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Where is Ghent located?
- Belgium's port city of Ghent is situated at the confluence of the Scheldt and Lys rivers.
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What is Ghent known for?
- Ghent describes itself as the city of trust and love.
- It is a university town and a cultural hub that blends an artistic quarter with a historic center.
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What historic sites can visitors explore in Ghent?
- The pedestrianized city center showcases remarkable medieval architecture.
- One of the most famous landmarks is the 12th-century Gravensteen castle, which has a fairy-tale-like appearance.
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How can visitors experience Ghent’s modern culture?
- Those looking to explore the city’s contemporary side can take the "Sorry, Not Sorry" walking tour, which highlights Ghent’s graffiti art scene.
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1. Ghent Belfry
Climb the tower and see sweeping city views on a quick historic stop.
The Ghent Belfry is the city’s symbol of independence. Built in 1313, it originally held the municipal privileges (similar to a town’s charter) in a secret room. The dragon symbol on the tower is symbolic of guarding the privileges. A single alarm bell, installed in 1325, became an hourly bell 50 years later. By 1442, the belfry served as the city’s watchtower, where trumpeters and bell ringers would warn of imminent danger – usually fire. Over time, more bells were added until a 54-bell carillon was completed in 1993. The belfry was placed on the World Heritage List in 1999. Visitors may choose self-guided tours or join a single daily guided tour.
Woestijnegoedlaan 16, 9032 Wondelgem, Ghent, BE, Phone: +32-93-75-31-61
2. Citadelpark
Walk on peaceful paths and explore green spaces during a relaxing spring afternoon.
Citadelpark is one of Ghent’s oldest, largest, and most popular parks. It was built for the 1913 World Exhibition on the site of a former Dutch citadel, hence the name. The expansive green space is within walking distance of Ghent’s historic center, near the Sint-Peiters train station. The lush grounds feature exotic tree species (labeled with their Latin names), flowers, ponds, a small waterfall, and numerous sculptures. There is an ornate cast-iron bandstand, which hosts the occasional music event. Two museums are also in the park, the Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art and the Museum of Fine Arts. Both museums charge a fee. Visitors are encouraged to explore the park during the daytime for safety reasons.
Citadelpark, 9000 Ghent, BE, Phone: +32-92-66-56-60
3. Design Museum Gent
See bold exhibits and discover Belgian creativity on a stylish weekend visit.
Design Museum Gent has a permanent collection of about 22,000 objects. Founded in 1903, the oldest part of the collection is the 18th-century French furniture. The bulk of the collection is mid-1970s art nouveau, art deco, and Italian postmodernism. The museum is based on a model of “good examples” of applied art, featuring several disciplines. Visitors will find the work of famous Belgian designers like Emiel Veranneman and Piet Stockmans, although some international designers are represented as well. There are often a number of exhibitions showing at the same time, like Karel Martens: Motion and the Alonso International Glass Collection.
Jan Breydelstraat 5, 9000 Ghent, BE, Phone: +3-20-92-67-99-99
4. Gent Free Walking Tour
Walk along historic streets and learn Ghent’s stories on a cheap cultural outing.
Gent Free Walking Tour is for travelers who like to know the secrets of a travel destination that most tourists never learn from their guidebooks. This is an opportunity to learn to love Ghent like a local. Participants will visit and learn about significant historical must-see places in the city like Ghent Belfry, Graffiti Street, and Granvensteen Castle, but will also discover so much more. Guides share the history and legends of the city, urban myths, local inside jokes, and the university life for students. They’ll share the best places to grab lunch, have a cocktail, or enjoy a good dinner. Tours are 2 hours and meet outside the Uppelink Hostel.
Uppelink Hostel, Sint Michielsplein 21, Ghent, BE, Phone: +3-24-98-68-66-83
5. Gent Watertoerist
Cruise scenic canals and explore the city from the water on a romantic trip.
Gent Watertoerist provides individual and group boat tours of Ghent. Standard boat tours are 40 minutes in length, and travelers will learn about Ghent from the Middle Ages to today. Visitors can choose open or glass-covered boats. The departure point for boat tours is the Graslei on the Lys River. Gent Watertoerist offers boat trips with Gulden Draak Beer, trips with catering, combination boat/walk daytrips, and combination culinary boat/walk trips. The Guided Boat Trip with Visit to Gruut Brewery includes three Belgium beers, while Nibble and Chat De Luxe stops at three places to dine on a combination boat/walking tour.
Hoogpoort 39, 9000 Gent, BE, Phone: +3-20-92-69-08-69
6. Ghent City Museum
Discover Ghent’s past and explore interactive exhibits perfect for curious kids.
