10 ESSENTIAL PLACES TO VISIT IN GHENT

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Is list of places to visit in Ghent, it will help you prepare a getaway to one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe, which although without the fame of its neighboring Bruges, this lively city full of students, has nothing to envy.
Known as the jewel of Flanders, Ghent stands out for its beautiful historical center in which old churches, canals, castles, bridges, museums and an endless number of medieval buildings are mixed to each one more beautiful.
Based on our trip to Ghent, Leuven and Antwerp, we have made a list of what we believe are the 10 essential places to see in Ghent. We start!

How to get to Ghent from Brussels

If you are staying in Brussels, the best option is to book the train to Ghent. You can take the train at several stations such as Bruxelles-Midi, Bruxelles-Nord or Bruxelles-Central, in the direction of Ostende. The stop where you have to get off is Gent-Sint-Pieters, the journey is 45 minutes and the price is around 10 euros. From Ghent station you can take a tram downtown.
In case you want to get directly to Ghent from the two airports closest to Brussels, you have these alternatives:
- From Charleroi Airport, take a bus to Brussels Midi station and there take a train to Ghent, with a total price of about 30 euros.
- From Brussels Airport, Zaventem, take a direct train to Ghent or with a stopover to Brussels, for a price of about 20 euros.

If you have only one day to see Ghent, a good option is to book this bus tour with a guide in Spanish or this one that also includes Bruges, considered two of the best excursions in Brussels.

For more information on the transfer you can consult this post on how to go from Brussels to Ghent.

1. Docks Graslei and Korenlei

Graslei and Korenlei, were the most important docks in the port of the ancient city of Ghent. In this area on the banks of the Lys River, of great commercial activity, during this time traditional houses were built dedicated to several guilds that have been kept intact until our times, making the streets of Graslei and Korenlei the most famous and more essential than visiting in Ghent.
The houses of Graslei or dock of herbs, is better preserved than Korenlei or dock of grains, although it is advisable to take a walk on both banks at different times of the day and at night.

Graslei and Korenlei docks

2. Church of San Nicolás

The church of St. Nicholas of the thirteenth century, is another of the oldest and most important places to visit in Ghent. The construction of the church was financed by the powerful merchants' guild, since St. Nicholas is the patron of commerce and its exterior, built in blue-gray stone, stands out for its bell tower and several smaller conical towers located in the corners of church.
It is worth entering inside to see its large windows that allow to illuminate all its architectural details with natural light and to see the organ.
The best views of the Church of St. Nicholas are obtained by climbing to the nearby bell tower of Ghent, the Belfort Tower.
Visiting hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm, Mondays do not open until 2pm.

St. Nicholas Church

3. San Miguel Bridge

The San Miguel Bridge located on the Leie River, between Graslei and Korenlei streets, is one of Ghent's favorite places for photography lovers.
From the top of the bridge you can see, in addition to the beautiful facades of both banks, the towers of several nearby churches and the boats navigating the canal, an image that we are sure, you will not easily forget.
We recommend crossing the bridge at sunset while the city buildings light up, without a doubt, it is one of the best things to see in Ghent.
If it is your first time in the city, a good option to learn more about the history of Ghent is to book this guided tour in Spanish or this free tour of Ghent Free!, In which you will pass through all the interesting places of the historic center.

San Miguel Bridge

4. Castle of the Counts of Flanders

The Castle of the Counts of Flanders or Gravensteen, is one of the best preserved defensive fortresses in Europe and another of the essential places to visit in Ghent. It was built in the twelfth century by Felipe de Alsace, count of Flanders, on the river Lys, with a moat around him to help his defense.
In addition to its spectacular exterior, you can enter the castle to see the old Torture Hall and you can also climb the Tribute Tower, from which you will also have good views of Ghent.
Visiting hours: Monday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm. In winter they open an hour before and close an hour before.

Castle of the Counts of Flanders

5. Walk through the canals

A boat trip on the canals day or night, is one of the best things to do in Ghent. The small boats leave from the most central area of the Graslei and Korenlei docks and during the journey of about 40 minutes they will explain the history of the most important buildings you are going through.
The cruise has an approximate price of 8 euros and is an activity that is very worthwhile, since in addition to discovering hidden corners, you can see the beautiful facades of medieval buildings from another perspective. You can book the cruise here.

Ghent Canals

Our recommended hotel in Ghent
The Ibis Centrum Opera Hotel, located in the city center, 10 minutes walk from the Cathedral of San Bavón and the Castle of the Counts, is our recommended hotel in Ghent. It has free Wi-Fi connection in the rooms and buffet breakfast included in the room price.

6. Belfort, one of the places to visit in Ghent

The bell tower, known as Belfort, stands out from the rooftops of the city at 91 meters high. This ancient watchtower of the 14th century, crowned by a figure of a golden dragon, has several floors inside with several exhibits referring to the history of the tower, in which one of them is the famous bell tower Roland, which was used to warn people that an enemy was approaching.
In another of the plants is the carillon of 52 bells that ring every Friday and Sunday at 12 in the morning.
For us, the highlights of the tower are the impressive 360-degree panoramic views that are obtained from its last floor and that places it in one of the most essential places to see in Ghent.
Visiting hours: every day from 10am to 6pm.

Belfort Tower, one of the places to see in Ghent

7. Korenmarkt

Located in the historic center, Korenmarkt Square is the most popular meeting point for tourists and locals in the city. In the past, the square had a great commercial activity as the wheat market was located, and today it is the perfect place to sit and have a Belgian beer in one of its many terraces. A good option to try some of the best Belgian beers is to book this tour.
This lively square is also surrounded by buildings from the Middle Ages with beautiful facades, among which the magnificent St. Nicholas Church and the post office building stand out.

Korenmarkt, one of the places to visit in Ghent

8. Cathedral of San Bavón

In honor of San Bavón, patron of Ghent, the Cathedral of San Bavón was built in the fourteenth century, another of the essential places to visit in Ghent. The cathedral is famous for housing inside the altarpiece of the "Adoration of the Mystic Lamb", by the Van Eyck brothers, one of the masterpieces of art history.
Inside, among the works of great masters, the "San Bavón enters the convent of Ghent"de Rubens, the white marble pulpit of Carrara, the stained glass windows and an organ box.
The oak doors and the bell tower of 90 meters high are the most remarkable elements of the exterior.
Visiting hours: Monday to Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sundays starts at 1pm.

San Bavón Cathedral

Recommended travel cards
Remember that in order not to pay commissions and always have the current change we recommend you use the N26 card to pay and the Bnext and Revolut cards to get money at the ATMs. They are the ones we use, They are free and will save you a lot.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.

9. Ghent Town Hall

The municipality of Ghent or Stadhuis, located in the historic center, is represented in different architectural styles product of its more than four centuries of construction. The building that occupies an apple, actually look like two, having a Gothic and Renaissance facade.
Inside, you can see several interesting rooms such as the Pacification Room, the Arsenal room, the Throne Room and the wedding chapel with beautiful stained glass windows.
Visiting hours: Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays open until 12 noon.

Ghent Town Hall

10. Vrijdagmarkt Square

Vrijdagmarkt Square, surrounded by traditional houses of different guilds, is another of the places to see in Ghent more interesting. This square was for centuries the center of the political, social and cultural life of the city in which today a second-hand market is installed every Friday.
If you approach the square when the street market is assembled, it dazzles a bit when you cannot appreciate the whole set of houses so we recommend you return in the afternoon and sit on one of its terraces to enjoy the good atmosphere taking something in Some of its terraces.