According to Lonely Planet, the historic Belgian city of Ghent is Europe’s best-kept secret. I have lived in Belgium for ten years and Ghent is still one of my favourite places to go. Here are my top tips for how to see Ghent in one day. My recommended Ghent itinerary includes the essential boat tour, what to do, where to eat and where to stay in this authentic medieval city.
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Quick overview for one day in Ghent
- Gravensteen Castle
- Guided canal boat tour
- Lunch at one of the city’s best restaurants
- Saint Bavo’s Cathedral and the famous Ghent Altarpiece
- City views from Ghent Belfry tower
Planning your one day Ghent itinerary
This carefully crafted itinerary takes you through the city’s most iconic attractions to make the most of your day while minimising walking distances. You’ll explore medieval castles, cruise historic canals, discover world-famous art, climb ancient towers and experience Ghent’s renowned food scene.
Buy Lonely Planet’s latest Belgium guide book and plan your trip.
Morning: Castle and boat tour
Begin your Ghent adventure at the city’s most impressive medieval fortress. A visit to Gravensteen Castle is the perfect introduction to Ghent’s fascinating history. Follow it up with a gentle canal boat tour for another perspective on the city.
Discover Ghent’s medieval history at Gravensteen Castle
Built in 1180 by Philip of Alsace, Count of Flanders, this medieval fortress housed the powerful Counts of Flanders for almost two centuries. Inside, you’ll find exhibitions showcasing historic suits of armour, weapons and medieval torture devices. Panoramic views over the city from the castle ramparts will help you get orientated for everything you’ll explore today.
Visit Gravensteen Castle on this popular guided walking tour of Ghent.
Enjoy a Ghent canal boat tour for a unique perspective on the city
One of the best things to do in Ghent in one day is to hop on a boat and take a guided tour of the city’s canals. Several companies offer historic Ghent canal boat tours for a unique perspective on the city and its stories.
Five minutes’ walk from Gravensteen castle are the quays on the river Lys, where the boat tours depart. The tour guide will take you on a 40-minute round trip, showing you parts of the city you can’t see from the streets and revealing its fascinating history on your Ghent one day itinerary.
Save time: book your Ghent boat tour in advance here and receive instant confirmation.
Lunch: Taste authentic Ghent
After all that sightseeing, you’re bound to work up an appetite. Luckily, Ghent has fantastic local cuisine and beers. A tasty Ghent dish to try is waterzooi. This is a traditional Flemish stew made with fish or chicken and vegetables in a cream and herb sauce.. If you are vegetarian or vegan, you’re in the right place, because Ghent is known as the vegetarian capital of Europe. Since 2007, the city has officially had a ‘Thursday Veggieday’, on which citizens are encouraged to go meat free for one day a week.
The best restaurants in Ghent
Mosquito Coast is one of the best restaurants in Ghent for travel lovers. This quirky cafe is full of global travel souvenirs and photos to inspire you while you’re dining.
For vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Ghent, try Le Botaniste, a plant-based organic food and wine bar.
The best bars in Ghent
Being in Belgium, you have to try the world-famous locally brewed beer. One of the best bars in Ghent is Dulle Griet, where you can peruse their menu of over 500 different beers and choose the best beer in Ghent.
If it’s sunny, why not do as the students do and grab a drink from a bar or shop and sit by the canal. It’s such a relaxed atmosphere and great for people watching.
Why not indulge in a guided walking tour with beer tastings.
Afternoon: Legendary artwork and city views
In the afternoon, you’ll discover the thrilling story of Ghent’s most famous artwork and climb to the top of the Ghent Belfry tower for one last look at this fascinating place.
See the famous Ghent Altarpiece at Saint Bavo’s Cathedral
A highlight of any visit to Ghent, the striking Gothic Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, built in 942, is home to the world-famous Ghent Altarpiece, or Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. This 15th-century masterpiece by Jan and Hubert van Eyck revolutionised art with its incredible detail and realism, depicting religious figures and scenes across 18 panels.
The altarpiece’s journey is as dramatic as its beauty. This artwork was exhibited at the Louvre in Paris, hidden in a salt mine during World War II and recovered from German collectors, before a high-profile return to its true home in Belgium.
Visit St Bavo’s Cathedral on this popular guided walking tour of Ghent.
