What to Visit in Ghent: 13 Places That Deserve a Spot on Your List

Ghent, Belgium, is somewhat of a hidden gem in Europe—especially if you consider how many amazing things there are to visit in Ghent and how strangely underrated it is compared to Bruges. I, for one, far prefer it to its more famous counterpart.

Ghent has a fun, lively atmosphere due to its large student population, and it feels so much more authentic than Bruges. When you’re walking around the medieval city center, visiting the best places to see in Ghent like Gravensteen Castle, St. Bavo’s Cathedral, or the picture-perfect St. Michael’s Bridge, you’re never too far from the next canal, cobblestone street, cute café, and colorful building worth stopping for.

Based on my own visit to Ghent, these are the places I think are worth visiting: 

 

Quick summary: My favorite things to visit in Ghent

1. Gravensteen Castle—Ghent’s best attraction, a medieval fortress with moats, towers, and a torture chamber
2. Ghent canal boat tour—A relaxing way to see the city from its canals
3. Graslei—Ghent’s most scenic riverside spot, perfect for a drink or a stroll
4. St. Bavo’s Cathedral (Ghent Altarpiece)—Home to the famous Van Eyck painting and baroque altar
5. Ghent’s Belfry—UNESCO-listed tower with city views and a dragon mascot
6. St. Michael’s Church—A grand Gothic church with a famously unfinished tower
7. St. Michael’s Bridge—The best view in Ghent, hands down
8. Ghent Town Hall—An odd but charming building mixing Gothic and Renaissance styles
9. STAM (Ghent City Museum)—An interactive intro to Ghent’s history (in a cool building)
10. Street art beyond Werregarenstraatje—Graffiti and murals hidden in plain sight all over the city
11. Vrijdagmarkt (Friday Market)—One of Belgium’s oldest squares, still full of stalls on Fridays
12. St. Nicholas Church—A striking tower and peaceful interior in the heart of Ghent’s old town
13. Patershol—Narrow alleys, cute cafés, and the best food scene in Ghent

 

 

 

Why visit Ghent?

 

Why visit Ghent? Because the vibes are just right. It’s a beautiful city that feels both historic and young at the same time, and it’s not just a tourist trap. With 80,000 students living here, Ghent is buzzing with energy, creativity, and culture—it’s even considered Belgium’s intellectual and cultural hub. Add to that the stunning medieval architecture, canals, and a fascinating past as a wool and textile powerhouse, and I found it’s a city that’s truly fun to explore.

 

 

I didn’t taste the water (I thought about it) but I’m going to guess that it is too far from the sea to be salty

 

Map of the top things to do in Ghent

Click on the map for a list of the top things to do in Ghent on Google Maps

 

Ready for the details? Here are the things to do and places to visit in Ghent that I have seen and experienced myself, and can recommend to any first-time visitor to Ghent:

 

1. Tour Gravensteen Castle, Ghent’s top place to see

Look at that handsome castle @Gravensteen
 

Finally, my favorite place to visit in Ghent was Gravensteen—the so-called ‘Castle of the Counts’. Gravensteen is the only surviving medieval castle in Flanders with a moat and an almost intact defense system. For me, as a history geek, that was super cool to see.  

Fun fact: Besides protecting the city, Gravensteen was supposed to intimidate the town’s own citizens in case they wanted to challenge the count’s authority. Tell me you have a big ego without telling me you have a big ego.

Gravensteen was once scheduled for demolition, but luckily, that stupid idea never came to fruition. It’s one of the most unique places to see in Ghent and they wanted to get rid of it!

I mean, I can’t blame the locals—the castle was a symbol of abuse of power and came with some very creative torture tactics, some of which you can now see in the restored torture chamber.

Pro tip: If you buy a ticket in advance and actually get to go inside (unlike me, who didn’t follow my own advice and couldn’t get in),) you’ll even get to take the entertaining audio tour, which takes 1.5 hours.

Don't forget to peek at a hidden mural which is only visible from one of the castle’s towers. 

