Ghent.
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Overview

Ghent (Dutch: Gent, French: Gand) is a city in East Flanders in Belgium. Ghent is a city with a population of 265,000 in 2020, with rich history. During the Middle Ages, Ghent was one of the richest and most powerful cities in Europe. The impact of this rich past can be clearly seen when viewing the imposing architecture of churches and the houses of rich traders. The city centre is restored, and breathes the atmosphere of a thriving late-medieval city state. It is free of cars, so it is a very welcoming and open area.

Understand

Ghent was once considered the second largest city north of the Alps, after Paris. It has a relatively high proportion of young people, and a significant seasonal student population. Unlike Leuven, another university town in Flanders, youth is not the only category of people living there. There is an interesting mixture of foreigners who came to live there, professionals working for major international firms, and artists among the people of Ghent. This mixture makes the people more tolerant and open-minded. This atmosphere seeps into every aspect of city life, making the city different from the smaller provincial cities or the bigger city of Antwerp. Visit Ghent website

Get in

Ghent is a 30-minute train ride away from Brussels and is on the line from Brussels to Bruges and the coast. If you're planning to visit Bruges and Brussels, definitely stop over in Ghent as well. There are also direct trains to Brussels Airport , Antwerp, and Lille.

The main station is . It is the main station, to go to the centre, take tram (until ). Journey time is ten minutes. is closer to the center (about 15 minutes walk), but only trains coming from the direction of Antwerp stop there.

Trip planning and ticket purchase can be done on the SNCB website or the SNCB app.

The dense highway network in Belgium allows you to access Ghent easily by car. Two main highways E40 (Liège-Brussels-Ghent-Bruges-Ostend) and E17 (Antwerp-Ghent-Kortrijk-Lille) cross at Ghent. Brussels and Antwerp are 40 min away, Bruges 30 min. During rush hour you can easily double these times.

By plane The two biggest airports nearby are Brussels (Zaventem, Belgium) and Lille (France). Direct trains are available from Brussels Airport to Ghent. Brussels-South airport, in Charleroi, is farther away, but popular due to the large number of flights (mainly Ryanair).

DFDS operates a cargo line to Gothenburg, Sweden.

Get around

The centre of Ghent is quite small, so you can walk around on foot. However, the main station (Gent Sint-Pieters) is not in the city centre, but takes a walk of about half an hour. The best option is to take the tram, which takes you directly to the centre in 10 to 15 minutes.

By bicycle A bicycle is the recommended way to get around in Ghent. However, there are many roads with cobblestones that make cycling a shaking experience. Also make sure you stay clear of the tram rails. Nevertheless, you will see you are not alone on your bike: many inhabitants use bikes to get around. Even the former mayor uses his bicycle all day. There are many bike stands around to make it easy to lock your bike (important!) Many one-way roads are made two-way for bikes.

By public transportation The transport system is Ghent is excellent and usually on time. The transportation company is De Lijn. Such a ticket is valid for an hour's travel on all trams and buses. Antwerp or Bruges). The trams are the quickest and most comfortable way to travel, especially from the railway station to the city centre. There are 4 tram lines: , , , and .

There is a De Lijn app available for Android or IOS smartphones which offer journey planning, real time travel info and ticket purchase in English.

Tickets purchased on a card should be validated on the reader (not the white one) when entering the bus/tram while tickets purchased on the website or app should be validated before entering the vehicle. With a few exceptions, the tickets are usable throughout Flanders.

In the Lijnwinkel kiosk, near Sint-Pieters train station, you can get a free map of city and surroundings, with all bus and tram lines.

See

Belfort en Lakenhalle. The Belfry was a symbol of the city's autonomy, begun in 1313 and completed in 1380. This municipal tower holds the great bells that have rung out Ghent's civic pride through the centuries. Take the elevator to the Belfry's upper gallery, 66 m high, to see the bells and take in fantastic panoramic views of the city. The Cloth Hall dates from 1425 and was the gathering place of wool and cloth merchants.

Sint-Baafskathedraal. Don't miss this cathedral. Rather unimpressive exterior of Romanesque, Gothic, and baroque architecture. However, the interior is filled with priceless paintings and sculptures, including the 24-panel altarpiece The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, completed by Jan van Eyck in 1432. Simply spellbinding, this work was commissioned by a wealthy city alderman in 1420. Original altarpiece Adoration of Mystic Lamb is temporarily and partially closed. Since 2010 a scientific study and conservation works have been in progress. Visitors can follow the activities through a glass wall). Other art treasures in the cathedral include Rubens's restored The Conversion of St. Bavo from 1623. Augmented Reality (AR) tour of the crypt is available in 9 languages. However, the kids version of the AR tour is only available in Dutch, French and English.

