10 things to see and do in Ghent, Belgium

In co-operation with Visit Flanders

Today we're sharing 10 things to see and do in Ghent, Belgium. We spent two days in this super cosy and relaxed city in Flanders and want to share our best tips with you. We've also been to two different places with our motorhome, which we can tell you about. Have you ever been to Ghent? Do you have even more tips?

Innehållsförteckning

Welcome to Ghent, Belgium!

Ghent is a city in Flanders with around 250 000 inhabitants. It was founded in the 6th century and was considered the largest city in Europe during the Middle Ages. So it's not surprising that there are a lot of medieval buildings in this city.

Today, Ghent is a bustling city with many students. As a tourist town it is perhaps not quite as well known as nearby Bruges, but in its own way it is just as charming. Our feeling was that this is a relaxed city, which is neat and tidy, yet has an almost hippie feel with all the personal little cafes along the canal.

READ MORE: 13 things to see and do in Bruges
READ MORE: Belgian beer - and breweries in Belgium

What can you do in Ghent?

There's a lot to do in Ghent, from art and culinary experiences to outdoor activities like cycling and canoeing. Here are our top tips!

1. Get a city card

If you plan to spend one or more days in Ghent, Belgium, consider getting a city card for 48 or 72 hours. The card can be used to travel by bus and enter museums and churches. The card is also valid for a boat trip on the canals and for a day's bike hire.

2. go on your own city walk

Why not go on your own little city walk? Most major sights are within easy reach and you can pick up a map at the tourist office showing the walking route around the main sights. The tour includes the bell tower (beffroi), St Nicholas' church and St Baaf's Cathedral (also known as St Bavo's Cathedral).

3. Go on a food-themed guided tour

We did the guided tour "Strolling With Style", which took us to a charcuterie, a cheese shop and two different bakeries. Read more about our experiences with local specialities in Ghent. Very nice, delicious and interesting! Another option is to choose the tour that takes you to four different restaurants, where you are served one of the dishes in a complete meal at each restaurant.

4. Take a guided boat trip on the canals

A nice way to experience Ghent is to take a boat trip around the canals. The boat trip costs 7.50 euros (summer 2018) and lasts 45 minutes. We had a really nice and personal guide who happily guided us in three languages (Dutch, French and English).

5. Bike hire

If you want to see a bit more of Ghent than the innermost core, you can rent a bike. We rented a bike at The Cycling Embassy, right in the centre. With the bikes we went around both to street art and to different museums.

6. Check out street art

Ghent is full of street art! We used our hire bikes to look at some of the artwork. The tourist office has a map that shows you where to find the different pieces.

7. Visiting museums

There are a lot of museums in Ghent, including the art museums S.M.A.K. and MSK. We took the bikes to the first of these, but we did not like the exhibition that was there at the moment so we continued instead to the city museum STAM. Here we found, among other things, a cool map of the city and a lot of history.

8. Visit Gravensteen Castle

The mighty Gravensteen castle in the centre of the city is worth a visit. The castle was built in 1180 and was the residence of the Counts of Flanders. Today you can visit the castle and see the two museums, a weapons museum and a torture museum. The latter wasn't my thing, but I liked the view from the roof!

READ MORE: 18 things to do in Brussels as a tourist
READ MORE: 12 things to see and do in Antwerp

9. kayaking

Not only do you have to join organised boat trips in Ghent, but you can also kayak the canals yourself if you wish. The hostel Uppelink organises kayak rentals, and here we actually got help from a guy who spoke Swedish. He had studied Swedish at the University of Ghent! The kayak ride was really cosy, along quays, under bridges and past small charming cafes along the water.

10. Eating well

It's not hard to eat well in Ghent, Belgium! We have only been able to try a few places, but we can highly recommend two good restaurants in Ghent. At the nice restaurant Lepelblad we had a good salad and at the exclusive Souvenir we had a great dining experience. Of course, there are also excellent opportunities to indulge in things like waffles and Belgian chocolate!

READ MORE: We try Belgian waffles in Belgium
READ MORE: Restaurants in Ghent - Belgium for foodies

Video from Ghent, Belgium

Here is also a film we recorded from our visit to Ghent!

Are you travelling by motorhome?

If you are travelling with a motorhome, you can stay at a campsite. Lake Blameer. The campsite has nice, well-defined pitches and an excellent service centre. Just outside the campsite there is a bus to the city centre several times an hour.

The first night we arrived at the campsite, there was no free space, and the staff advised us to spend a night by the river, just outside the campsite. There we stood together with some other motorhomes. We must say that it felt very safe here! The only people passing by were joggers, cyclists, canoeists and an elderly couple herding their sheep ...

