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How to Spend One Day in Ghent, Belgium: Things to See, Do, and Eat!

How to Spend One Day in Ghent, Belgium: Things to See, Do, and Eat!

One day in Ghent may just leave you wanting more. It is a perfect spot for a day trip though, combining a variety of things to do in close proximity, beautiful viewpoints, and easy access to and from nearby Belgian cities, including Brussels, Bruges, and Antwerp.

But even if you only have one day in Ghent, it is worth visiting not only because it is easy to get to – which it is! – but there are some pretty incredible things to see while you’re there.

The city boasts a series of major churches all in a row, which is something rarely seen in any city anywhere. They all are beautiful to explore and have wonderful views of one another, plus there’s also a great spot on a nearby bridge overlooking them all.

Speaking of bridges, Ghent is one of many Belgian cities built on water, and you’ll get beautiful water views on the rivers and canals that wind through town.

Oh yeah, and did I mention there’s a castle?

Luckily all of these sights are quite close to one another, so one day in Ghent is all you’ll need to leisurely stroll between them and enjoy the city.

Below, check out the details on everything you need to know to visit, including my best tips for when you go!

Things to Do during One Day in Ghent

Churches & Nearby Viewpoints

Sint Baafs St Bavo Cathedral How to Spend One Day in Ghent, Belgium - Things to See, Do, and Eat! DSC_0209Sint Baafs St Bavo Cathedral How to Spend One Day in Ghent, Belgium - Things to See, Do, and Eat! DSC_0207

Sint-Baafs (St Bavo) Cathedral

Ghent has several churches but there is only one Cathedral, and beyond its 1,000+ year history and majestic beauty, this one boasts one of the most famous pieces of art in the world, the Ghent Altarpiece. This is the spot around to your left when you enter with its own ticket stand, where you can go and admire the details and images depicted on the different panels. The whole church is lovely though, and the Cathedral has the first of three medieval towers all lined up along this street.

TIP! The Ghent Altarpiece has its own visiting hours, so be sure to check before you go.

TIP! From noon until 1pm the panels of the Altarpiece are closed so you can see the reverse side. If you can, come around either the start or end of the hour so you get the opportunity to see both sides.

Sint Baafs St Bavo Cathedral How to Spend One Day in Ghent, Belgium - Things to See, Do, and Eat! DSC_0215

TIP! I had a little trouble finding the entrance, but don’t be shy about asking – one of the helpful volunteers pointed me toward the underground area with the oldest sections of the church.

Belfry Tower How to Spend One Day in Ghent, Belgium - Things to See, Do, and Eat! DSC_0389

Belfry Tower

The tallest belfry in Belgium and one of a group of belfries with the UNESCO World Heritage designation in the region (it has been around since the 1300s after all), this is the second of the medieval towers all in a row. And it’s made to be climbed! Take your time reaching the top and enjoy the views of the surrounding churches and city.

Belfry Tower view How to Spend One Day in Ghent, Belgium - Things to See, Do, and Eat! DSC_0253

TIP! Be mindful of when the bell is rung so you do not end up right next to the deafening sound.

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St Nicholas Church How to Spend One Day in Ghent, Belgium - Things to See, Do, and Eat! DSC_0282

St Nicholas Church

Honestly, I found St Nicholas Church to be more impressive from the outside than the inside, but it is worth taking a few minutes to stroll inside and spy the natural light streaming in through the unusually placed tower, which is the final medieval tower of three.

St Michaels Bridge How to Spend One Day in Ghent, Belgium - Things to See, Do, and Eat! DSC_0392

St Michael’s Bridge

Depending on which way you visit the churches and Belfry, this Bridge will either be first or last. Regardless of when you reach it, pause for a bit to take in the sweeping view of it all, with the three towers all lined up.

St Michaels Church How to Spend One Day in Ghent, Belgium - Things to See, Do, and Eat! DSC_0287

St Michael’s Church

I was honestly a bit churched-out after visiting the other spots, and only got a chance to appreciate it from the outside. The church is adjacent to the bridge and is also notable for the city, with a lot of famous artwork inside.

