Best Things To Do in Ghent, Belgium

Ghent is a picturesque medieval city in the Flemish Region of Belgium filled with historic architecture, scenic canals, neighborhood haunts, and world-class art. Dutch and Belgian waterway cruises offer a chance to discover this unique destination.

Explore Ghent’s top historic sites, culinary offerings, modern culture, unique shops, artisan markets, Belgian beer scene, and medieval charms to see why it makes an ideal Belgian river cruise stop.

Why You Should Visit Ghent

This popular stop on Dutch and Belgian river cruises to Ghent offers more than medieval monuments and wonderful old buildings to admire. Visit vibrant neighborhoods and stroll along its scenic walks to explore the most unique elements of this river city, where history meets modern zest and creativity.

Graslei and Korenlei

Graslei (Grass Quay) and Korenlei (Grain Quay) line the Leie River in Ghent’s city center, showcasing historic buildings, Saint Michael’s Bridge, and Saint Michael’s Church in East Flanders, Belgium.

Graslei and Korenlei are two historic quays lining opposite sides of the Leie River, making this former harbor one of the most picturesque places to begin exploring Ghent. Timber and stone guildhalls with iconic stepped gables dating from the Middle Ages through the 18th century create a striking backdrop for the lively promenade and its alfresco cafés.

Korenlei lines the left bank with historic gabled mansions, while Graslei on the right bank reflects Ghent’s long history of trade and commerce. As you walk along the quays, look for these notable historic buildings:

• The Old Corn Store: A 12th-century Romanesque stone trading house
• The Tolhuisje (Toll House): A Renaissance building used for taxing goods
• Guild House of the Free Sailors: Noted for its ornate, carved Gothic facade dating to 1531
• House of the Grain Measurers: A 14th-century site, now a Belgian accessory store

Saint Michael’s Bridge

The towering Gothic apse of St. Michael’s Church reflecting off the tranquil Leie River alongside St. Michael’s Bridge in Ghent, Belgium.

Venture to beautiful St. Michael’s Bridge for perfect photographic memories of this special place. The fairy-tale setting captures all three of the city’s main towers from one vantage point, which also offers a nice overview before you start your explorations for the day.

Its 360 degrees of history and local life become even more stunning in twilight when the monuments and towers are illuminated, reflections shimmering off the tranquil river. Keep a keen eye out for the bronze lamppost depicting the Archangel Michael conquering and driving away an evil-spirited dragon.

Patershol

Foodies and pub fans will want to wander to Patershol, which some consider the culinary heart of the city. The captivating medieval neighborhood features cozy, twisting cobblestone alleys dotted with small museums, artisan shops, tucked-away courtyard cafes, coffee houses, and traditional pubs.

Werregarenstraat

For a look at Ghent’s modern creative side, head to Werregarenstraat, better known as Graffiti Alley. This 120-meter pedestrian passage is a legal space where street artists can continually add new work, creating an ever-changing mix of murals, stencils, tags, and colorful designs.

Because the artwork changes so often, each visit can look different from the last. Local and international artists both contribute to the space, making it a dynamic snapshot of the city’s street-art scene. For more permanent works nearby, the local tourist office offers the “Sorry, Not Sorry Street Art Map,” highlighting additional pieces throughout Ghent.

Shopping in Ghent

Traditional Gentse sneeuwballen (Ghent snowballs) and chocolate-dusted mallow confections displayed alongside handwritten price slates at a festive market stall in Ghent, Belgium.

Whether you’re looking for high-end designers, street-fashion brands, independent boutiques, vintage finds, chocolatiers, or outdoor markets featuring local artists, Ghent offers plenty of places to browse.

For luxury shopping, head to SoGo, while Rond Sint-Jacobs and Linkeroever are better suited to vintage and retro finds. Dok Noord, a repurposed historic factory complex, combines local boutiques with food and brewery options, making it an easy place to shop and refuel.

If there is any doubt this city supports its local shopping scene, the first Sunday of every month adds color-coded shopping district marks on street signs. Then, it opens the normally closed doors of stores throughout all major shopping areas with a “Shopping Sunday” festival, featuring street entertainment and events.

Historical Sites of Ghent

Ghent might not immediately come to mind alongside Rome or Athens when you think of the historical sites you might see on a European river cruise, but that’s part of its charm. The city’s rich mix of medieval, Renaissance, Gothic, and Neoclassical architecture reflects its past as a powerful center of trade and gives history and architecture enthusiasts plenty to discover.

Gravensteen Castle

The Gravensteen, a medieval castle in the city of Ghent, East Flanders in Belgium.

This 12th-century Castle of the Counts is a moated fortress of turrets and stone ramparts. It is one of Belgium’s best-preserved medieval castles, restored in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its moat, ramparts, and keep to explore. Exhibits on torture might raise an eyebrow, but a special audio-guided tour featuring a local comedian adds a fun flair to any visit.

St. Bavo’s Cathedral and the Ghent Altarpiece

One can’t miss the massive Gothic cathedral hulking over the city, its spires and its tower jutting up into the clouds. Inside, the Ghent Altarpiece, also known as The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of Northern Renaissance art.