Ställplats i Gent i Belgien — Free camping with FREEDOM in Ghent, Belgium

Facts about Ghent in Belgium

Country: Belgium
Region: Flanders
Provins: East Flanders
Residents: About 262 000 inhabitants (2019)

Good to know

Language: Flemish, but also French and German (many also speak English).
Time difference: None
Emergency number: 112
Religion: Christianity
El: Like Sweden
Water: Drinking beard
Currency: Euro
Price mode: Cheaper than Sweden
Tourist Office: Sint-Veerleplein 5

Attractions in Ghent

Borrowing Tombstone, medieval castle in the city centre
Belfry clock tower, Sint-Baafsplein
St Nicholas' church, Catalonia Street
St Baaf's Cathedral (St Bavo's Cathedral), St Bavo's Square.
S.M.A.K. (Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art), Citadelpark, Jan Hoetplein 1.
MSK (Museum of Fine Arts), Fernand Scribedreef 1
City Museum STAM (Ghent City Museum), Godshuizenlaan 2

Restaurants and in Ghent

Lipsheet, nice restaurant in the city centre, Onderbergen 40
Souvenir, exclusive restaurant with a Michelin star, Brabantdam 134

Shopping in Ghent

The Mecca of cheese, lovely cheese shop, Koestraat 9
To Fred's Marvellous, luxury pastry shop, Mageleinstraat 38
Alice Store, cosy café/shop with 'old-fashioned' feel, Sint-Michielsstraat 3

Accommodation in Ghent

Hostels: Hostel Uppelink, Sint-Michielsplein 21
Hotel: There are plenty of hotels in different price ranges, see for example Booking.com.
Camping: Camping Blameerseen, Campinglaan 16

Travelling to Gent

Flight: Brussels Airlines from Bromma (Stockholm) Airport to Brussels takes 2 hours 20 minutes, or from Landvetter in Gothenburg which takes 1 hour 45 minutes. From here you can take a bus or train. If you plan on travelling around, buy the Hi Belgium Pass in your flight ticket, which includes free train travel and free entry to a few selected city attractions during your stay.
Car: For example, take the Gothenburg-Kiel ferry with Stena Line. From Kiel you drive the A1 through the Netherlands, which is 650 km and takes about 6 hours.

Helena

26 August 2018 6:00

Belgium

city guide Europe, Motorhome holiday Belgium, campervan trip2018, metropolis, Experiences in Europe

Helena

Administrator

33 Comments

Add yours →

Britt-Marie Lundgren says:

What wonderful and enticing posts you have made from Flanders and what a cool and intense journey you have made.
It often takes a while after coming home before it sinks in how incredibly much you have been through. I have just made two photo books from our five weeks in Slovenia, Croatia and Germany, it's almost like experiencing the trip in replay.

26 August 2018 - 7:41

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Delta has indeed been a wonderful and intense journey! And I understand exactly what you mean. It is difficult to process all the impressions while travelling. Going through pictures is like travelling again 😉.
  
  26 August 2018 - 14:08
  
  Reply
Steve says:

Phew! What a pace you keep.

26 August 2018 - 8:25

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- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  It has been full steam ahead! 🙂
  
  26 August 2018 - 14:09
  
  Reply
Yvonne says:

I thought it best to post the answers for the sake of the holiday season.
Have a good day!
🙂

26 August 2018 - 8:41

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Thank you very much Yvonne!
  
  26 August 2018 - 14:09
  
  Reply
Lena - gott för själen says:

Yes, it was really a lot you have done! Much like us in Berlin 🙂 Always fun to discover new places!

Hug Lena

26 August 2018 - 8:46

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  It's fun to discover new places! We also want to see Berlin properly on occasion.
  
  26 August 2018 - 14:10
  
  Reply
Anonymous says:

Really nice to read about a city that may not be so "touristy". At least not so well known to us from Sweden!
Read about everything, but got stuck on the tip about the food tour. I would have loved to visit that cheese shop. Then I also saw that you wrote a little surprised that you got to taste two good rosé wines. Rosé wine is what I now drink all year round, so I'm not surprised.....
THANK YOU for the tips! / Susie

26 August 2018 - 8:58

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  I agree with you Susie. Ghent is not so "over-touristy". Of course there are tourists, but it is also very much a normal small lively city, with many students. The food tour was super nice! And yes haha, maybe I was a little surprised by the rosé wine. It feels like you are more often served red or white wine. In addition, there were very good rosé wines! 🙂
  
  26 August 2018 - 14:12
  
  Reply
Mamma C says:

Gosh, you managed all this in two days!
Carin

26 August 2018 - 9:22

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes haha, full roll 🙂
  
  26 August 2018 - 14:13
  
  Reply
Ama de casa says:

Ooh! I love those maps that suggest walking routes through cities. Then you don't have to make a lot of decisions yourself. Perfect also with that map pointing out where the street art is - kudos to the city's tourist office! 🙂

I would probably have dared to refuse the bail. Haha! Easy to say now that I sit "a good bit" from it 😀.

26 August 2018 - 9:43

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Surely it's nice to not have to decide for yourself sometimes 🙂 And the castle is actually unusually easy to visit! In the middle of the city and no heights to climb 😉.
  
