Ghent Holidays

Ghent is where medieval canals meet modern creativity, cobbled streets lined with guild houses, castles in the city centre, student nightlife, and more personality per square metre than anywhere else in Belgium.

💡 Good to Know

☀️ Weather: Best from May to September with highs of 20 to 24°C. Spring and early autumn are ideal for sightseeing with fewer crowds and comfortable walking weather. Winters are cool at 2 to 7°C but atmospheric, especially along the canals with festive lights.

💶 Money: Belgium uses the Euro (€). Expect €5 to €7 for a beer, €3 to €5 for frites, and €18 to €30 for a decent restaurant meal. Ghent is often slightly cheaper than Bruges, especially for food and drinks.

🎉 Fun fact: Ghent was once one of the most powerful cities in medieval Europe thanks to its textile trade. Today, it’s one of Europe’s most vegetarian-friendly cities, with “Veggie Thursdays” still widely observed by locals.

Ghent Holiday Highlights

• A perfectly preserved medieval city without feeling like a theme park

• Canals, castles and gothic architecture all within walking distance

• A lively student population giving the city a real buzz day and night

• One of Belgium’s best food scenes, from street fries to fine dining

Best things to do in Ghent

Ghent is compact enough to explore on foot, but layered enough that every street reveals something new, from riverside views to medieval towers.

• Gravensteen Castle – a dramatic 12th-century fortress in the city centre with ramparts, dungeons and panoramic views over Ghent

• Graslei & Korenlei – postcard-perfect canal streets lined with guild houses and riverside cafés

• St Bavo’s Cathedral – home to the world-famous Ghent Altarpiece, one of Europe’s most important artworks

• Canal boat tours – a relaxing way to see hidden courtyards and historic waterfront buildings

• Graffiti Street (Werregarenstraat) – ever-changing street art alley full of colour and creativity

Where to stay

Ghent is very walkable, so where you stay is more about vibe than transport. Everything connects easily by foot, bike or tram.

Historic Centre - Best for first-time visitors. Stay among canals, medieval streets and landmarks, everything is on your doorstep

Patershol District - Foodie and nightlife hub with narrow cobbled streets, hidden restaurants and cosy bars

Dampoort Area - More budget-friendly with easy access to the centre by public transport and good-value hotels

Countryside outskirts - Quiet boutique stays outside the city for a more relaxed, rural Belgian experience

What are the top hotels for your holidays to Ghent?

Ghent’s hotels range from historic boutique mansions to modern budget stays and countryside hideaways just outside the city. Most are within easy reach of the old town and canals.

Luxury

Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof Ghent – 18th-century mansion hotel with elegant rooms, spa treatments, indoor pool and a peaceful courtyard garden, combining heritage with modern comfort

Boutique / Couples

Hotel Orion – stylish Art Deco-inspired hotel with unique rooms and both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, ideal for a relaxed city break

Value

ibis budget Gent Centrum Dampoort – modern, practical base with secure parking, fast WiFi and an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, ideal for short stays

Unique stays

B&B De Stuifduinen – highly rated boutique B&B with individually designed rooms, private patios and a rooftop terrace with panoramic views over the surroundings
t Aards Paradijs – intimate countryside escape with just two rooms, a garden setting and an excellent on-site restaurant for a slower-paced stay

Local Lingo

Ghent is in the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium (Flanders), but English is widely spoken everywhere, especially in hospitality and tourist areas. You’ll have no issues getting around.

• Hallo – Hello

• Dank u – Thank you

• Alstublieft – Please / You’re welcome

• Een biertje, alstublieft – A beer, please

• Waar is…? – Where is…?

• Hoeveel kost het? – How much is it?

And like the rest of Belgium, you’ll notice regional language differences, Flemish Dutch in Ghent, French further south, but English bridges everything easily.

Ghent holidays 2026 / 2027 travel guide

Things to do for families

Ghent works brilliantly as a family city break thanks to its compact centre, boat trips and interactive attractions.

• Gravensteen Castle – kids love exploring the medieval fortress, towers and armour displays

• Boat tours on the canals – easy, relaxing sightseeing with plenty to look at

• STAM City Museum – interactive museum explaining Ghent’s history in a modern way

• Citadel Park – large green space with playgrounds, ideal for downtime between sightseeing

Things to do for couples

Ghent is one of Europe’s most romantic small cities, especially at night when the canals light up.

• Evening canal walks – illuminated guild houses reflected in the water

• Riverside dining at Graslei – candlelit restaurants overlooking the canal

• St Bavo’s Cathedral – quiet cultural stop with world-famous artwork

• Hidden courtyards – discover tucked-away patios and medieval alleyways

Things to do for groups

Ghent has a strong student population, so nightlife is lively but still laid-back compared to bigger cities.

• Dulle Griet – famous beer bar with hundreds of Belgian beers and a quirky shoe-for-beer deposit system

• Waterhuis aan de Bierkant – riverside drinking spot with local brews and a relaxed atmosphere

• Overpoort Street – student nightlife strip with bars, music and late opening hours

• Craft beer tours – guided tastings across the city’s best breweries and pubs

More places to visit from Ghent

Bruges – 25 minutes by train, classic medieval postcard city
Brussels – 35–40 minutes, capital city with museums and architecture
Antwerp – around 1 hour, fashion, diamonds and creative energy