More Things to See and Do Around Town

Canals and Waterways How to Spend One Day in Ghent, Belgium - Things to See, Do, and Eat! DSC_0116Canals and Waterways How to Spend One Day in Ghent, Belgium - Things to See, Do, and Eat! DSC_0394

Canals and Waterways

Water views always get me, and there are plenty as you stroll along the canals and waterways of Ghent. If the weather is nice, the stroll from the train station is about a half hour and mostly goes along the water, with public sculptures and plenty of views along the way.

TIP! There are see ‘(More) Practical Tips for Visiting’ section below).

Citadelpark How to Spend One Day in Ghent, Belgium - Things to See, Do, and Eat! DSC_0417

Citadelpark

After a day of sightseeing, there’s nothing like taking some time to sit and enjoy nature, and this park is quite a large green space, with plenty of spots to stroll or sit and read. I enjoyed spending some time here before I had to catch my train back to Antwerp, where I was staying.

Design Museum Gent

Don’t worry, this spot is still in town, Gent is just one of the alternate spellings you’ll see for the city. The Design Museum would have been a great spot to check out, but unfortunately I visited on a Wednesday, when they’re closed. If you get the CityCard Gent (see ‘(More) Practical Tips for Visiting’ section below), it’s already included, so would be worth popping in even if it’s just for a short while.

Ghent Marriott Hotel How to Spend One Day in Ghent, Belgium - Things to See, Do, and Eat! DSC_0310

Ghent Marriott Hotel

Not only are you likely to pass this spot anyway, if you look closely you’ll see the double swan symbol on its facade, betraying this hotel’s past as a 16th century brothel. Pretty random, I thought. Want to get to know it more intimately? Check out the ‘Where to Stay’ section below!

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Graffiti Street How to Spend One Day in Ghent, Belgium - Things to See, Do, and Eat! DSC_0378

Graffiti Street

Just like it sounds, this “street” is actually an alleyway where the authorities turn a blind eye to the ever-changing graffiti that covers the walls and objects in every direction. It’s a fun place to stroll even though it is a pretty small.

TIP! If you’re looking for more street art around Ghent, there is a comprehensive map HERE.

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Gravensteen Castle

There’s just something that always gets me when there is a castle right in the middle of a city. This one took me about an hour to stroll through the numbered stops tracing the castles history. Plus, there are great city views in all directions from its rooftop.

Gravensteen Castle View How to Spend One Day in Ghent, Belgium - Things to See, Do, and Eat! DSC_0328

‘t Galgenhuisje

This is a bar and also listed in the section below, however even if you’re not planning on sticking around and ordering a drink, it is worth strolling past just to see this spot. The terrace has a fair bit of seating, but the close quarters inside, including an extra-tiny upper level, make it Ghent’s smallest bar.

Where to Eat and Drink – Best Bites & Sips

Take Five Espresso How to Spend One Day in Ghent, Belgium - Things to See, Do, and Eat! DSC_0165Take Five Espresso How to Spend One Day in Ghent, Belgium - Things to See, Do, and Eat! IMG_20180425_104441

Take Five Espresso

I arrived in Ghent first thing in the morning to maximize my day trip to the city, so I definitely was ready for some coffee when my train arrived. This spot is just a little ways away from the main sights, but worth seeking out because they offer some delicious coffees and pastries to jump start or day or as a snack along the way.

Bodo Restaurant How to Spend One Day in Ghent, Belgium - Things to See, Do, and Eat! DSC_0318Bodo Restaurant How to Spend One Day in Ghent, Belgium - Things to See, Do, and Eat! IMG_20180425_133740

Bodo Restaurant

Even though the website is entirely in Dutch, English menus were available when I had a delicious meal with a view of nearby Gravesteen Castle (see above). You can even see the castle from the restroom there! The food is on the more expensive side, which makes sense given the location, but there are specials offered at a discount at lunch and everything was absolutely delicious.

It actually wasn’t my top choice although it turned out to be a great meal, but many other restaurants in that area only opened for dinner, or were specifically closed for lunch on Wednesdays. Other nearby options for local cuisine include De Gekroonde Hoofden and Mémé Gusta.

