What are the best things to do in Gent?
Top picks in Gent include Gravensteen Castle, Saint Bavo's Cathedral (Ghent Altarpiece), Graslei and Korenlei, Belfry of Ghent. See the full list and itinerary on this Gent travel guide.
Photo: Michielverbeek · CC BY-SA 4.0
Why visit Gent
Travel guide for Gent, Belgium — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Gent is a stop in Belgium, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 3 days. If time is short, prioritise Gravensteen Castle, Saint Bavo's Cathedral (Ghent Altarpiece), Graslei and Korenlei instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 110–230 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds
Weather
Temperate, with warm summers and cool winters
Experiences
Things to do in Gent
1
Gravensteen Castle
2
Saint Bavo's Cathedral (Ghent Altarpiece)
3
Graslei and Korenlei
4
Belfry of Ghent
5
Patershol district
6
MSK — Museum of Fine Arts
7
St Nicholas' Church
8
Vrijdagmarkt
Budget travel
Free things to do in Gent
Saint Bavo's Cathedral (Ghent Altarpiece)
Patershol district
St Nicholas' Church
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Gent itinerary (3 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Gravensteen Castle
- Visit Saint Bavo's Cathedral (Ghent Altarpiece)
- Visit Graslei and Korenlei
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Belfry of Ghent
- Visit Patershol district
- Visit MSK — Museum of Fine Arts
- 3
Day 3
More highlights
- Visit St Nicholas' Church
- Visit Vrijdagmarkt
Budget
Gent trip cost
Budget
USD 50–85
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 110–230
per person / day
Luxury
USD 265–435+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Gent, Belgium. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Gent
Estimated total (USD)
$2,985
≈ $1,493 per person · $426 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $170/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Gent mid-range ground costs (budget 50–85 · mid 110–230 · luxury 265–435+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Soup Lounge
Popular place to get a soup.
Frituur Bij Sint-Jacobs SYMPA
Vandevoorde / Olivier
HFC Korenmarkt-Gent
Seli's Noodlebar
Tashun
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Hotel Ibis Centrum Kathedraal
Ibis Budget
Budget hotel located near Dampoort Station.
Novotel Gent Centrum
Brooderie
Primarily a cafe & bakery, but with three rooms located on Jan Breydelstraat opposite the Design Museum. Shared bathrooms and showers with t
Bed in Gent
Shopping
- Prondelmarkt bij Sint-Jacobs
- Tweedehandsboekenmarkt
- Vrijdagmarkt
- Cuberdons sold by street vendors
- Tierenteyn-Verlent
- Bookstore Limerick
Nightlife
- Waterhuis aan de bierkant
- Het Galgenhuis
- 't Dreupelkot
- Het Velootje
- Damberd
- Gentse Stadsbrouwerij Gruut
In pictures
Gent gallery
Photos: Michielverbeek, Ralf Roletschek, Donarreiskoffer at Dutch Wikipedia, Trougnouf (Benoit Brummer), User 'Morwen', Mario Falcetti — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Gent travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Gent?
May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds.
How many days do I need in Gent?
Plan at least 3 days in Gent for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Gent?
Popular stays in Gent include Hotel Ibis Centrum Kathedraal, Ibis Budget, Novotel Gent Centrum. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Gent cost?
On the ground in Gent (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 50–85 per person per day, mid-range about 110–230, and luxury about 265–435+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Gent, Belgium. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
