Ghent in One Day : What you SHOULDN’T miss (+ tips from a local)

If you’re wondering what to do in Ghent in one day, these are the things you shouldn’t miss!

This local travel addict will help you traverse the city so you can spend your time meaningfully during your one-day stay in Ghent.

Although not as well-known as Brussels, Bruges or Antwerp, Flander’s second-largest city is a fairytale meets hipster destination which gives it a truly special feeling.

I absolutely love the city and consider it Belgium’s best-kept secret! While I know you probably only have 1 day to visit Ghent, I recommend staying a weekend or better yet, making it your base for your entire time in Belgium…

The charm of the city is best felt when wandering around the tiny streets and admiring the beautiful architecture, so prepare for a day of walking! Luckily, the historic centre is small and you can easily cover it on foot.

One day in Ghent: a quick roundup

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To help you with what to do in Ghent for a day, I’ve made a one day in Ghent itinerary so it will be easier for you to navigate the city. You won’t have problems with what to see in Ghent in 1 day thanks to this itinerary.

1. Start your day at Ghent’s hotspot De Korenmarkt
2. Admire “Klokke Roeland” and the City Pavilion
3. Look at Ghent from a different perspective from the top of the Belfry
4. Delve into Belgium’s biggest art crime at St. Bavo’s Cathedral
5. Enjoy your seasoned-with–Orval-lunch at De Abt
6. Take a selfie on the Saint Michaels bridge
7. Learn more about the city during a boat tour
8. Buy local produce and candy at the Great Butcher’s Hall and De Groentenmarkt
9. Imagine Medieval torture practice in the Castle of the Counts
10. End your day in foodie-heaven Het Patershol

What to see in Ghent in one day?

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De Korenmarkt

What to do in Ghent, Belgium in one day? First, start your exploration on De Korenmarkt, Ghent’s main square.

It’s busy and not particularly beautiful (although the St Nicolas church and the old Postal building are the exceptions!) but a great starting point nonetheless.

There’s a small street on the left side of the church called Klein Turkije (notice the greenhouse at the corner!) that will lead you to the Poeljemarkt.

De Poeljemarkt/Botermarkt

There are a lot of things to see here.

🔔 Roeland Bell

For starters, pay attention to the giant clock called “the Roeland Bell”. Its official name is “The Triumphant” but the bell is known as “Roeland”, named after the first large bell of the Belfry.

When it cracked in 1914, it was removed and restored and now found its new home at this square.

💡 Good to know: The folk song “Klokke Roeland” is probably the most famous one in Ghent.

🏛️ City Pavilion

Your attention will probably have gone to that enormous modern building in the middle of the square.

This steel, wood and glass building is quite the sight in a mostly medieval-looking historic centre and you can imagine it caused more than a little uproar when it came to be in 2012.

The city Pavilion is a covered meeting place and events hall and it’s quite impressive to walk underneath. If you’re already in for a drink and a break, head into the partly underground café.

🟩 The Green

On the right side, situated a little lower than the City Pavilion you can find The Green, a little dash of green in this fairytale city centre. It’s not big, but it still offers a nice spot for a picnic or to enjoy the sun.

🕒 The Belfry

Standing proudly behind the Pavilion is the Belfry. You can see the dragon – the symbol and protector of the city – on top of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Originally, the Belfry was the place where the city privileges were kept (and Ghent is a big and rich city in the Middle Ages, so these were particularly important).

It also functioned as a watchtower (also an important function what will all the wooden roofs!) and even as a prison in later times.

Nowadays, it’s great to climb all the way to the top (or take the elevator from the first floor).

Sint-Baafsplein

⛪ St Bavo’s Cathedral

Right behind the Belfry, you can find the third of the famous towers: St Bavo’s Cathedral. This landmark is famous for its art collection and notably the 18-panel altarpiece The Mystic Lamb.

