What to See in Ghent: 14 Highlights

Before Ghent, I visited Antwerp and Bruges. Compared with those cities, Ghent is "smaller". The sights are more concentrated in one area. It is a lovely city, though, and I would recommend visiting it along with Antwerp and Bruges as part of a road trip.

Monument to the Van Eyck Brothers

Right beside St Bavo's Cathedral stands a bronze sculptural group from 1913 by Jef Lambeaux. It depicts the painters Hubert and Jan van Eyck, surrounded by figures symbolising humanity paying tribute to their work. You should visit this spot because these brothers created the Ghent Altarpiece (Adoration of the Lamb) – one of the most important works of the Northern Renaissance, housed in the neighbouring cathedral. The monument makes an ideal starting point before viewing the altarpiece itself.

St Bavo's Cathedral

This monumental Gothic cathedral, dating from the 14th to the 16th century, is the city's most important religious building, and its tower is one of the three that define Ghent's skyline. It was built on the foundations of an earlier church from 942, and its interior combines Gothic features with lavish Baroque decoration.

The main reason to visit is the world-famous Ghent Altarpiece (Adoration of the Mystic Lamb) by the Van Eyck brothers, which is housed here. Entry to the cathedral itself is free; only access to the chapel containing the altarpiece requires a ticket.

I'm no historian, but the interiors of cathedrals, castles and similar historic buildings always have that "wow" effect on me. Judge for yourself.

Ghent Town Hall

This monumental building in the city centre is unique in that it brings together two completely different architectural sections. The façade you can see in the photo is Renaissance in style (completed in the 17th century), with strict symmetry and classical columns. Just around the corner, it joins an older, richly decorated wing in the Flamboyant Gothic style, dating from the early 16th century. It is this architectural contrast that draws visitors, reflecting the historical development and wealth of medieval Ghent. The interior, including its historic halls, can be visited on guided tours.

St Michael's Church

I took this photo from St Michael's Bridge.

This Gothic church, dating from the 15th to the 17th century, stands on the bank of the River Leie, right beside the bridge of the same name. The grey sandstone building catches the eye with its unfinished tower – originally intended to rise over 130 metres and be among the tallest in the country, it was left at just 24 metres because of a lack of funds and unstable ground. Inside, there is rich Baroque decoration, including valuable paintings by Flemish masters such as Anthony van Dyck. It is worth combining a visit to the church with a stroll across St Michael's Bridge, which offers an iconic view of the entire historic centre.

St Nicholas' Church

This 13th-century church is one of Ghent's oldest and most distinctive landmarks. It is built in the distinctive Scheldt Gothic style, characterised by blue-grey stone from the Tournai area and the unusual placement of the main tower directly above the crossing, allowing it to act as a natural skylight. In the Middle Ages, it was the parish church of Ghent's wealthy merchants and guilds, who funded its construction right beside the old Korenmarkt marketplace. Today, it forms the middle of the famous three-tower skyline, and you should not miss it on a walk through the historic centre.

Ghent's Former Main Post Office

This building on Korenmarkt square, dating from the turn of the 20th century, was built for the 1913 World's Fair to a design by architect Louis Cloquet. It combines Neo-Gothic architecture with Neo-Renaissance elements, and its distinctive 52-metre clock tower completes the city's historic skyline. The façade is decorated with statues representing Belgian provinces and international monarchs. The post office ceased serving its original purpose in the early 21st century. Today, it houses a shopping centre (on the ground floor you can see, for example, an Albert Heijn supermarket), while the upper floors are occupied by the luxury boutique hotel 1898 The Post.

St Michael's Bridge in Ghent - the view from St Michael's Bridge down Cataloniëstraat

This iconic bridge over the River Leie offers the most beautiful and famous view of the entire historic centre. Only from this spot can you photograph the unique skyline of Ghent's three medieval towers lined up directly behind one another – St Nicholas' Church, the Belfry and St Bavo's Cathedral. The scene is also framed by the historic old post office building on one side and the picturesque quayside on the other. A stop on St Michael's Bridge is a must for any traveller who wants to experience the true atmosphere of Ghent and take home a perfect photo from the trip.