Het Gravensteen. Built by Count Philip of Alsace, count of Flanders, soon after he returned from the Crusades in 1180 with images of similar crusader castles in the Holy Land. If its walls (2 m thick), battlements, and turrets failed to intimidate attackers, the count could always turn to a well-equipped torture chamber inside. You can view relics of the chamber in a small museum in the castle. Climb up to the ramparts of the high central building, the donjon, which has great views of Ghent's rooftops and towers.

Sint-Niklaaskerk. A mixture of surviving Romanesque elements of the Flemish architectural style known as Schelde Gothic, the impressive 13th- to 15th-century church was paid for by Ghent's wealthy medieval merchants and guilds. It has undergone extensive renovation work that's still ongoing. The tower is one of the "three towers of Ghent" - in fact, it was the first of the three to grace the city skyline.

Vooruit. With its strong socialist tradition, Ghent is laden with historic buildings testifying to power of the social-democratic movement. The cooperative 'Vooruit' (Progress) was running shops, bakeries, a newspaper, a cinema and a cultural centre for the labour movement. Some of the buildings are exquisite examples of late 19th- and early 20th-century art nouveau and art deco. Main examples can be found on Vrijdagsmarkt (the headquarter 'Ons Huis' (Our House) still in use today by the trade union) and the Kunstencentrum Vooruit on Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat, cultural temple of the labour movement and today in use as an Arts Centre and concert hall.

Groentenmarkt, Korenmarkt & Vrijdagmarkt. Groentenmarkt (literally: vegetable market, Korenmarkt (literally: corn market) and Vrijdagmarkt (literally: Friday market) are 3 public squares in central Gent. These 3 squares are in close proximity and feature classic buildings, cafes and restaurants.

Leie. The Leie is a canal-like river going through the city. Along much of the river, there are walkways, and near the city centre you can see classic buildings along the banks. At the south end of Lindenlei (a street along the Leie south of the city centre), one can see a somewhat old-fashioned drawbridge.

Graslei. The medieval harbour is a beautiful setting with many historic buildings, including the house of the Grain Weighers, the toll house, and the Guildhall of the Free Boatmen, fronting onto the river Leie.

Groot Begijnhof Sint-Elisabeth. This béguinage (Dutch: begijnhof) was founded in 1234 and was soon named after Saint-Elisabeth who was canonized in 1236. The last beguines departed from here in 1874 for the new Sint-Amandsberg béguinage.

Begijnhof Sint-Amandsberg. This begijnhof (Béguinage) has several curved streets. Gates are off of Engelbert Van Arenbergstraat or Jan Roomsstraat.

Begijnhof Ter Hoye. This béguinage (begijnhof) has several streets.

City Hall. There is a Gothic facade facing the street Hoogpoort and a Renaissance facade facing the street Botermarkt. (Botermarkt literally means butter market.) Indoors, there are different styles. The belfry is a .

Graffiti alley. Where the local graffiti artists are allowed to do their work. Although other around the town on buildings are of better quality and artistic value.

Groot Vleeshuis. See the hams hanging from the timbers of the roof which is constructed without the use of nails.

Rabot. 15th-century gate over the canal into the city. The canal used to connect the town to the North Sea but now stops at this gate which is framed by 1960s housing blocks.

Campo Santo Cemetery. This monumental cemetery is located on a small hill in the suburb of Sint-Amandsberg. Many famous and important Belgians that lived in Ghent are buried here.

STAM – Ghent city museum. Tells the story of Ghent in the 14th-century Bijloke Abbey. The abbey refectory shows pre-Eyckian wall paintings. STAM illustrates the story of Ghent by means of more than 300 historical objects and interactive multimedia applications with a lot of visual material. Temporary exhibitions reflect on different aspects of urbanity. The visitor can build Ghent in Lego bricks. The museum is fully accessible for wheelchair users.