Visitor information:

• Gravensteen, Sint-Veerleplein 11 
• Open daily 10 am–6 pm, last entrance at 4:40 pm  
• Tickets cost EUR 13; buy them in advance or risk not getting in

 

Castle of the Counts is definitely one of the best places to see in Ghent

 

2. Hop on a Ghent canal tour and sightsee from a boat

Why not see the city from a boat?
 

A boat tour around Ghent’s canals is the perfect thing to do in Ghent and a great way to see the city from a different perspective.

Our little boat went up and then back down the river in about 40 minutes. What that means is that we saw the same sights twice, but when those places are as nice as Ghent's best attractions, it’s really a bonus.  

The guides told us fun facts and stories about the special places in Ghent that we saw during the tour, and added some historical tidbits here and there, too. The funny part was that he did it in French, Flemish, and English! I felt like I was on a tour of Babylon.

Yes, the Ghent canal tours are touristy, but hey, when in Rome Ghent… 

 

 

3. Relax in Graslei after a busy day sightseeing in Ghent

The best thing to do in Ghent’s Graslei is chill out by the river, and that’s fine by me (I had a very long day!)

 

Many European cities may have spaces like this, but Ghent is just hitting different

 

Graslei  (Grass Market) is an area on both sides of the river that is lined by preserved port houses that have now been converted into restaurants and cafes.

Locals say that this is the most beautiful place in Belgium. I personally think that’s a stretch, but I agree it’s a pleasant area to just sit and take in the atmosphere. 

I spent an hour there just wandering around and seeing all the buildings and life around.

 

4. See the Ghent Altarpiece at St. Bavo’s Cathedral

St. Bavo’s Cathedral in the morning light
 

The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, the famous altarpiece by the Van Eyck brothers, is what makes Ghent’s St. Bavo’s Cathedral one of the absolute top things to see in Ghent. Did you know it’s been stolen, hidden, nearly destroyed, and then partially recovered? One panel is still missing to this day!

But that’s not all, St. Bavo Cathedral’s baroque high altar made out of black, white, and red flamed marble is also worth your attention.

Pro tip: You can get a tablet or use AR glasses to bring the altarpiece and the church to life. Pretty cool tech for a church!  

Sadly, you can’t visit the church tower. That honor only goes to those visiting during the Ghent Festivities that take place annually in July.

Visitor information:

• St Bavo’s Cathedral, Sint-Baafsplein 
• The cathedral is open daily 8:30 am–5:30pm, Sundays 1 pm–5:30 pm. The altarpiece can be seen daily 10am–5pm (last entrance at 4 pm), Sundays from 1 pm.  
• Free entry to just the cathedral, EUR 12.5 with the altarpiece and no AR, EUR 16 with AR

 

5. Climb Ghent’s Belfry and meet the dragon

The view of St. Nicholas Church from Ghent’s Belfry, and the dragon statue inside

 

The Belfry of Ghent—climb to the top for panoramic views, but don’t miss the historic bells and fascinating exhibits inside

 

I climbed Ghent’s Belfry—one of the city’s three famous towers and one of the most popular places to visit in Ghent—and got a glimpse of what the medieval guards used to see from there. The coast was clear—no fires, no enemies. Good thing they had me up there.

The tower, which is on the UNESCO Heritage List, used to house the city’s alarm bell, named “Roland,” and still holds Ghent’s dragon mascot.

Roland, poor thing, cracked in 1914 and now rests on display near St. Nicholas’ Church. These days, the tower’s carillon bells ring every Sunday before noon, and in the summer, you can also catch them on Saturday nights.

Inside the Belfry, there’s some light museum content and of course, the dragon. I took the stairs to the first floor and then rode the elevator up the tower—totally worth it for the views of Ghent and St. Nicholas Church.

Pro tip: If you’re planning to go, I recommend booking tickets online in advance. Ghent’s Belfry gets super busy.

