How to See Ghent in One Day | Itinerary | Travel Guide

If you’ve only got one day in Ghent, this is the best itinerary to follow. Ghent is my favorite place in Belgium (2^nd only to Brussels), and I’m here to show you how to enjoy very best of it in just a single day. You may not have a lot of time, but the good news is, you don’t need it! A day trip to Ghent is enough to see all its top spots.

Ghent is a university town, which adds a bit of youthfulness (and parties, if that’s your jam) to the otherwise historic city center. After all, combining the old with the new is what Ghent does best! It’s a lively, charming city with a fun riverside promenade lined by beautifully preserved buildings. It even includes a man-tastic 10^th century castle (it’s really not a place for princesses!). Just don’t forget to buy tickets in advance or be left outside weeping as I was. Hey, we all make mistakes, no matter how much travel experience we have.

My step-by-step Ghent 1-day itinerary walks you through Ghent’s must-sees in a logical, easy-to-follow route that I did myself, complete with my tips on where to eat, when to book tickets in advance, and how to avoid tourist traps.

It’s perfect for first-time visitors, history lovers, and travelers deciding between Bruges and Ghent (spoiler: Ghent is my favorite because it feels more local and less crowded). 

Plus, I’ll give you practical info on getting to Ghent by train, getting around the city, and where to stay if you decide to make it more than a day trip.

Read more from my Belgium travel blog.

 

Quick summary: The best things to do in Ghent in one day

Here’s your one-day Ghent itinerary, in the exact order I suggest you see everything:

1. STAM Ghent City Museum–The best fun intro to Ghent’s history, housed in a mix of modern spaces and a historic hospital.

2. St. Bavo’s Cathedral—The must-see restored Adoration of the Mystic Lamb and try the epic AR tour for the full backstory.

3. Belfry of Ghent—Climb (or elevator) to the top for panoramic views over the city’s spires and rooftops & meet the dragon mascot.

4. Ghent Town Hall—A quick stop to admire its mash-up of Gothic and Renaissance styles.

5. St. Nicholas’ Church—Small, quick, and crowned with a lantern tower that floods the nave with light.

6. Graslei—The city’s prettiest riverside spot for lunch, people-watching, and canal-side photos.

7. Ghent boat tour—A 40-minute cruise along Ghent’s canals with entertaining commentary.

8. St. Michael’s Bridge & Church—The only spot where all three towers line up in one perfect photo. 

9. Gravensteen (Castle of the Counts)—Ghent’s medieval fortress, complete with moat, ramparts, and torture chamber.

10. Patershol & Vrijdagmarkt—A charming, cobblestoned district for dinner, drinks, and an evening stroll.

11. (If you have more time or want to swap stops, take a look at my list of all the best places to visit in Ghent.)

 

 

My pro tips for visiting Ghent for a day:

• The Ghent CityCard can save you money on this itinerary—but only if you’re doing the castle, Belfry, boat tour, and STAM. Leaving one of those out will make buying each ticket separately cost the same or less than getting the CityCard. 

• Some popular tourist attractions sell out in advance. Book tickets to the Belfry and Gravensteen online several days ahead.

• Ghent’s historic center is one of Europe’s largest pedestrian zones, so you’ll walk everywhere.

 

Tourist map of Ghent 

A map of the locations of all the places you’ll see during your day in Ghent (get the full list in Google Maps)

 

 

What to see in Ghent in one day: Step-by-step day trip plan

Take one day in Ghent to walk around the charming city center, where the new merges with the old

 

Restaurant tips: 't Koningshuis | Bridge | De Graslei | Manhattn's Burgers
Hotel recommendations: Yalo Urban Boutique Hotel | Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof 
Further reading: Best Things to visit in Ghent | Bruges 1-Day Itinerary | Best restaurants in Belgium

 

Stop 1: Arriving at Ghent train station

If you’re coming to Ghent by train this morning, plan your arrival for slightly before 9 am (because that’s when the first thing you’ll do in Ghent opens). 

The train station in Ghent is about 2 km (1.2 mi) south of the city center, and STAM—the museum you’re heading to next—is about halfway between the station and the city center. Walk there or grab a taxi. 