Cafe t'Galgenhuis How to Spend One Day in Ghent, Belgium - Things to See, Do, and Eat! DSC_0367Cafe t'Galgenhuis How to Spend One Day in Ghent, Belgium - Things to See, Do, and Eat! DSC_0358

‘t Galgenhuisje

Belgium is known for it’s beer, and there’s no better spot to sit and enjoy one than indoors at what is by far the smallest bar in Ghent. There were several seats available when I went mid-afternoon on a weekday, but I imagine it gets more packed at peak times. And c’mon, this is Belgium, of course the beer was delicious.

Cafe t'Galgenhuis How to Spend One Day in Ghent, Belgium - Things to See, Do, and Eat! DSC_0361

(More) Practical Tips for Visiting

If you visit Ghent as a Day Trip, definitely do some advance planning so you can make the most of your time. Take a train on the earlier side if you can, to maximize your day, including how many hours you’ll be in town when the main attractions are open.

TIP! There is a great CityCard Gent that will get you in pretty much everywhere you’d like to go, and includes free public transportation around town.

TIP! Assuming you’re arriving by train – as most tourists do – consider buying the pass and having free public transit vs. the additional time walking from the train station to the city center (and back) or the cost of paying for transit separately.

TIP! The CityCard also includes access to hop on – hop off water tram if you visit on a weekend.

TIP! On Wednesday (which was the day I visited) several attractions were closed and some restaurants that normally serve lunch were closed for Wednesday lunch, so keep that in mind if you have the flexibility of which day to go.

READ MORE: 9 Top Belgium Travel Tips: What to Know Before You Go!

TIP! Even aside from Wednesday closures, there are a lot more restaurant options for dinner, especially for those serving local cuisine. So even if you’re visiting Ghent on a day trip, consider staying through dinner to enjoy another meal, just be sure to check your return train options in advance.

TIP! Watch out for bicycles!

Bicycles outside train station How to Spend One Day in Ghent, Belgium - Things to See, Do, and Eat! DSC_0418

Although I went to Ghent as a day trip, it is such a beautiful town and would be even more relaxing spread across several days.

Where to Stay

Ghent is great as a day trip from several other Belgian cities, but it would also make for a great weekend trip – and I have several friends who have enjoyed doing exactly that!

If you do stay over, here are some great accommodation options:

This spot is a bit of a splurge, with rooms located in the old post office and adorned with antique furniture in elegant surroundings.

AirBNB

Nearly all AirBNB properties will have a kitchen available so you can feel more at home and try your hand at cooking local ingredients or stick to a tight budget by not eating out. And it can often be one of the cheapest accommodation options in a city.

If you’ve never booked at an AirBNB before, click THIS LINK to get a $40 credit after your first AirBNB stay!

AirBNB ReferralWidget

Centrally located by the majority of the tourist attractions, it is a short walk from this 18th century townhouse to the sights you’ll want to see during your stay.

Right on the water in the cobblestone older section of Ghent, this is also your opportunity to stay at a former brothel from centuries before (see ‘More Things to See and Do Around Town’ section above).

TIP! You may be able to earn or use Marriott points if you are a frequent traveler with them or even through some airline frequent flier programs.

City View How to Spend One Day in Ghent, Belgium - Things to See, Do, and Eat! DSC_0227

Ghent has been one of my favorite Belgian cities to visit. It is less crowded than some of the other large cities, making it far more pleasant to stroll around town, especially during the day when you’ll see visitors from cruise ships or on airplane layovers at their peak in other cities. And it is large enough to have notable artwork and historical sights to keep every type of traveler entertained on a visit.

And if you live in Europe and Ghent is local for you, definitely stay for a full weekend of exploring!

What do you look for in a great day trip destination? Any sights in Ghent that I missed? What other day trips from Brussels or Antwerp or Bruges would you recommend? Let me know in the ‘Comments’ below!

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How to Spend One Day in Ghent, Belgium - Things to See, Do, and Eat!

