Ghent
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At a glance
- Country
- Belgium
- Region
- East Flanders
- Population
- 265,000
- Best time to go
- April to September
- Main airport
- Brussels Airport (BRU)
- Coordinates
- 51.05°N, 3.72°E
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Overview
Ghent has medieval towers, canals and guildhalls to rival Bruges, but it is a living university city first, with bikes everywhere, a lively food scene and far fewer day-trippers.
Its treasures are close together. You can see the van Eyck brothers' altarpiece, climb the belfry and walk the castle ramparts in a morning, then spend the evening on the quays of the Graslei as the old façades light up.
Things to see
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Photo: Jan van Eyck / Presumably Hubert van Eyck, Public domain Ghent Altarpiece
The van Eyck brothers' Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, a founding masterpiece of Flemish painting, displayed in St Bavo's Cathedral.
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Photo: Marc Ryckaert (MJJR), CC BY 3.0 Gravensteen
A moated twelfth-century castle of the Counts of Flanders, with battlements to climb and views over the rooftops.
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Photo: Michiel Hendryckx, CC BY-SA 4.0 Graslei and Korenlei
Two facing quays of old guildhalls along the Leie, the city's postcard view and its favourite place to sit by the water.
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Photo: Trougnouf (Benoit Brummer), CC BY 4.0 Belfry of Ghent
The tall medieval bell tower between the cathedral and St Nicholas' Church, with a lift most of the way up.
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Photo: marie-julie, Public domain Museum of Fine Arts
A strong collection of Flemish art from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century, beside the green Citadelpark.
Tickets and tours
Things to do
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Photo: Flickr user: Fugue, CC BY-SA 2.0 Canal boat trip
Short boat tours leave from the Graslei and glide past the castle and through the quieter backwaters of the old town.
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Photo: Demeester, CC BY-SA 3.0 Dinner in the Patershol
A tight knot of medieval lanes behind the castle, packed with small, characterful restaurants.
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Photo: tillstr., CC BY 2.0 Werregarenstraat
A narrow alley where street artists are allowed to paint freely, so it changes every time you visit.
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Photo: Gordito1869, CC BY 3.0 Gentse Feesten
Ten days of free music, theatre and street parties take over the centre each July.
Where to stay
Historic centre
Between the Graslei, the castle and the cathedral; walkable to everything.
Hotels in Historic centrePatershol
Atmospheric and quiet at night, with restaurants on your doorstep.
Hotels in PatersholNear Sint-Pieters station
Handy for trains and the museums of Citadelpark, a short tram ride from the centre.
Hotels in Near Sint-Pieters station
Getting around
The centre is mostly car-free and easy to walk or cycle. Trams link Sint-Pieters station to the old town in about 15 minutes.
Trains from Brussels reach Gent-Sint-Pieters in about 30 minutes, and there are direct trains from Brussels Airport.
When to go
April to September is mild and good for canalside evenings. July brings the Gentse Feesten, when the city is at its most festive and busiest. Winters are cool and damp but quiet.
Plan your trip to Ghent
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.