 

 

Stop 2: STAM Ghent City Museum—the best history stop in your 1 day Ghent itinerary

STAM Ghent City Museum is a must!
 

Visitor information

• Distance from last stop: 1 km (0.6 mi), a 15-minute walk or short taxi

• Time spent here: 1–2 hours

• Price: EUR 11

• Opening hours: Closed Wednesdays, Mon+Tue+Thu+Fri 9 am–5 pm, weekends  10 am–6 pm

I don’t know about you, but visiting a city is much more enjoyable for me if I know at least some of its historical significance. Luckily, Ghent makes that super easy—I headed to the great Ghent city museum (STAM) first thing after I arrived in Ghent.

There are lockers where you can leave your things next to the ticket area.

What you’ll find inside 

STAM tells the story of Ghent through a chronological trail of objects and a lot of things you can touch and interact with, making it a fun thing to do in Ghent and not just educational.

Be on the lookout for temporary exhibits that dive into urban themes from various angles. It’s all really well done—Belgium is a master of museums, after all.

 

 

STAM Museum is an unmissable thing to do in Ghent if you are at all curious about the city’s history

 

I love how the buildings of STAM are contemporary and cool, but also historical, because it's housed in a former hospital.

How long to spend at STAM

No need to buy tickets in advance. An hour was all I needed but it’s easy to get sidetracked at some of the more detailed exhibits (or at on-site café). Remember, you only have a day in Ghent, so no slacking! It’s time to head to the historical center!

 

Stop 3: St. Bavo’s Cathedral—see the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb in your Ghent day trip

What’s next? The massive St. Bavo’s Cathedral

Visitor information

• Distance from last stop: 1.8 km (1 mi), a 10-minute taxi

• Time spent here: 30 minutes to 1.5 hours depending if you go on the augmented reality tour

• Price: EUR 11 + EUR 16 for augmented reality tour (worth every cent!)

• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10 am–5 pm, Sundays  1 pm–5 pm

From the museum, I walked to St. Bavo’s Cathedral, one of the top things to do in Ghent in one day.St. Bavo’s is moving with the times and offers an awesomely informative augmented reality tour dedicated to its most prized possession, the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb altarpiece. Seeing it in person after its restoration is incredible.

The cathedral itself is packed with art, so if you’re planning your Ghent day trip around history and culture, you’ll love it. There’s even a scale model of St. Bavo’s… inside St. Bavo’s. 

How to see the Ghent alterpiece

The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, by the Van Eyck brothers, is a 15^th-century masterpiece that’s like the “Avengers: Endgame” of religious art: intricate, grand, and packed with symbolism. It’s got saints, sinners, angels, and, of course, the titular lamb representing Jesus.

The laterpiece is located in a specially designed visitors’ center in the cathedral’s choir

There are two ways you can see it:

• If you choose Altarpiece only (EUR 12.50), you get 25 minutes to view it up close, behind protective glass, with interpretive displays nearby. 
• If you choose the AR tour (EUR 16), you start in the cathedral’s crypt, where the headset takes you through the history of the altarpiece and then you go upstairs to see the real thing.

The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, by the Van Eyck brothers in St. Bavo’s Cathedral

Taking the St. Bavo’s AR tour

You need to try this: with the AR glasses on, historical figures literally appear beside you, explaining the painting’s chaotic history of being stolen, sold, and recovered (and leaving you wondering how it even survived all that in the first place). The whole show happens in the crypt, which gives it a mysterious edge. I was totally into the story and seeing the altarpiece at the end was like the icing on a cake.

I recommend the 40-minute version of the AR tour—it gives enough detail without eating into the rest of your day. The 60-minute tour costs the same, but since you only have one day in Ghent, I’d keep it short. It’s very much worth the extra EUR 3.50. 

Then, it’s on to the Belfry… if you got your tickets in advance.

