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Ghent
Belgium

Things to do in Ghent

234 attractions · Belgium

Photo: Paul Hermans, CC BY-SA 3.0

Flemish Region, Belgium · 51.050, 3.717

About Ghent

Ghent is a medieval university city in Belgium located at the confluence of the Scheldt and Leie rivers, characterized by its preserved Flemish architecture. It serves as a major maritime port and features a skyline dominated by the medieval towers of the Belfry of Ghent and St Bavo's Cathedral. Visitors can explore local culture at STAM - Ghent City Museum or witness the evolving urban art scene at Graffiti Street. The city maintains a distinct blend of industrial heritage and pedestrianized historic districts.

Good to know

  1. 1

    Ghent possesses the highest concentration of listed historic buildings in Belgium.

  2. 2

    The city hosts the Gentse Feesten, one of the largest cultural festivals in Europe, which spans ten days every July.

  3. 3

    Ghent is recognized as a leader in plant-based dining, having more vegetarian restaurants per capita than any other city in Belgium.

  4. 4

    During the Middle Ages, Ghent was the second-largest city in Europe, surpassed only by Paris.

  5. 5

    The city's 'Adoration of the Mystic Lamb' altarpiece is one of the most frequently stolen artworks in history.

Plan your visit to Ghent

Best time to visit

Late spring (May to June) or early autumn (September), as the weather is mild and the city avoids the peak summer crowds.

How many days

2-3 days to explore the historic center and visit key museums without rushing.

Getting around

The historic center is largely pedestrianized, making it highly walkable, while an extensive tram and bus network covers the outer districts.

Where to stay

The historic city center (Patershol or Graslei area) offers proximity to primary sites, while the area near the university provides a more youthful atmosphere.

Budget

Mid-range; Belgium generally carries a moderate cost of living with costs comparable to other Western European cities.

Top things to do in Ghent

The 234 most popular places in Ghent.

Filtered by
  1. 1 Castle of the Counts
    Historical places Very popular

    Castle of the Counts

    Gravensteen, or the Castle of the Counts, is a 10th-century medieval fortress located in central Ghent, Belgium, origina...

  2. 2 St Bavo's Cathedral
    Temples Very popular

    St Bavo's Cathedral

    St Bavo's Cathedral in Ghent is the home of the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, a 15th-century polyptych by Hubert and Jan...

  3. 3 Belfry of Gent
    Historical places Popular

    Belfry of Gent

    The Belfry of Ghent is a 14th-century watchtower standing at 91 meters, serving as a symbol of the city's medieval indep...

  4. 4 Sparkx Gent
    Parks Popular

    Sparkx Gent

    Sparkx Gent is a massive indoor sports experience park located in Ghent, Belgium, spanning over 4,000 square meters. It...

  5. 5 St Michael's Bridge
    Places of interest Popular

    St Michael's Bridge

    Saint Michael's Bridge is a stone arch bridge in Ghent that provides a unique vantage point of the city's medieval skyli...

  6. 6 Citadelpark
    Parks Popular

    Citadelpark

    Citadelpark is a 19th-century public park located in Ghent, built on the site of the former Citadel of Ghent which was d...

  7. 7 LAGO Gent Rozebroeken
    Beaches and ponds Popular

    LAGO Gent Rozebroeken

    LAGO Gent Rozebroeken is a large-scale subtropical swimming complex situated in the northeastern suburbs of Ghent. The f...

  8. 8 Museum voor Schone Kunsten
    Museums Popular

    Museum voor Schone Kunsten

    The Museum voor Schone Kunsten (MSK) in Ghent is a prominent fine arts museum situated within the green confines of the...

  9. 9 Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen
    Parks Popular

    Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen

    Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen is a 230-hectare urban nature reserve in Ghent, specifically managed as a wetland habitat for migr...

  10. 10 St Nicholas' Church | Gent
    Temples Popular

    St Nicholas' Church | Gent

    Saint Nicholas' Church is one of the oldest and most prominent landmarks in Ghent, built primarily in the 13th century i...

  11. 11 Capitole Ghent
    Venues Popular

    Capitole Ghent

    Capitole Ghent is a multifunctional theater and concert venue located in the heart of Ghent, Belgium, housed in a histor...

  12. 12 Graffiti street | Gent
    Historical places Popular

    Graffiti street | Gent

    Werregarenstraat, widely known as Graffiti Street, is a narrow pedestrian alley in Ghent where local authorities permit...