9 Top Belgium Travel Tips: What to Know Before You Go!

9 Top Belgium Travel Tips: What to Know Before You Go!

My recent visit was not my first trip to Belgium, but I felt like there was so much that I had forgotten from previous visits. Belgium is a great country to visit, being both bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly, and boasting some pretty wonderful cuisine and the drinks to wash it down.

In between strolling quaint cobblestone streets in medieval city centers, I couldn’t help but jot down some notes of those key things you’ll want to know before you go – after making countless mistakes myself of course!

So (in alphabetical order), here are my top Belgium Travel Tips, with things you should know before you go:

Beer

Beer Bruges Belgium Top 9 Belgium Travel Tips - Things to Know Before You Go!20150501_182506

Beer in Belgium is stronger than you think. No, really! While the average Alcohol-By-Volume or ABV of beer is 4.5%, most Belgian beers are over that amount, many at double the alcohol content or more. On this list of top Belgian beers, every beer listed is over 4.5% and half of them clock in at 8% or higher. Keep track of how strong the beer is that you ordered so you don’t drink too much, too quickly (unless you want to, of course) – this isn’t like your beer drinking back home.

Beer Leuven Belgium Top 9 Belgium Travel Tips - Things to Know Before You Go! IMG_20180423_140056

Bicycles

Bicycles Ghent Belgium Top 9 Belgium Travel Tips - Things to Know Before You Go! DSC_0419

Much of central and northern Europe is filled with bicycles, and this is true of Belgium as well. Even if you live in a bike-friendly city, bike riding in Belgium is likely on a whole other scale. Watch out, as some cyclists pedal so fast that you may not hear them coming. And remember to look both ways everywhere as I almost got run over on my recent visit by a bicycle going the wrong way on a one-way street. Bike lanes sometimes look similar to sidewalks, so you might find yourself unwittingly strolling in a bike lane if you’re not paying attention as you walk – this is definitely a country to remain aware of your surroundings!

Bicycles Antwerp Belgium Top 9 Belgium Travel Tips - Things to Know Before You Go! DSC_0103

City Cards

If there’s a city in Belgium, there’s likely to be a combination city card you can purchase that will gain you access to multiple attractions, like churches and museums, and at a discount compared to paying for each. While I expected the Antwerp Card and Bruges Card and Brussels Card and Ghent Card, I was surprised to learn that even many small towns have a pass of their own.

Do take the time to research which sights are covered, how long the pass lasts, and the cost, to decide if it makes sense for you. For me on my recent trip to Belgium, the small-town Leuven Card was worth purchasing but in Ghent I wasn’t planning to go to enough of the museums listed, so it made more sense for me to buy my entries one at a time there.

TIP! Buy the card in advance if it includes any public transportation you’re planning to take, otherwise it’s usually available for purchase at any of the included tourist sites without an extra stop.

Closure Days

Monday Closure Day Leuven Belgium Top 9 Belgium Travel Tips - Things to Know Before You Go! DSC_0510

If you’ve done a bit of travel around Europe already, you may be familiar with many attractions and museums being closed on a Monday. Something I also noticed in Belgium this time around is that quite a lot of things are *also* closed on Wednesday. I spent my latest Wednesday in Belgium in Ghent, and lots of museums there were completely closed, from the City Museum to the Design Museum. Even the restaurant where I tried to eat lunch (and is usually open for lunch!) had no lunch service on a Wednesday.

READ MORE: How to Spend One Day in Ghent, Belgium

TIP! Plan around closures for a multi-day visit

TIP! A walking tour is always a great way to see a city on a day many attractions will be closed.

Languages

Language Belgium Top 9 Belgium Travel Tips - Things to Know Before You Go! 20150503_115139

Belgium is a country made up of many language regions, so what language will be primarily spoken and visible on street and highway signs will depend on where you are exactly. The north of Belgium is primarily Flemish speaking (also known as Flemish Dutch), similar to what is spoken in the nearby Netherlands. The southern half is typically French speaking, and there are a few German-speaking regions in the far eastern section of the country.

While you don’t need to learn all those language to visit, it is always helpful to practice some key words and phrases in the language that will be where you plan to travel. Even some basic vocabulary to aid with street signs, or learning the words for ‘Entrance’ and ‘Exit’ can help your travel go more smoothly, especially if you will be driving in Belgium.