Visitor information:

• Belfry tower, Sint-Baafsplein 
• Open daily 10 am–8 pm  
• Tickets cost €11 and can be bought in the ticket booth or online 

 

6. Discover St. Michael’s Church, one of Ghent’s most interesting places to visit (and feel bad for)

 

St. Michael’s Church stands right by St. Michael’s Bridge. Originally, back in the 11^th century, the plan was to build Ghent’s tallest tower here—124 m (400 ft) of glorious ambition. Now that’s what I call a top thing to see in Ghent… but there’s a but…

After 700 years of the church tower standing there, waiting, unfinished and roof-less, the dream was officially downsized. Today, the tower is just 24 m (78 ft) tall.

If you go inside, you’ll be able to look at a bunch of art. For free.  

Pro tip: One of the best hotels in Ghent, Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof, is close to St. Michael’s Bridge and Church.  Stay there is you’re turning this trip into an overnighter.

 

7. Walk across St. Michael’s Bridge, Ghent’s picture-perfect thing to see

I obviously take better photos, because there is almost no bridge visible behind me

 

St. Michael’s Bridge wasn’t always the elegant arched structure you see today—it used to be a flat turntable bridge until the early 20^th century. Now it’s a solid stone beauty with a statue of St. Michael standing proudly in the middle, looking like he’s judging you as you take the seventh selfie.

But the best part of St. Michael’s Bridge are the views you get all around—from it and towards it. From this one spot, you get the ultimate view of Ghent: Graslei, the old fish market, St. Michael’s Church, and even Gravensteen in the distance, all at once.

It’s also the only place in the city where you can snap a photo with all three of Ghent’s iconic towers in one frame. Yes, it’s that good—a must-visit in Ghent.

 

8. Admire the architecture of Ghent Town Hall

Believe it or not, both of these photos are of the same building

 

The Ghent Town Hall is Gothic on one side and Renaissance on the other—now that’s a place to visit in Ghent even just for how unique it is…

…actually, to be fair, it’s two different wings built in different decades of the 16^th century, but it sounds more schizophrenic if I pretend it’s just one building that can’t decide who it is.  

You can visit the Town Hall as part of a guided tour only. Or maybe if you pretend you want to meet with the mayor… I think it’s a fun place to see in Ghent, snap a few photos of the interesting exterior, and move on to other attractions. We’d say just stare at it from the outside and be content with that.  

 

 

9. Get an interactive introduction to Ghent at STAM, Ghent City Museum

One of the exhibitions at STAM
 

STAM is Ghent’s city museum—but way cooler than it sounds and a must-visit thing to do in Ghent. Think medieval history, but with touchscreens.

Each room has creative exhibits and interactive maps that walk you through the story of Ghent.

I found even the architecture of the museum itself fascinating. It’s housed in a mix of modern and historic buildings on the site of a former hospital. It’s a perfect example of how Belgium blends old and new—something I really admire about this country.

Once you’ve had your fill of history, you can relax on the café terrace and soak in the atmosphere.

Pro tip if you’re short on time: Try the 15-minute “quicktour” that tells Ghent’s story through 15 must-see objects. I tried it just out of curiosity—and it’s impressively effective. Bravo, STAM.

Visitor information:

• STAM Ghent city museum, Godshuizenlaan 2 
• Open Mondays & Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays 9 am–5 pm, weekends 10 am–6 pm, closed on Wednesdays.
• Tickets cost €11

 

10. Find the best places to see murals in Ghent (besides Werregarenstraatje)  

Walking through Werregarenstraatje… some parts are better than others

 

If you need a break from the medieval facades and cobblestone, another interesting place to visit in Ghent is Werregarenstraatje. It’s the only legal graffiti wall in Ghent, and is absolutely covered in art (though I find it hard to call some of the pieces that). I heard that even some pretty famous street artists left their mark here, like Roa and Bué the Warrior.  

 

Oh, your Instagram is going to love this place @ Werregarenstraatje

 

Where to see street art in Ghent beyond Werregarenstraatje:

I’m not that into street art, but I did notice that colorful murals are frequent in Ghent. They do light up the city, I’ll give them that. Here are some more areas to see them:

• Handelsbeurs area—Look behind the concert hall for large, detailed murals by Monkeybird Crew and others.
• ROA’s animals—Spot this Ghent-born artist’s black-and-white animal murals scattered around the city.
• Dokken (old harbor zone)—Head to the former industrial docks for huge, colorful pieces.
• Achtervisserij street—A quieter spot with hidden gems by Belgian muralists like Wannes Cools.
• Street Art Cities app or “Sorry Not Sorry” tours—If you’re really into street art, use these to find even more artworks across Ghent.

