The Belfry of Ghent is the tallest of the three medieval towers that define the skyline, rising beside St Bavo's Cathedral and St Nicholas' Church, and it is part of the UNESCO listing of Belfries of Belgium and France. It was begun in the early fourteenth century as a symbol of the city's independence, a place to keep the town's charters and to ring the alarm. Today you reach the first floor by stairs, then take a lift to the upper level, where the carillon, the great bells and the mechanism of the clock are on display and the gallery looks over the rooftops. A gilded dragon, the symbol of Ghent, sits at the very top, and the original is kept inside. The tower is open daily, which makes it an easy half hour or hour in any itinerary, and it works well in cold weather because the visit is quick and the views are the reward.
Belfries were the proud bell towers of medieval trading towns, and Ghent's was a statement against the counts whose castle stands nearby. The tower beside the Cloth Hall was the town's safe, its watchtower and its clock. The carillon of bells still rings today, and in the upper rooms you can see the drum and the mechanics that play it. The visit is short but memorable because the gallery gives you a view you cannot get from the street, with the cathedral, the castle, the quays and the Patershol rooftops all in view.
Plan about thirty to sixty minutes. You walk roughly a hundred steps to the first floor, where the lift takes you up. The lift only goes up, so you come down by the stairs, which is something to know if you have limited mobility, in which case it is wise to contact the venue first.
The tower is open every day from morning to early evening, with the last tickets sold an hour before closing, and it closes only on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January. Prices are modest, with discounts for young people, Ghent residents and CityCard holders, and children up to twelve go free.
The booking page linked here is a private guided tour of Historic Ghent that includes the castle, the Belfry and the cathedral, and it is priced as a private tour for a group. Many travellers will prefer simply to buy a Belfry ticket at the tower and combine it with the nearby sights on foot, since the Belfry, the cathedral, the town hall and the quays are all within a few minutes of each other. Go on a clear morning for the best view, and bring a layer, because the gallery is open to the wind.
What to expect
The experience
A short self-guided visit with stairs to the first floor, a lift to the top and a gallery with views over the old town.
Best time
A clear morning, when the light is good for photographs and the lift queue is short.
How long
Thirty to sixty minutes including the view.
Tips
Wrap up for the open gallery, remember the lift only goes up, and note that last tickets are sold an hour before closing.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Anyone who wants the best viewpoint in Ghent without a long climb.
- Families
- The lift makes the top easy for children, and the bells and the dragon are a hit.
- Couples
- Go up at the end of the afternoon and then walk to Graslei for a drink.
- Pair with
- St Bavo's Cathedral, the Cloth Hall and a canal boat tour.
- Time needed
- An hour with the queue, less if it is quiet.
Good questions
Is there a lift in the Belfry?+
Yes, after about a hundred steps to the first floor a lift takes you to the upper level. The lift only goes up, so you walk down the stairs.
When is the Belfry open?+
It is open every day from morning to early evening, with the last tickets sold an hour before closing. It closes only on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January.
How much does it cost?+
Adults pay a modest entry fee, with lower prices for young people and Ghent residents, and children up to twelve are free. Holders of the CityCard Gent also enter free.
What is the dragon on the top?+
The gilded dragon is the symbol of Ghent and has stood on the tower since the fourteenth century. The original is kept inside the Belfry and a copy sits on the spire.
What is linked here?+
It is a private guided tour of historic Ghent that includes the Belfry, the castle and the cathedral. If you only want to climb the tower, a ticket at the venue is the simpler choice.
