Is Ghent Worth Visiting? Perfect Ghent 1 Day Itinerary

Whether as a full day trip or overnight getaway, you might be wondering “Is Ghent worth visiting?” The answer is simple – yes, 100%, without a shadow of a doubt.

Explore this Belgian gem during a Ghent 1 day itinerary and you’re in for a magical time. From its 12th century castle to its picturesque canals and Belgian beer bars, Ghent is a must-see.

Here’s how to spend a perfect 1 day Ghent itinerary.

Note: Some of the links below contain affiliate links. This doesn’t increase the cost of any item to you, but simply means that I’ll receive a small commission of any sales from those links. Thank you!

Why is Ghent worth visiting?

I didn’t have a lot of expectations when I first visited Ghent. From my small research, I knew the city had a medieval centre and it was recommended to me as a base over Antwerp.

Then, after I arrived and began to explore, I was blown away by the beauty of this small city. It’s easy to see why. Historically, it was one of the largest towns in Northern Europe by the 12th century, and a lot of its architecture from that time still remains.

The city was built around rivers and canals, which allow people to get around by kayak or boat, but also take avantage of beautiful walking paths. Plus, is it just me or aren’t cities prettier when they have water flowing through the middle of them?

Aside from its history and architecture, there is a thriving Belgian beer scene here (which is no surprise of course), fantastic dining options, fun activities like kayaking and castle tours, and numerous cathedrals to wander through.

If any of that sounds even remotely up your alley, you’ll quickly be able to see why Ghent is worth visiting.

Where to Stay in Ghent, Beligum

• Maison Willem Tell: homey studio apartment
• 1898 The Post: 5-star hotel in medieval centre
• Hotel Gravensteen: 3-star hotel near Gravensteen
• Edville Studio: boho-style studios by river (where I stayed)

And if you’re traveling to Belgium as part of a multi-week Europe trip, see my essential Europe packing guide for making the most of your carry-on.

Ghent 1 Day Itinerary

So you’ve decided to visit Ghent. I’m so excited for you! You can follow this Ghent itinerary as a day trip from Brussels or Antwerp, but to get the most out of your time, I encourage you to spend the night. The city is dazzling at night and there’s plenty to do.

Breakfast at Smørbrød

If you’re coming from the main train station (Gent-Sint-Pieters) or one of my accommodation recommendations, start the morning off with breakfast at Smørbrød. This Scandinavian cafe has incredible pastries, fresh baked breads, specialty coffee, and other breakfast items.

I actually enjoyed one of the best flat whites of my entire trip at this cafe. My boyfriend, as he says, had the best Danish of his life.

So, even if you want to walk a tad bit out of the medieval centre, you’re in for a real treat here.

You’ll order at the counter and then someone will bring your food when it’s ready. We ordered coffee, a Danish, and the breakfast board which included cheese, a soft boiled egg, bread, jam, butter, and hummus. It was phenomenal. 

Plus, the bakery is very airy with a patio and indoor seating. It’s the perfect cozy breakfast for your 1 day Ghent itinerary!

Note: If you do spend 1 night in Ghent, then this could be your breakfast the following morning before taking the train.

Saint Bavo’s Cathedral

After breakfast, you’ll make your way toward the historic centre – where you’ll spend the bulk of the day. You can step inside Saint Bavo’s Cathedral first.

This lovely cathedral stands 292 feet tall and is the oldest parish church in the Ghent center.

It also houses the famous Ghent Altarpiece, also called the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. While the cathedral is free to enter, you will need a ticket to see the altarpiece.

Ghent Belfry

Continue your Ghent 1 day itinerary right next door at the Ghent Belfry, which began construction around 1313 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It costs €11 to enter the belfry. With your ticket, you’ll have access to the entire museum (which spans several floors of the belfry). It also holds the city’s quirky metal dragon, which was believed to protect and safeguard the belfry since 1377.

The museum will teach you a lot about the history of Ghent, the belfry itself, and its fiery dragon.

When visiting, you’ll first walk through the main floor. Then, for the best experience, take the elevator up to the top for fantastic views of Ghent, including nice vantage points of Saint Bavo’s Cathedral and St. Nicholas’ Church.

Then, you’ll take the spiral staircase down. Stop on every floor to see the old relics and exhibitions of the museum.

You can book your ticket online to save time and secure your spot. Otherwise, you can buy your ticket from the bottom floor of the Ghent Belfry.

St. Nicholas’ Church

As a medieval European city, churches are scattered around the heart of Ghent. Continue along to see St. Nicholas’ Church, another one of the oldest landmarks in the city. This is one you’ll have just seen from the belfry’s aerial view.

It was built as a replacement of an earlier church and began construction during the early 13th century. Walking through it was very lovely, but it wasn’t my favorite in comparison to Saint Bavo’s.

When you leave, I recommend going straight down toward the edge of the river for the pretty photo spot above. I set up my tripod here, and it worked like a gem.

Leie River

And while you’re there, enjoy the views of the river and surrounding gingerbread-house-like architecture. It’s a great spot to unwind for a bit. Especially on a sunny day, you’ll see locals gathered around this area.

For now, don’t worry about going across the bridge – there will be time for that after lunch. You can stay on this side of the city. 

Snap a few photos of both sides of the river. One side will have the cathedral in the background and the other will have more traditional architecture, the river, and glimpses of St. Michael’s Bridge.

Graffiti Street

Now you can walk a bit through the historic centre. This part of your Ghent one day itinerary will take you to a unique spot known as Graffiti Street. It’s exactly what you think it is – a street full of graffiti from local and international artists.

