10 Fun Things to Do in Ghent, Belgium (One Day Itinerary)

Are you thinking of adding Ghent to your Belgium itinerary?

When I found cheap flights to Belgium, I knew I wanted to explore more than just Brussels. There are many great day trip options from the capital city, but I ended up choosing Bruges, Ghent, and Dinant.

You can read my guide to visiting Bruges here, and my entire Belgium itinerary here!

When I decided to add Ghent to my itinerary, I didn't know much about it other than what I had seen on TikTok. I was expecting a small town, similar to Bruges. But I was surprised to learn that it is actually the 4th largest city in Belgium, and it is often overlooked on the traditional tourist circuit.

In the Middle Ages Ghent was one of the richest and most powerful cities in Belgium, which is why there are so many ornate cathedrals and even a medieval castle. These buildings were a chance for this Belgian city to show off its wealth.

Nowadays, Ghent is a mix of historic buildings, fascinating museums, and bohemian graffiti artists. It's urban with a charming historic center.

It's also one of the most beautiful places I've visited in Europe.

I was visiting Belgium with my 3-year-old daughter on this trip, so I packed in as much as I could with a toddler in tow. While in Belgium we also met up with one of my content creator friends, Stephanie from The Backpacking Mom, who was traveling with her tween daughter.

While we only got to visit for a day, I would happily return to Ghent to see more of this beautiful city!

Ghent is definitely worth visiting if you're in Belgium. Here's my complete guide to Ghent, whether you're visiting with kids, on a romantic couple's getaway, or on a girls' trip to Europe.

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Are you thinking of adding Ghent to your Belgium itinerary?

When I found cheap flights to Belgium, I knew I wanted to explore more than just Brussels. There are many great day trip options from the capital city, but I ended up choosing Bruges, Ghent, and Dinant.

You can read my guide to visiting Bruges here, and my entire Belgium itinerary here!

When I decided to add Ghent to my itinerary, I didn't know much about it other than what I had seen on TikTok. I was expecting a small town, similar to Bruges. But I was surprised to learn that it is actually the 4th largest city in Belgium, and it is often overlooked on the traditional tourist circuit.

In the Middle Ages Ghent was one of the richest and most powerful cities in Belgium, which is why there are so many ornate cathedrals and even a medieval castle. These buildings were a chance for this Belgian city to show off its wealth.

Nowadays, Ghent is a mix of historic buildings, fascinating museums, and bohemian graffiti artists. It's urban with a charming historic center.

It's also one of the most beautiful places I've visited in Europe.

I was visiting Belgium with my 3-year-old daughter on this trip, so I packed in as much as I could with a toddler in tow. While in Belgium we also met up with one of my content creator friends, Stephanie from The Backpacking Mom, who was traveling with her tween daughter.

While we only got to visit for a day, I would happily return to Ghent to see more of this beautiful city!

Ghent is definitely worth visiting if you're in Belgium. Here's my complete guide to Ghent, whether you're visiting with kids, on a romantic couple's getaway, or on a girls' trip to Europe.

Best Things to Do in Ghent, Belgium (With or Without Kids)

There are so many incredible Ghent attractions to choose from! If you're like me and just visiting for a day, I think these are the spots you should prioritize. Here are the top things to do in Ghent whether you're visiting with kids (I had my 3-year-old toddler with me), or on an adults-only trip.

Gravensteen Castle

Gravensteen Castle, or Castle of the Counts, is a medieval fortress in Ghent's city center. This stunning castle was built in the Middle Ages and served as the home of the Counts of Flanders, a prison, a court, and a mint.

The best way to experience Gravensteen is through the audio tour. A Flemish comedian walks you through the castle's history with a hint of humor. Learn about the torture chamber, the reason the stone ramparts were built, and the political drama of the Counts of Flanders.

You can buy your tickets online in advance, and ticket prices are €13 for adults, €2,70 for Children 13-18 years, and free for kids ages 12 and under.

Belfry of Ghent

The Ghent Belfry is a Unesco World Heritage Site and a great way to see the city from a bird's eye view and get panoramic views of the city of Ghent!

Erected in the early 1300s, this medieval bell tower is an integral part of the Ghent skyline and features a gilded copper dragon that guards the city. Over the years the belfry has announced the time and served as a watchtower. It is connected to the cloth hall, the center of the cloth trade in the Middle Ages.

You can climb the 366 stairs to the top of the belfry for the best view of the city, or take the elevator from the second floor. The ground floor has a small museum where you can learn about the history of the iconic landmark and the dragon on top.

If you visit with kids, get the Little Guide, an activity book for kids that sends them on a quest for the dragon's egg.

Boat Trip

If you're visiting Old Town, be sure to take a boat ride along the canals to see the historic buildings from a different perspective!

We did not book our canal tour ahead of time but found plenty of operators along the canals. I had a stroller for my 3-year-old, and they had me leave it at the ticketing place while we were on the boat.

The tour guide spoke multiple languages and made sure to speak the language of each guest on the tour. We learned about the history of the buildings we passed, as well as some information about what Ghent was like in medieval times.

Though we went in February and the weather was still a bit chilly, it was still enjoyable to take in the medieval architecture and learn from a local guide as we floated along the canal.

I would imagine it's even more beautiful during the spring and summer!

Eat some Frites

Friets, or fries, are one of the foods Belgium is known for, and they offer a wide variety of toppings and sauces so you can customize them to your taste!

There are many frites stands around Ghent to choose from, so make sure to keep your eyes peeled for a traditional "frietkot" (fry stand) around the historic center so you can snack while you admire the beautiful buildings and Flemish architecture.

