Belgium
Ghent is the Flemish city that most visitors skip on the way between Brussels and Bruges, and that is exactly why it feels so alive.
A medieval castle with a moat sits a few minutes from the guild houses of Graslei and Korenlei, three great towers rise over the old centre, and the cathedral holds one of the most important paintings in European art, the Ghent Altarpiece. Canals and cobbled lanes link it all, students keep the bars busy, and the food and beer scene is a pleasure. This guide covers the essentials properly: Gravensteen castle, St Bavo's Cathedral and the Altarpiece, the Belfry, the quays, a canal boat tour, MSK, S.M.A.K. and STAM, plus a beer tasting and a food tour, and five hotels in the old town and beside the water.
Gravensteen Castle
A twelfth century moated castle in the middle of the city, with a keep you can climb, a collection of medieval weapons and a rooftop view over the old town. It is Ghent's most dramatic first sight and open every day through the winter.
St Bavo's Cathedral and the Ghent Altarpiece
The cathedral that holds the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, the great Van Eyck altarpiece completed in 1432. The paid visitor centre tells its story, and in this restoration year some panels are at MSK, so plan with care.
Belfry of Ghent
The 14th century bell tower that dominates the Ghent skyline, with a lift to the top, carillon bells and the city's famous dragon. It is open every day, and the view over the three towers is the best in town.
Graslei and Korenlei
The two historic quays along the River Lys, lined with guild houses and the best-loved photo spot in Ghent. Entry is free and the area comes alive at dusk.
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
A twelfth century moated castle in the middle of the city, with a keep you can climb, a collection of medieval weapons and a rooftop view over the old town. It is Ghent's most dramatic first sight and open every day through the winter.
The cathedral that holds the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, the great Van Eyck altarpiece completed in 1432. The paid visitor centre tells its story, and in this restoration year some panels are at MSK, so plan with care.
The 14th century bell tower that dominates the Ghent skyline, with a lift to the top, carillon bells and the city's famous dragon. It is open every day, and the view over the three towers is the best in town.
A 40 minute guided cruise on the Lys and the old canals from the Graslei, passing the castle, the guild houses and the Rabot towers. It is one of the easiest and best loved ways to see the city.
FreeThe two historic quays along the River Lys, lined with guild houses and the best-loved photo spot in Ghent. Entry is free and the area comes alive at dusk.
Ghent's fine arts museum, with Flemish masters from Bosch to Rubens, and right now a live restoration studio where you can watch the upper panels of the Ghent Altarpiece being conserved.
The story of Ghent from the Middle Ages to today in a former abbey, with a giant aerial photo you can walk across and a children's trail. A good first stop to understand the city.
Ghent's museum of contemporary art, beside MSK in the Citadel Park, with changing shows, a strong collection of postwar and living artists and late openings on the first Thursday of each month.
A three hour guided beer tasting in small groups, starting beside the old centre. It is a good way to learn Belgian beer styles and to see parts of Ghent that most visitors miss.
A guided walk through Ghent with tastings of local specialties, rated 4.8 by nearly three hundred travellers. It is a delicious way to learn the city, with the old lanes of Patershol close by for dinner afterwards.
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Historic Centre
The splurge address in Ghent, a grand mansion in the historic centre with 156 rooms and suites, a spa with a wellness pool in the old carriage house and several places to eat and drink.
Check rates →
$$$Korenlei Waterfront
A large waterfront hotel on the Korenlei, four minutes on foot from Gravensteen and facing the guild houses, with renovated rooms, a grill restaurant, cocktail bar and a terrace.
Check rates →Town Hall and Hoogpoort
A 174 room hotel opposite the town hall on Hoogpoort, with underground parking, a sauna and gym, a breakfast restaurant and a medieval crypt. The cathedral, castle and Belfry are all about five minutes away.
Check rates →Oude Houtlei, near Sint-Michielsbrug
A thirteenth century convent turned hotel, with 109 rooms, a garden and a preserved chapel, three minutes from the Sint-Michielsbrug and a short walk from Gravensteen. A characterful mid-range choice.
Check rates →Nederkouter, near the Opera
A simple, budget-friendly three star hotel by the Opera on Nederkouter, with breakfast buffet, a bar and parking. The Belfry and cathedral are about a kilometre away.
Check rates →What to book ahead, how to get around, how many days to allow and where the castle, the Ghent Altarpiece, the Belfry and the quays fit, with notes on the restoration of the altarpiece in 2026.
A guide to Ghent's neighbourhoods for visitors, from the historic centre and the Korenlei quay to the area around the Opera, matched to five hotels at different price points.
