If you haven’t heard of Ghent, or put it on your must do/see map, list or in your phone then this guide will tell you ALL the reasons why it should be on the list as a place to visit. The one thing I was most shocked by was just how easily accessible Ghent is in regards to Brussels, Antwerp, Charleroi and Bruges all practically an hour or so by train, making two cities in a day possible too. Be sure to checkout The Train Line for tickets, information and routes to explore.
The city during the middle ages was one of the richest and most powerful cities in Europe, once considered as the second largest city north of the Alps, after Paris which is quite a statement in itself. The rich and elegant past can be seen as you take your time exploring the city, full wall to wall of imposing structures, grand churches and cathedrals and houses of rich traders, the whole of the city really breathes in the atmosphere of a once thriving late medieval city state.
I’ll be honest; you NEED at least two days, if not three to really experience this city in full and without just rushing from place to place and not being able to enjoy an authentic trip. Luckily there is a money saving hack with VisitGent and their CityCard Ghent, which can offer you 48hr/72hr all in experience saving you time and saving you plenty of money when considering what they offer with the card.
The card itself can be obtained at a number of places including hotels in the city centre, the tourist centre/information right next to the famous Gravensteen Castle or at the public transport shops called De Lijn. We did a rough calculation to all the attractions you can see and do, including all public transport and worked out by buying this card you’d save over €70 Euros a person, and the card is recognised everywhere in the city, you would be a little silly not to go for this option especially if you are wanting to just visit 4+ places and get around the city.
Even with 4 attractions/museums you’ve made your money back on the card (this is just a suggestion and a way to help you save money when travelling so you can spend the money you saved on a well-earned Belgian beer and some Frites), But, it is something that will make your weekend away or your trip away that little bit more stress free.
So let’s get down to what we think you should consider visiting when you come here…
1 . St Michaels Bridge
The iconic and more than likely most Instagram-able spot in Ghent, St. Michaels Bridge is truly an awe inspiring viewpoint, you’re surrounded by gorgeous architecture as well as watching the boats swim up and down the iconic River Leie and you’ll spot plenty of people just enjoying a stroll along the Graslei and Korenlei (More on those later). On this bridge also you will be able to see Saint Michael the archangel, in his full armour and winged on the lamp post overlooking the tourists whilst they take their selfies. The various directions you can take your photo opportunities here are pretty much at 360, the best view in our opinion is to the east with the three Ghent towers in view including St. Nikolas, the Belfry of Ghent and St. Bavo’s cathedral. It might only be a photo spot, but if you manage to get the right picture it will really make a great memory to remember your trip by.
2. St Bavo’s Cathedral
I know visiting a church or a cathedral might not be up there with what you want to see whilst your on your holidays or weekend away but seriously consider experiencing some of the most unique architecture you’ll see and enjoy the fruits of other people’s labour in how skilled they were putting together these impressive structures.
St. Bavo’s started off small and humble in the middle of the 10th century. Eventually, the wooden construction that began life as the Chapel of Saint John the Baptist would transform into the 89-meter-tall Gothic building that keeps watch over Ghent today. The transformation took quite some doing, becoming especially tricky when the decision was made to ditch the cathedral’s original Roman look and to completely reinvent it, Gothic-style. Though Charles V was baptized here in 1500 – when the transformation was already well underway – construction works still prevented a burial service for the emperor upon his death 58 years later. After that, the building became somewhat of a secret patchwork of architectural styles. While the outside screams late medieval Gothic, the crypt still bears proof of the original wooden chapel as well as of a Romanesque past.
It wasn’t smooth sailing for the many artistic treasures the cathedral now houses either. The ‘pièce de résistance’ is Jan Van Eyck’s “The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb”, an altarpiece widely considered to be the esteemed Renaissance painter’s ultimate creation and the pinnacle of the Flemish Primitives.
3. Ghent Belfry
This isn’t just any old Belfry – you’ll notice that this medieval tower is particularly striking and it is, in fact, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. On the way up, there’s an exhibit about the belfry’s famous dragon weathervane, which has guarded the site since the tower was built. There are two previous incarnations of him in various states of completeness. You’ll also see a the giant bell called “Roland” and a huge rotating drum that looks like the inner workings of a music box, which is responsible for the music of the carillon. But the real attraction is the view from the very top of the tower, it’s unbelievably beautiful.
