5 Things to do in Ghent, Belgium

Ghent, Belgium is located in the Flemish region and is a great place for a weekend break. Also known as Gent, it has achieved a rare balance between historic medieval town and a hipster/student friendly hangout, brimming with well-preserved castles and cathedrals neighbouring trendy bars and modern art.

My experience of Ghent, Belgium may not be the most typical (I was on a hen do) but I made time to see the sights. Here’s a few things that will keep you entertained when visiting this town:

Explore the Bars

Ghent has its share of small, quirky bars. The bars range from one serving every type of gin imaginable out of a space that looks like a shop from the 1800’s (‘t Dreupelkot) to tiki-themed cocktail corners and underground clubs. Expect a varied, but memorable, night out.

A word of advice, this isn’t the place to wear heels due to the rough cobbled streets. This is a lesson some of my friends learned the hard way (to the entertainment of the locals). As we also found out, it can be difficult to fit a party of 15 into some of Ghent’s niche watering holes!

Take a Boat Ride

Like Bruges, Ghent’s most scenic route is along its waterways and there’s plenty of spots to hop onto a tour canal boat.

Along the way, you’ll spot the city’s charming architecture, historic buildings, and some of Ghent’s street art.

Learn the Art of Chocolate Making

Chocolate is serious business in Belgium. Ghent offers some great places to shop for upmarket sweets and a few places to get stuck in learning the tricks of the trade. Our group decided to do a chocolate making lesson during our trip

My lesson took place at Galerie Ganache. The third generation master chocolatier knew his stuff.  While we didn’t master his skills, we had a lot of fun creating (and later eating) some pieces. Make sure to also try other Belgian food such as waffles, beer, and traditional stews while you are there.

Visit a Castle

One of Ghent’s most dominating landmarks is Gravensteen, a 12th century castle. The castle has a long, turbulent history, which you can learn about through guided tours. In addition to the grounds, visitors can see the castle’s recently renovated interior, which also hosts an extensive weapons collection.

Several times a year, the castle also hosts medieval events and banquets. Find out more about admissions and opening times here.

See the Cathedral

Ghent is home to the Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, an 89-meter-tall Gothic structure that has stood in the heart of the city for over 1,000 years.

Always open to visitors, it is also home to the famous “Adoration of the Mystic Lamb” painting at the alter piece (with its own visitor times).

I knew very little about Ghent before visiting, but I’m glad I had a weekend there. It is full of charm and actually it was a great spot for my friend’s hen party!

Have you been to Ghent? What would you add to this list?