It’s a really cool, pedestrian only street that’s frequented by locals getting to and from. Much like a local would, you’ll be taking it to arrive at your lunch spot!

Lunch at Le Bal Infernal

You might not be too hungry yet, depending on how long it took you to get through the Ghent Belfry. However, Le Bal Infernal is a lovely lunch spot + cafe + cocktail bar + used bookstore, so you’ve got lots of options.

They mainly serve soups, sandwiches, and food boards so it’s a convenient, quick lunch place to stop at during your Ghent 1 day itinerary.

The place is very cozy with books lining one of the walls. Choose from classic cocktails, Belgian beer, or a delicious coffee and pair it with a soup or sandwich.

Dulle Griet

If you drink, trying different Belgian beers is one of the best things about visiting Belgium! And right next door to Le Bal Infernal is one of Ghent’s coolest beer bars – Dulle Griet.

They have hundreds of beers to choose from, some which are Trappist beers, meaning they were made by monks in actual monasteries. Definitely a bucket list thing to do in Belgium!

Anywho, feel free to stop at Dulle Griet for another round of drinks before continuing the Ghent itinerary.

They have an outdoor patio that overlooks one of Ghent’s squares and a cool, old-style indoor space. Give it a try; it’s one of the most famous places to visit in Ghent after all!

St. Michael’s Bridge

Take an 8 minute walk back toward the cobbled St. Michael’s Bridge to start making your way toward the Gravensteen Castle, the main highlight of your Ghent 1 day itinerary!

St. Michael’s Bridge is one of the most iconic places to visit in the city. It’s the arched bridge you saw by the river earlier. From the bridge, you can catch some stunning views of the Ghent and its medieval best.

Take in those new perspectives and then cross the bridge and pop over to the cathedral right on the other side of the Leie River.

Sint-Michielskerk

I highly recommend stopping by Sint-Michielskerk on your way to the castle. I personally found it to have a magical energy. Plus, it’s right along your path, so even though you’ve already popped inside a couple of cathedrals, go ahead and visit this one too!

It’s a late Gothic church that began construction in 1440. However, it wasn’t fully completed until a shocking 1825. The church has gorgeous decor inside, and even just 5 minutes is enough to get a feel of the place.

Walk along Korenlei

Korenlei is one of the prettiest promenades in Ghent. As you walk along it, you’ll see the many beautiful façades of the city’s buildings. And if the weather is nice, you’ll see boats and kayaks making their way along the river. 

Gravensteen Castle

The Gravensteen is one of the best castles I’ve ever visited. For one, it’s made of gorgeous stone. Two, it’s medieval as all get out. And three, the free audio guide included with your ticket will keep you at the edge of your seat (I mean, you’re walking, but you get the point.)

The castle dates back to 1180 and was the residence of the Count of the Flanders. It was built by Count Philip and was his home until he died in 1191.

I can’t recommend touring this castle enough. There are so many different rooms to see, including an eerie oubliette, aka a trapdoor dungeon.

Tickets to the Gravensteen are €13 and include the audio guide. The castle closes at 6 p.m. and last tickets are sold at 4:40 p.m.

Waterhuis aan de Bierkant

Finish off the main part of your day trip to Ghent by visiting the lovely Waterhuis aan de Bierkant. It’s just around the corner from the medieval castle and offers idyllic views of the Leie River.

Have another round of drinks. As this is Belgium, there are tons of craft beers to choose from. Otherwise, have whatever drink of your choice, sit on the patio, and admire the scenery.

Ghent Canal Cruise

As an alternative to visiting the Waterhuis, or if you have 50 minutes to spare (if you’re doing a Ghent day trip and have less time), you can hop on a canal ride through the city.

The guide will share fun facts about the city’s culture and history and you’ll get to see Ghent from a new perspective.

Most tours leave the water nearest the Gravensteen. Plus, this medieval center boat ride is only €10 and is highly rated.

Sint-Pietersabdij (Saint Peter’s Abbey)

If you are making your way back to the train station or your accommodation outside the center, you will want to pass by the medieval abbey of Sint-Pietersabdij.

It closes at 6 p.m., so it might not be open by the time you go, but it’s still worth walking by for the views. If you go inside, you’ll see that the abbey includes a garden, church, and even a vineyard.

De Planck

One of the coolest cafes/bars in Ghent is actually located outside of the medieval centre. It’s called De Planck and it’s located on a boat on the Muinkschelde.

They have one of the biggest beer menus I’ve seen. It’s quite literally a book, and you can flip through it and get a lot of information about the beers before selecting one.

This is the problem I had with Dulle Griet; they have so many beers but the menu gives you 0 information about them. De Planck is different.

I was about to find a delicious kriek style lambic beer – basically a cherry-based beer. It was sour and sweet just the way I like it. It’s called Lindemans Kriek, if you’re wondering.

They also have different types of food available if you’re looking for a snack or casual dinner.

FAQ – Ghent 1 Day Itinerary

Here are some of the most common questions I see for tourists considering a 1 day Ghent itinerary.

Is Ghent nicer than Bruges?

It depends on your interests. Ghent is less touristy in comparison to Bruges. Ghent has more modernity than Bruges, which is has remained relatively timeless. A visit to Ghent has more to offer, as it’s about double the size of Bruges and has the benefit of holding the beautiful Gravensteen Castle.

You could also book on a Ghent + Bruges day tour if you’d like to see both in one day.

Is 1 day in Ghent enough?

You can see the main highlights of Ghent in 1 day. I would recommend spending the night to make the most of the nightlife and city lights. However, if you can only do a day trip, considering taking a train later in the evening.

Buy me a coffee