Best Things To Do In Ghent Belgium

Ghent is often overlooked by travelers in Belgium. But it absolutely deserves a place on your itinerary!

Everyone seems fixated on Bruges. Bruges, Bruges, Bruges! But I fell hard for Ghent and its bubbly energy and ambiance.

It has the same cobbled, medieval beauty that draws people to Bruges, only without the tourist crush.

The city feels more lived-in and creative, with a bohemian streak that runs through its canal-side cafes, indie shops, and buzzing art scene. You’ll find moody waterways, standout museums, and more than enough moules frites and waffles to keep you happy.

Aside from these goodies, Ghent’s other big draw is the history. Think brooding castles, a towering UNESCO-listed belfry, and ornate guildhalls along the Graslei and Korenlei.

And then there’s St. Bavo’s Cathedral, home to the newly restored Ghent Altarpiece. It’s one of the most important paintings in Western art.

Here’s a quick overview of what you can see in Ghent:

To see it all, you might consider booking a historical walking tour.

Top Attractions in Ghent

St. Bavo’s Square

St. Bavo’s Square is a small but striking plaza anchored by Ghent’s three medieval towers.

You’ll find St. Bavo’s Cathedral on one side and the Belfry just steps away. The Dutch Theater rounds out the view.

The statue in the middle of the square was meant to celebrate the resurrection of the Dutch language. It shows a young man symbolizing the Flemish Movement lifting a veil from a female figure representing Flanders.

St. Bavo Cathedral

St. Bavo is Ghent’s oldest parish church, which originally dated from the 10th century. Only the central part of the Romanesque church survived.

In the 13th century, it was converted into a Gothic church. The interior decorations and stained glass, however, are all from the 19th century.

You’ll find a soaring Gothic nave, an elaborately carved Rococo pulpit, and an altar painting by Rubens of St. Bavo.

There’s also the requisite statue of St. Bavo himself in the main altar. Like St. Francis, the city’s patron saint rejected a life of materialism and became a hermit-monk.

For a peak at what the old church was like, you can head to the crypt. For a real twist, you can do the virtual reality experience. It takes you through the mural and architectural features of the crypt.

The big plus? You’ll also get a history of the Ghent Altarpiece, which I describe more fully below. You’ll meet some of the key players up close and personal and learn about how the masterpiece has been stolen and recovered over and over.

The Ghent Altarpiece

The cathedral’s top treasure is the famous Ghent Altarpiece, also called The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. It’s Ghent’s #1 art stop.

Painted by the van Eyck brothers in 1432, it’s definitely in the running for one of the most important masterpieces of the Northern Renaissance.

The altarpiece is made up of 12 panels filled with biblical scenes, saints, angels, and donors.

The main image shows worshippers gathered around a sacrificial lamb, representing Christ. After restoration, its face looks almost human.

A dove hovers overhead, sending down rays of divine light. The detail of the work is astonishing, especially when you realize this was one of the first major works ever done in oil paint.

Its backstory is just as wild as the painting itself. The altarpiece has been stolen, hidden, sliced up, and nearly destroyed more times than any other artwork in history.

During the Reformation, it was stashed in a tower to keep it safe. Napoleon took panels to the Louvre.

In 1934, one panel, The Just Judges, was stolen and never recovered. The Nazis stole it during World War II and hid it in a salt mine.

The altarpiece is dazzling in person, especially after recent (and ongoing) restorations. You don’t want to miss this in Ghent!

Fine Arts Museum

Next up for art lovers: the Fine Arts Museum. It gives you a strong overview of Northern European art, with works by Bosch, Rubens, Van Dyck, and Magritte. The labels are informative, so you can skip the audio guide unless you’re really into the details.

Don’t miss Bosch’s Christ Carrying the Cross. It’s an apocalyptic piece where a weary, almost scowling Christ is surrounded by a grotesque crowd. In Bosch’s world (typical of medieval art), ugliness equaled evil.

Another standout is Magritte’s Perspective II, a dark riff on Manet’s The Balcony. Except here, the elegant Parisians have been replaced with coffins. Classic Magritte, full of quiet unease.

And if you’re lucky, you might catch a behind-the-scenes moment: conservators working on upper panels of the Ghent Altarpiece.

>>> Click here to pre-book a ticket

S.M.A.K. Museum

For a taste of the 21st century, the S.M.A.K. contemporary art museum is just across the street. It opened in 1999 and has a strong reputation for showcasing innovative and sometimes provocative art.

There are pieces by well known artists like Francis Bacon, Joseph Beuys, Andy Warhol, and Sol LeWitt. But you’ll also find Belgian artists like Marcel Broodthaers, Panamarenko, Michaël Borremans, and Kris Martin.

This museum isn’t for everyone. But if you are an aficionado of modern and contemporary art, it will be worth a stop.

I would plan to spend a couple hours there. The museum also offers 1.5 hour guided tours.

Design Museum

Ever wanted to sit in a bright red armchair made of cardboard? Or to try on a bikini made from salmon skin? You’ll find both at Design Museum Gent.