The Graslei and Korenlei Quays in Ghent

These picturesque quays along the River Leie formed the heart of a thriving commercial port in the Middle Ages. Today, Graslei is the most popular photo spot and social hub in all of Ghent. It is lined with perfectly preserved guild houses with characteristic stepped gables, now home to well-known cafés and restaurants.

The place has an unmistakable atmosphere, best enjoyed while sitting right by the water or on one of the sightseeing boat trips that regularly depart from here. A visit to these historic riverbanks is an absolute must for anyone wanting to experience the best of Ghent.

I also recommend taking a break here. There are plenty of food stalls and restaurants. It has a great vibe – boats pass by, music plays, and everything feels peaceful and relaxed. 

A Boat Trip from Graslei Quay

You can pay for a boat trip from Graslei quay. From the boat, you can see Gravensteen Castle from all sides, for example. You will pass under several bridges and see places you cannot reach on foot. 

You can also find a range of tours and boat trips on GetYourGuide. 

Gravensteen Castle

Dominating the northern part of the city centre, this monumental structure from 1180 immediately catches the eye with its massive walls and moat. As the only residence of the Counts of Flanders preserved so completely, Gravensteen offers the chance to walk along an authentic defensive wall walk and explore its mysterious interiors.

Inside, you will find a collection of historic weapons and a rather chilling exhibition of medieval torture instruments.

The main reason to climb all the way to the top of the main tower (the keep), however, is the unrivalled panoramic view of Ghent's rooftops and its three-tower skyline.

For history and photography enthusiasts, it is an absolute must.

Ghent's Municipal Belfry (Belfry of Ghent)

Unlike the surrounding churches, this majestic 91-metre tower was built not for the Church, but as a symbol of medieval Ghent's independence, wealth and civic rights. Inside is an impressive carillon of 54 bells, which regularly rings out across the historic centre. The main reason to visit the Belfry, however, is the chance to take the lift (or climb the stairs) to the top floor. From there, you get a breathtaking 360-degree view of the entire city, with the neighbouring cathedral and St Nicholas' Church laid out before you. For a full experience of Ghent's history, this visit is an absolute must.

St Elizabeth's Church in Ghent

If you want to escape the tourist bustle around the main towers for a while, head northwest of the centre to the Sint-Elisabeth neighbourhood. The open space here is dominated by a monumental 13th-century brick church that was the heart of the local beguinage. The place will charm you with its entirely different, quiet atmosphere – it is surrounded by green lawns, well-kept trees and picturesque historic houses with white façades. For travellers, it is an ideal way to experience an authentic, lesser-known side of Ghent, take distinctive photos without hundreds of strangers in the frame, and gain an insight into the fascinating history of the spiritual lives of Flemish women.

A Walk from Kraanlei via Sluizeken to St James' Church

With nothing else planned in Ghent, I decided to walk along the River Leie. I came across the little streets mentioned above, discovered a "mini beer festival" and made it as far as St James' Church.  

These events certainly won't be happening every time you visit, but I recommend checking whether anything is taking place in Ghent that day. Belgians are lovers of beer and chocolate, after all. I stumbled across festivals in Bruges, Antwerp and here too. So there are plenty of events going on. You just need to look, and they might add a little variety to your visit.

Near St James' Church, I stopped for a meal at the bistro "Frituur Bij Sint-Jacobs SYMPA". If you are in the area, I recommend trying whatever they have on the menu.

Local Breweries and Chocolate Shops

Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to visit the local breweries because I had a packed day. But if you seek out local microbreweries or pubs with their own beer, here are a few interesting places to try: 

• Het Waterhuis aan de Bierkant
• 't dreupelkot
• Artevelde Brewery
• Trollekelder
• De Dulle Griet
• Kaffee de Planck
• Bier Central Gent
• Trappistenhuis

And here are a few places to try for chocolate:

• Neuhaus Chocolates
• Chocolaterie Vandenbouhede
• Chocolatier Deduytschaever
• Chocolaterie Luc Van Hoorebeke