Ghent

Travel Guide

Ghent featuring a city and boating
Belfry of Ghent which includes a city, night scenes and modern architecture
Ghent showing a city and heritage architecture
Ghent which includes a city, modern architecture and night scenes
Ghent which includes a river or creek, a small town or village and a bridge
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 St. Peter's Abbey.

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 Museum of Fine Arts or Ghent University Botanical Garden while you're exploring the area.

Stationsbuurt Noord
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Moscou

When in Moscou, you can plan a visit to Ghelamco Arena and Small Beguinage Ghent, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Moscou
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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
Medieval facades on the “Graslei”

Graslei and Korenlei

While visiting Graslei and Korenlei, you might make a stop by sights like Korenmarkt Square and St. Michael's Bridge.

Graslei and Korenlei
Van der Valk Hotel Gent
Van der Valk Hotel Gent
4.5 out of 5
Akkerhage 10, Ghent
The price is ¥21,832 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
¥21,832
¥24,622 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Ghent. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (523 reviews)
"Food superb and great value"

Reviewed on Jun 29, 2025

Van der Valk Hotel Gent
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ghent by IHG
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ghent by IHG
3.5 out of 5
Akkerhage 2, Ghent, East Flanders
The price is ¥15,251 per night from Jul 27 to Jul 28
¥15,251
¥17,357 total
Jul 27 - Jul 28
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star eco-certified hotel in Ghent. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour health club. Our guests praise the property condition in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (55 reviews)
"Big room & great breakfast."

Reviewed on Jun 22, 2025

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ghent by IHG
B&B HOTEL Gent Centrum
B&B HOTEL Gent Centrum
3 out of 5
Voldersstraat 17, Ghent
The price is ¥17,659 per night from Jul 17 to Jul 18
¥17,659
¥19,910 total
Jul 17 - Jul 18
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Ghent. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (917 reviews)
"Great location for the main tourist sights. Convenient luggage storage. Breakfast basic but tasty."

Reviewed on Jun 29, 2025

B&B HOTEL Gent Centrum
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.
Getaway Studios Gent
Getaway Studios Gent
2 Seminariestraat, Ghent
Stay at this aparthotel in Ghent. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (503 reviews)
"Good location and good rooms. Walls are quite thin so loud neighbours kept us up"

Reviewed on Jul 2, 2025

Getaway Studios Gent
Adagio Access Gent Centrum Dampoort
Adagio Access Gent Centrum Dampoort
29 KOOPVAARDIJLAAN, Ghent
Stay at this aparthotel in Ghent. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (105 reviews)
"Great stay for a group or a family. Great customer service, very comfortable for either work visit or vacation!"

Reviewed on May 26, 2025

Adagio Access Gent Centrum Dampoort
The Hide
The Hide
134 Nederkouter, Ghent, Vlaams Gewest
Stay at this aparthotel in Ghent. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Book Tower and Bijloke Music Center are ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
"All perfect, just a little bit loud early in the morning, we are aware it was because of some constructions around, overall the place it’s really nice, and the staff very efficient when trying to solve an issue with the booked room, they upgraded us to another one of their rooms, which we appreciate ..."

Reviewed on May 14, 2025

The Hide
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%
4 - Good
22
4 - Good 18%
3 - Okay
8
3 - Okay 7%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

Love it!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

See Ghent at night! It’s beautifully lit.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

It's a beautiful city.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

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.