Go to the top of the Ghent Belfry tower for outstanding views
This 91-metre, UNESCO-listed building in the heart of Ghent old town is Belgium’s tallest belfry tower and the views from the top are impressive.
Built in 1313, over the centuries it served as both a bell tower and a fortified watchtower, as well as housing local government legal documents. Perched on top of the spire is a large gilded copper dragon, a fierce mascot of Ghent who stands guard.
Visit the Ghent Belfry as part of this guided walking tour of Ghent.
Here are the most perfect places to stay in Ghent
Spending a day in Ghent is easy as it’s compact and walkable. If you are staying overnight, try and stay in the historic centre for maximum convenience.
One of Ghent’s best-loved hotels by travellers is the Ganda Rooms & Suites. This 18th century style townhouse on a quiet street in the city centre has elegant decor and a terrace bar with views of St Bavo’s Cathedral.
Right in the heart of all the top places to see in Ghent is the recently renovated Hostel Uppelink, located in one of the city’s oldest buildings but full of all the modern fixtures and fittings you could need.
For the latest accommodation deals for your dates in Ghent, explore the map below:
More unusual things to do in Ghent
Ghent’s lively student scene means it is surprisingly edgy for such a historical city. You may spot examples of street art in Ghent, such as the famous Graffiti Street.
Book a place on the Ghent Urban Mountain Bike Tour to see the city’s eccentric mix of street art and nature.
How to get to Ghent in Belgium
The nearest airport to the town of Ghent is Brussels Airport (BRU) in Zavantem, north east Brussels. Many international airlines operate affordable flights to Brussels. Otherwise, many people arrive in Belgium’s capital city by train via Eurostar and Thalys. From Brussels to Ghent you can catch one of the frequent trains, which is a direct 40 minute trip.
Regular buses operated by FlixBus and Eurolines run routes from many neighbouring cities and countries to Ghent. This is a good option if you are on a budget.
Visiting Ghent by car is easy, as Brussels to Ghent is just a 50 minute drive. If you’re driving to Ghent, be aware that the signs may show different spellings: in Flemish it’s Gent, while in French it’s Gand.
Check out this one-day tour from Brussels to Ghent, including discounts on museums, restaurants and chocolate shops.
These are best times of year to go to Ghent
Ghent is usually a laid-back city but if you like a special occasion there are times of year with plenty going on. Every July, there’s a ten-day Ghent Festival, which takes over the city, as over a million people enjoy music and street theatre performances all day and all night.
Ghent is also lovely in the winter, as the city is adorned with twinkly lights, pop-up ice skating rinks and a wonderful winter market where you can buy hot spiced wine and souvenirs.
Make some memories on your gorgeous Ghent day trip and you may well find yourself planning your next visit here.
Frequently asked questions about visiting Ghent
Where is Ghent?
It’s located in the north west of Belgium, making it easily accessible from the Netherlands, France and the United Kingdom. Ghent is the capital of East Flanders, one of the country’s Flemish regions. That means Dutch is the local language, but French and English are also widely spoken here.
Is Ghent worth visiting?
Absolutely! Ghent may not be as famous as its neighbouring cities of Bruges or Brussels, but it is well worth visiting. This quirky medieval city has a fairytale castle, picturesque waterways and a vibrant student community. I have lived in Belgium for several years and Ghent is still one of my favourite places to go.
Can you do Ghent and Bruges in one day?
The historic city of Bruges is only a 50 minute drive from Ghent, so it’s definitely possible to see Bruges and Ghent in one day. If you are travelling by train from Ghent to Bruges. it only takes half an hour.
From Brussels, there are top-rated organised tours hosted by informative local guides, so you can enjoy a fascinating Ghent and Bruges day trip.
Final thoughts on the best one day in Ghent itinerary
There are so many things to see in Ghent in one day, you are sure to be charmed and maybe even surprised by this city. Ghent’s majestic and intricate medieval towers stand alongside sleek modern architecture, such as the City Pavilion, creating a striking juxtaposition.
This one day Ghent itinerary captures why the city exceeds expectations. It’s the perfect blend of medieval grandeur, vibrant student energy and world-class art. I always recommend it to my friends visiting Belgium.
Ghent may not have the international fame of Brussels or the fairytale marketing of Bruges but that’s exactly what makes spending a day here so special.
Now, discover all the best things to do in the nearby city of Bruges in a day.
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