Best things to do in Ghent
A vital, vibrant metropolis whose booming restaurant and bar scene wends its way across a charming cityscape comprising a network of narrow canals overseen by handsome classical mansions and antique red-brick houses.
Viewpoints and panoramas
Belfort: The Belfort’s belfry is equipped with a glass-sided lift that climbs up to the roof, where excellent views over the city centre await.
Het Gravensteen: Walk along most of the castle’s encircling wall, from where there are pleasing views over the city centre.
The best districts
Groentenmarkt: The jumble of old buildings at the Vegetable Market makes for one of the city’s more diverting squares; the west side is flanked by a long line of stone gables, which were once the retaining walls of the Groot Vleeshuis (Great Butchers’ Hall).
Graslei: The Graslei is characterised by a row of splendid guildhouses, each gable decorated with an appropriate sign or symbol.
Museums
SMAK – Museum of Contemporary Art: One of Belgium’s most adventurous contemporary art galleries is primarily devoted to temporary displays of international standing; these are supplemented by a regularly rotated selection of sculptures, paintings and installations.
STAM – Ghent City Museum: Located in a former abbey, STAM is a new museum that explores the city’s history through paintings and a battery of original artefacts.
Huis van Alijn Museum: Wonderful folklore museum occupying a series of pretty little almshouses set around a central courtyard.
Parks and gardens
Citadel Park: A large chunk of greenery, Citadelpark takes its name from the fortress that stood here until the 1870s when the land was cleared and prettified with the addition of grottoes and ponds, statues and fountains, a waterfall and a bandstand.
Historical monuments
Hôtel d’Hane-Steenhuyse: Notable as the place where King Louis XVIII took refuge after Napoleon landed in France following his escape from Elba. It has survived in excellent condition, and the interior is similarly grand.
Het Gravensteen: The cold, forbidding walls and unyielding turrets of Gravensteen Castle were first raised in 1180 as much to intimidate the town’s unruly citizens as to protect them.
St-Baafskathedraal: Saint Bavo’s Cathedral is not only a stunning Gothic edifice but is also home to the famous Adoration of the Mystic Lamb winged altarpiece by the Van Eyck brothers, one of the most astonishing paintings in the medieval world.
Day trips in the area
Bruges: Explore the maze of cobbled streets, see fabulous Flemish artworks in the Groeninge Museum and St Janshospitaal, visit the begijnhof and take a boat trip on the canals.
Brussels: The Belgian capital is less than an hour away, offering world-class museums, the Grand Place and the Atomium, making it an easy day trip from Ghent.
Antwerp: Make the short trip northeast to Belgium’s second-largest city for superb nightlife, cutting-edge fashion and all things related to the painter Rubens.
Ypres: This handsome town in West Flanders is home to the In Flanders Fields Museum, an excellent introduction to World War I, and is also the site of the Menin Gate, a moving memorial to the thousands of British and Imperial soldiers.
Activities for families in Ghent
Ghent has plenty of activities for families, making it a great choice for a city break that everyone can enjoy.
Ride the coastal tram: Make the short trip to Ostend and ride the fast and fun Kusttram which travels the length of the Belgian coast from Knokke-Heist train station in the east to De Panne train station in the west.
Canal trips: Ghent is famed for its canals, and a guided canal tour is a terrific way for the family to experience the city from a different perspective; boat trips explore the city’s inner waterways, departing from the Korenlei quay.
Free things to do in Ghent
For travellers on a budget, Ghent offers a range of free activities that will give you a nice flavour of the city’s culture and history.
Free events: Ghent has a packed events calendar, with free festivals, concerts and outdoor film screenings throughout the year. The long-standing Ghent Festival in July is one of Europe’s largest cultural festivals, with a good number of free performances and activities.
Free museums: Many of Ghent’s museums, including the Design Museum and the STAM, offer free entry on the first Thursday of the month. This is a great opportunity to experience Ghent’s first-rate art and design scene without spending a penny.
Nature and outdoor activities in Ghent
The city and its environs offer an enjoyable mix of scenic walking trails, waterways and green spaces to explore, with more challenging activities just a little further afield.
Cycling trails: Ghent is a bike-friendly city, with paths winding through both the city and surrounding countryside; one of the most scenic routes is along the River Leie.
Walking: The Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen Nature Reserve is a short distance from Ghent and offers a bucolic landscape of wetlands and meadows; wooden boardwalks and hides also allow twitchers scope to seek out some of the region’s best birdlife.
Kayaking and paddleboarding: Ghent’s lakes and canals provide a unique way to explore the city by water. Dobber operates automated rental stations where you can book and pay for your activity and time slot by simply scanning the QR code with your smartphone.