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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. 61 Jaques Park
    Parks Known locally

    Jaques Park

    Jaques Park is a neighborhood green space located in the Sint-Amandsberg district of Ghent. It functions primarily as a...

  2. 62 Kapitein Zeppospark
    Parks Known locally

    Kapitein Zeppospark

    Kapitein Zeppospark is a contemporary urban waterfront park situated in the Oude Dokken district of Ghent. Developed as...

  3. 63 Gent Jazz Festival
    Venues Known locally

    Gent Jazz Festival

    Gent Jazz Festival is an annual international music event held at the Bijloke site in Ghent, Belgium, showcasing a blend...

  4. 64 Theater Box
    Venues Known locally

    Theater Box

    Theater Box is a small-scale, independent theater venue located in the historic Patershol neighborhood of Ghent. The the...

  5. 65 Castle Claeys-Bouüaert
    Historical places Known locally

    Castle Claeys-Bouüaert

    Castle Claeys-Bouüaert is a historic castle situated in the Mariakerke district of Ghent, Belgium, officially recognized...

  6. 66 Maaltebruggepark
    Parks Known locally

    Maaltebruggepark

    Maaltebruggepark is an expansive, landscaped municipal park located on the southern outskirts of Ghent, serving as a pri...

  7. 67 The neighborhood park Porre
    Parks Known locally

    The neighborhood park Porre

    Porre is a community-driven neighborhood park located in the Ledeberg district of Ghent, situated on the former site of...

  8. 68 Scheldevelde castle
    Historical places Known locally

    Scheldevelde castle

    Scheldevelde Castle is a historic estate located in De Pinte, Belgium, near the municipality of Nazareth. The property f...

  9. 69 Arca Theater
    Venues Known locally

    Arca Theater

    Arca Theater is a notable performance venue located at Sint-Widostraat 4 in Ghent, Belgium, holding a 4.3 rating from 18...

  10. 70 Geboortebos Gentbrugse Meersen
    Natural attractions Known locally

    Geboortebos Gentbrugse Meersen

    The Geboortebos Gentbrugse Meersen is a dedicated birth forest located within the larger Gentbrugse Meersen nature and r...

  11. 71 Onze-Lieve-Vrouw en Sint-Pieterskerk van Gent
    Temples Known locally

    Onze-Lieve-Vrouw en Sint-Pieterskerk van Gent

    The Church of Our Lady and Saint Peter in Ghent is a monumental religious building situated on Sint-Pietersplein. It occ...

  12. 72 Moskee Tevhid Camii Gent
    Temples Known locally

    Moskee Tevhid Camii Gent

    Moskee Tevhid Camii Gent is a prominent Islamic religious and community center located at Francisco Ferrerlaan 214A in G...

  13. 73 KOPERGIETERY
    Venues Hidden gem

    KOPERGIETERY

    KOPERGIETERY is a prominent arts center in Ghent specializing in contemporary theater, dance, and performance art for ch...

  14. 74 St Elisabeth Church Ghent, Belgium
    Temples Hidden gem

    St Elisabeth Church Ghent, Belgium

    St Elisabeth Church in Ghent is a historic religious building located at Begijnhofdries 28 in the historic city center,...

  15. 75 Speeltuin Arbedpark
    Parks Hidden gem

    Speeltuin Arbedpark

    Speeltuin Arbedpark is a neighborhood park and children's playground located in the Sint-Amandsberg district of Ghent, B...

  16. 76 Bijgaardepark
    Parks Hidden gem

    Bijgaardepark

    Bijgaardepark is an urban green space in the Sint-Amandsberg district of Ghent, situated on the grounds of a former text...

  17. 77 museum Gevaert Minne
    Museums Hidden gem

    museum Gevaert Minne

    Museum Gevaert-Minne is a specialized municipal museum located in the historic former residence of painter Edgard Gevaer...

  18. 78 Braemkasteel
    Historical places Hidden gem

    Braemkasteel

    Braemkasteel is a historic castle situated in the Ledeberg district of Ghent, Belgium, surrounded by the public green sp...

  19. 79 Masjid El fath
    Temples Hidden gem

    Masjid El fath

    Masjid El fath is an active Islamic house of worship located at Beukelaarstraat 21/23 25 in Gent, Belgium. The mosque se...

  20. 80 Gent Baptist Church
    Temples Hidden gem

    Gent Baptist Church

    Gent Baptist Church is an active Christian congregation located on Elfnovemberstraat in the Mariakerke district of Ghent...

  21. 81 Vroonstalledries
    Parks Hidden gem

    Vroonstalledries

    Vroonstalledries is a local neighborhood park situated in the northern periphery of Ghent in the Wondelgem district. It...

  22. 82 Vallei van de Oude Kale
    Parks Hidden gem

    Vallei van de Oude Kale

    Vallei van de Oude Kale is a protected nature reserve situated along the historic meandering course of the Oude Kale riv...

  23. 83 Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur
    Temples Hidden gem

    Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur

    Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur is a Sikh temple located at Kortrijksepoortstraat 49 A in Ghent, Belgium, serving as a spiritua...

  24. 84 Openbaar Domein de Campagne
    Parks Hidden gem

    Openbaar Domein de Campagne

    Openbaar Domein de Campagne is a public domain estate situated in the Drongen district of Ghent, Belgium, centered aroun...

  25. 85 Borluutpark
    Parks Hidden gem

    Borluutpark

    Borluutpark is a public green space located in the Sint-Denijs-Westrem district of Ghent, Belgium, centered around the h...

  26. 86 Horus Gallery - Latem
    Museums Hidden gem

    Horus Gallery - Latem

    Horus Gallery, located in the artistic enclave of Sint-Martens-Latem near Ghent, serves as a prominent exhibition space...

  27. 87 Dulle Griet
    Historical places Hidden gem

    Dulle Griet

    The Dulle Griet, also known as the Great Cannon, is a massive 15th-century wrought-iron bombarding piece located in Ghen...

  28. 88 Groenzaal (Sint-Bavo)
    Venues Hidden gem

    Groenzaal (Sint-Bavo)

    The Groenzaal is a specialized venue space managed by the Sint-Bavo school network, situated in the historic core of Ghe...

  29. 89 Thagaste - Augustijnenklooster
    Venues Hidden gem

    Thagaste - Augustijnenklooster

    Thagaste - Augustijnenklooster is a historic Augustinian monastery located on Academiestraat in Ghent, Belgium. The comp...

  30. 90 Clemenspoort
    Temples Hidden gem

    Clemenspoort

    Clemenspoort is a multidisciplinary community center and spiritual hub located in the residential Sint-Denijs-Westrem di...

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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.