4. Boat tour
While you can’t beat a Ghent city walk, Ghent is a city of waterways and what better way to see the sights and the thriving cobbled streets then by going on a boat tour, by using the company right next to the main attractions, such as the castle of the counts, you’ll spot a yellow hut where you can jump on an audio guided boat trip throughout the city. This convenient service combines the best of two worlds: a charming relaxing boat trip and a beautiful walking tour through Ghent. And like mentioned if you have a CityCard Ghent you’ll be able to do this for free, if not an adult ticket will set you back €10 Euros, but it really is an idyllic way to see the sights from a different viewpoint.
5. Graslei and Korenlei
Both the Graslei and Korenlei were the main quays of the old port of the city of Ghent, and therefore at the time were the centres of great commercial activity. Next to the shore of the channels you can see some very traditional houses. Each one of them was devoted to a guild in particular. Today, the Graslei and Korenlei are the names of two streets that are located along the banks of the old port of Ghent, in the centre of the city. Graslei means “street of herbs and vegetables”, and Korenlei means the “street of wheat”.
Both names indicate that these were the products that were stored in this area. Along the street you can see that the area is much larger than it had been in the middle Ages. And that is because the level of the river grew little by little, and then it was necessary to enlarge the street, covering of sand, and winning space to the water. You’ll love the houses of this street because all of them are from the medieval era. They are the trading living history of a city so important at that time as Ghent. Walking along the Graslei and Korenlei is like doing a long journey of centuries in which Ghent became one of the most important commercial centres of Europe in the Middle Ages.
6. Graffiti Alley/street
Werregarenstraat, or the Graffiti Street as commonly called, is the place to demonstrate Ghent’s vitality and creativity. The narrow alley is all dedicated to graffiti with chaotic but harmonic sprays and paintings all around every corner. In this small street, artists get free reign in their street art creation and the scene is therefore ever-changing. You can’t leave Ghent without visiting this colourful alley, that’s for sure.
7. Saint Nicholas Church
Built beginning in the 13th century, Saint Nicholas Church is one of the most prominent city landmarks. Despite its rather humble exterior St. Michael’s Church in Ghent is an example of Neo-Gothic interior, most importantly, it houses Rococo and neoclassic statues as well as 18th century and Baroque paintings. This includes “Christ; dying on the cross” by Anthony Van Dyck.
St. Michael’s Church is devoted to Archangel Michael, as you can tell by its name, and it took years to be completed as interference such as destructive fires and religious conflicts changed the original plans. That’s why now this church looks incomplete with its tower-less appearance. Yet with it’s turrets on either side or a central tower, it is easily one of the prettiest places to see in Ghent.
8. Explore Vrijdagmarkt Square
This city square is not only one of the oldest in Ghent, but has also played an important role in the city’s rich history. The charm of the Vrijdagmarkt lies in its lively atmosphere and the historic buildings that line the square. Over the centuries, it has served as a trading centre and meeting place for the community. Its history is reflected in the magnificent façades and cobbled streets that bear witness to past years. Today, a weekly market is held here each Friday and Saturday and the square is a lively place where locals and visitors alike meet to discover fresh produce, handicrafts, flowers and much more. The surrounding cafés and restaurants are always welcoming you to watch the colourful hustle and bustle all while enjoying Belgian delicacies. A statue of the prominent 14th-century businessman Jakob van Artevelde overlooks it all and is in the middle of square.
9. Enjoy a visit to 12 museums
With the CityCard you can enjoy up to 12 different museums in and around Gent, some of the highlights in those museums include The World of Kina, an excellent museum, mainly aimed at children (but we’re all big kids right?) but it is a large interactive museum, that leads you through a discovery of evolution, rocks and dinosaurs, birds, the human body, it’s a fascinating place that is worth going too.
