26 must do’s in Ghent | Belgium

Ghent is the biggest city in Flanders after Antwerp. Go visit its stunning Gothic buildings, street art, waterfront cafes, and its castle!  Here are my must do’s when in Ghent.

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1) Gravensteen

I’ve never visited the Gravensteen (Castle of the Counts) but want to do this badly! I saw it in several Belgian tv shows and it seems very big! The Gravensteen is a medieval fortification from the 12the century. The castle used to be the homes of several counts of Flanders, a prison, and a courthouse. Today it’s a museum apparently!

Entrance: €10

2) Patershol

Patershol is a neighborhood that is part of the medieval history of Ghent! It used to be the neighborhood of the fathers from the abbey, was then turned into a neighborhood for the working class, and even ended up as a ghetto! Now the neighborhood is a beautiful reminder of how the medieval streets looked like in Ghent! 

 3) House of Alijn

The house of Alijn (Huis van Alijn) was built after a quarrel between the Alijn and Rijms family. The house of Alijn had the function of a children’s hospital. The museum is a museum today, where you can learn about the hospice from the 20th century. 

Closed on Wednesday

4) Confectionery Temmerman

The Confectionery Temmerman is the place to be to buy old fashioned candy and delicacies of Ghent! The facade of the shop is based on the gospel of Matthew: you can see the 7 works of mercy on it! 

5) St. Bavo’s Cathedral

St Bavo’s Cathedral is the oldest parish church in Ghent (12h century). It’s also very famous for having the Van Eyck painting “The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb” as Altarpiece! You can see the painting between 12PM-1PM. Another masterpiece can be seen in this church: Rubens’ “Saint Bavo enters the Convent at Ghent”.

Fun Fact: The Holy Roman Emperor Charles V was baptized in this Cathedral! 

6) St. Bavo’s Abbey ruins

St Bavo Abbey was ordered to be demolished by Charles V. Today green bushes mark the silhouette of the Abbey. 

Fun Fact: The Abbey also has a part of the oldest wall of Ghent! 

7) St. Michael’s bridge

St Michael’s Bridge is a bridge where you have a great view of the Gravensteen, St. Michael’s Church, St. Nicholas Church, and medieval buildings!

8) St. Peter’s Abbey

The St. Peter’s Abbey was built in the 7th century and is a museum today where you can visit the medieval dining hall, abbey church, attic and garden! 

9) City pavilion

The City Pavillion of Ghent is very special! It’s open and you can watch concerts and dance performances in the Pavillion.

10) SMAK

The S.M.A.K (Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kunst) is a museum with modern exhibitions! Still have to visit this place! 

11) De Vooruit

The Vooruit is an art centre inside a 100-year old building. I went to the Vooruit to see some theater but you can also go there to watch some dance performances or concerts! 

12) Appelbrug & Appelbrugparkje

From the Appelbrugparkje, you have an amazing view of the Great Butchers’ Halla and Old Fish Market! 

13) Graffitistraatje

The Werregarenstraat is known as the Graffiti Alley in Ghent! Take some IG worthy photos there but don’t forget to search all of Ghent too! 

14) ’t Dreupelkot

‘t Dreupelkot is a small brown jenever café in Ghent where you can tast more than 200 jenever flavours! My favorite flavour is (Life of a) Passion Fruit! 😉 

15) Groentemarkt

The city of Ghent is known for its Neuzekes (cuberdons)! It’s a purple raspberry candy and is something you have to try when you’re in Ghent! You’ll find 2 shops on the Groentenmarkt but beware! They are rivals of each other (an ongoing feud for years now).

Food Fact: Check out the oldest bakery of Ghent: Oud Huis Himschoot.

16) Belfort

The Belfry of Ghent (Belfort) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the tallest belfry in Belgium with 91 meters! 

Fun Fact: It used to be a watchtower once like the one in Mechelen. 

Fun Fact: Ghent has 3 famous towers: Belfry, St. Bavo Cathedral and St. Nicholas Church. 

17) Graslei en korenlei

Ghent is surrounded by water: the Leie (Lys) River. The Graslei and Korenlei are the two sides of the river and used to be the harbour of the city. Each side gives you the opportunity to walk alongside the water and have an amazing view of the other side. Apparently Graslei is the prettier side, so take a photo from it on the Korenlei side! Make sure to stroll alongside the water and get a glimpse of the Grasbrug (bridge), 

When taking a stroll alongside the river, make sure to check out some cool buildings: Tolhuisje, Gildehuis der Graanmeters, Koornstapelhuis, and the Gildehuis der Vrije Schippers!

18) Vrijdagsmarkt

Vrijdagmarkt (Friday Market) is the place where the weekly market of Ghent is held (on friday of course). Vrijdagmarkt is one of the oldest squares in Ghent and the weekly market is quite old as well: being hold since the 12th century! . 

Fun Fact: There is also a parking under this place. Good place to park when you go shopping in Ghent! 

19) Dulle Griet

The Dulle Griet is a pub on the Vrijdagsmarkt and apparently you have to give your shoe in exchange for a beer glass in the shape of a shoe? Must check this out! 

20) Citadel park

The oldest and largest park of the city is the Citadel Park. Just take a stroll in these gardens, and visit the botanical gardens in this park! 

21) Geraard de duivelsteen

Geraard de Duivelsteen is a fortress from the 13th century. The fortress was also used as an arsenal, monastery, knights’ residence, a school and a madhouse! 

22) Groot vleeshuis

The Great Butchers’ Hall (Groot Vleeshuis, left on the photo) is the place to be to buy less than 200 regional products from East Flanders (the province where Ghent is located). Apparently the hall used to be the place to hang Ham from the ceiling!  

23) Sint niklaaskerk

The St Nicholas Church can’t be missed when going to Ghent! I always pass this one when shopping! It’s located next to the St. Bavo Cathedral and the belfry.

24) Holy food market

Just as the name: a food market to eat some good food! 

25) Town hall

Apparently the town hall of Ghent needed 600 years to be built! I’m wondering if it is as beautiful as the ones I saw in Brussels and Leuven! 

26) Gentse Feesten

Every summer, the city of Ghent is partying for 2 weeks in a row. This is called the Gentse Feesten, a big festival throughout the city!

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