How to Spend 1 Perfect Day in Ghent

Getting there

Ghent (Gent) is easy to get to via train from Brussels, Brugge, or Antwerp for 15-30 euro depending on where you start from. I bought my train ticket at the Brussels Midi station and saved 10 euro – originally I was going to buy it online (I buy all nearly all my train tickets using the Omio website) but for whatever reason I just didn’t and low and behold they were 10 euro less at the station. I’m not sure this is always the case but it might be worth it to just wait to buy your tickets on the day of. I’ll try this on future trips and report back.

The trains between Brussels and Ghent are scheduled every 20 minutes. (And the trains from Brugge or Antwerp to Ghent are every 20 or 30 minutes.) Just head to the train station, buy your tickets, and hop on the first train available to Ghent.

I listed The Hits below and what I think is the best (and most efficient) route through the city as well as recommended bars, restaurants, and other tips. But really, the truth is that you could walk around Ghent with absolutely no itinerary and you’d probably see the mass majority of what the town has to offer – so don’t stress about following the map or making sure you hit every landmark. And if you do find yourself stressin’ just stop, head to the nearest pub, order a trappist beer, and enjoy the view. 😉

The Itinerary

Citedel Park

Once you deboard in Ghent you’re going to walk to the old city of Ghent, the place where most tourist attractions are located. It’s is small enough to be explored on foot and the walk there from the train station is only about 15 minutes – but even the walk there will be pretty because instead of taking the most direct route you’re going to walk through Citadelpark instead. The park is next to one of the many museums in Ghent and you can tell immediately.

St. Michael’s Bridge

From the park, you’ll head up the east side of the main canal through the city to the best vantage point in Ghent for breathtaking views: St. Michael’s Bridge. From the bridge, you’ll be able to see the trio of medieval towers: St. Nicholas’ Church, the Ghent Belfry, and St. Bavo’s Cathedral.

Graslei and Korelnei

On either side of St. Michael’s bridge are two pedestrian streets and it’s worth walking them both. Take the time to sit along the canal and watch the swans sun and swim. There are plenty of cafes so grab a coffee or a snack.

Gravensteen Castle

Gravensteen Castle or the “Castle of Counts” was a symbol of the Count’s wealth and power. It was used by as a courthouse and a prison in the medieval centuries. It was abandoned in the 14th century. It is the only remaining castle with a moat and entire defense system and although I didn’t do it, I recommend a full castle tour with an audio guide. I originally thought I wouldn’t have the time but you do and the castle is worth it – it really is incredibly cool.

Ghent Belfry Tower

It’s costs money to climb the Belfry tower but once you get up there the views are so worth it and you get to walk completely around the top of the tower meaning you’ll see a 360 degree view of the city. I usually recommend skipping viewpoints because I think they’re kind of boring but I did enjoy this one. Plus, the stairs on the tower are fun to experience (you take the elevator up to the top but you’ll take the stairs down – they aren’t nearly wide enough to accommodate two lanes of people-traffic).

What to Skip

This is of course just personal preference and if you want to go to or do these things be my guest! BUT, if you’re overwhelmed by everything you feel like you need to do, here’s some suggestions of what may not be worth it.

Grafitti Street

This was cool but personally I didn’t think it was anything particularly cool to see – but I’ve seen many a graffiti wall so maybe I’m just jaded and cynical. If you happen to pass by it or if the route you go uses the street then that’s nice but if you miss it, don’t stress.

Canal Boat Tour

I don’t think a boat tour is a waste but Idothink it’s not an absolute must – simply because it’s so easy to walk the entirety of Ghent old town in the span of a couple hours. I recommend saving the money you’d spend on a boat tour for another trappist beer or a bike rental.

Manhattn’s Burgers

I have to be honest – I didn’t try one of these burgers so I can’t speak to how good or not good they are BUT I did think halfway through my day in Ghent that I was glad I didn’t have a burger for lunch. You’ll spend the majority of your day walking around so I appreciated stopping for snacks and getting a meal at La Botaniste, a vegan restaurant in the middle of the city.