Ghent

Tourist Attractions in Ghent

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Ghent. Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps.

7 Attractions
4.6 Average rating
5 Categories

About Ghent

Ghent blends centuries of medieval grandeur with a lively modern pulse, making it one of Belgium’s most magnetic cities. Picture-perfect canals frame wind-pulled guild halls along Graslei and Korenlei, while the imposing Gravensteen castle rises beside the river. Inside Saint Bavo’s Cathedral you’ll find the awe-inspiring Ghent Altarpiece, and the Belfry offers panoramic views over a city of bridges, tramlines, and buzzing squares. Wander the cobbled lanes of Patershol, explore the fashionable Prinsenhof and the modern museum waterfront, or savor local specialties like waterzooi and rustic Belgian beer. With universities, festivals, and boat trips, Ghent captivates every season.

Top-7 Tourist Attractions in Ghent

St Bavo's Cathedral — Religious site, rated 4.7/5 1
Religious site ChurchPlace Of WorshipAssociation Or Organization

St Bavo's Cathedral

4.7 ★★★★★ 13,981 reviews

St Bavo's Cathedral, Ghent's grand Romanesque-Gothic church, anchors the city’s skyline with its soaring tower and intricate stonework. Inside, you’ll find centuries of religious art, from delicate misericords to luminous stained glass and a hushed atmosphere that invites contemplation. The cathedral houses the Ghent Altarpiece, the celebrated Adoration of the Mystic Lamb by Hubert and Jan van Eyck, a masterpiece rarely seen in such a complete state. Visitors can explore chapels, climb for city views, and hear the historic organ during occasional concerts.

Sint-Baafsplein 1, 9000 Gent, Belgium
Opening hours · Today: 1:00 – 5:30 PM Open now
  • Monday8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Tuesday8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Wednesday8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Thursday8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Friday8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Saturday8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Sunday1:00 – 5:30 PM
Entrance
Castle of the Counts — Castle, rated 4.6/5 2
Castle Historical Place

Castle of the Counts

4.6 ★★★★★ 35,099 reviews

The Castle of the Counts, better known as Gravensteen, is a looming 12th‑century medieval fortress in Ghent that once housed the Counts of Flanders. Its imposing walls, moat and drawbridge make a striking city landmark, and inside you can wander its grand halls, towers, and dungeons, with an extensive collection of arms, armor, and medieval torture devices. Visitors enjoy atmospheric rooms, panoramic views from the battlements, and informative exhibits that bring Ghent’s feudal past to life. It’s a family‑friendly, visually dramatic destination that rewards curious wanderers with history, design, and skyline views.

Sint-Veerleplein 11, 9000 Gent, Belgium
Opening hours · Today: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Open now
  • Monday10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Tuesday10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Wednesday10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Thursday10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Friday10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Saturday10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Sunday10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Good for kids Parking Cards accepted
St Michael's Bridge — Landmark, rated 4.8/5 3
Landmark BridgeTransportation Service

St Michael's Bridge

4.8 ★★★★★ 4,411 reviews

St Michael's Bridge (Sint-Michielsbrug) is a historic stone bridge spanning the Leie that links Ghent’s medieval Graslei and Korenlei quays. Dating to the 13th–14th century, it’s one of the city’s most photographed viewpoints, offering postcard-worthy panoramas of timber guild houses, gabled facades, and bustling waterside activity. Visitors stroll its narrow parapets, pause for riverside cafés below, and savor views of Ghent’s skyline—the towers of Saint Nicholas Church, the Belfry, and Saint Bavo Cathedral glimmering in the distance. A quintessential Ghent moment, especially at sunset.