The Museum Dr. Guislain – a museum on the history of mental health. It was founded in 1986, and its exhibits address the history of psychiatry in a permanent collection and through a series of half-yearly changing thematic exhibitions. These temporary exhibitions highlight a certain aspect of the history of mental health so as to tell a broader story about our society’s way of dealing with normality through the arts, history, and science. Comprehensively, the Museum seeks to educate the public and rectify the misunderstandings and prejudice associated with treatment for mental illness. The Museum Dr. Guislain attracts about 65,000 visitors each year. The museum is fully accessible for wheelchair users, and all texts are in Dutch, French and English. While locals often praise to the museum for its uniqueness, the museum appears to have cut back on permanently exhibited items and rooms while relying more on temporary exhibits with collaborating artists.

SMAK. Modern arts museum located in NE corner of citadelpark. Cafe on site.

Museum of Fine Arts (MSK). Fine arts museum in Citadelpark. In this museum there are top works of classical visual art. Magritte, Jeroen Bosch, Rubens, van Dyck and James Ensor are just a few of the names that they find here.

Design museum Gent. Closed until 2026. Design museum Gent is the only design museum in Belgium. It possesses an extensive collection of Belgian design objects, supported by international pieces. The collection spans the era from the art nouveau of Henry van de Velde up to today's avant-garde design.

Museum of Industrial Archaeology and Textiles (MIAT). This museum housed in a former industrial building brings industrial heritage to life by means of exhibitions, workshops and film Sundays. Industry, labour and textiles are seamlessly interwoven.

Huis van Alijn. The House of Alijn displays cultural artifacts of Flemish recent and not so recent past. The visitor attains more insight into Flemish heritage by looking at old photograph albums, jewelry, old toys and so on. These objects reveal the spirit of the times as well as ways and customs and they remind us of the days in the past.

University Museum. Known formerly as the Museum for History of Sciences, the University Museum has collections on archaeology, ethnography, morphology and other sciences. Has a botanical garden (with greenhouses) next to the museum.

Do

De Bootjes van Gent. A cruise on the canals is a good way to view the city's highlights. The tour lasts approximately 40 minutes; longer tours are available.

Jan Plezier Boottochten. Large parties can reserve themed cruises along the waterways of Ghent. Among the themes are the pancake cruise (pancake boat), the spareribs cruise, and the shrimp cruise. These cruises are most often held for large parties; individual tourists are better off choosing a tour of Dewaele or hiring a boat to steer yourself.

Go Swimming at Badhuis Van Eyck. An 1880 Art Deco pool restored in 2001, it that retains individual changing rooms. The old entrance is still there but the modern entrance is at the opposite end of the building.

Blaarmeersen sports grounds. The Blaarmeersen offers multiple sports grounds, including a climbing wall (3.500m², one of the biggest in Europe), athletics track, BMW, openwater swimming (on Thursday 18h-20h), roller blading, skate track, sup, cycling track, rowing (in the Watersportbaan). Adjacent to the sports facilities, there are several beaches to enjoy (booking is essential).

KAA Gent. KAA Gent play soccer in Pro League, Belgium's top soccer tier. Their home ground Ghelamco Arena (capacity 20,100) is 3 km south of city centre.

hot air balloon flight Ghent. Hot air balloon flights over the city center are possible in the morning hours or in the evening. Take off location depends on the wind direction. Possible for passengers of minimum 6 years old.

Buy

Prondelmarkt bij Sint-Jacobs. Antiques, second-hand records, books, and others can be found in the weekly flea markt at Sint-Jacobs. Prices can be high, but keen eyes can find a lot of gems.

Tweedehandsboekenmarkt. Inspired by the second-hand booksellers of Paris (Bouquinistes), every Sunday 09:00-13:00 you can stroll along the Ajuinlei to find a large assortment of second-hand books. The supply includes English books from the bookshop 'English Book Shop', also in the Ajuinlei (and also open at regular hours in the rest of the week), movie posters, art books, children's books and a smattering of various other niches.

Vrijdagmarkt. Vrijdagmarkt has been a fixture since the 13th century. It is the scene of a lively street markets on Friday (07:30-13:00) and Saturday (11:00-18:00), as well as the Sunday bird market (07:00-13:00).

Cuberdons sold by street vendors. Every day in Korte Munt near Groentenmarkt, two street vendors are selling cuberdons or Gentse neuzen (Ghent nose). These candies are purple cone shaped gum Arabic sweets with a raspberry centre. If you stop, you will shop because these vendors are experts at promoting this Ghent specialty, so much so that they infamously got into a small fist-fight due to them competing for customers. One of the vendors also sells the pastries of the adjacent bakery 'Himschoot's'.

Tierenteyn-Verlent. Hot mustard shop.

Bookstore Limerick. Bookstore with many Dutch books and some English. Lots of literature, psychology, and sociology books.