 

Stop 4: Belfry of Ghent—the view worth the climb on your one day Ghent itinerary

The Belfry museum and the Belfry tower
 

Visitor information

• Distance from last stop: 150 m (0.1 mi), a 2-minute walk

• Time spent here: 30 minutes

• Price: EUR 11

• Opening hours: Daily 10 am–8 pm

• Official website: Ghent Belfry website

From St. Bavo’s, it’s just a short stroll to the Belfry of Ghent, one of the top things to do in Ghent in one day and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It used to be the city’s watchtower—after it took over from the tower of St. Nicholas’ Church next door in 1442—where guards would look out for danger such as enemies or fire. 

It still houses Ghent’s mascot—a dragon from 1377—and once held the city’s famous alarm bell, “Roland,” which cracked in 1914 and now sits outside St. Nicholas’ Church (your next stop). 

View from the Belfry Tower

 

Climbing the Ghent Belfry & stops along the way

Inside, there’s a small exhibit that tells you all about the tower, the dragon and the legend about the man who was breastfed by his daughter to cheat his way out of a starvation sentence. We also saw the old jailor’s house on the corner with the relief above it that refers to the legend. And, when you climb all the way to the top, you get a pretty awesome view of the city.

I then walked up one floor and then there’s a choice between taking the elevator or walking up a claustrophobic spiral staircase. The unofficial rule seemed to be elevator up, stairs down, so I followed suit.

The 300 or so stairs get narrower the further up you go, and passing others on the way down is a nuisance, because traffic jams happen A LOT, with people being stuck, too afraid to continue, etc.

Stop at the rooms along the way with historical information, and you can even see the carillon that plays music on some nights.

At the top, you’re rewarded with a panoramic view over Ghent—Old Town rooftops, church spires, and the Lys River all in one shot.

There’s plenty to see inside the Ghent Belfry 

 

I recommend buying your tickets online in advance, not just to beat the line, but to get in at all—when they’re at capacity, they stop letting people in. In peak tourist times, this could mean you stay outside. For a Ghent day trip, that’s a rookie travel mistake you don’t want to make.

 

 

Stop 5: Ghent Town Hall—a quick but quirky stop on your one day Ghent itinerary

Renaissance and Gothic details on a single building? Yes, at Ghent’s Town Hall 

 

Visitor information

• Distance from last stop: 150 m (0.1 mi), a 2-minute walk

• Time spent here: 5 minutes

• Price: You’re just walking past it, so it’s free. Guided tours are extra

Before heading to St. Nicholas’ Church, I like to make a tiny detour to Ghent Town Hall. If you’re on a Ghent day trip, this is one of those quick photo stops that’s worth it for the architecture alone.

There are guided tours of the interior available, but I think all you need to do is walk past the outside and wonder if your eyes are playing tricks on you or if the town hall building really is built in about 5 different styles. 

There’s a Gothic side and a Renaissance side, and all this is made even more confusing by a blue and white rain pipe. You can wonder what these colors mean, but there is no explanation to it, so you’ll need to just use your imagination. Unless you are a fan of the local football (soccer) team, in which case, those colors are for you (as the fans like to believe). 

I’ve never felt the need to go inside unless I had a very specific interest in Ghent’s political history. For most people following this one day Ghent itinerary, a quick walk past, a couple of photos, and you’re on to the next stop

 

Stop 6: Nicholas’ Church—a quick visit before lunch on your one day Ghent itinerary

St. Nichola’s Church won’t take you long but it’s definitely worth your 15 minutes! The best view of it is from the Belfry right next door
 

Visitor information

• Distance from last stop: 150 m (0.1 mi), a 2-minute walk

• Time spent here: 10 minutes

• Price: free

• Opening hours: Daily 10 am–4 pm

By this time, I was ready for lunch, bit I wanted to make one quick stop to truly earn it: St. Nicholas' Church. Compared to the Belfry and St. Bavo’s, this one’s a breeze—you can be in and out in 15 minutes, which makes it perfect for a Ghent day trip when time is precious (or if you're me, you’ll be done in 5).

Built from Tournai bluestone, the exterior has a slight blue tint if you squint hard enough. St. Nicholas' is smaller and more intimate than the previous stops, making it a quick visit. You can really just peak inside for a minute and be done. Honestly, after three churches in an hour, I was happy to keep this one short.