The museum is set in an 18th century townhouse. Some rooms still have parquet floors, chandeliers, and painted wallpaper. Others are sleek and modern.

The permanent collection, called Object Stories, focuses on 20th century design. You’ll see big names and bold ideas.

There’s an Art Deco silver set by Philippe Woolfers. A curvy S-chair by Verner Panton. A bright red Olivetti typewriter from Ettore Sottsass.

But it’s not all classics. Look out for Shiro Kuramata’s steel mesh loveseat. And yes, that salmon-skin bikini by Birgit Kraner is real.

Industrial Museum

Ghent’s Museum of Industry is a great stop if you’re into history. Housed in a former cotton mill, it offers a hands on look at the city’s industrial roots.

Start on the 5th floor for a panoramic view of the medieval skyline. It’s one of the best in town.

Then, work your way down through the exhibits. Ghent once made its fortune on cotton and textiles. And here you can see how it all worked: the machines, the gears, the noise.

The museum walks you through the evolution of industry from 1750 to today. Early workers, including children, faced brutal conditions.

16 hour shifts weren’t uncommon. Labor unions eventually changed that. But then the machines took over, and the jobs vanished.

Ghent City Museum

This cutting edge museum is set in a striking 14th century Gothic abbey. Its architecture blends restored medieval cloisters with sleek glass additions. It’s a mix that mirrors Ghent’s own balance of old and new.

Inside, you’ll find a high-tech look at the city’s history. The permanent exhibition combines historical artifacts with interactive displays, all clearly explained in English.

The main collection is spread across six rooms surrounding the courtyard, each with themed displays. One of the most fascinating covers the theft of the still-missing Just Judges panel from the Ghent Altarpiece.

Castle of the Counts

If castlecore is your jam, I would plan to visit Gravensteen Castle. It’s a bit of a hybrid.

It’s part authentic medieval castle and part Neo-Romantic era restoration. Despite having morphed over the centuries, it has all the trappings you’d expect: ramparts, dungeons, a throne room, a torture chamber, etc.

There are authentic weapons and instruments of torture on display. For gory details, you can even learn about water boarding during the Inquisition or how hot oil was thrown down on invaders.

From the castle ramparts, you have nice views of the city and Groentenmark Square.

One of the best things about the castle is the audio guide. You can’t help but smile while listening to it.

It’s narrated by a local Ghent comedian, Wouter Deprez.

He does a smashing job regaling your with Ghent’s origin story (about as “real” as the castle) and makes the castle and its former inhabitants come to life.

St. Nicholas’ Church

This church was built in the 13th century. It’s a textbook example of Schedule Gothic style. That style marked the transition from Romanesque to Dutch Gothic.

You enter through a door on the side. While the building itself is still Gothic, the interior, like St. Bavo’s, is much newer.

Calvinist Protestants did away with the lavish Catholic decorations. It was redecorated in the Reformation in a Baroque style.

Belfry of Ghent

The Belfry has towered over Ghent since the 14th century. The Neo-Gothic spire was built when Ghent hosted the World Fair in 1913.

At the tip top is a golden dragon. It’s not the devil. It was meant as a protector of the city.

To climb the belfry, buy your ticket in the shop below the staircase. It’s about 60 stairs up and then you take an elevator. You do have to walk down 500 steps.

The view didn’t wow me. But it was fun nonetheless. It’s right in St. Bavo’s Square, so easy to do after your cathedral visit.

Groentenmarkt Square

This is a lively square filled with shops. This is the place to try the traditional Ghent sweet called “neuzekes” or “little noses.” 

These cone shaped candies have been at the center of a long standing rivalry between two local vendors. They seems to have made peace at the moment.

Groentenmarkt is also home to historic establishments like Tierenteyn-Verlent, a renowned mustard shop, and ‘t Galgenhuisje, the city’s smallest cafe.

The old 15th century Butcher’s Hall is also in the square. It has an impressive wooden vault. But it’s currently closed for renovations until 2026.

Korenmarkt Square

This is the very center of historic Ghent. It sits between St. Nicholas Church, the Belfry, and the Leie River, and it’s where you’ll often find events or markets.

The square is absolutely lovely, and shows off the glory of Ghent in its heyday.

The city boomed in the Middle Ages, when the wool trade made it wealthy. The citizens were flush with guilders from weaving high fashion cloth and shipping it around Europe.

The city poured its wealth into soaring towers and majestic buildings. The square features a towering church, a prickly medieval looking facade (now, the post office), and historic townhouses.

Holy Food Market

The Holy Food Market is set inside a former church. It’s a lively food hall with a central bar and over a dozen food stands. You’ll find everything from sushi and curry to pizza and bacalhau.

Cuisines span the globe, with Japanese, Indian, Italian, and Portuguese options, alongside local favorites. French and Belgian bites are served at Bubba, where you can try Emmental cheese croquettes or Ganda ham for 4 euros.