Eat

Ghent provides an excellent and affordable sample of Flemish cuisine, which in the eyes of the locals is one of Europe's finest as it combines French delicacy with northern European sturdiness. Try some local specialties like mussels, spare ribs or 'stoverij' (a kind of tender meat cooked for three hours in dark beer with a brown gravy) with Belgian fries.

Another dish from Ghent is the "Gentse waterzooi" (litt. "boiled water from Ghent"), which was the food for the poor originally, a stew of cheap fish (usually turbot) and vegetables. Now it is often made with chicken as well.

Belgian waffles are available from a number of street stalls around the town.

The restaurants on Korenmarkt and Vrijdagmarkt are a good deal, reasonably priced; the menus and 'menus of the day' at the Brasserie Borluut provide terrific value and this includes Gentse waterzooi.

The real upmarket restaurants are to be found in the 14th-century quarter called 'Patershol', near the Castle. There is also a big Turkish community in Ghent, centred around Sleepstraat a bit further north, which is home to numerous Turkish restaurants.

Soup Lounge. Popular place to get a soup.

Neptune. Really pleasant and friendly little place immediately opposite Gravensteen castle. Run by a husband and wife team (with two children running around for good measure). Neither food nor prices are as touristy as expected. Yummy local specialties, the Stoverij (beef stew) is particularly good.

Pampas. The place to go if you need a meat protein boost.

De Lieve. Formerly serving haute cuisine and having Michelin stars, this restaurant has stepped out of the culinary rat race and changed its focus to the 'classics'. A great place to try Flemish cuisine. It's part bar, so don't be surprised when you see the regulars coming in for a drink.

There are many high-class restaurants in town.

Allegro Moderato. Traditional French.

Vegetarian and vegan food Information on vegetarian restaurants and shops is available from the campaign group ProVeg (previously EVA). Paper copies of their Guide to Veggie Ghent map is stocked by the Tourist Information Office on Veerle Plein.

De Appelier. A restaurant serving traditional vegetarian food (with vegan options on request).

Tasty World. A fast-food bar selling vegetarian & vegan burgers, smoothies and juices, with two branches in Ghent. There are some tables for eating in.

Lekker Gec. Vegetarian restaurant, close to the main train station.

Le Botaniste. Organic, plant-based food with some outdoor seating close to the Leie.

Drink

For authentic pubs, go to St. Veerleplein (the square in front of the Castle), the pubs around St. Jacob's church (especially during weekends), or the student area around Blandijnberg (Mount Blandin), especially in the proximity of the School of Arts and Philosophy, recognisable from afar by the 64-m-tall art deco Library Tower. Ghent is known for its many pubs and clubs and most have friendly staff. If you visit Ghent for its great nightlife, be sure to check out the bars listed in the "Off the beaten path" section.

Central Area: Castle-Korenmarkt-Graslei

Waterhuis aan de bierkant. Boasts about 400 different kinds of Belgian beer, but is fairly touristy.

Het Galgenhuis. A tiny tavern in a lean-to built on to the Gothic Butchers' Hall. A good selection of draught and bottled beers.

't Dreupelkot. 200 kinds of Belgian genever, a number of which are homemade. Try the pepper genever if you are a tough guy or girl (be cautious!) Pol, the owner, is a friendly guy, although it might look the other way at first sight.

Het Velootje. Considered as the only tourist trap of Ghent, but even with this negative reputation it's worth a visit. The bearded owner Lieven calls his place a museum café with an authentic atmosphere by candlelight. This is all true but forgot to mention his collection of 200 antique bikes decorating the place. Drink prices are steep.

Gentse Stadsbrouwerij Gruut. Brews beers with herbs for flavouring; a style commonly found throughout mediaeval Europe before the widespread cultivation of hops.

Sint-Jacobs & Vrijdagmarkt (Vlasmarkt-Beestenmarkt)

Charlatan. Popular club with many live concerts.

Surrounded by the bars Jos, Vlasmarkt 7 and Bar des Amis, Vlasmarkt 5.

de Dulle Griet. A traditional Flemish bar with a variety of 250 drinks (mostly Belgian beers).

More alternative bars are Kinky Star, Vlasmarkt 9 and Afsnis Sint-Jacobs 10, both have regular live concerts.

Trollekelder. A cafe with a large selection of beer.

