Ghent

Travel Guide
Belfry of Ghent featuring modern architecture, night scenes and a city
Stroll through the charming streets, parks and museums of this Flemish city, famous for its preserved medieval center.

Explore Ghent’s fascinating blend of modern and historic architecture, including many churches, monuments and museums preserved from the Middle Ages. The quaint Flemish city is also known for its picturesque riverside paths along the River Leie and the River Scheldt.

Locate the Belfry of Ghent, a medieval tower that stands nearly 300 feet (90 metres) tall. Learn about the history of the site, which has been used over the years as a watchtower, political meeting point and religious structure.

Take a scenic stroll along meandering paths in the gardens of the Citadelpark. Informative plaques scattered around the park describe the many types of trees and plants. See the music kiosk and admire the statues. Explore the nearby Museum of Fine Arts and the Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art (S.M.A.K.).

Learn about the city’s history and its migration at the STAM Ghent City Museum. It is spread across several buildings, including a 14th-century abbey. Study one of the earliest aerial photos of the city’s landscape.

The Ghent Town Hall is the city’s political hub. Its intriguing architecture varies across the structure. Appreciate the gothic design of the building’s façade and the Renaissance style on the other side. Tour the elegant interior.

See Gravensteen, a medieval castle dating back to 1180. Discover its former uses as a prison and a courthouse. Climb to the top of the castle and admire the view of the surrounding moat.

Visit St. Bavo’s Cathedral in Ghent’s historic centre. It dates back to the 10th century is known for being the home of the famous Ghent Altarpiece, or The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, by Hubert and Jan van Eyck.

From St. Bavo’s it’s just a 5-minute walk towards the River Leie to St. Nicholas’ Church, a 13th-century religious landmark of Scheldt Gothic style. 

Summers in this part of Belgium are warm and winters are mild. Enjoy the weather as you discover Ghent’s many charming historical gems and picturesque parks and gardens. In July, the city attracts around 2 million travellers to its Ghent Festival, which lasts for 10 days.

Where to stay in Ghent

Ghent Town Hall featuring street scenes, a sunset and an administrative building

Ghent City Centre

4.5/5(70 area reviews)

Historical sites, cafes and museums are some highlights of Ghent City Centre. Make a stop by Masons' Guild Hall or Belfry of Ghent while you're exploring.

Ghent City Centre
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Kunstenkwartier

5/5(2 area reviews)

Kunstenkwartier is noteworthy for its bars, and you can make a stop at top attractions like St. Peter's Square and Vooruit Arts Centre.

Kunstenkwartier
Citadel Park featuring a waterfall, a lake or waterhole and a park

Stationsbuurt Noord

4.5/5(16 area reviews)

Unique features of Stationsbuurt Noord include the historical sites and restaurants. Make a stop by Citadel Park or Museum of Fine Arts while you're exploring the area.

Stationsbuurt Noord
Gravensteen featuring street scenes, heritage architecture and a river or creek

Patershol

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

Patershol is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Gravensteen Castle and Old Fish Market.

Patershol
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Heilig Kerst

4/5(1 area review)

Travellers like the theatres in Heilig Kerst, and World of Kina: The Garden is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Heilig Kerst
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Moscou

Moscou might not have many top sights, but Ghelamco Arena and Museum of Fine Arts are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Moscou
B&B HOTEL Gent Centrum
B&B HOTEL Gent Centrum
2.5 out of 5
Voldersstraat 17, Ghent
The price is S$156 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
S$156
per night
2 Apr - 3 Apr
Stay at this hotel in Ghent. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (356 reviews)
"Everything is wonderful except the room walls are thin - noise from next door could be loud. Other than that, this no frills hotel have everything. If you are an early riser, then have breakfast option here, because cafes do not open until 9 am at earliest in town."

Reviewed on 24 Mar,2024

B&B HOTEL Gent Centrum
Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof Ghent
Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof Ghent
4.5 out of 5
Hoogstraat 36, Ghent
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is S$234 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
S$234
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Ghent. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (726 reviews)
"LOF restaurant excellent. Staff very helpful"

Reviewed on 22 Mar,2024

Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof Ghent
Van der Valk Hotel Gent
Van der Valk Hotel Gent
4.5 out of 5
Akkerhage 10, Ghent
The price is S$167 per night from 28 Apr to 29 Apr
S$167
per night
28 Apr - 29 Apr
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Ghent. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (240 reviews)
Very nice but about 5 miles out of the center of G
"Very comfortable stay"

Reviewed on 10 Mar,2024

Van der Valk Hotel Gent
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Adagio Access Gent Centrum Dampoort
Adagio Access Gent Centrum Dampoort
3 out of 5
29 KOOPVAARDIJLAAN, Ghent
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Ghent. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Intercultural Centre - de Centrale and St. Bavo's ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (39 reviews)
"Booked thru Expedia for a family room with three beds. When I arrived, they told me I have two rooms with two double beds only. That was not what I reserved, because my teenagers cannot share a bed. They told me the transaction did not go through the first time, so they made it a two rooms to upgrade ..."

Reviewed on 6 Jan,2024

Adagio Access Gent Centrum Dampoort
Getaway Studios Gent
Getaway Studios Gent
3 out of 5
2 Seminariestraat, Ghent
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Ghent. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and a garden. Popular attractions Beukenhof and Castle of Gerald the Devil are ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (299 reviews)
"Good location, clean, front desk help very basic, not too friendly to be honest."

Reviewed on 27 Mar,2024

Getaway Studios Gent
Edville Studio
Edville Studio
3 out of 5
Ter Platen, 60, Ghent
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Ghent. Enjoy free WiFi, premium bedding, and a bathtub or shower. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular ...
7.4/10 Good! (57 reviews)
"I really enjoyed my stay in Edville. The place is fantastic and very interesting. Close to the centre."

Reviewed on 17 Mar,2024

Edville Studio
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Ghent

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
61
" "5 - Excellent 66.30434782608695%
4 - Good
27
" "4 - Good 29.347826086956523%
3 - Okay
3
" "3 - Okay 3.260869565217391%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 1.0869565217391304%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
15 Feb 2020

Nice and beautiful city

5/5 - Excellent

LB
3 Feb 2020

The Museum of Fine Arts (Van Eyck exhitibion on until end of April 2020) and Design museum are both excellent.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
4 Jan 2020

Friendly traditional coty

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
17 Dec 2019

An amazing city with stunning architecture and history to enjoy. Lovely streets and stunning parks such as the Citadel park

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
7 Dec 2019

Lovely old town with plenty to see and do. Did not feel crowded or overly commercial.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
3 Dec 2019

Beautiful city, lots of nice bars, cafes and friendly people