How does one even begin to write about a place they fell in love with? I visited Ghent simply because it was enroute to Bruges– a place everyone recommended I see. I honestly wasn’t expecting it to be all that great and only planned to stay one day. But after that one day, I found myself captivated and ended up spending a whole extra day in Ghent. Even that wasn’t enough and I still find myself yearning to be in Ghent, sitting along the canals and soaking up all the visual details. If you’re planning a trip to Belgium, I beg you to make a stop in Ghent. Here are just a few of the reasons you need to visit Ghent, Belgium.
The Architecture
The architecture throughout Belgium is incredible, but it is even more so in the Flanders region of Belgium. In 1913, the city hosted the World’s Fair. Most cities who hosted the fair renovated and modernized their cities. But Ghent decided to do the opposite. They restored their old buildings in a way that preserved the Medieval architecture. As a result, the city has a certain charm that is difficult to find elsewhere. When you visit Ghent, you are transported through time as you reflect on the historic facades of the buildings.
The Canals
Sure, there are many cities throughout the world that are riddled with canals. But there’s just something so magical about The Leie that runs through the city. Between the way it reflects the buildings, and the way it perfectly sculpts out the city, the Leie is one of the most stunning parts of Ghent.
Open Boating
Speaking of the canals, when you visit Ghent you will have the opportunity to explore them on your own. The city has an open boating policy, which means while you may opt to take a tourist boat tour to see the canals, you are also welcome to rent a kayak or bring your own small boat onto the water. This way, you can relax and enjoy the city from the water, at your own pace. This is not the case in nearby cities, like Bruges.
Free Toilets
The potty struggle is real when traveling in Europe. Most everywhere you go, you’ll find that you have to pay to use public toilets. This is not the case in Ghent! This city has multiple locations where you can find public bathrooms that don’t charge a fee. Visit Ghent, and you can save your 50 cent coins, and avoid doing the potty dance in the streets.
Crowd Size
Ghent is a touristy city- yes. But the expanse of the place allows travelers to spread out and enjoy the city without being shoulder to shoulder with other people. While visiting the famous city of Bruges, I felt herded around in the hoards of tourists all day. But Ghent did not give me this feeling at all! Especially when exploring the city during the mornings or late afternoon.
The Views
Not only is Ghent a beautiful city from the surface, but there are also plenty of opportunities to view its beauty from above. By visiting places like Gravensteen Castle, or the Belfry, you can see some incredible views of the city.
Walkability
Ghent is such an easy city to navigate. It is easy to walk from one major attraction to the next. In addition, the lovely cobblestone streets just make you want to wander and get lost in the beautiful city. And for those attractions that are not close by, the public transportation system is also very easy to understand and use.
Affordability
For a tourist city in Europe, Ghent is surprisingly affordable to visit. Purchasing a Ghent City Card for just €30 allows you free access to 18 different attractions in the city, as well as free public transportation, a 1 day bike rental, and a guided boat tour. Food and drink can also be done on a budget when you visit Ghent, visiting the local markets and delis to save on euros.
Have I got you convinced? Here’s how to spend 48 hours when you visit Ghent!
*Note: Thanks to Visit Ghent for providing me with a complimentary CityCard. As always, all opinions expressed are 100% my own.
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43 Comments
We’re heading to Europe next year and on the look out for cute little towns and cities to visit. Ghent looks just what we’re looking for. Pinned for future reference!
I love being able to visit places without having to be elbow-to-elbow with a crowd of tourists. A walk along the canal checking out those gorgeous houses sounds like a lovely day. As someone with a small bladder, free toilets are a big deal for me.
These reasons are truly convincing. And this city is really beautiful, all cities in Belgium are.
I’m not surprised you wanted to spend longer. The buildings are gorgeous and the town looks like it’s got a lovely atmosphere. I think a boat trip is in order!
We missed out on Ghent during our last visit, but did fall in love Bruges. It looks like we really missed out, so Ghent is definitely on our list for next time.
Looks amazing and we’ll definitely be putting Ghent on the list of places to visit. Thank you!
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The architecture IS gorgeous!! I just love the detailing of the roofs and seeing them side by side. & the Ghent Card sounds like an AWESOME deal!
Love this so much! I’ve got two weeks in the Balkans coming up in September and really trying to talk myself out of my desire to split a week of that off for the Low Countries instead.
Ghent really looks beautiful! I would love to visit, it looks like a great place to take photographs!
