Ghent

Travel Guide
Belfry of Ghent which includes a city, night scenes and modern architecture
Stroll through the charming streets, parks and museums of this Flemish city, famous for its preserved medieval center.

Explore Ghent’s fascinating blend of modern and historic architecture, including many churches, monuments and museums preserved from the Middle Ages. The quaint Flemish city is also known for its picturesque riverside paths along the River Leie and the River Scheldt.

Locate the Belfry of Ghent, a medieval tower that stands nearly 300 feet (90 meters) tall. Learn about the history of the site, which has been used over the years as a watchtower, political meeting point and religious structure.

Take a scenic stroll along meandering paths in the gardens of the Citadelpark. Informative plaques scattered around the park describe the many types of trees and plants. See the music kiosk and admire the statues. Explore the nearby Museum of Fine Arts and the Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art (S.M.A.K.).

Learn about the city’s history and its migration at the STAM Ghent City Museum. It is spread across several buildings, including a 14th-century abbey. Study one of the earliest aerial photos of the city’s landscape.

The Ghent Town Hall is the city’s political hub. Its intriguing architecture varies across the structure. Appreciate the gothic design of the building’s façade and the Renaissance style on the other side. Tour the elegant interior.

See Gravensteen, a medieval castle dating back to 1180. Discover its former uses as a prison and a courthouse. Climb to the top of the castle and admire the view of the surrounding moat.

Visit St. Bavo’s Cathedral in Ghent’s historic center. It dates back to the 10th century is known for being the home of the famous Ghent Altarpiece, or The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, by Hubert and Jan van Eyck.

From St. Bavo’s it’s just a 5-minute walk towards the River Leie to St. Nicholas’ Church, a 13th-century religious landmark of Scheldt Gothic style. 

Summers in this part of Belgium are warm and winters are mild. Enjoy the weather as you discover Ghent’s many charming historical gems and picturesque parks and gardens. In July, the city attracts around 2 million travelers to its Ghent Festival, which lasts for 10 days.

Where to stay in Ghent

Ghent Town Hall featuring a sunset, an administrative buidling and street scenes

Ghent City Centre

5/5(94 area reviews)

Historic sites, cafes, and museums are some highlights of Ghent City Centre. Make a stop by Masons' Guild Hall or Belfry of Ghent while you're exploring.

Ghent City Centre
"Feestlokaal van Vooruit" is a historic hall complex built in 1913. Originally it was the party and arts centre of the Ghent labour movement. Since 1982 it has been used by “Arts Centre Vooruit”. They organize numerous events in the 5 most important halls of the building such as debates, literature evenings, concerts, parties, stage performances, dance ...  #Ghent  #Trovember

Kunstenkwartier

4.5/5(6 area reviews)

Kunstenkwartier is noteworthy for its bars, and you can make a stop at top attractions like St. Peter's Square and Vooruit Arts Centre.

Kunstenkwartier
Citadel Park which includes a garden, a cascade and a lake or waterhole

Stationsbuurt Noord

4.5/5(21 area reviews)

Unique features of Stationsbuurt Noord include the historic sites and restaurants. Make a stop by Citadel Park or Museum of Fine Arts while you're exploring the area.

Stationsbuurt Noord
Gravensteen showing a river or creek, a castle and street scenes

Patershol

5/5(4 area reviews)

Patershol is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Gravensteen Castle and Old Fish Market.

Patershol
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Heilig Kerst

5/5(1 area review)

Travelers like the theaters in Heilig Kerst, and World of Kina: The Garden is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Heilig Kerst
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Moscou

When in Moscou, you can plan a visit to Ghelamco Arena and Museum of Fine Arts, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Moscou
B&B HOTEL Gent Centrum
B&B HOTEL Gent Centrum
2.5 out of 5
Voldersstraat 17, Ghent
The price is ¥15,438 per night from Apr 1 to Apr 2
¥15,438
per night
Apr 1 - Apr 2
Stay at this hotel in Ghent. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (356 reviews)
"Everything is wonderful except the room walls are thin - noise from next door could be loud. Other than that, this no frills hotel have everything. If you are an early riser, then have breakfast option here, because cafes do not open until 9 am at earliest in town."

Reviewed on Mar 24, 2024

B&B HOTEL Gent Centrum
Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof Ghent
Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof Ghent
4.5 out of 5
Hoogstraat 36, Ghent
The price is ¥23,410 per night from Apr 14 to Apr 15
¥23,410
per night
Apr 14 - Apr 15
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Ghent. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (726 reviews)
"LOF restaurant excellent. Staff very helpful"

Reviewed on Mar 22, 2024

Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof Ghent
Van der Valk Hotel Gent
Van der Valk Hotel Gent
4.5 out of 5
Akkerhage 10, Ghent
The price is ¥16,438 per night from Apr 28 to Apr 29
¥16,438
per night
Apr 28 - Apr 29
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Ghent. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (240 reviews)
Very nice but about 5 miles out of the center of G
"Very comfortable stay"

Reviewed on Mar 10, 2024

Van der Valk Hotel Gent
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Adagio Access Gent Centrum Dampoort
Adagio Access Gent Centrum Dampoort
3 out of 5
29 KOOPVAARDIJLAAN, Ghent
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Ghent. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Intercultural Centre - de Centrale and St. Bavo's ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (39 reviews)
"Booked thru Expedia for a family room with three beds. When I arrived, they told me I have two rooms with two double beds only. That was not what I reserved, because my teenagers cannot share a bed. They told me the transaction did not go through the first time, so they made it a two rooms to upgrade ..."

Reviewed on Jan 6, 2024

Adagio Access Gent Centrum Dampoort
Getaway Studios Gent
Getaway Studios Gent
3 out of 5
2 Seminariestraat, Ghent
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Ghent. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and a garden. Popular attractions Beukenhof and Castle of Gerald the Devil are ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (298 reviews)
"Great location and price!"

Reviewed on Oct 17, 2023

Getaway Studios Gent
Edville Studio
Edville Studio
3 out of 5
Ter Platen, 60, Ghent
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Ghent. Enjoy free WiFi, premium bedding, and a bathtub or shower. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular ...
7.4/10 Good! (57 reviews)
"I really enjoyed my stay in Edville. The place is fantastic and very interesting. Close to the centre."

Reviewed on Mar 17, 2024

Edville Studio
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Ghent

4.7
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
92
" "5 - Excellent 75.40983606557377%
4 - Good
22
" "4 - Good 18.0327868852459%
3 - Okay
8
" "3 - Okay 6.557377049180328%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Feb 10, 2020

Do not drive a car. GPS does not always reflect current pedestrian only zones. Very walkable historic city center.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jan 6, 2020

Love it!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Dec 1, 2019

See Ghent at night! It’s beautifully lit.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Nov 16, 2019

If it weren't so cold, I would love to live there.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Oct 27, 2019

It's a beautiful city.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Oct 14, 2019

Ghent is a fairy tale town worth exploring over several days! There's fine dining (we recommend Balls and Glory), chocolate shops and tons of shopping. Every building is gorgeous and there's more beauty around every corner. Gravensteen a must.