Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Ghent?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Ghent?
Most visitors spend one to three days in Ghent when visiting. The cultural city offers so many things to see and explore, so you'll want to take full advantage of the limited time you have. Highlights include the nightlife, the beautiful scenery, the museums and landmarks, and the historic old town.
Ghent is a historic city with world class architecture and impressive canals. The city is filled with sights such as the The Fortress of Gravensteen, which dates back to the 1200s. While it's often overlooked for nearby Bruges, the city offers a less crowded historic center with cathedrals and large plazas. There's also world class shopping and a young student population that gives it a lot of energy.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Ghent? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Ghent?
With three days at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Ghent has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Ghent as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the nightlife, the beautiful scenery, and the museums and landmarks at your own pace, as this medium sized city offers a variety of fun activities for couples and students. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
How to spend 3 days in Ghent
Don't miss the Fortress of Gravensteen during your trip to Ghent, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. With its young student population, you'll find plenty of lively bars and clubs around town. There are many places where you can party or dance into the early hours of the morning and some of the best places are around Oude Beestenmarkt, De Overpoort, and De Vlasmarkt. There's also the famous Ghent Festival every July.
Ghent is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. The area's with the most tourist attractions are generally walkable.
Plenty of amazing museums and famous landmarks make Ghent a special place to visit. Spend at least one full day visiting the sights that are appealing to you. The city has many different sights that are concentrated in a compact area. Make sure you check out the Cathedral of St. Bavo, The Fortress of Gravensteen, and The Belfry. The audio tour at Gravensteen really brings the history to life and makes for an enjoyable activity.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Ghent Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour ($7)
Ghent is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. With its medieval architecture and beautiful waterfront areas, the city has a lot to offer.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Gent ($3)
- Ghent Beer Guided Walking Tour ($49)
- Gastronomic Walking Tour of Gent - Tasters included ($3)
Public transit in Ghent is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. Buses and trams travel to most parts of the city and are convenient and efficient.
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. The medieval old town follows along the canal and offers great architecture and a unique atmosphere.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Gent ($3)
- Ghent Beer Guided Walking Tour ($49)
- Gastronomic Walking Tour of Gent - Tasters included ($3)
You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this city, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. The food scene is diverse and international, but there are also many local dishes and flavors that you should try. Pas de Rouge is a local cheese and mastel is a local bread. Ganda ham is also a popular meat that is dried and salted. In additional to traditional restaurants, you'll find almost any international cuisine that you could want.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private Chocolate Tasting Experience in Ghent ($87)
- Walking food tour: Introduction to Ghent through food ($102)
- Ghent Private Tasting Tour with local guide ($219)
Is 4 days enough time in Ghent?
Four days is more than sufficient for an in-depth trip to Ghent, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. The nightlife, the beautiful scenery, the museums and landmarks, and the historic old town on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel or use Ghent as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding areas.
Ghent, Belgium
How to spend 4 days in Ghent
If you have more than 4 days in Ghent, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
Shopping in Ghent is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. The city has the largest pedestrian shopping area in Belgium, making it a great place to explore on foot. The city has several different shopping areas which each have their own style and personality. You'll find everything from major European brands to local boutiques and street markets.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Is 5 days enough time in Ghent?
Five days is more than enough time to see everything that Ghent has to offer. After all, it's not such a huge city. Many visitors prefer to spend one to three days here, so you'll be able to take in all of the nightlife, the beautiful scenery, the museums and landmarks, and the historic old town at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then you can take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.
How to spend 5 days in Ghent
Having 5 days in Ghent will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
After you've explored most of Ghent, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Ghent.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Ghent, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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