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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.

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  1. 31 The Park Playground Gent - VR Experiences
    Amusement parks Known locally

    The Park Playground Gent - VR Experiences

    The Park Playground Gent is a specialized virtual reality entertainment center located in the Dok-Noord urban redevelopm...

  2. 32 Museum Dr. Guislain
    Museums Known locally

    Museum Dr. Guislain

    Museum Dr. Guislain is housed within the oldest psychiatric asylum in Belgium, built in 1857. It explores the history of...

  3. 33 Gent City Hall
    Historical places Known locally

    Gent City Hall

    The Stadshal, or City Pavilion, is an open-air architectural structure located between St. Nicholas' Church and the Ghen...

  4. 34 Parkkaffee
    Venues Known locally

    Parkkaffee

    Parkkaffee is an open-air venue situated within the Blaarmeersen recreational area in Ghent, known for its focus on live...

  5. 35 Keizerpark
    Parks Known locally

    Keizerpark

    Keizerpark is a multi-functional urban park situated along the banks of the Scheldt River in the Ledeberg district of Gh...

  6. 36 Belgian Chocolate Workshop in Ghent
    Places of interest Known locally

    Belgian Chocolate Workshop in Ghent

    The Belgian Chocolate Workshop in Ghent, located at Nodenaysteeg 5, is an interactive culinary experience led by profess...

  7. 37 Muinkpark
    Parks Known locally

    Muinkpark

    Muinkpark is a quiet, English-style landscape park situated in the center of Ghent along the banks of the Scheldt river....

  8. 38 De Centrale
    Venues Known locally

    De Centrale

    De Centrale is a cross-cultural arts center housed in a former power plant in Ghent, Belgium. The venue serves as a foca...

  9. 39 Tourist Information Center—Visit Gent
    Places of interest Known locally

    Tourist Information Center—Visit Gent

    The Visit Gent Tourist Information Center serves as the primary gateway for visitors exploring Ghent, located directly w...

  10. 40 Wintercircus
    Historical places Known locally

    Wintercircus

    Wintercircus in Ghent, Belgium, is a historic former circus building transformed into a striking modern tech, culture, a...

  11. 41 Korenmarkt
    Historical places Known locally

    Korenmarkt

    Korenmarkt is Ghent's central historic public square, positioned at the historic crossing of the medieval trade routes b...

  12. 42 Hotel d'Hane-Steenhuyse
    Museums Known locally

    Hotel d'Hane-Steenhuyse

    Hotel d'Hane-Steenhuyse is an 18th-century neoclassical urban palace located on Ghent's primary shopping street, the Vel...

  13. 43 GUM - Gents Universiteitsmuseum & Plantentuin
    Museums Known locally

    GUM - Gents Universiteitsmuseum & Plantentuin

    The GUM (Gents Universiteitsmuseum) is a science museum situated on the campus of Ghent University, focusing on the inte...

  14. 44 Kouter
    Historical places Known locally

    Kouter

    Kouter is a grand, rectangular urban square in the center of Ghent that serves as a historic social and cultural hub. Th...

  15. 45 Paul de Smet de Naeyer Park
    Parks Known locally

    Paul de Smet de Naeyer Park

    Paul de Smet de Naeyer Park is an intimate, residential-style green space located in the Het Zuid district of Ghent. Ori...

  16. 46 Saint Bavo's Abbey
    Historical places Known locally

    Saint Bavo's Abbey

    Saint Bavo's Abbey is a historic ruin in Ghent, originating from a 7th-century monastery founded by Saint Amand. It serv...

  17. 47 Jacob van Artevelde
    Places of interest Known locally

    Jacob van Artevelde

    The statue of Jacob van Artevelde stands at the center of Vrijdagmarkt, the historic commercial square of Ghent. Crafted...

  18. 48 Rabot
    Historical places Known locally

    Rabot

    The Rabot towers in Ghent are the remains of a late 15th-century fortified gatehouse originally constructed as part of t...

  19. 49 The world of Kina: the House
    Museums Known locally

    The world of Kina: the House

    The World of Kina: The House is a children-focused natural history museum housed in a historic 16th-century building kno...

  20. 50 Bedevaartsoord Oostakker-Lourdes
    Temples Known locally

    Bedevaartsoord Oostakker-Lourdes

    Oostakker-Lourdes is the most significant pilgrimage site in Flanders, centered around a 19th-century replica of the Gro...

  21. 51 Begijnhof O.L.V. ter Hoyen / Klein Begijnhof Gent
    Historical places Known locally

    Begijnhof O.L.V. ter Hoyen / Klein Begijnhof Gent

    Begijnhof O.L.V. ter Hoyen, also known as the Klein Begijnhof, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Ghent's two re...

  22. 52 Patershol
    Places of interest Known locally

    Patershol

    Patershol is a historic medieval quarter in Ghent, characterized by its narrow, winding cobblestone streets and preserve...

  23. 53 Groenevalleipark
    Parks Known locally

    Groenevalleipark

    Groenevalleipark is a neighborhood urban park located along the banks of the Leie river in the Brugse Poort district of...

  24. 54 Bijlokehof
    Parks Known locally

    Bijlokehof

    Bijlokehof is an intimate, enclosed green space situated within the historic site of the former Bijloke Abbey in Ghent....

  25. 55 Coyendanspark
    Parks Known locally

    Coyendanspark

    Coyendanspark is a waterfront urban park situated at the site of the former Spanish Citadel (Spaans Kasteel) in Ghent. T...

  26. 56 Geeraard de Duivelsteen
    Historical places Known locally

    Geeraard de Duivelsteen

    Geeraard de Duivelsteen, or Gerald the Devil's Castle, is a 13th-century Gothic fortress located in the heart of Ghent....

  27. 57 The World of Kina Garden
    Museums Known locally

    The World of Kina Garden

    The World of Kina: The Garden is a specialized children's museum in Ghent focused on nature, biology, and the environmen...

  28. 58 Bourgoyen : Ingang Bunderweg
    Parks Known locally

    Bourgoyen : Ingang Bunderweg

    Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen is a sprawling 230-hectare nature reserve located on the western outskirts of Ghent, serving as a...

  29. 59 Steiger Sint-Martens Latem
    Beaches and ponds Known locally

    Steiger Sint-Martens Latem

    Steiger Sint-Martens Latem is a scenic wooden jetty and mooring pier located along the Leie river in the affluent art-hi...

  30. 60 Moskee Eyüp Sultan Camii Gent
    Temples Known locally

    Moskee Eyüp Sultan Camii Gent

    Moskee Eyüp Sultan Camii is a prominent mosque located in the Rabot district of Ghent, Belgium. It serves as a central h...

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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.