Sea Me offers classic moules frites for a reasonable price The bar at the center sells the market’s own house gin, flavored with Tierenteyn-Verlent mustard from Ghent. Who can pass that up?

Graffiti Lane

Graffiti Lane is another fun thing to do in Ghent. It’s the result of classic, pragmatic Dutch/Flemish problem solving.

Instead of simply banning graffiti altogether, the city gave artists one street to ply their trade.

The art is ever-changing. And you’ll no doubt find artists holding spray cans as you stroll.

To find Graffiti Street, head to Korenmarkt and walk towards Hoogpoort. Werregarenstraat is a small alley on your right.

Vridagmark

Vrijdagmarkt is one of the oldest squares in Ghent. And it’s still one of the liveliest.

It’s been a gathering place since the 12th century. It still hosts a market every Friday morning, packed with local produce, cheese, and baked goods.

In the center stands a statue of Jacob van Artevelde. He was a 14th century rebel who backed England in the Hundred Years’ War.

It helped Ghent’s textile trade, but cost him his life. He was murdered right here in 1345.

The square is ringed with historic guildhalls, including the striking Bond Moyson building. You’ll also find plenty of cafes.

You may see shoes hanging in the square. They’re part of a quirky local tradition from the nearby pub, Dulle Griet. 

When patrons order the bar’s signature 1.2 liter beer, served in a distinctive glass, they must surrender one of their shoes as a deposit. 

The shoe is then hoisted into a basket suspended from the ceiling and returned once the glass is safely returned.

Yes really! This is an experience you don’t want to miss!

Patershol

Patershol was once a run down medieval district that’s now been gentrified. In fact, it’s one of Ghent’s trendiest neighborhoods and is a great place for restaurant hunting.

There are plenty of architectural gems. One is the Masons’ Guild House, which you can see in the photo above.

You can also visit the House of Alijn. It’s a small but fascinating museum in Ghent that explores daily life in the 20th century. 

Tips For Visiting Ghent

How To Get To Ghent

Ghent has its own train station, which is about 1.5 miles south of the city center.

It’s a rather dull 30 minute walk to the historic center. Instead, hop on the tram #1 for € 3. It’s out the front door to your left.

You can pay with your contactless credit card. Get off at the Korenmarkt stop.

You can also take a taxi or Uber into town. I was coming from Brussels and had luggage so I caught a taxi for € 10.

And, if you’re driving, you can park your car at the train station or one of the park & ride lots.

Located halfway between Brussels and Bruges, Ghent is an easy day trip from either one.

You can take the train yourself. Or book a guided tour from Brussels, so you don’t have to drive or deal with parking.

How To Get Around Ghent

Ghent’s historical core is compact. You can walk everywhere on foot. In fact, it might only take you 15-20 minutes to walk from one end to the other.

You can also get around on the Hop On Hop Off waterway tram.

Or take a canal cruise. I really enjoyed mine. You will glide thread through the rivers and canals and have front row seats for a historical survey of the city.

Where To Stay In Ghent

There are some great hotel options in Ghent.

The Yalo Urban Boutique Hotel is a stylish 4 star hotel with a rooftop bar. It has a real focus on design and a restaurant in a glass roofed atrium.

Housed in a former baronial residence, the Pillows Grand Hotel Reylof Ghent is a Neoclassical mix of marble floors, Ionic columns, and sweeping staircases.

The late 19th century, Neo-Gothic post office building on Ghent’s main square was reborn last year as 1898 The Post. It’s a plush, 38 room boutique hotel with a beautiful cocktail bar.

On my last visit, I stayed in Hotel Harmony. It’s a classy 4 star boutique hotel with chic rooms right on the embankment.

Where To Eat in Ghent

For a quick lunch, try Souplounge (soup), Balls & Glory (meatballs), or Fritter Filip (Belgian fries). If you need a break from comfort food, I loved the vegetarian cafe O’Yo near the cathedral.

And of course you have to try the Belgian waffles. There are two kinds: Belgian Waffles (large, rectangular) and Liège Waffles (sweet, dense, and chewy).

You can try them at House of Waffles or Oyya. You can even take a waffle making class to learn the secrets of the trade.

If it’s chocolate you crave, check out Chocolaterie Van Hoorebeke. Or you can go on a chocolate tour. It’s so much better than chocolate in the US!

For dinner, you should check out:

• Meme Gusta (Belgian classics)
• Valentijn (fancier, 4 course fixed price dinner)
• Publiek ( Michelin-starred venue offering contemporary Belgian dishes) 
• De Acht Zaligheden (innovative looking local specialities)
• Oak (local ingredients with global influences)

Be sure to make reservations!

Pro Tips:

Most people only visit Ghent as a day trip, which means the city clears out by evening. I definitely recommend staying the night to enjoy a more local, vibe, especially in the Patershol district or along the canals.

If you are going to quite a few of the museums, you might consider getting the Ghent City Card.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to the best things to do in Ghent. Pin it for later.