The central tower is the highlight

There is art in the interiors that could hold you interest if it’s your style. But the most interesting part is the tower that serves as some sort of natural lantern of light. It’s above the nave where it’s crossed by the transept, and it shines light down into the church like God himself is holding a light to it.

Now, head for some well-deserved lunch!

 

Stop 7: Graslei—lunch with a view on your one day Ghent itinerary

Graslei—the perfect lunch spot!
 

Visitor information

• Distance from last stop: 150 m (0.1 mi), a 2-minute walk

• Time spent here: 1–2 hours

From St. Nicholas’ Church, it’s just a couple of minutes to Graslei, often called the most beautiful place in Belgium. I’m not sure I’d go that far, but it is charming, lively, and perfect for a lunch and people-watching break on your Ghent day trip. 

Pro tip: You’ll likely also see St. Michael’s Bridge at this point, but we’ll come back to it after lunch, so don’t stop and get sidetracked just yet.

Graslei is an area on both sides of the river that is lined by preserved port houses that have now been converted into eateries and cafes. That's where you and your growling stomach comes in. 

It wouldn’t be a proper Ghent itinerary without some local food appreciation @ Graslei

Choose your lunch restaurant wisely, because this is exactly the type of place where tourist traps can weasel their way in and ruin your day. 

Either check reviews on Google Maps or choose one of my tried-and-tested options: De Graslei (beware they are closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays), or Manhattn's Burgers. Both have outdoor seating, so you'll be eating and sightseeing at the same time—are we effective or what?! Both have outdoor seating, so you’re sightseeing while eating. Don’t expect a life-changing meal, but you’ll leave satisfied and ready to continue your Ghent itinerary.

 

Stop 8 (optional): Ghent canal tour

The boat tour around Ghent’s sights was very pleasant

Visitor information

• Price: EUR 10

• Tours leave from the Graslei area all day long

As you’re walking and eating in Graslei, you can’t not notice the many boats on the river. If you have the inclination, hop on one of them for a 40-minute Ghent canal tour—it’s one of the more relaxing things to do in Ghent in one day and perfect on a full stomach. Boats run all day, and tickets average EUR 10.

I tried the tour and it goes up and then back down the river, so I saw the same sights twice, but when the scenery is so good, it’s nothing to be mad about. 

The guides narrate in French, Flemish, and English—sometimes you’ll pass a landmark before your language comes up, but it’s still easy to follow if you pay attention. It’s nothing spectacular, but it’s one of the most popular things to do in Ghent, and it was enjoyable. 

 

A boat tour is a unique and fun thing to add to your Ghent itinerary

 

Planning your Ghent boat tour: now or in the evening?

You could do the boat tour now or save it for the evening to end your Ghent day trip on a slower note.As they say, the world is your oyster! Or, in Belgium, they should change that to ‘the world is your mussel’! Because they eat a lot of those there… which I hate—abominable food if you ask me! More about food and drinks popular in Belgium.

 

Stop 9: Saint Michael's Bridge, the best photo spot in your one day Ghent itinerary, and Saint Michael's Church, the unfinished giant

Saint Michael’s Bridge...
 

Visitor information

• Distance from last stop: You’re right there, it’s at the southern end of Graslei

• Time spent here: 20 minutes between both the bridge and the church

• Price: free

• Opening hours: the bridge is always open, the church: Tuesdays to Sundays 2 pm–5 pm (which is why you need to wait until after lunch to come here), closed Mondays

Along Graslei I walked straight to St. Michael’s Bridge—it’s one of the most scenic spots in Ghent and an essential stop on any Ghent day trip. 

Enjoy the views of and from St. Michael’s Bridge

Interestingly, it wasn’t always the arched stone structure it is nowadays—it used to be a flat turntable bridge until the beginning of the 20^th century, andnow it’s the only place where you can get all three of Ghent’s towers—St. Nicholas’, the Belfry, and St. Bavo’s—in one shot.

I always take a few minutes here to enjoy the 360-degree views of the city and the river before heading to the church across the way.

