Discover Ghent’s Medieval Heritage and Modern City Life

Ghent, Belgium, is a vibrant city where medieval history meets modern life. Known for its stunning architecture, like the iconic Gravensteen Castle and St. Bavo's Cathedral, Ghent offers a rich cultural experience. The city is filled with picturesque canals, lively squares, and bustling markets, making it perfect for exploring on foot or by bike. With its blend of historical charm and contemporary energy, Ghent is a must-visit destination in Belgium.

Current Weather

39.04 °F - Clear Min/Max: 36.9 °F / 39.92 °FFeels: 33.49 °F Humidity: 82%5 Day Forecast

Trips

Hotels

Activities

Transfers

Description

Vibrant Ghent is well worth a weekend trip. It’s ideal for a last-minute city trip as well. Quirky Ghent offers a fascinating cultural cocktail brimming with trendy, modern urban life. Ghent is a city where people enjoy life: a chilled-out place where anything goes and a city that feels human. Its friendly, welcoming people love the good life. Don’t miss the chance to admire the world-famous masterpiece—the Mystic Lamb by the Van Eyck brothers—during your weekend trip.

Useful information

Population:

265,086 (2022)

Currency:

Euro, €1 = 100 Cents

Emergency Info:

112 is the general number used in all countries of the European Union to contact the emergency services: police, fire brigade or medical assistance. The number operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

112
Ambulance/Fire Department/Police

+32 9 266 61 11
General telephone number Ghent Police

+32 2 475 44 99
Child Focus Belgium

+32 70 245 245
Poison Control Centre Belgium

+32 78 15 10 20
Drug hotline Belgium

+32 800 99 533
LGTBQ hotline Belgium

Opening Hours:

See & Do

Arts Centre Vooruit

This bustling art centre is housed in an impressive 100-year-old monument and offers a variety of cultural events. The focus is on concerts and parties. The spacious Art Deco café and the modern patio... Read More

Boat trips in Ghent

Stretch your sea legs: the view of Ghent from the water is absolutely charming. Take a boat ride during your city break or weekend trip. There are various boat tours organised on the rivers and canals... Read More

Citadelpark

The Citadelpark is a park in Ghent on the brow of a hill between the rivers Scheldt and Lys. This city park was created in 1875 on the place where the Dutch citadel of Ghent formerly stood, built betw... Read More

City pavilion

The multifunctional and open city pavilion is an architectural masterpiece designed by the architects Robbrecht & Daem / Marie-José Van Hee. The roof structure and the use of glass, wood and concrete ... Read More

Flea market at Bij Sint-Jacobs

A ten-day party around ten centuries of history A square steeped in folklore. Whether you visit during the Ghent Festivities in the summer or come to the weekly flea market, there is always something ... Read More

Flower market Kouter

A Sunday morning on the Kouter means a pleasant stroll around the flower market, stopping now and then for a klapke: a glass of white wine with an oyster. Bask in the elegance of life in Ghent. And wh... Read More

Gentbrugse Meersen

Gentbrugse Meersen is a park and nature reserve that is still being created. You can come here for sports, play, gardening and picnics. Take a walk in the woods and discover stretches of open water po... Read More

Ghent Belfry, world heritage

Look up at the magical city skyline for a moment during your weekend trip in Ghent: you can’t miss it. The Belfry is the middle tower in the famous row of three, between St Bavo’s Cathedral and St Nic... Read More

Festivals

Copacobana Festival

Every year the Sint-Baafskouterpark hosts the Copacobana Festival, a free festival at the park for all ages. Come and enjoy music, theatre and dance workshops and much, much more.

Film Fest Gent

The Film Fest Gent has become a not-to-be-missed event on the Flemish and international cultural scene. It owes its success to events that keep making their return: dozens of quality films, major film... Read More

Gent Jazz Festival

Every year in July jazz enthusiasts can have a great time during the Gent Jazz Festival. Renowned artists from Belgium and abroad make up the programme. Head to Restaurant Lof to enjoy lunch concerts.