This artwork was painted by the brothers, Van Eyck and was completely restored between 2012 and 2019. In 1934 two of the panels got stolen and while one was later returned, the other (“The Just Judges”) is still missing.

There are a couple of theories about the thief and where it has been hidden and now and then there’s a new surge in the investigation, but it remains one of the greatest art crimes and mysteries up to this day.

If you’re particularly interested in the whole story, head over to the city museum STAM where the theft of the Just Judges is a main topic.

🍽️ Lunchtime @ De Abt

You haven’t covered that much in distance yet, but after this cultural morning, you deserve a great lunch! Book a table at De Abt, it’s only two steps away from the cathedral.

This restaurant serves some great Belgian food seasoned with Orval. Orval is an abbey in the southernmost tip of Belgium at the French border that produces a great beer (and cheese too!).

As the only Orval restaurant in Flanders, you’re up for a true taste festival.

💡 Good to know: Try the Flemish stew (a must-eat when visiting Belgium!), Gentse waterzooi (a broth with fine-cut vegetables and chicken) or the Orval cheese croquettes.

Gras- & Korenlei

🌉 St Michael’s bridge

After a filling lunch, make your way towards the waterfront. The Cataloniëstraat will bring you right to St. Michael’s Bridge.

This gothic bridge will offer you some great views over the Graslei and Korenlei (2 famous spots for the Ghentians) and the river Leie that runs underneath it.

This originally flat and turnable bridge was transformed into a stone bridge with arches at the beginning of the 20^th century.

It’s the perfect spot to capture the charm of Ghent – don’t forget a couple of selfies during your visit Ghent in one day trip! –

It’s the only place where you’ll be able to get all three of the towers (St Nicolas church, the Belfry and St. Bavo’s Cathedral) in one picture.

🚣‍♀️ Boat tour

Cross the bridge and make your way down to the Korenlei. Here, you can book a 45-minute boat tour on the canals.

This will give you a different perspective on the city and is a pretty interesting and fun way to spend your time (we absolutely loved it and it’s great to do with kids too!).

You’ll see the Castle of the Counts, the big canon “Dulle Griet” (which means “Evil Woman” but not that evil since it has never been fired but looks impressive anyway) and Het Prinsenhof (the birthplace of King Charles V) amongst others.

Groentenmarkt

Afterwards, cross the Grasbrug and turn left towards the Pensmarkt. You’ll pass the Great Butcher’s Hall which is the perfect place to stock up on regional produce such as local beers, Tierenteyn mustard and Mattentaarten.

It’s a must-do in your one day in Ghent Belgium visit.

Outside on the Groentenmarkt, you can find a stand selling a local and traditional candy called Cuberdons (or as the locals say “noses”).

Nowadays you can find them in all kinds of colours and flavours, but originally they are purple sugary treats filled with raspberry syrup.

💡 Good to know: don’t buy this candy for your kids without having them taste it first. Cuberdons are either loved or hated and are more popular with adults than with children.

Should you visit at a weekend between April 1^st and September 30^th, you’ll find a crafts market on this square as well.

💡 Good to know: if Neuzekes weren’t the type of candy you were looking for, cross the bridge towards the Castle of the Counts. Right behind it on the left side, you’ll find a small and charming candy store.

🏰 Castle of the Counts

If you cross the water again, you’ll walk up to the Castle of the Counts. This pretty impressive castle has a rich history which you probably heard about during the boat tour in a much more compelling way than we can give you.

If you have some time left, make your way inside. You can visit the keep, the stables, the gatehouse, the ramparts and the count’s residence. It’s also pretty famous for its impressive collection of torture equipment.

🍽️ Dinner @ Het Patershol

End your Ghent one day itinerary with a stroll through the Medieval cobblestone streets of Het Patershol.

You might not expect it, but the neighbourhood is still very much a working-class district where kids play on the street and people walk into each other’s houses.

But it’s also the culinary corner of the city with a wide range of world kitchen restaurants and funky bars lined up (especially in the street Oudburg).

