of the more original things to do in Ghent on a slow afternoon.

Best restaurants and bars in Ghent

Ghent is renowned for its great food and fun, vibrant food scene, making it a must-visit for food lovers. The city boasts the highest percentage of vegetarians per capita in Belgium, inspiring creative cooking that goes far beyond the ordinary. One of the highlights is the Holy Food Market, a unique indoor food market set in a historic 16th-century chapel, featuring 17 food stands with playful, biblical-themed names and a variety of culinary delights. Don’t miss trying cuberdons, or ‘little noses’, a local specialty with a hard outer shell and gooey inside, available in various flavors. For a taste of history, explore Patershol, a charming neighborhood famous for its narrow cobblestone streets and excellent restaurants.

For the full list, read my complete guide to the best restaurants in Ghent. Here are the highlights.

Mémé Gusta

Classic Flemish comfort food in a warm, vintage interior. The stoofvlees and vol-au-vent are the dishes to order. It feels like dining in someone’s grandmother’s kitchen, which is entirely the point.

Brasserie Pakhuis

Set inside a converted 19th-century warehouse near Korenmarkt, Pakhuis serves French brasserie food with a focus on seafood. Fresh oysters, côte à l’os, and a chocolate mousse worth going back for. The interior alone makes it worth a visit.

Culinary highlights at Brasserie Pakhuis | Best things to do in Ghent

Dada Chapel Distillery

A cocktail bar inside a former chapel with house-distilled gin and rum. The atmosphere is dark, the drinks are creative, and the menu reads nothing like a standard cocktail list. One of the better spots for a late evening in Ghent.

Chocolaterie Vandenbouhede

A family-run chocolatier that has been making pralines for generations. Try the mango and chili praline. For a more structured chocolate experience, the Belgian chocolate walking tour takes you to the best chocolatiers in the city with tastings included.

BOOK: BELGIAN CHOCOLATE WALKING TOUR

Guided food tour in Ghent

If you want to eat your way through the city with a local guide who knows exactly where to go, the guided city tour with food tastings covers the best spots in one afternoon. A good option if you only have one day.

Best things to do in Ghent: practical tips

The Gentse Feesten

Visiting in July? The Gentse Feesten is a 10-day festival of music, theater, street performances and outdoor bars that takes over the entire city. By day you explore the historic streets; by night the city turns into one big outdoor concert. If you are planning a summer trip, time it around this festival.

The Citycard Ghent

The Citycard Ghent gives you unlimited public transport, a free day of bike rental, entrance to all the main museums and sights, and a 45-minute boat trip at no extra cost. Worth the investment for anything longer than a day visit.

Getting to Ghent

The main train station in Ghent is Gent-Sint-Pieters, which serves as the primary transportation hub for visitors arriving by train or other public transit options. Ghent is easily accessible by train, with a journey time of about 30 minutes from Brussels, making it a popular day trip destination. The train station is conveniently located with frequent connections to both Brussels and Bruges (about 25 minutes to Bruges).

If you are planning to visit multiple Belgian cities, check routes and book tickets via NS International. Follow me on Instagram for more Ghent inspiration and real-time travel updates.

Extra tips

Best time to visit: Ghent is great year-round, but spring and summer are the best seasons for outdoor terraces and canal walks. Shopping: the streets around Brabantdam and Hoogpoort have the best independent shops and concept stores. Best view: climb the Belfry for a panoramic view over the rooftops. Local sweet: try the Gentse Neuzen, a sugar-heavy local candy, and wash it down with a Gentse Strop, a local beer named after the nooses the people of Ghent were forced to wear in 1540 as punishment for resisting a tax hike. They turned it into a badge of honour. Cheers to that.

Best things to do in Ghent | hotspots, sights and tips

Best things to do in Ghent: frequently asked questions

What are the best things to do in Ghent?

The top things to do in Ghent include visiting the Castle of the Counts (Gravensteen), climbing the Ghent Belfry for panoramic city views, admiring the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb in Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, exploring Nicholas Church and other historic churches, wandering through Graffiti Street, taking a boat trip through the medieval center, and sampling the city’s diverse restaurants. These landmarks: Castle of the Counts, Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, and the Ghent Belfrym are considered the top attractions in Ghent.

How many days do you need in Ghent?

Two full days is enough to cover the main sights and have good meals without rushing. Three days gives you space to slow down, visit a museum, and take a day trip to the best brunch spots in Gent at a leisurely pace.

Is the Citycard Ghent worth it?

Yes, if you plan to visit more than two or three sights. The card covers unlimited public transport, a free bike rental day, entrance to all the main museums and the free boat trip. It pays for itself quickly on a full day of sightseeing.

Where should I stay in Ghent?

The NH Collection Ghent Belfort is my personal favorite for central location and quality. For something more boutique, 1898 The Post is one of the most atmospheric hotels in the city.

How do I get to Ghent from Brussels or Bruges?

Many visitors combine a trip to Ghent with a visit to Bruges, as both cities are easily accessible by train. The main train station in Ghent is Gent-Sint-Pieters, which connects directly to Brussels and Bruges. Ghent is just about 30 minutes by train from Brussels, making it a popular day trip destination, while Bruges to Ghent is about 25 minutes. Compare routes and book via NS International.

Flight delayed or cancelled? AirHelp helps you claim compensation, quickly, easily, and with zero hassle. Whether you fly often or once a year, it is worth checking. Click here to see if you are owed money. It takes just a minute. They paid me 600 euros in compensation already!