The tastiest hotspots in Ghent
August 28, 2024
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Ghent is one of those cities that immediately captures your heart. Vibrant, cozy and full of character, you just want to go here! We have been there several times now, and every time it tastes like more. The lively atmosphere, cozy streets and impressive history make Ghent a top destination for a city trip. Everywhere you look, you are treated to beautiful sights and great hotspots. Do you want to get everything out of your city trip? With these tips you can experience Ghent at its best!
The vibrant and historic city of Ghent
The most beautiful sights of Ghent
One of our favorite things to do in Ghent is wander the streets, but more on that later. First, we share 3 sights in Ghent that you really shouldn't miss:
1. Belfry tower
Look up to the top of the Belfry Tower. Do you spot the golden dragon? This dragon is proudly the symbol and mascot of Ghent. What's even more special is that this dragon can spit fire. It's a centuries-old tradition, but after a 199-year silence, the dragon spit fire again for the first time in years during the 2018 Genste Feesten.
A fun thing to do is climb the 95-meter-high Belfry Tower. From the top, you have a panoramic view of the city, which is truly beautiful. The tower can be visited every day between 10:00 and 18:00.
2. Castle Gravensteen
Castle Gravensteen is the only moated castle remaining from the Middle Ages. The fortress still has a nearly intact defense system. When you are in Ghent you can't avoid it and you really have to visit this mystical castle. Get to know the history of 12th century knight culture and relive what it was like to live in this era.
3. The Lamb God in St. Bavo's Cathedral
No matter what city we are in, we always go inside a cathedral. Usually we walk around and end at one of the altars where you can light a candle for deceased family members, for example. So too at St. Bavo's Cathedral in Ghent. This cathedral in itself is one of the most beautiful sights in Ghent, but you'll find in the crypt of the cathedral the Lamb God. These you can admire in a spectacular way, to through VR glasses. You follow a tour with interesting images and stories, and near the end you finally get the artistic Lamb God with his own eyes.
Fun tips to do in Ghent
There are plenty of sights to admire in Ghent, but there are also certainly plenty of adventures to be had. You really won't get bored during a city break to Ghent. How about canoeing down the River Leie, coming face to face with Het Lams God or going back in time at Castle Gravensteen?
Tip: with the CityCard Ghent you have access to almost all the sights in Ghent. But you can also use it to rent a bike for one day and take a boat ride on the Leie River.
1. Stroll through the streets of Ghent
One of the best ways to explore a city is to wander the streets of Ghent without a plan. This way you'll end up at the most fun places, and also discover something other than the well-known highlights. Fortunately, Ghent is a beautiful city with insanely beautiful historic streets, so you'll really feast your eyes here. The city center of Ghent is not large, so you certainly won't get lost.
Would you rather follow a mapped out walking route? You can, too. Via Walk Local you can choose from 15 different city walks that were written out by real people from Ghent. They collected all the hidden gems in a row!
2. Explore the old Patershol neighborhood
As a tip for a city break to Ghent, we will always recommend you to visit the old district of Patershol. A neighborhood in the historic heart of Ghent, it feels a bit like a city within a city. A contemporary place with a friendly atmosphere where you can easily immerse yourself in the time of the Middle Ages. Our favorite spot in the Patershol neighborhood? Without a doubt, those are the two corner buildings on the Kraalei (intersection with Zuivelbrugstraat).
3. Rent a kayak in Ghent
For the more active among us, it's also great fun to rent a kayak while in Ghent. This is a fun way of discovering Ghent from the water while at the same time being active. You'll get to know Ghent from a completely different angle. And kayaking through Ghent's canals is of course even more fun when the weather is warm!
4. Take a boat ride on the Lys River
Taking a boat trip on the river Leie is one of the fun to do's in Ghent included in the CityCard Ghent. In just under an hour you will sail through the canals and past the highlights of Ghent. The captain is also your immediate guide and tells interesting stories and facts about the city during the tour. For example, we now know that one of the prominent buildings on the Graslei was sold for 20(!) million euros on condition that the building was also renovated for 20 million euros.
Eating out in Ghent
When we go on a city trip we can't deny that we spend half our time looking for hotspots. It's even more fun when locals tip us off to hotspots or when we end up in a nice place just like that. These are the hotspots we like to write about and of course share with you. Hereby our favorite hotspots in Ghent!
Staying overnight in Ghent
During our city trip to Ghent, we slept in the beautiful building A Flemish Tale from Heilroom. Heilroom has several beautiful properties where you can stay in Ghent, but A Flemish Tale is definitely a must. Not only will you be staying in the center of the city, but from your room you will also have a beautiful view of the Saint Bavo Cathedral and on the first floor you will find one of our favorite hotspots in Ghent.
How do you get to Ghent?
In general, Ghent is easy to reach from the Netherlands, both by car and public transportation. The most economical option is with the Flixbus (about €20 return from Rotterdam). You can also take the train to Ghent travel. This is a slightly more expensive option than the Flixbus and you will have to change trains along the way. For a return from Rotterdam Central you will pay about €80.
Then, of course, you can also travel to Ghent by car. Keep in mind that some streets in Ghent are car-free and you have to pay to park in the center. Street parking is relatively expensive compared to parking in a garage. Outside the center of Ghent you will also find a number of P+R options to consider when traveling to Ghent by car.
Combine your city break Ghent with other Belgian gems
Looking for a nice balance between city and nature? Combine your city trip to Ghent with a few days in the Belgian Ardennes. From historic streets and cozy cafes in the city to tranquility, forests and hiking trails in nature. The contrast just makes your trip extra special. These are all our tips for a great getaway in the Belgian Ardennes!
Even more city break inspiration? Then you'll also enjoy reading the following blogs:
City break Leuven: the city of the centuries-old university, the Gothic town hall and the longest bar in the world.
Tips for a city trip to Bruges: the city of romantic canals, medieval mysticism and the world-famous belfry.
Shopping and sightseeing in Mechelen: the city of the impressive St. Rombouts Tower, cozy terraces along the Dijle River and great shopping addresses.
Lois Weeterings
A dreamer and adventure seeker, always on the lookout for new experiences. But also a hard worker with a thousand ideas racing through my mind. As a personal travel consultant and travel blogger, I share my passion for faraway destinations, thrilling adventures, and winter sports. With deep knowledge of places like Namibia, Colombia, the ABC Islands, and the Middle East, I’m here to help you craft a trip you’ll never forget. Through my personal stories and expert tips, I aim to inspire you to explore the world your way. Always with my camera in hand, I’m determined to capture every magical moment and share it with you.
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