Ghent Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Ghent showing a city and boating
Belfry of Ghent which includes a city, night scenes and heritage architecture
Ghent featuring heritage architecture and a city
Ghent showing modern architecture, night scenes and a city
Ghent featuring heritage architecture, a bridge and a river or creek

Take in the historic sights as you stroll through romantically lit cobblestone streets on your way to one of the many museums in this historic Flemish city.

Ghent is the perfect place to stroll around and take in culture. Take a detour along the river Leie and visit historic buildings such as the Belfry, Huis van Alijn and St-Baafskathedraal. Explore them on your own or take a guided tour and discover what this Belgian city has to offer.

According to the experts, the area around Ghent has been inhabited since the Stone Age with the first signs of settlements dating back to the 4th century. During the first half of the Middle Ages Ghent was the most important city in the Low Lands together with Bruges, which is still clearly visible today from the many beautiful monuments that are left.

You can enjoy beautiful views of the city from the top of the 95 metre high Gothic Belfry. Next to the Belfry, you will find St-Baafskathedraal, where you can admire the famous painting 'The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb'. Art lovers are in for a real treat at Caermersklooster and the Museum voor Schone Kunsten, where they can admire paintings and statues from the Middle Ages to the mid-20th century. The 12-century Gravensteen, the only remaining mediaeval castle in Flanders, is also well worth visiting.

A lot of the city centre has been pedestrianised so you can stroll around at your ease or take the tram. Admire the city's attractions on one of the 1 or 2-hour walking tours. You can also tour the city by boat or horse and carriage. It's a great destination whether you take the kids or spend a romantic afternoon with your partner.

Ghent is easily reached from the Netherlands by car or public transport. There is no direct connection so you will probably have to change trains in Antwerp. If you're coming from Maastricht, you'll change trains in Liège.

What are you waiting for? Check out what Expedia has on offer and plan your trip to this picturesque city.

Where to stay in Ghent

Ghent Town Hall featuring street scenes, a sunset and an administrative building

Ghent City Centre

4.5/5(70 area reviews)

Historical sites, cafes and museums are some highlights of Ghent City Centre. Make a stop by Belfry of Ghent or St. Nicholas' Church while you're exploring.

Ghent City Centre
Default Image

Kunstenkwartier

5/5(2 area reviews)

Kunstenkwartier is noteworthy for its bars, and you can make a stop at top attractions like St. Peter's Square and St. Peter's Abbey.

Kunstenkwartier
Citadel Park featuring a waterfall, a lake or waterhole and a park

Stationsbuurt Noord

4.5/5(16 area reviews)

Unique features of Stationsbuurt Noord include the historical sites and restaurants. Make a stop by Ghent University Botanical Garden or Museum of Fine Arts while you're exploring the area.

Stationsbuurt Noord
Default Image

Moscou

Moscou might not have many top sights, but Ghelamco Arena and Small Beguinage Ghent are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Moscou
Default Image

Heilig Kerst

4/5(1 area review)

Travellers like the theatres in Heilig Kerst, and World of Kina: The Garden is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Heilig Kerst
Gravensteen featuring street scenes, heritage architecture and a river or creek

Patershol

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

Patershol is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Gravensteen Castle and Old Fish Market.

Patershol
Van der Valk Hotel Gent

Van der Valk Hotel Gent

4.5 out of 5
Akkerhage 10, Ghent
The price is £96 per night from 17 Aug to 18 Aug
£96
17 Aug - 18 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Ghent. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (550 reviews)
Recommend the family suite
"We stayed in the family suite and it was so lovely. Perfect for a family of four, our 5 year old loved it. Lots of little lovely details such as wash pack especially for children! Lovely cot available at an extra charge."

Reviewed on 2 Aug 2025

Van der Valk Hotel Gent
B&B HOTEL Gent Centrum

B&B HOTEL Gent Centrum

3 out of 5
Voldersstraat 17, Ghent
The price is £85 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
£85
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Ghent. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (955 reviews)
"Staff somewhat aloof and unfriendly"

Reviewed on 31 Jul 2025

B&B HOTEL Gent Centrum
Getaway Studios Gent

Getaway Studios Gent

2 Seminariestraat, Ghent
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £81 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
£81
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this aparthotel in Ghent. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (520 reviews)
2 nights away.
"Good location for easy walking to town for shopping, eating and looking around the character buildings."

Reviewed on 23 Jul 2025

Getaway Studios Gent
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Getaway Studios Gent

Getaway Studios Gent

2 Seminariestraat, Ghent
Stay at this aparthotel in Ghent. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (520 reviews)
2 nights away.
"Good location for easy walking to town for shopping, eating and looking around the character buildings."

Reviewed on 23 Jul 2025

Getaway Studios Gent
Adagio Access Gent Centrum Dampoort

Adagio Access Gent Centrum Dampoort

29 KOOPVAARDIJLAAN, Ghent
Stay at this aparthotel in Ghent. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (113 reviews)
"Clean and looks newly furbished. Hotel staff good in english and easy to communicate with. The car park is a bit pricy at 20 euros per night but it s convenient and secure so we went for it anyway. We stayed during Ghent festival and there s performances around the city - this hotel is just 20 min ..."

Reviewed on 23 Jul 2025

Adagio Access Gent Centrum Dampoort
The Hide

The Hide

4 out of 5
134 Nederkouter, Ghent, Vlaams Gewest
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Ghent. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Book Tower and Bijloke Music Center ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (5 reviews)
"All perfect, just a little bit loud early in the morning, we are aware it was because of some constructions around, overall the place it’s really nice, and the staff very efficient when trying to solve an issue with the booked room, they upgraded us to another one of their rooms, which we appreciate ..."

Reviewed on 14 May 2025

The Hide
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Cities near Ghent