Ghent Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do, See & Eat
Ghent, Belgium offers a unique blend of medieval charm and modern vibrancy, perfect for history buffs and culture enthusiasts alike.
With 128+ hand-picked places to explore, Ghent rewards travellers who look beyond the obvious. Below is our complete guide to the best of the city — organised by what you're in the mood for, with every place linked to its full profile.
Must-See Attractions in Ghent
The icons and landmarks no first visit is complete without.
Start with Saint Bavo's Cathedral — home to the famous Ghent Altarpiece, this cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Just as worthwhile is Saint Michael's Bridge: offers one of the best panoramic views of Ghent's medieval skyline. Sint-Baafsplein completes the picture: historic square dominated by the stunning St. Bavo's Cathedral and its awe-inspiring architecture.
Saint Bavo's Cathedral
Ghent • Monuments & Statues
Home to the famous Ghent Altarpiece, this cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
Saint Michael's Bridge
Ghent • Famous Landmarks
Offers one of the best panoramic views of Ghent's medieval skyline.
Sint-Baafsplein
Ghent • Historic Squares & Plazas
Historic square dominated by the stunning St. Bavo's Cathedral and its awe-inspiring architecture.
Castle of the Counts (Gravensteen)
Ghent • Historic Architecture
An imposing medieval fortress, offering panoramic views and a glimpse into feudal life.
Museums & Culture in Ghent
Galleries, museums and cultural landmarks for a deeper look at the city.
Top of most lists is Gravensteen: a medieval castle offering insights into Ghent's feudal past, complete with turrets and a moat. Locals will also point you to Museum of Fine Arts (MSK) — a must-see for art lovers, featuring an impressive collection spanning centuries from Flemish masters to modernists. And for something different, there's Capitole Gent: capitole Gent is a versatile venue hosting musicals, concerts, and family shows in a grand setting.
Gravensteen
Ghent • Historical Sites
A medieval castle offering insights into Ghent's feudal past, complete with turrets and a moat.
Museum of Fine Arts (MSK)
Ghent • Museums
A must-see for art lovers, featuring an impressive collection spanning centuries from Flemish masters to modernists.
Capitole Gent
Ghent • Theaters
Capitole Gent is a versatile venue hosting musicals, concerts, and family shows in a grand setting.
Design Museum Gent
Ghent • Museums
Experience innovative design in a museum that marries modernity with historical context.
Best Things to Do in Ghent
Activities and experiences to fill your days.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Blaarmeersen Recreation Area — a sprawling outdoor destination offering sports, relaxation, and nature trails around a large lake. Children's Farm De Campagne earns its reputation too — a hands-on farm experience where children can interact with animals and learn about agriculture. Round out the shortlist with SMAK - Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art — contemporary art enthusiasts will appreciate SMAK's bold and creative exhibits.
Blaarmeersen Recreation Area
Ghent • Outdoor
A sprawling outdoor destination offering sports, relaxation, and nature trails around a large lake.
Children's Farm De Campagne
Ghent • Family-Friendly
A hands-on farm experience where children can interact with animals and learn about agriculture.
SMAK - Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art
Ghent • Indoor
Contemporary art enthusiasts will appreciate SMAK's bold and creative exhibits.
World of Kina: The House
Ghent • Family-Friendly
An engaging natural history museum featuring interactive exhibits and a fascinating collection of fossils and minerals.
Where to Eat in Ghent
From local classics to standout modern kitchens.
Start with De Graslei — charming riverside restaurant offering refined Belgian dishes in a historic setting along the Graslei canal. Just as worthwhile is Oak: a fusion of European flavors in an intimate and stylish setting within Ghent. De Frietketel completes the picture: a beloved spot for Belgian fries, offering a variety of homemade sauces in a vegan-friendly setting.
De Graslei
Ghent • Local Cuisine
Charming riverside restaurant offering refined Belgian dishes in a historic setting along the Graslei canal.
Oak
Ghent • Fine Dining
A fusion of European flavors in an intimate and stylish setting within Ghent.
De Frietketel
Ghent • Street Food
A beloved spot for Belgian fries, offering a variety of homemade sauces in a vegan-friendly setting.
Het Pakhuis
Ghent • Local Cuisine
A former warehouse turned restaurant serving classic Belgian fare with a modern touch in an industrial-chic space.
Ghent After Dark: Bars & Nightlife
Where to go once the sun sets.
Top of most lists is Jigger's: a speakeasy-style bar known for its innovative cocktails and intimate setting. Locals will also point you to Handelsbeurs Concert Hall — offers an eclectic mix of performances, from classical concerts to modern pop and rock shows. And for something different, there's Hot Club de Gand: jazz aficionados will find this hidden courtyard bar a delightful musical sanctuary.
Jigger's
Ghent • Cocktail Bars
A speakeasy-style bar known for its innovative cocktails and intimate setting.