READ MORE: Top Tips for Taking a Road Trip in Europe

And the good news is, English is spoken (at least a little) nearly everywhere. Even in the smaller towns, most restaurants are likely to have an English menu. If you don’t see one displayed, just ask.

Luggage Lockers

Luggage Locker Leuven Belgium Top 9 Belgium Travel Tips - Things to Know Before You Go! IMG_20180423_171528

Depending on your exact itinerary and travel plans, you may end up wanting to do some sightseeing with your luggage in tow, either when you first arrive or are departing, or are in between cities. Fortunately, many train stations across Belgium – even in smaller towns – will have lockers at your disposal. And for my first destination after arriving at Brussels airport and heading to the small town of Leuven, I was able to check ahead of time online to confirm that lockers would be available.

TIP! Have Euro coins handy, as my luggage locker cost 5 Euros for the day and did not accept bills or cards.

TIP! I had issues getting my locker to work at first – and nearly gave up! – so would recommend trying a different section of the lockers if you have trouble at first and also reading the instructions listed (even if they’re in Flemish and you have to translate on your phone). In the end I had to hold the door shut for 3 seconds before it automatically locked and put the prompt up on the screen for me to insert payment and get my receipt.

Luggage Locker Leuven Belgium Top 9 Belgium Travel Tips - Things to Know Before You Go! IMG_20180423_171538

Restaurant Meals

Even separate from the typical Monday and Wednesday closures across Belgium (see ‘Closure Days’ section above), I encountered a lot of restaurants that were only open for dinner during the week and had no lunch service. As my previous Belgium travel was centered around weekends, this was definitely a surprise of my most recent visit. Be aware that you may be limited in your dining options, especially on day trips, if you don’t stay through dinnertime.

Transit Tickets

The transit system in Belgium is quite convenient, but is centered around making your purchase with a debit or credit card, and you may have trouble using the automated machines unless you have a card with a PIN. While PIN-based debit cards are standard for Europeans, if you don’t have a PIN on your credit card from elsewhere, try your debit card instead (assuming it has a PIN). Otherwise, build in extra time to find a staffed counter and wait in what will likely be a longer line to be able to pay in cash.

TIP! Any train trip that is to or from Brussels airport will be higher than usual because it includes a surcharge that is added to all trips that begin or end there. So keep this in mind to determine your most economical option when planning your itinerary.

Waffles

Waffles Belgium Brussels Style Top 9 Belgium Travel Tips - Things to Know Before You Go!20150501_100836

Yes, Belgians may be known for their waffles – but these may be harder to find than you’d expect! Across my Belgium visits, I had the easiest time finding fresh waffles made-to-order in Brussels. During the week especially, fresh waffles were harder to come by. So be on the lookout if you’re looking to sample some during your trip.

TIP! When in doubt, if you haven’t found fresh waffles elsewhere, you can usually get some at a stand at the train station.

TIP! I am partial to the Liege style waffle which is a thick dough covered in sugar that gets pressed in a waffle iron. If you’re getting a waffle fresh in Belgium, be sure to try this one!

Waffles Belgium Liege Style Top 9 Belgium Travel Tips - Things to Know Before You Go!IMG_20180424_171757Waffles Belgium Liege Style Top 9 Belgium Travel Tips - Things to Know Before You Go! DSC_0111

Belgium has a wealth of amazing sights and architecture to explore, plus there’s all that world-famous beer and chocolate and waffles wherever you go. There are wonderful towns and cities to visit and I’d definitely make another return trip to check out more.

Ghent Architecture Top 9 Belgium Travel Tips - Things to Know Before You Go! DSC_0307

From the many cities and towns I’ve already been to in my travels, these tips are pretty universal, so will be helpful regardless of where in Belgium you plan your trip.

Happy travels!

Lana

Have you been to Belgium before? Is there any other advice you would give to someone who is planning a visit? Anything else you’d like to know before you book a Belgium trip? Share your best Belgium travel tips and ask away in the ‘Comments’ below!

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Top 9 Belgium Travel Tips - Things to Know Before You Go!

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