Another museum is SMAK, the museum of contemporary art. It boasts great rotating exhibitions of modern and pop art, so that your visit will be unique each time, or whenever you go. If it’s industry you’re interested in, then the Museum of Industry would be for you. See and hear about the evolution of the textile trade in Ghent and including how a local entrepreneur got the drop on the English and helped kick off Belgium’s industrial revolution.
There’s also a floor devoted to the evolution of printing from press to digital and finally a stop off at STAM is a must do when it comes to learning all about Gent and it’s past, telling it’s story from the middle ages to now, they manage to underlines the hundreds of years of Ghent’s cultural and economic history very well. The displays are informative and interactive – those are our personal 4 top musts when visiting here, but if you have the CityCard Ghent and the time of course it’s worth trying to do all 12 and get your culture on.
10. Try some Belgian beer
You cannot, I must stress this, you CANNOT come to Belgium and not have a beer. Belgium is one of the 100 smallest countries in the world. But when it comes to beer, this little nation is one of the biggest and most famous there is. They take beer very seriously and are proud to brew some of the best-known beers in the world. A brewery named ‘Gruut City Brewery’ will give your taste buds a treat with their home made beers, well not beers… as the beers are actually made with medieval spices according to an old recipe rather than hops, making it a weird twist you don’t expect but this place is worth a trip for any beer lovers looking for something different.
A few in Trollekelder will make your visit feel super authentic, we have to say it might be the best beer café in town, as its Perfect for tourists, locals and students alike. The history, tradition and vibe of the place is just immaculate and comforting and you’ll find yourself experiencing beers you’ve never heard of from their endless list of beer, the one thing I enjoyed about here was with every beer you would have their specific glass to go with it, impressive. If you want a suggestion of a beer to try, try the Kwak that is on draft there, or the 13 Pils, it went down very nicely. There are so many bars and pubs to experience in this gorgeous city such as Woody’s Bar, sometimes the best thing to do is simply walk into one with no expectation and enjoy something you wouldn’t normally order after all, variety is the spice of life.
11. Gravensteen Castle – The castle of the counts
From the moments we saw and stepped through the imposing gates, I felt transported to a bygone era of knights, royalty, and medieval mystique. The castle’s architecture is awe-inspiring, with its well-preserved turrets, drawbridges, and defensive walls. Every corner seemed to tell a story, providing a charming glimpse into the rich history of Gent.
You can enjoy an audio-guided tour which was both humorous and engaging, offering you fascinating insights into the castle’s past and the lives of those who once walked its halls. Gravensteen, as we know it today was built by Philip of Alsace, Count of Flanders, between years 1157 and 1191. He took part in one of the Crusades and died during the siege of the Holy Land. The opening of the castle, in the shape of a cross, just above the main door, demonstrates that Felipe had already taken part in any another crusade. In later times, the Gravensteen has been used with different purposes, even to be the municipal jail of Ghent. In the nineteenth century it was used as a store and cotton plant.
Today, Gravensteen has been perfectly restored, is still surrounded by the medieval moat, and can be visited at any time of the year. In their rooms is a museum on the history of prison life, with a series of curious instruments of torture of all times. I think the highlight of the visit was the panoramic view of Gent from the castle’s tower. The breath-taking scenery provided the perfect backdrop for photos, capturing the city’s charm and blending seamlessly with the castle’s ancient allure. An absolute must do when visiting here.
So that’s going to be it from us from our personal musts when visiting the gorgeous city of Ghent in 2024, we really would love to return again soon and enjoy much more that this city has to offer. We would love to say a massive thank you to Visit Gent, for gifting us the 48hr city card for us to enjoy a taste of Ghent, easily and conveniently.
If you are planning on visiting here, stop off at the tourist office and enjoy a friendly chat with Jasper and Milena, and be sure to take advantage of the amazing offers they have on the cards, giving you a jam packed way to see the sights and enjoy the city, whether that’s by tram, train, bike or boat, giving you plenty of options to suit you, all for such a small price in comparison to those individually, giving you that peace of mind that you really don’t have to spend a lot to see plenty. And of course, if you get one of these cards, then the money you’ve saved you can spend on waffles, chocolate, beer and fries… the perfect Belgian escape!
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Till Next Time!
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