Handelsbeurs Concert Hall
Ghent • Live Music Venues
Offers an eclectic mix of performances, from classical concerts to modern pop and rock shows.
Hot Club de Gand
Ghent • Pubs & Bars
Jazz aficionados will find this hidden courtyard bar a delightful musical sanctuary.
Missy Sippy Blues & Roots Club
Ghent • Live Music Venues
Known for its authentic blues vibe, this club hosts performances by both local and international artists.
Where to Stay in Ghent
Hand-picked hotels, hostels and B&Bs across every budget.
If you only make time for one stop, make it 1898 The Post — occupying a former post office, this hotel offers unique charm and spectacular views of Ghent. Engelen aan de Waterkant earns its reputation too — located along the river, this B&B combines scenic views with charming accommodations and dedicated service. Round out the shortlist with Hotel Harmony — combines modern comfort with wellness facilities in the historic Patershol district.
1898 The Post
Ghent • Luxury Hotels
Occupying a former post office, this hotel offers unique charm and spectacular views of Ghent.
Engelen aan de Waterkant
Ghent • Bed & Breakfast
Located along the river, this B&B combines scenic views with charming accommodations and dedicated service.
Hotel Harmony
Ghent • Spa Hotels
Combines modern comfort with wellness facilities in the historic Patershol district.
Hotel NH Gent Belfort
Ghent • Mid-Range Hotels
Comfortable rooms and a prime location near the city center make this a popular choice for tourists.
Shopping in Ghent
Markets, boutiques and everything in between.
Start with Kouter Flower Market — a colorful Sunday market showcasing a stunning array of flowers and plants in a charming square. Just as worthwhile is Gentse Feesten Market: a special event market featuring local crafts and foods during the annual Gentse Feesten festival. Het Atelier van Balthasar completes the picture: a charming spot brimming with handcrafted Belgian pieces perfect for thoughtful souvenirs.
Kouter Flower Market
Ghent • Markets
A colorful Sunday market showcasing a stunning array of flowers and plants in a charming square.
Gentse Feesten Market
Ghent • Markets
A special event market featuring local crafts and foods during the annual Gentse Feesten festival.
Het Atelier van Balthasar
Ghent • Souvenir Shops
A charming spot brimming with handcrafted Belgian pieces perfect for thoughtful souvenirs.
Helsen
Ghent • Luxury Shopping
Luxury boutique showcasing an array of international fashion brands and exquisite accessories.
Parks & Green Spaces in Ghent
Room to breathe when you need a break from the streets.
Top of most lists is Citadel Park Playground: historic park setting with a well-equipped playground amid lush greenery and historical sites. Locals will also point you to Gentbrugse Meersen — an expansive parkland offering diverse habitats and family-friendly outdoor activities. And for something different, there's Blaarmeersen Recreation Park: combining leisure and nature, this park offers diverse trails suitable for all ages.
Citadel Park Playground
Ghent • Playgrounds
Historic park setting with a well-equipped playground amid lush greenery and historical sites.
Gentbrugse Meersen
Ghent • Nature Reserves & Wildlife
An expansive parkland offering diverse habitats and family-friendly outdoor activities.
Blaarmeersen Recreation Park
Ghent • Hiking Trails
Combining leisure and nature, this park offers diverse trails suitable for all ages.
Keizerpark
Ghent • Nature Reserves & Wildlife
A vibrant urban park with scenic river views and recreational spaces.
Ghent Like a Local
The spots most visitors walk straight past.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Roots — celebrates local produce with a menu that evolves daily, keeping each visit fresh and exciting. The Secret Garden earns its reputation too — an outdoor oasis with an enchanted garden theme, offering botanical cocktails under the stars. Round out the shortlist with Café Afsnis — a cozy spot with a vintage vibe, offering simple yet delicious traditional Belgian fare.
Roots
Ghent • Secret Foodie Spots
Celebrates local produce with a menu that evolves daily, keeping each visit fresh and exciting.
The Secret Garden
Ghent • Secret Bars & Speakeasies
An outdoor oasis with an enchanted garden theme, offering botanical cocktails under the stars.
Café Afsnis
Ghent • Local Hangouts
A cozy spot with a vintage vibe, offering simple yet delicious traditional Belgian fare.
Kraanlei Canal
Ghent • Secret Viewpoints
Quiet canal-side walk offering picturesque views of traditional Flemish architecture.
48 Explorer Picks We Held Back
Every list above is our free tier. On top of it, our editors mark the roughly one-in-ten places in Ghent that are genuinely special — standout stays, tables worth planning a day around, and rooms most visitors never find — as Explorer picks, with full write-ups reserved for members. A few currently on the Ghent list:
- Vrijmoed· Local Cuisine
- St. Bavo's Cathedral· Historical Sites
- Tierenteyn-Verlent· Souvenir Shops
- Louis· Luxury Shopping
- The Cobbler· Cocktail Bars
Planning where to stay in Ghent?
Our neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood guide covers the best areas and hotels for every budget.
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