Step into a city where medieval towers meet lively canal-side cafes. In just one day, Ghent wrapped us in its rich history, vibrant streets, and irresistible local flavours.

From exploring centuries-old castles and soaring bell towers to cruising through picturesque waterways and sampling Belgium’s famous beers and fries, our day trip to Ghent from Brussels was the perfect blend of culture and indulgence; and left us already planning a return.

Overview

As part of our Interrail adventure across Europe in April 2025, we spent an unforgettable day trip to Ghent from Brussels. Steeped in history, Ghent once rivalled Paris and Bruges as one of Europe’s richest and most powerful cities during the Middle Ages, thanks to its thriving cloth industry.

Today, the city beautifully blends its medieval heritage with a youthful, vibrant energy. Ghent charmed us with its striking Gothic architecture, meandering canals, and lively squares.

If you’re wondering is Ghent worth visiting, our short but full day certainly convinced us it is – it’s a city that manages to feel both historic and refreshingly alive.

How to Get to Ghent

Travelling from Brussels to Ghent is incredibly easy. We hopped on a direct train from Brussels Central Station, and in just 30 minutes we arrived at Ghent Saint Peter’s Station which is further from the old city centre but has more services connecting to Brussels.

If you’re coming from further afield, a day trip to Ghent from Amsterdam or Antwerp is also very doable thanks to Belgium’s excellent train network, all within 1 hour of travel.

For those visitors that are arriving at Brussels International Airport, you can also catch a direct train to Ghent. The journey time varies, but the fastest trains are just under an hour.

Best Time to Visit

Ghent is a year-round destination, but for a day trip, we think the best time to visit is between late spring and early autumn (May to September). During these months, the weather is usually mild and pleasant, ideal for wandering along the canals and exploring the city’s many historic sites on foot.

Do note, though, that July coincides with the Gentse Feesten, a massive local festival – while it’s an exciting time with lots of activities, it can also be extremely busy. If you prefer a quieter experience, late spring or early autumn might be a better choice.

Even in winter, Ghent has its charm, with festive markets and a cosy atmosphere, though some attractions may have shorter opening hours.

We went in April and found the temperature to be in the high 20s and nice and sunny with not too many tourists.

Best Way to Travel Around Ghent

From Ghent Saint Peter’s Station, we took tram 1, which whisked us directly into the historic city centre in around 15 minutes. Walking was then our main way to explore, as most of Ghent’s highlights are easily accessible on foot.

There is the city museum and another church which are not central but other than that Ghent old town is a very walk-able place.

We paid our ticket with our contactless cards, which was friction-less. We used our Starling Bank card, which has 0% fees on foreign transactions, and it worked seamlessly across the whole trip. If you’re using a UK bank, it’s worth checking what charges (if any) you might face abroad. For more tips on how to stretch your budget without compromising on experience, check out our article.

Things to Do in Ghent

Below we share our 1 day itinerary in Ghent broken up by sections of the day.

We used the Ghent City Card, which proved to be an excellent value for money offering access to top attractions and museums as well as public transport, boat trip, bike rentals and more! To plan our day, we also checked the visitgent website for information and recommendations.

I. Morning

1. Explore the Castle of the Counts

We started our day at the Castle of the Counts, an impressive medieval fortress standing proudly in the centre of Ghent. Originally built in the 12th century, this castle has served as a residence, courthouse, and prison over the centuries.

We wandered through the thick stone corridors, climbed up the ramparts for panoramic views of the city, and explored the exhibitions inside. The displays, which include medieval weapons and historical artefacts are great however, the décor feels a bit on the slim side.

Having said this, the top of the keep is absolutely a must and not very hard to go up. You get a wonderful eagle’s eye view of central Ghent. From here you can take some really nice shots of the Sint-Veerleplein square and nearby canals.

2. Admire the Belfry of Ghent

Next, we visited the Belfry of Ghent, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage site. We were relieved to find they had a lift – a rare luxury during our travels!

Ascending to the top was quick and comfortable; the tower hosts a lift which was a Godsend. It’s a brilliant way to get a true sense of the city’s layout and to spot many of the key attractions we planned to visit.

The Belfry itself is steeped in history, having served as a watchtower and a symbol of the city’s independence. Inside, we also paused to admire the impressive bells and the dragon weather vane, a famous protector of the city. All in all, it was a highlight of our day.