I usually hate mayonnaise but realized that the parmesan fries with truffle mayonnaise was actually delicious, so don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone!

Take in the View from St Michael's Bridge

St. Michael's Bridge was one of the best places to take in the heart of the city. The stone arch bridge stretches over the Leie River and offers views of the most iconic sights in Ghent.

To the north of the bridge, you'll look out over the Korenlei (wheat quay) on the left bank and Graslei (grass quay) on the right, plus the medieval castle in the distance. These are historic buildings that used to be the center of the wheat and corn trade in medieval Ghent. The facades of the buildings were restored for the 1913 World's Fair in Ghent.

To the east (your right), you'll get a great view of St. Nicholas' Church, the Belfry, and St. Bavo's Cathedral - all 3 towers of Ghent in one spot. It's a great place for a photo!

To the west (your left), you can see St. Michael's Church, a Gothic cathedral with famous Flemish artwork inside.

St. Michael's Bridge was the perfect place to take in the unique Flemish architecture in Ghent's city centre.

Visit St. Bavo's Cathedral

If you could choose one church to visit while in Ghent, make it St. Bavo's Cathedral. Saint Bavo Cathedral, or Sint-Baafsplein, has a rich history dating back to the 10th century. By the 12th century, it was turned into a Romanesque church dedicated to John the Baptist, then finally converted into the imposing Gothic cathedral it is today in the Middle Ages.

St Bavo is perhaps best known for its artwork, specifically The Ghent Altarpiece: 'Adoration of the Mystic Lamb,' a world-famous painting featuring scenes from the Bible completed by the Van Eyck brothers, Jan Van Eyck and Hubert Van Eyck.

Wander the Graslei and Korenlei

After enjoying the view from St. Micheal's Bridge, descend the stairs to wander along the Leie River and get a closer look at the cobblestone streets and historic architecture. As a reminder, the Graslei (Grass Quay) is on the right bank, and the Korenlei (Wheat Quay) is on the left bank.

It's free to wander and enjoy the sights of this beautiful city, but it's also a great place to stop and relax at a cafe to enjoy coffee or some of Belgium's specialties like waffles or Belgian Beer.

There's nothing better than enjoying a sidewalk cafe while people-watching in the most charming part of the historic city of Ghent.

Get some Belgian Waffles

We were hungry after our guided boat tour and wandering along the river, so we ducked into House of Waffles, located along the Graslei, for some Belgian Waffles.

There are both sweet and savory waffles here, and you can choose between the Brussels and Liege Waffles. The Brussels waffle is light and airy, and designed to hold whatever toppings you choose! The Liege Waffle is sweeter with carmelized pearl sugar giving these waffles a sweet crunch.

I think if you're getting toppings, the Brussels waffle is the way to go! But if you're eating your waffle on the go or you have a sweet tooth, you may prefer the Liege waffle.

No matter which style you choose, you'll enjoy some great food at House of Waffles!

See Saint Nicholas' Church

While you can just enjoy the views of St. Nicholas' Church from St. Michael's' Bridge, you can also explore the inside of this 13th century Scheldt Gothic cathedral.

The altar features a painting by Nicholas De Liemaecker, and the stained glass windows inside the church feature scenes from the life of Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as Jesus' crucifixion.

The church is free to visit and a short walk from St. Michael's Bridge, so it would be an easy and quick stop.

See the Street Art of Ghent

Ghent is renowned for its street art, so be sure to see some of the best murals in the city along with Graffiti Street where artists are free to add their own street art.

Visit Gent even has a family-friendly art walk itinerary listed on its website, so even if you have kids with you, you can enjoy the creativity of street artists in Ghent!

Where to Stay

If You're Taking a Day Trip from Brussels

I have two excellent hotels to recommend from personal experience if you're making Brussels your home base and taking day trips to Bruges and Ghent from there.

Budget: Holiday Inn Express Brussels Grand Palace

This hotel was €168.18 and included free breakfast. I loved that it was close to Grand Place, a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as the Brussels Central train station.

Moderate: Hotel Indigo Brussels

Hotel Indigo might be my new favorite hotel brand under the IHG umbrella! They are boutique hotels in interesting neighborhoods around the world. The decor was so eclectic and reflected the local city in a fun and unique way.

This hotel was located near the Brussels Nord train station which made it a great home base for day trips.

If You're Taking a Day Trip from Bruges

We stayed in Bruges for 2 nights and took a day trip to Ghent from there.

We absolutely LOVED our hotel in Bruges! It was called Dukes Academie Bruges, a boutique hotel with an excellent breakfast and just a short walk to the train station.

We booked the quad room which was very spacious for our group of 4!

If You're Staying Overnight in Ghent

We didn't get the chance to stay overnight in Ghent, but I know exactly which hotel I would book if I ever return!

The Ghent Marriott Hotel is located in the Korenlei area. It's a modern hotel with a historic Flemish facade to match the surrounding buildings! You would be right in the heart of the historic city center of Ghent.

Belgium Itinerary

If you're planning a week-long trip to Belgium, or the Benelux area (Belgium - Netherlands - Luxembourg), then you might want to use my itinerary as inspiration for your trip!

Day 1 - Arrive in Brussels

Day 2 - Train to Bruges and Explore

Day 3 - Train to Ghent and Explore

Day 4 - Train to Amsterdam and Explore

Day 5 - Anne Frank House and Canal Tour in Amsterdam, train to Brussels

Day 6 - Day trip to Luxembourg and Dinant

Day 7 - Brussels and head home

All the details can be found in this blog post, including links to all of our hotels and tours.