....and Saint Michael’s Church. And me, of course.
 

How St. Michael’s Church tower didn’t become the tallest in the city

The plans for St. Michael’s Church were ambitious in the 11^th century—“Let’s build a super tall tower, the tallest in the city!” they said. They proceeded to draw up a 134 m (44 ft)-tall tower (compare to St. Bavo’s 89 m/290 ft). So, BIG plans, but small funds. 

After 700 years of waiting, the funds never came, and the tower was capped at just 24 m (78 ft). So, a bit of an architectural anticlimax. It makes for a good story though. 

Go inside St. Michael’s (beware it only opens at 2 pm), and you’ll be able to look at a bunch of art for free. It’s all very church-y. Compared to the other churches in this one day Ghent itinerary, it’s less grand, so I recommend spending no more than a few minutes here before moving on.

 

Stop 10: Gravensteen—Ghent’s medieval Castle of the Counts

I liked the Gravensteen Castle from the outside, but next time I’d better get a ticket in advance...
 

Visitor information

• Distance from last stop: 600 m (0.4 mi), a 10-minute walk

• Time spent here: 1.5 hours

• Price: EUR 13, buy your tickets in advance or you’ll end up not going in, like me

• Opening hours: Daily 10 am–6 pm

• Official website: Gravensteen official website

If you like history, knights, and castles—but not the Disney princess type—Gravensteen is a must for your one day Ghent itinerary. This is the only intact medieval castle in Flanders, complete with moat, ramparts, and the largest collection of torture equipment you’ve ever seen. It’s pure military might, not fairy-tale romance.

Don’t make the same mistake I did—book ahead

 

Unfortunately, I learned the hard way that you have to book tickets ahead.. Not buying a ticket in advance cost me a visit to Gravensteen, which I am upset about to this day. I was left circling the outside, taking too many photos. Don’t make my mistake—reserve in advance so you can walk through the gatehouse, keep, count’s residence, and stables.

What you can see inside Gravensteen

This isn’t a fairytale castle, instead closely reflecting the turbulent political history of Ghent. This place oozes power and military vibes, with a full defense system with 24 towers, completely stone interiors where everything is functional, and… a large torture collection. Let’s just say the counts weren’t exactly known as gentle and generous, instead laughing evils laughs while abusing their power (or so I imagine). Not only was the castle meant to protect the city, but it was also supposed to intimidate the town’s own citizens if they wanted to challenge the count’s authority. Can you imagine actually living in these times??

A view of Gravensteen from a different angle. Just from the outside. It still hurts...
 

Why the audio guide is worth it

To balance out the gruesome history, the Gravensteen audio guide is voiced by a comedian. It’s still packed with historical detail, but the humor keeps it engaging instead of grim. It’s supposed to be very entertaining, not the usual type where you’re clicking ahead to the next stop because you’ve heard enough. There is little signage inside the castle, so you really need the audio guide to fill you in.

 

 

What to expect on a Gravensteen tour:

• This isn’t a castle full of fancy rooms—most are empty aside from the exhibits.

• Be ready for stairs and uneven floors.

• There’s a one-way visitor flow, which makes navigating easier in this popular attraction.

• You can see everything in about an hour.

For a one-day Ghent itinerary, Gravensteen is one of the top things to do. I’m almost sure of it. 

 

Stop 11: Patershol—dinner, drinks, and your evening stroll after a full day in Ghent

Take a walk around Patershol for the final hours of your day in Ghent

 

Visitor information

• Distance from last stop: Right behind Gravensteen

• Time spent here: An hour or two or more if you wish

This is the final stop on my one day Ghent itinerary—and it’s the perfect way to end your day. Patershol is a historic, pedestrian-only district with narrow cobblestone streets, old brick houses, and a mix of cozy bars, cafés, and restaurants. Locals actually live here, so it feels less touristy than the Graslei area and more like you’ve stumbled into the real Ghent. 

Where to eat in Patershol

Patershol is often called “foodie heaven” because you can find everything from traditional Flemish dishes to international favorites. And hey, after all that sightseeing, you’ve earned it!