What a beautiful city! I love that it’s so easy to get around, and while I may not visit to check out the free toilets, I’m all about kayaking those canals!
“The potty struggle is real when traveling in Europe” — that line had me laughing so hard. So true. Love your post and looking forward to meeting you at BlogHouse! 🙂
You are making me feel guilty! 😉
I went to Belgium last year and I ended up missing Ghent due to time constraints. I will have to go back again now. Thanks for sharing.
I really regret not going to Ghent when I was in Belgium. I only went to Brussels (two weeks after the terrorist attack) and frankly was in a rush to get to France. Ghent’s architecture reminds me a lot of Amsterdam and seems much more peaceful and affordable. Thanks for the tips. Next time, I’m headed straight to Ghent and Bruges!
I fell in love with Ghen and I totally agree with the beauty of the city and its lovely architecture the city encompasses. Certainly, a gem to visit in Belgium!
I just love those pictures and every time i stare at thos lovely pictures i fall in love with them. Would love to explore this place someday.
I love it when an unexpected destination turns out to be awesome. These reasons certainly convinced me to add Ghent to my list if I ever find myself in the area. Especially love that there’s free toilets there, haha!
What a beautiful city! I’ve actually never considered Ghent. I’ve been to Bruges and Brussesls but somehow skipped this gem. Your photos look beautiful, I’d love to visit!
This city looks adorable and its somewhere I hadn’t heard of before – loooooove the architecture and its nice to know that it’s not super touristy!
Love this! Looks like such a beautiful city. Thanks for sharing the tips.
What a beautiful little town to visit! I would love to explore the streets in Ghent. Glad they don’t charge for the restrooms. Still can’t believe there are places that do that in the world. I live in the US and there is no such thing as that here.
I know right? Pop into any McDonalds and you can use the toilets no problem!
Such an awesome post! I just love old buildings sat along canals – it’s so quaint. Great to hear so much about Ghent, I’d never heard about it until now! Will definitely add it to the list, with all these appealing reasons to visit it would be silly not to!
This just sounds like the perfect visit. I also love medieval architecture and agree that the potty struggle is real in Europe. Lol. I will definitely be saving your post for future reference. Thanks for sharing!
Wow your pics are amazing ! Makes me want to go now ! What a beautiful place
Valerie
We’re doing a day trip from Paris over to Belgium and I was planning on doing Brussels, but now we may do Ghent!! Pinned for later!
Ghent looks like a gorgeous city! I’d really like to do a Netherlands/Belgium trip someday, and I would definitely have to include this as a stop. The city card sounds like a fantastic deal, even if you just use it for a couple of things.
Glad they went with heritage architecture. That’s the way to go. I wish we did more of it here, we’re losing our old buildings.
I’m convinced!! I was actually meant to visit Ghent a couple of months ago, but had to cancel – I definitely want to get back there, after reading this! Love that they went with the medieval architecture; I heartily approve.
You’ll have to go back! It’s amazing!
Oh wow it really looks like a cute place. Didnt realise most of Europe was paid toilets!
Oh yes! Not always in the UK (where I’m from), although some places charge. But elsewhere in Europe, definitely!
I’m just like you. I fell madly in love with Ghent and stupidly only budgeted a day there in my travels. There’s a charm there that I found missing in Brussels and a liveliness missing from Bruges. Thank you for reminding about how incredible this city is, and I can’t wait to go back.
That’s exactly right!
Wow what a gorgeous place! Pay to use the toilet..OH MY gosh..lol I think I’ve heard that before about Europe..guess I better save my change for summer when I am planning to go!
Great tips here!
VAlerie
Yep! Keep some 50 cent euros on you when you go out!
Ghent looks beautiful, love the architecture! Can’t wait to visit Belgium for the first time 😀
Belgium is amazing! I’m sure you’ll enjoy!
Ghent is a lovely and pretty place! I hope to go there again someday. 🙂
Me too!!
It’s funny, I live in the UK and Belgium is so close I never really consider it. I knew Ghent was pretty and this post just confirms it – so maybe I should think a little closer to home! Great post, thanks for sharing.
It would be a great place for a weekend getaway!
The toilet situation in Europe varies from country to country. It’s free in most places, unless it’s in public toilet. However I find the situation in Germany a bit frustrating, you have to pay even in the malls and restaurants, even though you go there to spend money…
Wow, this article just made me add another town to my bucket list for when we visit Europe. It looks gorgeous and such a perfectly quaint European town. I’m going to have to plan AT LEAST a couple of days to explore. Thanks for putting this together!