  26 August 2018 - 14:14
  
  Reply
Ditte says:

I have not yet visited Ghent. Seems like a really nice city with a lot to see and do. Thanks for the tips and nice pictures. However, I have visited Bruges and Antwerp before.
Keep up the good work.

26 August 2018 - 14:53

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Glad you visited Bruges and Antwerp! I like all three cities, but maybe Ghent a bit more 😉 It's a charming city that's nice to be a tourist in, without feeling too touristy.
  
  26 August 2018 - 21:00
  
  Reply
Matts Torebring says:

Your pace would not be a holiday for me. You are professionals, exploring Europe bit by bit and doing research, which you do with all your professionalism. We have started exploring our home turf, the forests and the countryside south of Vetlanda. That's fun too. We find fantastic gems there too.

26 August 2018 - 15:23

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Sometimes we want to see and experience a lot at once! Sometimes it can be nice to have a slower pace too, of course. I'm sure you'll find gems at home, Sweden is beautiful!
  
  26 August 2018 - 21:01
  
  Reply
OnTrip.dk says:

Really 10 good things you come up with that you can experience in Ghent.
/Annette

26 August 2018 - 17:17

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Right? The food experiences were probably top notch! Boat and canoe are also always nice 🙂 .
  
  26 August 2018 - 21:02
  
  Reply
BP says:

The houses by the canal are incredibly charming, I think. And the street art of course! Absolutely marvellous! Once again, you should send some of Stockholm's urban planners to Ghent on a study visit - to get inspiration.

26 August 2018 - 19:26

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  They can find inspiration here! I like this city very, very much! 🙂
  
  26 August 2018 - 21:03
  
  Reply
Liniz Travel says:

Oh what a nice city 🙂 I really want to go there. Nice trip hugs

26 August 2018 - 19:36

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Recommended! A bit less touristy than Bruges 🙂
  
  26 August 2018 - 21:03
  
  Reply
"LillaSyster" says:

Incredibly beautiful! I also want to paddle, or just stand there and collect energy =)

27 August 2018 - 10:59

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Fantastic city! Nice to paddle, but also nice to sit along the canal somewhere! 🙂
  
  27 August 2018 - 22:48
  
  Reply
Maria / Magnolia Magis says:

Cool with street art! There are many talented artists who never come into the light! You have had a lot of time on this trip! Where will you go back to and stay for longer? So far...

27 August 2018 - 13:58

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  We have certainly done a lot during this trip! Do you mean places throughout the trip that we want to go back to? We would like to go back to Ardeche in France, for example.
  
  27 August 2018 - 22:50
  
  Reply
  - Maria / Magnolia Magis says:
    
    Yes, exactly, the whole trip so far. Your report has made me want to travel to the Czech Republic, for example. France is never wrong either! 😉
    
    28 August 2018 - 14:04
    
    Reply
Christian says:

Street art, food tour, beautiful canals - definitely a destination to my liking!

27 August 2018 - 19:42

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  Yes, I definitely think it is! 🙂
  
  27 August 2018 - 22:50
  
  Reply
marianne says:

Here there was a lot that attracts..... it looks very cosy along the river, these small cafes, does it feel natural or touristy? You get what I mean right? 😉

27 August 2018 - 21:06

Reply
- Comment by post author
  
  Helena says:
  
  I understand what you mean! Ghent doesn't feel very touristy to me, there are a lot of students and locals mixed in with the tourists. You can compare with Bruges which definitely feels touristy.
  
  27 August 2018 - 22:51
  
  Reply

10 things to see and do in Ghent, Belgium

In co-operation with Visit Flanders

Welcome to Ghent, Belgium!

What can you do in Ghent?

1. Get a city card

2. go on your own city walk

3. Go on a food-themed guided tour

4. Take a guided boat trip on the canals

5. Bike hire

6. Check out street art

7. Visiting museums

8. Visit Gravensteen Castle

9. kayaking

10. Eating well

Video from Ghent, Belgium

Are you travelling by motorhome?

Facts about Ghent in Belgium

Good to know

Attractions in Ghent

Restaurants and in Ghent

Shopping in Ghent

Accommodation in Ghent

Travelling to Gent

You might also like:

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33 Comments

Britt-Marie Lundgren says:

Helena says:

Steve says:

Helena says:

Yvonne says:

Helena says:

Lena - gott för själen says:

Helena says:

Anonymous says:

Helena says:

Mamma C says:

Helena says:

Ama de casa says:

Helena says:

Ditte says:

Helena says:

Matts Torebring says:

Helena says:

OnTrip.dk says:

Helena says:

BP says:

Helena says:

Liniz Travel says:

Helena says:

"LillaSyster" says:

Helena says:

Maria / Magnolia Magis says:

Helena says:

Maria / Magnolia Magis says:

Christian says:

Helena says:

marianne says:

Helena says:

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