I like to wander until something pulls me in, but my favorite so far is ’t Koningshuis, which made it onto the list of my favorite restaurants in Belgium. This is a restaurant that has the words “beef” and “burgers” right in the logo, so you know it’s a meat-lovers paradise. If you’re just coming from touring Gravensteen, you’ll feel like this is exactly what you’re supposed to be eating.

Evening views and a final stroll in Ghent

After dinner, walk along the river and cross Zuivelbrug for some of the best sunset photos of the houses lining the water. 

If you want to venture out just a few steps more, you can also cross over and walk to Vrijdagmarkt—a square where there’s a market on Friday and Saturday each week, and plenty of bars where you can finish your 1-day Ghent itinerary with a Belgian beer (or two).

 

Have more time in Belgium? Continue to Bruges

Ghent is almost my favorite place in Belgium (aside from Brussels), but since you’ve seen it all in a single day, now what? My tip is Bruges. It’s another even more popularcity that deserves exactly one day of your time. It’s an easy 30-minute train trip from Ghent.

 

 

Best restaurants in Ghent 

I am always on the hunt for good food, and Ghent surprised me with its great restaurants. These are my top picks that I’ve actually eaten at and that hit sweet spot between good food, good location, and not feeling like you’ve been mugged by the bill.

• ’t Koningshuis—If you’ve just stormed Gravensteen and still feel in medieval-warrior mode, head to ’t Koningshuis. This is a beef-and-burgers paradise is set in a cozy, dark-red dining room decorated with bullheads. 

• Bridge—A stylish all-day spot right by the water that works equally well for a coffee break or a long lunch. I love it for the views as much as the food.

• De Graslei—Perfectly positioned on Ghent’s most photogenic street. The menu is Belgian with a bit of French flair and a side of people-watching.

• Manhattn’s Burgers—Sometimes you just want a big, messy burger. Think juicy patties, good fries, and casual riverside seating so you can eat while plotting your next stop. The fries are amazing!

 

The best hotels in Ghent 

Most of the accommodation in central Ghent are b&b’s and apartments. I always prefer a hotel in order to get all the amenities.  

 

The 5-star Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof

Comfy, cool and chic @ Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof

 

This cozy but fab 5-star Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof is your best bet in the city. It gets you contemporary design, high ceilings and rain showers in the rooms and apparently also very comfortable pillows. 

Besides that, the breakfast is amazing and there’s a historic courtyard garden where the onsite restaurant has a terrace. You can wind down in the spa pool or in a sauna or gym.  

Pillows is on the northern end of Old Town, not far from Michael’s Bridge.  

 

The 4-star Yalo Urban Boutique Hotel

The uber cool Yalo Urban Boutique Hotel

 

Boasting one star less than Pillows in rating but oozing so much style that you won’t even notice is the Yalo Urban Boutique Hotel, located in the southern part of Old Town, not far from St. Bavo’s Cathedral.  

Inspired by the 70s, you’ll be staying in a room where attention to design details is apparent. From the cool, white record players and funky clocks to the colorful art, you’ll have a lot to look at. Some rooms have terraces and fantastic views.  

If starting the day with a happy stomach is important to you, Yalo might be the place for you.  

 

The best time to visit Ghent 

We had mostly marvelous blue skies during our visit in April

 

The summers in Ghent are comfortable and are also the busiest. Most people visit Ghent between June and September when the temperatures hover around 20–25°C  (68–77°F). Still, you need to be ready for rain.  

Ghent’s winters are long, windy and cold. And rainy. No snow. Temperatures like to stay between 1–7°C  (34–44°F) during December through February.  

We visited Ghent in April and had marvelous weather. Of course, it was chilly at times, but it didn't stop us from having a nice time. Just pack accordingly!  

 

How to get to Ghent from Brussels and Bruges

In Belgium, train travel is king, so here’s how to get to Ghent (Gent-Sint-Pieters is the name of the train station) from Brussels and Bruges. I will mention parking options below, too, if you need to drive: 

Getting to Ghent from Brussels Airport (BRU) by train

Take the direct train from Brussels Airport-Zaventem to Gent-Sint-Pieters train station (that’s the main train station).  