 

11. Visit the 900-year-old Friday Market at Vridajmarkt, one of Ghent’s main squares

To the market!
 

Vrijdagmarkt is one of the main squares in Ghent, and one of the oldest too—markets have been held here since the 12^th century. That’s 900 years of tradition! Market booths are still set up here every Friday—the Dutch word "Vrijdagmarkt" means "Friday Market”. I bought cheese, I admired the fresh fish, and I wondered who comes here to buy the clothing.

Vrijdagmarkt is bustling, particularly in the late afternoon, though not as much as Korenmarkt or Graslei. It’s just right. Goldilocks would love it.

A statue of the prominent 14^th-century businessperson Jakob van Artevelde overlooks it all.

 

12. Step inside one of Ghent’s most famous churches, St. Nicholas Church

Saint Nicholas Church aka Sint-Niklaaskerk

 

One of the most well-known places to visit in Ghent is Saint Nicholas Church. One of three famous towers in Ghent, I found the interior isn’t overly decorated, but if you take a minute, you’ll see a lot of details in the statues of saints, the alter, and the stained-glass windows. Not much to keep you there for more than 15 minutes.

Fun fact: St. Nicholas Church is built out of Tournai bluestone, so if you squint really hard, you’ll notice the slight blue tint of the exterior.  

Pro tip: You get the most spectacular view of St. Nicholas’ from atop the nearby Belfry.

Visitor information:

• St. Nicholas Church, Cataloniëstraat 
• Open daily 10 am–4 pm 
• Free entry

 

13. Eat and drink in the pretty Patershol neighborhood

Lovely and full of great eateries? That’s Patershol for you
 

Finally, this is the place to peoplewatch while eating in Ghent. The narrow alleys, old brick houses, and tucked-away restaurants make Patershol one of the most charming places to visit in Ghent.

It’s where you spend time if you have more than a day in Ghent and can just do nothing while enjoying the vibes. You guessed it—Patershol is the culinary heart of Ghent

My favorite restaurant in Patershol, 't Koningshuis, is all about burgers and meat, and I highly recommend you stop by. It was to die for!And as a true Czech, I can’t not talk about the beer in Ghent. There are many pubs in the area and almost everyone offers a traditional kriek. Whether you're sipping something dark and heavy in a tiny local bar (try Folklore and their menu of about a million beers) or trying a fruity ale at a trendy café, it somehow tastes better surrounded by Gothic towers and lively squares.  

Tip for beer lovers: Look into taking the amazing Beer Experience, the absolute best thing to do in Bruges.

 

 

Final thoughts: Practical tips for planning a trip to Ghent

• How long to spend in Ghent? One day is enough time to see the best places in Ghent, and from my experience, there’s no need to spend any longer. I’d treat it as a day trip from Brussels.

• Best time to visit Ghent? For fewer tourists and great weather, May, June, or early September are ideal. Winters are cold, rainy, and quiet, and summers are warm, rainy, and crowded.

• How to spend a day in Ghent? See my 1-day Ghent itinerary for a step-by-step plan. Doable as a day trip and as an overnight trip too.

• Do I need to book anything in advance? Yes, book tickets to the Belfry and Gravesteen Castle ahead of your trip—they sell out and you will miss your chance to visit.    

• Do you need a car in Ghent? No, Ghent is a very walkable city, especially since all the top things to visit are in the city center. The only time you may want to take a taxi is when you’re going to STAM.  

 

 

The food when visiting Ghent was fantastic—check out my personal recommendations for eating in Belgium

 

You might also be interested in reading:

• Belgium Itinerary: 7 Days in the Heart of Europe!
• Belgium Travel Tips: 19 Things That Will Make Your Trip Easier
• The Top 15 Museums in Belgium: From Comics to Beer
• Our 9 Top Restaurants in Belgium
• 7 Best Day Trips from Brussels (Includes Train Details)

 

 

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