How to Spend a Day in Ghent

Looking to spend a day in Ghent? How about brunch, a walking tour, lunch, a castle visit, and a boat trip?

How is it possible to spend just a day in Ghent when it needs a week to do it justice? Especially when it’s one of the most beautiful and interesting cities in Belgium. But let’s give it a shot with this itinerary for a full day in Ghent. I’ve also prepared some suggestions for where to stay in Ghent, as well as a recommendation for a great 5-day cycling tour starting in Ghent and ending in Bruges! And you can always start with my Learning Hub Module: What Makes Ghent Worth Visiting.

Three top hotels in Ghent

1898 The Post | Yalo Urban Boutique Hotel | Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel

Arrive by train

Yes, leave your car keys at home and let the train take the strain. OK, if you have young children it makes sense to take the car (if you have one) and drive into one of the many car parks in the city – although be careful because it’s a low emission zone. But if you are travelling by yourself or as a couple, why not take the train? Gent St. Pieters’ railway station is within easy reach of anywhere on the Belgian rail network, as well as from Brussels airport.

Hop on the tram

Just before you arrive at Gent-Sint-Pieters’ railway station, send a text message with the two letters ‘DL’ in it to 4884. You’ll immediately get a return text from the De Lijn bus company. This is your ticket for the next hour. Upon leaving the station, directly opposite are various tram stops. You need to catch either the no. 1 or no. 3 tram. They run about every ten minutes. If you get stuck, ask someone who looks like they use trams every day. Ghent people (Gentenaars) are very friendly! Once you’re on the right tram, enjoy the sights and get off at Gravensteen. How do you know you’re there? Just look out for Gravensteen: the Castle of the Counts. I don’t think you’ll miss it:

Head to the tourist office

If you didn’t check the tourist info office at the railway station, you could head towards the tourist information office (Sint-Veerleplein 5). It’s very close to the Gravensteen tram stop. It’s the building in the far corner of this square when you get off the tram:

The building is the Oude Vismijn, which now is an event centre as well as the tourist office, but in its heyday was a thriving (and the oldest) fish, meat and vegetable market in the city center of Ghent:

It dates back to 1689. Check out its beautiful gateway, with King Neptune and his golden trident. Below him are representations of the two rivers upon which Ghent was founded: Mr Scheldt and Mrs Leie.

At the tourist office I asked for, and received, a folder called “Ghent City Walk”. I also got a free city map, a magazine called “Ghent, Tips from Locals”, and a nice pocket-sized city guide. I asked for the city walk because I always think this is a great way to discover a city. A city walk gives you a clear goal, so you’re not left wondering “now where shall I go now?” It ensures you see all the top sights. And it will help you realize what you want to see in more detail in the afternoon, or the next time you visit Ghent. You can download it here if you don’t want the paper version.

Stop off at Julie’s House

As I’ve said, there is a lot to see in Ghent. But there’s always another day to see anything you’ve missed! So slow down, take it easy; there’s no rush. You have all your information about Ghent; so before you set off, why don’t you familiarize yourself with it first? And of course you need to make sure you have sufficient energy for your city walk. So …

Leave the tourist office, and to the right of the castle is a small street called Kraanlei. At no. 13 is Julie’s House, where you can get an excellent cup of coffee, and something tasty from a huge range of cinnamon rolls, scones, pancakes, muffins, cupcakes …

Start exploring Ghent!

The city walk is excellent for a day in Ghent. It takes you to 24 sights. You can go at your own pace and take the whole day on the walk, stopping off at the major sights and spending time looking around them in more detail. Or you can use it as an overview, and bookmark those sights that you want to return to in the afternoon. Here are some of the highlights of my day in Ghent.

St. Michael’s Bridge

One of the most picturesque spots in Ghent, St. Michael’s Bridge offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the city’s famous “Three Towers” – St. Nicholas’s Church, the Belfry, and St. Bavo’s Cathedral. The bridge itself is an architectural gem, ideal for photographs, romantic strolls, and admiring Ghent’s illuminated skyline at night.

St. Michael’s Church

This stunning late-Gothic church is dedicated to the Archangel Michael and is known for its impressive architecture and remarkable artworks. Inside, visitors can admire paintings by renowned Flemish masters, including a famous work by Anthony van Dyck. The church’s tranquil atmosphere makes it a great place for reflection.

St Nicholas’s Church

One of Ghent’s oldest landmarks, this magnificent 13th-century church is an outstanding example of Scheldt Gothic architecture. Its towering blue-gray stone structure and grand organ create a dramatic interior. Located at the heart of the city, it offers a striking contrast between medieval history and modern life.