Overpoortstraat is a street packed with 34 pubs and bars where during the week (especially Wednesday and Thursday nights) all the students go crazy. Because on Thursday it is so crowded over there, dancing usually happens on the tables. Some notorious bars/clubs are Decadance (house, techno, drum&bass), Boom Boom (rock'n roll), Den Drummer (rock and metal), Twieoo (often new wave and holebi parties), Cuba Libre(also known as the Puta Libre) (commercial, R&B, etc.), The Frontline underground concert venue featuring mainly metal, punk and hardcore concerts.

Porter House. The official pub for Erasmus students from over Europe.

Plan b. Typical cosy local bar located in the center of Ghent. Nice view on the river.

De Geus van Gent. 20 beers on top with very pleasant outdoor seating next to the river in summer.

Want to try some bars you won't find in any tourist guide? This is a great selection:

Het Gouden Hoofd. If you find yourself on the other side of the canal, in the area known as "De Visserij", hungry and/or thirsty, be sure to check out this great place. It has moved to a former slaughterhouse. They have great dishes and the local beer on tap, Gulden Draak, is also great.

This is not the only great place in De Visserij. Check out the cosy De Kleine Kunst and jolly Fabula Rasa along the canal at the Ferdinand Lousbergkaai. Drinks and food are generally quite cheap in this area.

Hotsy Totsy. Not far from the Graslei you can find this pearl. In a roaring twenties style this place breathes jazz. It's a good alternative for the sometimes crowded Hot Club De Gand. Prices are average to expensive, but the atmosphere is one of a kind.

Old Fashioned. Ghent doesn't have a lack of bars, but finding a good cocktail bar might be tough. You might be glad with some other cocktail bars near the centre that have fruity drinks with cheap alcohol and not a drop of fresh juice, but some local connoisseurs consider Old Fashioned to be the only "Cocktail & Absinth bar" that is worth its name. They serve all the classics in a beautiful Medieval decor.

De Spinnekop. If you have found this bar on your own you must have been really lost. The name of the street means "End of the world", and it feels like it. This was Ghent's best kept secret and has existed for many years, but now it's in the open. This bar is what people in Ghent call a "brown bar". It's a bit quirky but the owners are very friendly. The food is simple although the home made pesto pasta is amazing. Really cheap as well. 90% chance that you will hear Bob Dylan or Tom Waits. In the summer you can sit outside in the garden. Food served till 22:00, F-Su closed.

Dok Brewing Co.. Large out of town micro-brewery with food, located in a former transformer hall in the old dock area. Lots of outdoor seating. Very large selection of beers.

Sleep

Hostel 47. Nice hospitality and service.

Youth Hostel De Draecke. This hostel is on a quiet street in the centre. Free breakfast and bedsheets are provided. A bar on the premises offers a range of Belgian beers. HI Hostel.

Hostel Uppelink. A beautiful building, beautifully furnished and right in the middle of the most scenic part of the city.

Brooderie. Primarily a cafe & bakery, but with three rooms located on Jan Breydelstraat opposite the Design Museum. Shared bathrooms and showers with the cafe below but a cheap way of getting a fine room in a superb location - delicious bread with breakfast.

Ecohostel Andromeda. Creative, modern interior, surprisingly spacious and with better showers than many "land" hostels! Internet and breakfast available.

Bed in Gent. A roomy guest-house, with bright south-oriented bathrooms and a shared dining room with a dash of modern retro.

Ibis Budget Gent Centrum Dampoort. Budget hotel located near Dampoort Station.

Cam­ping Urban Gar­dens – Blaar­meer­sen. More than 200 pitches. Shop (08:00-20:00). Cafe. Free Wi-Fi. Including place for motorhomes

Best Western, Cour Saint-Georges. 'The oldest Hotel in Europe, since 1228'. Right in the centre, near the towers.

NH Gent Belfort. In the historical quarter of the city, offers 174 modern and comfortable rooms.

Marriott. Great position right in the middle of the old city centre with a view on the river Leie. Reasonable size and quality rooms, but only a few with view of the river. Friendly, helpful staff. Underground parking, at peak times should book ahead.

Pillows Grand Hotel Reylof. Arguably the best and most luxurious hotel in Ghent. This is the 18th-century mansion which was the former home of Baron Reylof. The hotel retains its traditional architecture, but combines it with modern comforts. Contains a gym, spa and small pool. Hotel contains 157 bedrooms, most of which have terraces or balconies, a fine bar and a Michelin Star restaurant. Minibar contents are complimentary.

Ghent River Hotel. Lovely location by the river.