  13. 13 Harry Malter Family Park
    Zoos Popular

    Harry Malter Family Park

    Harry Malter Family Park is a privately owned animal and amusement park located in Destelbergen, just outside Ghent. The...

  14. 14 Waffles 'n Beer in Ghent Centre
    Places of interest Popular

    Waffles 'n Beer in Ghent Centre

    Waffles 'n Beer is a specialized venue in Ghent's city center focused on the pairing of traditional Belgian waffles with...

  15. 15 St Jacob's Church
    Temples Popular

    St Jacob's Church

    St. Jacob's Church (Sint-Jacobskerk) is a significant Romanesque and Gothic architectural site located in central Ghent,...

  16. 16 Gentbrugse Meersen
    Parks Popular

    Gentbrugse Meersen

    Gentbrugse Meersen is a 270-hectare nature and recreation area situated in the floodplains of the Scheldt river. The par...

  17. 17 STAM - Ghent City Museum
    Museums Popular

    STAM - Ghent City Museum

    STAM is housed in the restored 14th-century Bijloke Abbey and a contemporary glass-and-concrete wing. The museum chronic...

  18. 18 Huis van Alijn
    Museums Popular

    Huis van Alijn

    The Huis van Alijn is housed within a medieval almshouse, the Kinderspijs-Huis, originally established in 1363. The muse...

  19. 19 Universiteit Gent - Plantentuin
    Parks Popular

    Universiteit Gent - Plantentuin

    The Universiteit Gent Plantentuin is a historic botanical garden located at Karel Lodewijk Ledeganckstraat 35 in Ghent,...

  20. 20 Museum of Industry Ghent
    Museums Popular

    Museum of Industry Ghent

    The Museum of Industry in Ghent occupies the historic Desmet-Geleyn cotton mill, an authentic industrial site dating bac...

  21. 21 Baudelopark
    Parks Popular

    Baudelopark

    Baudelopark is a public urban park situated on the site of a former 16th-century abbey complex in Ghent. The park featur...

  22. 22 Korenlei
    Historical places Popular

    Korenlei

    Korenlei is a historic quayside on the left bank of the Leie River in Ghent, Belgium, directly facing the Graslei. The s...

  23. 23 SMAK - Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art
    Museums Popular

    SMAK - Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art

    S.M.A.K. is a premier contemporary art institution located in Ghent, situated across from the Museum of Fine Arts (MSK)....

  24. 24 Playground Blaarmeersen
    Parks Popular

    Playground Blaarmeersen

    Playground Blaarmeersen is a large-scale recreational complex located within the Blaarmeersen Sports and Recreation Park...

  25. 25 St Peter's Abbey
    Historical places Popular

    St Peter's Abbey

    St Peter's Abbey is a historic Benedictine monastery complex located on the Blandijnberg hill in Ghent, dating back to t...

  26. 26 Kasteel van Laarne
    Historical places Popular

    Kasteel van Laarne

    Kasteel van Laarne is a well-preserved 11th-century water castle located in East Flanders, functioning as a museum that...

  27. 27 Gent City Hall
    Venues Known locally

    Gent City Hall

    Ghent City Hall is unique for its architectural juxtaposition, featuring a late Gothic facade on the Hoogpoort side and...

  28. 28 Music Center De Bijloke
    Venues Known locally

    Music Center De Bijloke

    Music Center De Bijloke is a performing arts complex in Ghent anchored by a remarkable 13th-century hospital ward. The h...

  29. 29 Sint-Michielskerk
    Temples Known locally

    Sint-Michielskerk

    Saint Michael's Church is a significant example of late-Gothic architecture located in the heart of Ghent. Construction...

  30. 30 Gent Design Museum
    Museums Known locally

    Gent Design Museum

    Design Museum Gent holds the only collection in Belgium dedicated exclusively to design, spanning from the 15th century...

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Frequently asked

How many attractions are there in Ghent?

Aventuro lists 234 curated attractions in and around Ghent, sorted by popularity.

What's the top attraction in Ghent?

Castle of the Counts is the most popular place to visit in Ghent right now.

What kind of attractions does Ghent have?

The largest category is temples, with 50 places to explore.

Which other cities are worth visiting nearby?

Travellers also explore City of Brussels, Antwerp, Liège.