• Travel time is about 1 hour
• Standard fare (2025): EUR 16.70 one way
• Trains run about every 30 minutes

 

 

Getting to Ghent from Brussels city center by train

From Bruxelles-Midi, Bruxelles-Central, or Bruxelles-Nord there are direct trains to Ghent. 

• Travel time is 36–40 minutes
• Standard fare (2025): EUR 11.30 one way
• They run several times an hour, no reservations needed

Pro tip: I’ve got a guide with money-saving train tips—including how to get discounts if you’re travelling as a pair—in my article on Day Trips from Brussels by Train.

 

Getting to Ghent from Bruges by train

There are frequent direct trains from Bruges (Brugge train station) to Ghent.

• Travel time is 22–27 minutes
• Standard fare (2025): EUR 7.50 one way
• Runs very often—you can just show up and go

 

 

Getting from Gent-Sint-Pieters station to Ghent city center

Once you arrive at Gent-Sint-Pieters:

• Tram: Lines 1, 2, or 4 take you to the historic city center in 10–15 minutes.
  Standard fare (2025): EUR 2.50 for a single ticket (valid 60 min).
• Walking: maybe 20 minutes to cover the 1.7 km (1 mile)
• Taxi: The fare will be around EUR 15–20

Where to park in Ghent

Ghent doesn’t want you and your car—it has one of the largest car-free zones in Europe, which makes spending a day in Ghent lovely as a pedestrian, but a little annoying to park. 

If you are traveling in your own car, you will need to find a place to park in Ghent, which is easier said than done and I’d avoid it unless you’re spending the night in one of the hotels with parking garages (like Yalo Urban Boutique Hotel or Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof). 

• Central garages: 15 options with 9,000 spaces. Prices average EUR 1.50–2.50/hour.

• Park & Ride (P+R): Free or cheap parking outside the center, then tram or bus in.

• Reserve ahead: Use Parclick or the Stad Gent parking site to grab a spot.

 

Getting around Ghent

• On foot: The historic center is pedestrianized, compact, and easily walkable.

• Tram/bus: You probably won’t need any transportation on my Ghent 1-day itinerary unless you have mobility issues or the train station feels too far for you. If you do, single fare (2025) is EUR 2.50; a day pass is EUR 7.50. Tickets via app, vending machines, or on board (more expensive).

• No Uber: Uber doesn’t operate in Ghent and as far as I could tell, Bolt is spotty; use local taxis if needed.

 

Ghent is easily walkable if you stay in the historic city center

 

FAQ 1: Is one day enough in Ghent?

You can see all of the highlights in a single day in Ghent. You can even see them as a Ghent day trip, but spending the night will make things less stressful. More than a day would be practical if you’re a slow traveler and like to spend hours just wandering. That’s not my style though, and I think Ghent really doesn’t need anything more than a day.

 

FAQ 2: Is Ghent a walkable city?

All the things to do in Ghent in one day are located within 1 km² (0.6 sq. mi) of the historic city center, which also happens to be fully pedestrianized. So yes, exploring Ghent on foot is easy peasy and comfortable. We walked everywhere and only took a taxi to STAM and the train station. You can also take trams if you’re up for some public transportation in a foreign country!

 

 

FAQ 3: Is Ghent better than Bruges?

I personally like Ghent more than Bruges, not necessarily because it’s more beautiful, but because it feels like a real place and not a tourist destination. Bruges is very pretty, it has the canals and perfect alleys… and hoards of tourists. Ghent has a mix of history and modernity and a nice local population, with a vibe that’s cool and youthful thanks to the city’s university.

 

 

A little bit about Ghent’s history

Ghent’s history dates back to the Middle Ages, when it emerged as a major trade and textile hub in Europe. It was once the capital of Flanders, a region that now spans parts of Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. During the medieval period, Ghent was one of the largest and wealthiest cities in northern Europe. Its strategic location at the confluence of the Rivers Scheldt and Lys made it an economic powerhouse.

 

Don’t forget to grab a bite to eat–no matter what you choose, Belgium won’t let you down

 

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