Belfry of Ghent

The medieval Belfry of Ghent piercing a vibrant sunset sky alongside the ornate, gilded facade of the Municipal Theater in Ghent, Belgium.

This UNESCO World Heritage-listed bell tower rises above the stone plaza, its 91-meter summit crowned by a golden dragon weather vane dating to 1377. Inside, the tower houses a 54-bell carillon as well as its historic alarm bell.

St. Nicholas’ Church

Blue-gray Tournai stone defines this early-13th-century church, a classic example of Scheldt Gothic architecture. St. Nicholas’ Church forms part of Ghent’s historic core, surrounded by some of the city’s most impressive medieval landmarks.

Ghent, a Culinary Capital for Everyone

Discovering Belgian culture means experiencing its food, too. After exploring Ghent’s historic landmarks and creative neighborhoods, sample some of the local specialties that help define the city’s culinary scene.

Some of the best Belgian dishes to try include:

• Waterzooi: Rich, creamy stew made with chicken or fish, vegetables, and herbs
• Gentse Stoverij: A regional beef stew simmered in local dark beer, accented with sharp Tierenteyn-Verlent mustard
• Cuberdons (Neuzekes): Ghent’s signature cone-shaped purple candies with a hard shell and a soft, raspberry-flavored center
• Ganda Ham: A traditional, locally dry-cured ham

Belgian cuisine tends to be hearty and deeply rooted in regional ingredients, with slow-cooked meats, creamy sauces, local beer, mustard, and potatoes appearing frequently on menus. In Ghent, traditional Flemish dishes sit alongside specialties unique to the city, giving visitors a chance to experience both classic Belgian comfort food and distinctly local flavors. The country’s famous chocolates, waffles, fries, and beer add even more variety, making food an essential part of exploring Ghent.

The Vegetarian Capital of Europe

If Ghent’s traditional cuisine sounds a little heavy, the city also has a strong vegetarian side. Ghent is widely considered one of Europe’s leading destinations for vegetarian dining and introduced a weekly meat-free civic initiative in 2009, encouraging residents and local businesses to participate.

On Thursdays, municipal canteens, schools, and childcare centers serve only vegetarian meals. The initiative helped support a diverse plant-based dining scene, with vegan bistros, vegetarian restaurants, and meat-free takes on traditional Flemish dishes found throughout the city. Popular spots include De Appelier, knol&kool, Greenway Ghent, BOON, and Le Botaniste.

Belgian Beer Cafes of Ghent

In addition to chocolate, one of the first things that comes to mind when travelers consider what Belgium is known for is Belgian beer. With so much to see and do in the city, it’s fortunate that places to indulge and refresh during a busy day of exploring are waiting around every corner.

Here are a few top spots worth seeking out for a memorable sip:

• Gruut Brewery uses local herbs such as mugwort, ground ivy, sweet gale, yarrow, and heather, along with spices like ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon, to create its White, Blond, Amber, Brown, and Inferno ales.
• Waterhuis Aan De Bierkant is a popular riverside spot along the Leie, offering around 165 beers and a lively setting for people-watching.
• De Dulle Griet is an iconic bar in Vrijdagmarkt with a selection of roughly 500 beers. One of its best-known traditions involves Max, the house beer, which is served in a distinctive 1.2-liter glass. Guests who order it are asked to leave a shoe as a deposit, which is placed in a basket and hoisted toward the ceiling until the glass is returned.

How to Plan a Visit to Ghent

Celebrity River Cruises℠ offers an easy way to experience Ghent while sailing through the Dutch and Belgian waterways, including itineraries such as Dutch and Belgian tulip cruises. The city’s compact layout makes it possible to see major landmarks, explore local neighborhoods, and sample Belgian specialties in a single visit.

A few simple tips can help you make the most of your time in Ghent:

• Explore on foot, as many of the city’s major sights are clustered around the historic center.
• Expect larger crowds in summer, especially during the 10-day Ghent Festival in July.
• Consider visiting in May, June, or September for milder weather and fewer crowds.
• Leave time to enjoy local food, chocolate, and Belgian beer between attractions.

When choosing a souvenir, Belgian chocolate is an obvious favorite, but Ghent offers plenty of other local specialties as well. Look for vanilla crème Ghent Snowballs coated in dark chocolate and powdered sugar, Ghent Noses from Confiserie Temmerman, or gourmet pralines from Chocolatier Luc Van Hoorebeke. Savory options include traditional Tierenteyn-Verlent mustard or locally brewed Gruut beer.

Ghent, Belgium, FAQs

Book the Best Journey to Ghent on a Celebrity River Cruise

Nothing comes close to Europe on a Celebrity river cruise on the Dutch and Belgian waterways. Where the Scheldt and Leie rivers meet lies a layered destination beckoning to be explored. Ghent is a charming city with a relaxed ambiance, a highlight of any Belgian river cruise.

Enjoy the walkability of a compact footprint in this vibrant medieval city, offering scenic canal walks, historical sites, and friendly neighborhoods perfect for exploring the street art, culinary, and beer cafe delights of its unique culture. Sail into the heart of Europe and discover a glimpse of Belgium’s creative spirit and rich history come to life.

Explore river cruises to Ghent, Belgium, and immerse yourself in its vibrant culture.