St Michael's Bridge, Sint-Michielshelling, 9000 Gent, Belgium
Opening hours · Today: Open 24 hours Open now
  • MondayOpen 24 hours
  • TuesdayOpen 24 hours
  • WednesdayOpen 24 hours
  • ThursdayOpen 24 hours
  • FridayOpen 24 hours
  • SaturdayOpen 24 hours
  • SundayOpen 24 hours
Entrance
Belfry of Gent — Historic site, rated 4.6/5 4
Historic site Historical PlaceMonument

Belfry of Gent

4.6 ★★★★★ 8,479 reviews

The Belfry of Ghent is a soaring medieval bell tower in the city’s historic center, dating from the 14th century and linked with Ghent’s long tradition of civic power and independence. Climb its narrow stairs to sweeping views of the Graslei and the Leie river, where rooftops and waterways unfold beneath you. Inside, the carillon's bells still toll daily, and a museum details Ghent’s history, guilds, and the tower’s role as a watchful guardian of the city. It’s a quintessential snapshot of Flemish heritage and urban life.

Sint-Baafsplein, 9000 Gent, Belgium
Opening hours · Today: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Open now
  • Monday10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Tuesday10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Wednesday10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Thursday10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Friday10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Saturday10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Sunday10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Good for kids
Museum voor Schone Kunsten — Museum, rated 4.5/5 5
Museum Art Museum

Museum voor Schone Kunsten

4.5 ★★★★★ 3,500 reviews

The Museum Voor Schone Kunsten in Ghent is one of Belgium’s premier fine arts museums, home to a sweeping collection from the 14th through the 20th centuries. Visitors encounter a rich panorama of Flemish and Belgian artists, as well as Renaissance sculpture and 19th‑century landscapes and portraits, plus rotating exhibitions that showcase contemporary as well as historic works. The galleries are thoughtfully laid out in a soaring, light-filled building after recent renovations, making it easy to linger. Expect quiet study, impressive masterpieces, and a reflective walk through Belgian art history.

Fernand Scribedreef 1, 9000 Gent, Belgium
Opening hours · Today: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Open now
  • MondayClosed
  • Tuesday9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Wednesday9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Thursday9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Friday9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Saturday10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Sunday10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Good for kids
Entrance Parking Restroom
STAM - Ghent City Museum — Museum, rated 4.5/5 6
Museum

STAM - Ghent City Museum

4.5 ★★★★★ 1,994 reviews

STAM – Ghent City Museum tells the story of Ghent’s growth from medieval origins to the present day, using a mix of artifacts, photographs, 3D models, and immersive multimedia. Housed in a renovated cluster of historic houses in Ghent’s city center, the museum blends old and new architecture to reflect the city’s evolving identity. Visitors can follow chronological galleries that explore urban planning, water management, trades, and daily life, with neighborhood snapshots and city maps brought to life. STAM is an engaging primer before strolling along the Graslei, Korenlei, and Ghent’s canals.

Godshuizenlaan 2, 9000 Gent, Belgium
Opening hours · Today: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Open now
  • Monday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Tuesday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • WednesdayClosed
  • Thursday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Friday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Saturday10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Sunday10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Good for kids
Entrance Parking Restroom
Graffiti street | Gent, rated 4.2/5 7
Tourist attraction

Graffiti street | Gent

4.2 ★★★★★ 3,695 reviews

Graffiti Street, or Werregarenstraat, in Ghent is an informal open-air gallery tucked in the city’s historic center. This narrow, constantly evolving alley is famous for its ever-changing spray-painted murals, created legally with walls opened to street artists. Visitors can expect a kaleidoscope of bold colors, layered textures, and fresh art appearing while they watch, making each stroll unique. It’s an atmospheric spot for photos, casual wandering, and soaking up Ghent’s modern creative heartbeat. Be respectful of ongoing work and locals, and venture here during daylight for best vibes.

Werregarenstraat, 9000 Gent, Belgium
Opening hours · Today: Open 24 hours Open now
  • MondayOpen 24 hours
  • TuesdayOpen 24 hours
  • WednesdayOpen 24 hours
  • ThursdayOpen 24 hours
  • FridayOpen 24 hours
  • SaturdayOpen 24 hours
  • SundayOpen 24 hours
Good for kids
Entrance