Stadsmuseum Gent is the Ghent City Museum , and aims to present the city’s story to travelers. This fascinating tour takes visitors on a circuit of exhibits in chronological order that trace the growth and development of Ghent. A local vision in 1833, the museum grew from a small donated collection to a municipal museum with significant objects in 1884, when its first curator was appointed. It grew to include examples from all art disciplines today, including stained glass, china, coins and medals, scale models, and items from trade guilds. Audio guides that tell the story of Ghent are available for a nominal fee.
Bijlokesite, Godshuizenlaan 2, 9000 Ghent, BE, Phone: +3-20-92-67-14-00
7. Graslei
Stroll along the river and admire historic facades on a charming couples walk.
Graslei is a magnificent medieval port in the heart of Ghent featuring a row of one-of-a-kind historical buildings that are beautifully reflected in the lengthy river on one side and the Korenlei on the other side. A meeting place for all who visit or live in the city, it boasts beautiful cobblestone walkways, majestic bridges, and quaint cafes. Visitors will learn of the area’s rich history and the story of Ghent’s burgeoning economy during the Middle Ages through the port’s ancient buildings. These include the Guildhall of the Free Boatmen, the house of the Grain Weighers, and Spikjer, among many others.
Graslei, 9000 Gent, Stadsplan C3, Belgium, Phone: +32-92-25-51-47
8. Gravensteen
Explore medieval dungeons and climb castle towers during a dramatic fall adventure.
Gravensteen , the Castle of the Counts, is Ghent’s premier tourist attraction. This medieval fortress has a long and storied past dating back to the 10th century. It was home to Counts, then the Council of Flanders (the county’s high court), and a semi-subterranean prison and torture chamber during the 14th to 18th centuries. In the 18th century, it became an industrial complex, and by the 19th century was set for demolition. Today, it hosts visitors, cultural activities, and the occasional wedding. Visitors can expect to see instruments of torture and executioner’s tools in the museum of torture. There is also a museum of medieval weapons.
Stadhuis, Botermarkt 1, 9000 Ghent, BE, Phone: +32-92-10-10-75
9. History of Sciences Museum
See vintage instruments and learn scientific discoveries on a retirement-friendly visit.
The History of Sciences Museum displays an evolving and extensive collection of historical scientific instruments that the University of Ghent has used in research and education over the last 200 years since the school’s beginning in 1817. Featured collections represent the science disciplines, including biology, chemistry, physics, botany, and mathematics. The collections tell the story of scientific research and modernization in Ghent and showcase the work of great scientific minds like Joseph Plateau, the father of film, and August Kekulé, the founder of aromatic chemistry. Collections of microscopes and surveying instruments as well as a history of electrical machines are also on display.
Campus Sterre, Krijgslaan 281 S30, 9000 Ghent, BE, Phone: +32-92-64-49-30
10. Huis van Alijn
Step into daily life and discover Belgian traditions on a unique family outing.
The Huis van Alijn depicts the evolution of daily life in the 20th century with examples of both ordinary objects and curiosities. The museum uses found objects, film, photos, and audio to tell the story of the century. The well-curated museum beautifully displays objects in the everyday environments in which they would be used, like a barber shop, a child’s room, or a living room. There is an interesting collection of private videos that Ghent citizens recorded to tell their stories, giving visitors a glimpse into the life and times of Ghent in the 1900s.
Kraanlei 65, 9000 Ghent, BE, Phone: +32-92-35-38-00
Ghent, Belgium Weather by Month:
| Month | High (°C) | Low (°C) | Precip. (mm) | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6 | 1 | 60 | Cold & Rainy |
| February | 7 | 1 | 50 | Cold & Rainy |
| March | 10 | 3 | 50 | Cool & Rainy |
| April | 15 | 7 | 50 | Mild & Rainy |
| May | 19 | 10 | 60 | Mild & Pleasant |
| June | 22 | 13 | 70 | Warm & Pleasant |
| July | 24 | 15 | 70 | Warm & Humid |
| August | 23 | 14 | 70 | Warm & Humid |
| September | 20 | 11 | 60 | Mild & Pleasant |
| October | 15 | 8 | 60 | Cool & Rainy |
| November | 10 | 4 | 60 | Cold & Rainy |
| December | 6 | 1 | 60 | Cold & Rainy |
Plan Your Trip
Table of Contents:
- 1. Ghent Belfry
- 2. Citadelpark
- 3. Design Museum Gent
- 4. Gent Free Walking Tour
- 5. Gent Watertoerist
- 6. Ghent City Museum
- 7. Graslei
- 8. Gravensteen
- 9. History of Sciences Museum
- 10. Huis van Alijn