3. Visit Saint Bavo’s Cathedral

Just a short walk away, Saint Bavo’s Cathedral is awe-inspiring. It’s home to the famous “Adoration of the Mystic Lamb” altarpiece – a masterpiece well worth seeing.

The entrance to the Cathedral is free however, to see the painting you have to pay extra. The admission also gives you access to side chapels which is a plus. There is an option to get a VR tour, but we decided to skip this as it was estimated at 1.5 hours – so way over our allotted time for this location.

One thing you might want to consider is Ghent city card which offers a 10 euro discount for card holders.

4. Admire Saint Nicholas’ Church

Saint Nicholas’ Church is one of the city’s oldest landmarks, built in the 13th century in stunning Scheldt Gothic style. Its impressive blue-gray stone and soaring tower once symbolised the wealth of Ghent’s medieval merchants.

5. Cross St Michael’s Bridge

St Michael’s Bridge offers some of the city’s most iconic views, linking key historic sites like St Nicholas’ Church, the Belfry, and St Bavo’s Cathedral. Its elegant arch and scenic panorama make it a perfect photo spot day or night.

II. Afternoon

6. Take a Ghent Guided City Cruise

Midday, we enjoyed a relaxing boat trip in Ghent. Honestly, it doesn’t matter which operator you choose – they are all similarly priced and offer a delightful way to see the city’s canals and historic facades.

We passed by all major landmarks by the canals such as the catholic monastery, the castle, the Augustinian monastery which also serves as a brewery for the monks and we went all the way to where the original Royal Palace once stood.

Overall, a must we think when you visit Ghent. A city cruise is included with the Ghent City Card, so it’s really a no brainer 🙂

7. Stroll Along the Graslei and Korenlei

Graslei and Korenlei are two picturesque quays along the River Leie, lined with stunning medieval guild houses that showcase Ghent’s golden age. It’s the perfect spot to stroll, relax by the water, or hop on a canal boat tour.

The riverbanks of Graslei and Korenlei are postcard-perfect. We spent some time here soaking up the sun and the atmosphere.

8. See Ghent’s Manneken Pis

You probably know about Brussels’ Manneken Pis but did you know that Ghent has one too? His name is Nestor and he is surrounded by two girls Lena and Luna

9. Pay a Visit to St Peter’s Abbey

St Peter’s Abbey in Ghent, founded in the 7th century by Saint Amandus, is a beautifully preserved former Benedictine monastery with a rich history of religious and cultural influence.

Today, it serves as a museum and exhibition space, featuring peaceful gardens, historic rooms. In the Abbey you can also see many nice religions paintings which really bring to life the church.

Where We Ate and Drank in Ghent

Beer and Snacks at De Dulle Griet

We couldn’t skip a visit to De Dulle Griet, one of Ghent’s most famous beer bars. The bar is particularly popular because of when you order their signature boot beer glass they take your shoes as collateral and tie them to the main chandelier.

You can only get the beer boot inside the venue. So, as we sat outside we didn’t qualify for the experience, but the weather was too good to stay inside. Perhaps another time!

For us, the menu was overwhelming, but our waiter helped us pick two excellent local beers.

We ordered a cheese and salami platter; however, the presentation was quite rustic – rough cubes of average quality. Still, the lively atmosphere more than made up for it.

Casual Dinner at Frites Atelier

For dinner, we found most restaurants were fully booked by 9.30 pm, so planning ahead is definitely wise. We grabbed a late meal at Frites Atelier. I had standard fries with a cheese croquette, and Hristina chose fries topped with the local stew. We enjoyed the simplicity of it whilst watching people pass by.

Both were delicious, not greasy at all, and very affordable – a real cheap eats Ghent find. Ultimately, what’s not to like – it’s fries!

Evening Sweet Treat

We finished the evening with a waffle from Oyya, near the old town. Sadly, we found it a bit heavy and stodgy compared to other Belgian waffles we’ve had.

Is the Ghent City Card Worth It?

Given all the attractions we visited, we found the Ghent City Card to be excellent value. It included public transport, museum entries, and the boat tour, making our one day in Ghent itinerary both easy and cost-effective.

If we had more time in Ghent, we would have fully maximised on everything the city card has to offer.

Final Thoughts

Spending one day in Ghent offered a brilliant mix of history, canals, and lively food and drink spots.

Whether you’re pondering what to do in Ghent in one day or looking for places to visit in Ghent in one day, this city delivers. We’d happily return to explore even more as we feel Ghent deserves another day to truly enjoy it.

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