Ghent Festival of Flanders

Ghent Festival of Flanders is an international music festival where diversity, creativity and top quality are essential. Discover classical and world music in a surprising artistic way, at different e... Read More

Jazz in the Park

Jazz in the Park (Jazz in ’t Park) presents Belgian contemporary jazz to a large audience by organising free concerts. Discover established names and local talent, bringing light-digestible jazz as we... Read More

The Ghent Festivities

A sparkling cultural popular festival with numerous performances of various national and international artists: a unique event in Europe, thanks to the varied and free offer of (music) performances, (... Read More

The Light Festival

Every three years, Ghent is set ablaze with lights during the free Ghent Light Festival. This festival lights up the city with works by international light artists. The city’s nights will become the b... Read More

The six-days bicycle race

Every year in November, the very best track racing cyclists compete for the victory in the legendary ‘Kuipke’ cycling stadium. Every day you can watch the race for points, the team race, the eliminati... Read More

Coffee & breakfast

Alice

At lunch restaurant Alice, named after the owner’s deceased mother, chef Frederic Stas brings Alice’s authentic recipes to life. Meanwhile, David Sobrie, the grandson of the famous former patisserie c... Read More

Barista

The name “Barista” or coffee sommelier says it all. This is the place to be if you want to enjoy a good coffee. At Barista coffee is the main attraction but the pastries and bread are also delicious. ... Read More

Belle Histoire

Belle Histoire, in the heart of Ghent, is more than just a coffee shop. You can have breakfast there in the morning, and for lunch you can choose from salads, rolls, toasted sandwiches, soup and quich... Read More

Clouds in my coffee

The ideal place for a relaxed breakfast in a colourful neighbourhood. Go for one of the delicious breakfast menus or just pick whatever takes your fancy. Hot coffee ready for you all day. Children are... Read More

Julie's House

Luscious ladies who serve delicious breakfast, traditional cakes and colourful cupcakes with a dash of old-fashioned conviviality.

Labath

Coffee bar Labath is located near the Sint-Lucas art college and a few steps from Saint Michael’s Bridge. This corner bar with gigantic windows has a big-city feel. Head over there to read the paper, ... Read More

Le Pain Perdu

Fancy a drink, a tasty breakfast or a hearty lunch? Then Pain Perdu, with its great atmosphere, is an absolute must! It’s the place to be for the best and biggest sandwiches. The large, covered garden... Read More

Madam Bakster

Madam Bakster is the place to be if you like tasty, but healthy food. All cakes and desserts are made using only natural ingredients, such as nuts, oats and dates, without refined sugar or animal prod... Read More

Bars & Nightlife

‘t Dreupelkot

Small brown jenever cafe chez Pol, located in one of the nicest spots in Ghent. In this little pub you can choose from more than 200 kinds of Belgian jenevers, more known in Ghent as ‘dreupels’.

Afsnis

Cozy cafe where you can enjoy a chat. The place to be for beer lovers and a legendary spot in Ghent.

Bar Jan Cremer

This coffee bar and hotspot with a wood interior and a sunny terrace – just a stone’s throw from Overpoort – serves bagels and gestreken mastellen (‘ironed buns’) with coffee or a cool pint. A go-to s... Read More

Café de Zoo

Cocktail bar — lounge cafe linked to restaurant “De Acht Zaligheden”.

Café Den Turk

The oldest café in Ghent with a beautiful brown interior and some of that typical Ghent arrogance, known for pouring the best draught beers in Ghent. Whiskies, cognacs and sandwiches ‘mee uufflakke’. ... Read More

Charlatan

Popular nightlife and music café, the epicentre of the Ghent nightlife scene. The place to dance the night away during the weekend; free performances on Thursdays and Sundays; open till the wee hours;... Read More

De Geus van Gent

Beautiful cafe at the “Geuzenhuis” with a lounge area and a peculiar rounded ceiling where you can enjoy a chat; meeting place for liberal people (whether they share the same views or not) with a wate... Read More

Dulle Griet

“Brown cafe” in an old, beautiful medieval interior decorated with cartwheels. This cafe offers the largest beer selection in Ghent: more than 500 local and international beers. Exchange your shoe for... Read More

Dining

A Food Affair

It is all about wok in this world cuisine restaurant and healthy light dishes with refreshing taste combinations.

