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 spiritual centerpiece, houses a treasure trove of Belgian Gothic architecture and luminous masterpieces, including the famed Adoration of the Mystic Lamb by the van Eyck brothers. Visitors can wander the austere chapels, marvel at the soaring transept and the intricate stonework, and step inside the serene, candle-lit interior that echoes centuries of devotion. Beyond the church’s beauty, the adjacent square buzzes with cafés and markets, while the cathedral’s history—from medieval relics to modern restorations—offers a captivating window into Ghent’s religious and cultural evolution.

Sint-Baafsplein 1, 9000 Gent, Belgium
Opening hours · Today: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM
  • 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
  • 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, spanning the Ghent’s Leie river, is a historic pedestrian marvel crowned by the 18th‑century Saint Michael’s Church complex nearby. Walking its narrow, cobbled span offers postcard-worthy views of the Graslei and Korenlei guildhalls, the medieval skyline, and bustling cafes below, especially at sunset. The bridge’s work‑house carvings and iron balustrades hint at Ghent’s mercantile past, while nearby quainter streets invite Gelato and waffles. It’s a quintessential Flemish photo spot, layering architectural beauty with riverside ambiance and immediate proximity to the city’s UNESCO‑listed historic core.

St Michael's Bridge, Sint-Michielshelling, 9000 Gent, Belgium
Opening hours · Today: Open 24 hours
  • 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, a medieval symbol towering over the Graslei, is a UNESCO-listed landmark that houses a remarkable carillon and a panoramic viewing gallery. Climb its wooden stairs or take the lift to savor sweeping views across Ghent’s rooftops, canals, and spires. Inside, vibrant exhibits recount the city’s mercantile power, civic pride, and centuries of municipal governance, while the adjacent Leaning Tower and the Cloth Hall add to the ensemble’s dramatic skyline. Expect a deep dive into Ghent’s history, paired with photo-worthy vistas and a palpable sense of old-world grandeur.

Sint-Baafsplein, 9000 Gent, Belgium
Opening hours · Today: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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