This is the perfect spot to find yourself a nice restaurant such as:

Casa de las Tapas (Spanish with huge portions)

De 8 Zaligheden (World Kitchen)

Roots (Michelin star restaurant with a fixed menu)

Celebrate your Ghent 1 day itinerary with a feast!

That’s all the things to do in Ghent in one day. You’ll have plenty of time for each activity and end a day in Ghent.

How to get to Ghent

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Since you’re going to only spend 1 day in Ghent, it’s important that you get there as soon as possible so you can make the most out of your one-day itinerary in Ghent. You’ll notice that train travel is the way to go in Belgium.

🚆 From Brussels: Hop on the direct intercity train from Brussels to Ghent. It takes only 25 to 40 minutes depending on the Brussels station you leave from.

There are around 2-3 trains in an hour going from Brussels to Ghent. They usually travel around 20-30 minute intervals.

🚆 From Bruges: You can hop on a direct intercity train to get you to Ghent in just around 22 minutes.

There are around 5-6 trains in an hour going from Bruges to Ghent. They usually travel around 15-20 minute intervals.

🚆 From Antwerp: From Antwerp to Ghent, it takes around 45 minutes by direct train. There are plenty of train stations in Antwerp and they almost reach Ghent around the same time.

There are around 2-3 trains in an hour going from Antwerp to Ghent. They usually travel around 20-30 minute intervals.

🚆 From Paris: Travelling by train is also the best option if you’re coming from Paris. It would take around 2 hours of travel time. First, you take the Thalys from Paris to Brussels South (90 min.) and then an intercity train from Brussels to Ghent (30 min.).

There are around 1-2 trains in an hour going from Paris to Ghent. They usually travel around 30-90 minute intervals.

🚆 From London: Catch the Eurostar train that connects London with Brussels South (2 hrs), then transfer to the direct intercity train from Brussels to Ghent (30 min). This brings the total travel time to 2h40.

There’s only 1 train in an hour or two going from London. The travel interval between trains is usually around 2 hours so if you miss your train, you’re going to have to wait for 2 hours to catch the next one.

🚆 From Amsterdam: You also have to go by train if you want to travel fast from Amsterdam to Belgium. The fastest train can reach Ghent in around 2 hours 20 minutes while other trains range from 2 hours 50 minutes to 3 hours 10 minutes.

There are around 3-4 trains in an hour going from Amsterdam to Ghent. 3 trains usually travel at the same time and then 1 train will follow after 15-20 minutes. So be sure to get to the station at the earliest of an hour.

That’s about all the best ways to travel. Make sure you know what to do in Ghent Belgium in one day before boarding a train so you can spend your day effectively unless you want to travel spontaneously.

Wanting to stay the night? These are our top recommended hotels

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With how beautiful Ghent is, you might want to spend more than a day. Here are some hotels I can recommend to you:

🛏️ (€€€) Luxury hotel: 1898 The Post  

The 1898 The Post is a small luxury hotel and is among the top 500 hotels in the world by Travel+Leisure.

The rooms you’ll be staying in are in an iconic, historical building that exudes elegance and is complete with antique furniture.

🛏️ (€€) Midrange hotel: Yalo Urban Boutique Hotel

If you’re looking for a unique hotel with a midrange budget, the Yalo Urban Boutique Hotel might be the one for you.

This hotel is the best-rated according to independent guest reviews. The rooms come with a nice balcony city view and they also offer vegetarian breakfast.

🛏️ (€) Budget hotel: Rodelijv

The best budget hotel option I can recommend to you is Rodelijv. It has a convenient location and is only a 9-minute walk from Gras and Korenlei.

What’s great about this budget hotel is that it’s so near to lots of attractions and famous places in Ghent.

Frequently Asked Questions  

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Final thoughts

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So, what do you think? Will this schedule for places to visit in Ghent in one day suit your interests? I hope this information will help you make your Ghent itinerary one day. Let us know what you decided to visit during your trip!