Aba-jour

Art Deco brasserie with a view of the Leie, specialised in regional Ghent produce and beer gastronomy.

Allegro Moderato

Traditional French restaurant in an 18th century listed building filled with splendour of days gone by: impressive chandeliers, baroque fireplaces and decorative frescos, and still it will feel like h... Read More

Amadeus

Restaurant serving a liberal supply of spareribs. The Vichy-style table-cloths and nostalgic knick-knacks are reminiscent of the twenties and thirties. Be careful not to overdo, because it is ‘all you... Read More

Ankara

Typical Turkish restaurant with Turkish specialities (think Turkish pizza, stews and mezze) at reasonable prices. The interior is basic, with a noisy cosiness and there is quite a terrace.

Balls & Glory

Wim Ballieu’s meatball concept is a big success: meatballs with fillings served with mash or a salad. Try them at the lunch restaurant in Sint-Jacobsnieuwstraat. The open-plan kitchen allows you to se... Read More

Borluut

Restaurant at Korenmarkt in the heart of Ghent, housed in a 12th-century town house. The building is only a few years older than the Castle of the Counts.

Café Theatre

This is the place to be for a delicious overture or a tasty encore! And the interior of Café Théâtre deserves a round of applause as well. Come here at any time of the day: for a delightful breakfast ... Read More

Shopping

Tourist Information

Public Transport

Ghent’s public transport is well organised, with a wide network of trams and buses. The buses and trams in Ghent will take you to where you want to go from early in the morning until late in the eveni... Read More

Climate

Belgium has a temperate maritime climate, with unpredictable, volatile weather. Ghent is not far from the North Sea and has a temperate rainy climate. You can never be certain it will remain dry, but ... Read More

Electricity

220 V

Emergency numbers

Plane

Choosing to fly in for your city trip? Ghent does not have an airport of its own but is easy to reach from the two main airports in Belgium: Brussels Airport and Brussels South Charleroi Airport.

Telephone

Country Code: 32 Area Code: 9

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to visit Ghent?

The best time to visit Ghent is during the spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October) when the weather is mild and the city hosts various festivals. These seasons offer pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds compared to the summer months.

How many days should I spend in Ghent?

A stay of 2 to 3 days in Ghent is ideal to explore its historic sites, enjoy its vibrant cultural scene, and take a leisurely stroll along its picturesque canals. This duration allows you to visit major attractions like Gravensteen Castle, St. Bavo's Cathedral, and the Museum of Fine Arts.

What are the must-see attractions in Ghent?

Ghent boasts several must-see attractions, including the medieval Gravensteen Castle, St. Bavo's Cathedral with the famous 'Adoration of the Mystic Lamb' altarpiece, and the historic Graslei and Korenlei streets along the river. Don't miss the vibrant Patershol district for its charming streets and local eateries.

What is the best way to get around Ghent?

Ghent is a compact city best explored on foot or by bicycle, thanks to its extensive network of bike lanes. The city also has an efficient public transportation system, including trams and buses, which are convenient for reaching areas beyond the city center.

Are there any local dishes I should try while in Ghent?

While in Ghent, try local specialties such as 'waterzooi,' a creamy stew made with fish or chicken, and 'stoverij,' a rich beef stew cooked with Belgian beer. Don't miss trying 'cuberdons,' a traditional cone-shaped candy, and sampling some of the city's craft beers.

What cultural events or festivals should I experience in Ghent?

Ghent hosts several vibrant festivals throughout the year. The Gentse Feesten, held in July, is a ten-day celebration featuring music, theater, and street performances. The Ghent Light Festival, occurring every three years, transforms the city into a luminous art installation with stunning light displays.

Is Ghent a good base for day trips?

Yes, Ghent is an excellent base for day trips to nearby cities like Bruges, Antwerp, and Brussels, all accessible by train within an hour. You can also explore the scenic countryside of East Flanders, including the picturesque town of Dendermonde and the cycling routes along the Scheldt River.

Let’s plan your next vacation

Let us take care of all the details to create the perfect trip for you. With our expertise and personalized service, we will ensure that every moment of your trip is special and unforgettable. Get ready to embark on a dream adventure!