The Belfry

A UNESCO World Heritage site, the 91-meter-high Belfry of Ghent symbolizes the city’s independence and strength. Visitors can climb to the top for sweeping views of the city while discovering the legendary dragon weathervane and the story of Ghent’s famous carillon bells.

St. Bavo’s Cathedral

Home to the world-famous “Adoration of the Mystic Lamb” by the Van Eyck brothers, St. Bavo’s Cathedral is a masterpiece of religious art and Gothic architecture. The cathedral also houses an impressive Baroque high altar, crypts, and stained-glass windows that narrate Ghent’s spiritual history.

City Pavilion

Not everything in Ghent is centuries old. The City Pavilion was built in 2012. This striking modern architectural landmark contrasts sharply with Ghent’s medieval skyline. Made of glass and wood, the City Pavilion serves as a public gathering space for concerts, markets, and events. Its innovative design showcases Ghent’s blend of historic preservation and contemporary creativity.

I spent all morning on the walk. I had arrived in Ghent pretty early (9 a.m.), and by the time I’d been to the tourist office and Julie’s it was 10 a.m. I then spent three hours getting up to no. 21 on the city walk, and then it was time for lunch.

A recommendation for lunch

It’s time for another snack isn’t it! Just after sight no. 21 — Mad Meg, the cannon — the leaflet invites you to cross the bridge over the Leie and turn left into Kraanlei. I would suggest that you don’t turn left but turn right into Oudburg and walk up to the next square which is called Sluizeken. Here you will find Simon Says, which describes itself as a coffee bar offering a “small yet refined menu that reflects our commitment to locally sourced quality products. We are low on food miles and high on taste.” I like the sound of that, and indeed my light lunch of a club sandwich and carrot cake was very tasty. The ambience was relaxed, and the service friendly.

Castle of the Counts

After lunch I completed the city tour. I was then faced with the question of what to do next, considering that there were so many places I could revisit in more detail. The plan I decided on was to visit the Castle of the Counts. A rare example of a well-preserved medieval fortress in Flanders, the Castle of the Counts (Gravensteen) gives you a journey back to the Middle Ages. Inside, you can explore its dungeons, climb the battlements for a panoramic city view, and see a fascinating collection of medieval weapons and armor. This is worth a separate blog post, but here are some appetizers.

Take a boat trip

By this time my legs were feeling a bit tired and I was in need of a sit down, but I was still enthused to see more of Ghent. I spied a sign that would meet both needs:

The next 40 minutes were most enjoyable. Sitting in the sunshine watching the beautiful buildings sail on by. This is worth a separate blog post too, but again, here are some appetizers:

You can catch the tram back to the station (e.g. no 1, heading for Ghent St. Pieter’s). But you might also like to walk back to the station along the river, which is what I did. The route passes by another highlight of Ghent that looks fascinating: STAM, the Ghent City Museum. But that will have to wait for another visit.

A highly enjoyable day in Ghent!

So those are my suggestions for how to spend a day in Ghent. It was a fascinating day, and I will definitely be returning another time as there is so much that I haven’t seen yet, and it’s just such a pleasant city to walk around.

This is clearly just a taster to all that you can see during a day in Ghent. And if you’re wondering what to do on your next free day, how about checking out my post How to Spend a Day in Bruges?

Get your tickets here!

I am an affiliate partner with Tiqets. This is a ticketing platform that offers advantages such as:

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Tiqets offers a range of great tickets for a day in Ghent such as:

• Guided Boat Tour through Historical Ghent
• Museum of Fine Arts Ghent: Entry Ticket + Audio Guide
• Ghent: Self-Guided Exploration Game
• Ghent: City Tour and Beer Tasting + Canal Cruise
• Guided Day Trip from Brussels

Using the links above is the easiest way to reserve things to do in Ghent!

Where to stay in Ghent

Ghent is overwhelmed with outstanding accommodation, but I can recommend these:

• B&B Koeketiene offers spectacular decor with friendly hosts, close to the railway station.
• Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof Ghent – I was put up here for a business meeting, and didn’t want to leave!
• B&B Petit Prince – for the same meeting, a colleague stayed here overnight and gave it a 10/10 review.
• Comic Art Hotel offers something different, and right on the canal side for a great view.
• B&B Kwaadham 52 – Music Hotel Ghent: if you’re a music lover, check out this place above a piano shop with a small concert hall!

Of course, Ghent offers so many more opportunities. Use the link in the button below to explore more possibilities for accommodation in Ghent:

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Denzil Walton

I created Discovering Belgium in 2011 to share the country’s hidden stories, fascinating places, and remarkable people. Through articles, photography, and audio walks, I share discoveries that reveal Belgium beyond the obvious. Hope you enjoy this site.