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Ghent what to see in one day? What a great dilemma!
Here is an indecent proposal
Ghent what to see in one day? Without a doubt a great dilemma. There is so much to see, do, travel and enjoy this beautiful city that it is difficult to choose a perfect plan for just one day. The truth is that if we have to recommend something, it is that you enjoy a minimum of two days in this city, just as we recommended Bruges city.
On route through Belgium in a motorhome, we discover Belgium Flanders and in particular its cities, towns, natural parks and most charming castles. We also discovered Belgium with children, with our children, and with our dog Max.
Ghent Belgium, without a doubt, is one of the destinations that we have liked the most on the trip, it is an essential without a doubt like Bruges if you go to Belgium. A medieval fairytale city.
Ghent has a thousand plans, museums, activities, monuments and places to visit. It is difficult to choose a plan. That is why I propose to you what we would do in Ghent in one day, choosing from everything we experienced in three intense days in Ghent Belgium.
And if you dare, in the end we extend with some more plan for two days. In addition, together you will also find the details of where to eat and where to sleep if you go to Ghent by motorhome or you go to Ghent by camper van. But in Ghent you will find a thousand hotels too.
To start ... 2 maxims
1 Know a minimum about Belgium. We make it easy for you, here is a basic mini guide about Belgium and Ghent city
Get to know the language spoken in Ghent city, where is Ghent to know how to get to Ghent, learn to say thank you in Flemish, discover what is the typical food of Belgium and Ghent city and have a minimum of knowledge about Belgium and Ghent with this mini practical guide. We make it easy for you.
2 Getting around by bike, a must to enjoy Ghent and Belgium in a few days
To move around Belgium freely and enjoy it, you have to bring your bike or rent one. Without a doubt, it is an essential that transforms the trip. Getting around by bike in Ghent Belgium is easy, safe and comfortable. Thousands of flat bike lanes safeguarded from traffic make you explore the city, its beautiful parks and its thousand corners in an agile, fun and very safe way.
And in Ghent, if you don't have your own bike, you're in luck! There are many places that will rent you one for a very reasonable price. Visit this Ghent tourism website to see all the places where you can rent a bike in Ghent, Belgium.
Ghent to see in one day per order. We can't make it easier for you
Here are our suggestions of what to see in one day in Ghent city. In other words, we will see the essential Ghent, which for us are the most beautiful and surprising places in Ghent Belgium.
One of the articles we have made about Ghent and Bruges in one day.
FIRST HOUR IN THE MORNING. Go to the old fish market, the Official Tourist Office and the Castillo de los Condes or Graventeen castle to warm up your engines
It's 9 a.m. and we started the Ghent city tour with joy. A route that will exhaust us as good travelers, but with which we will enjoy the beauty.
The first thing we're going to do is head to the heart of Ghent, Belgium, to its Tourist Office. The Ghent Tourist Office is located directly opposite the Castle of the Counts of Flanders, Gravensteen Castle, and inside what used to be the city's old fish market, very close to the meat market as well.
Inside the old fish market, we have the Tourist Information Office of Ghent Belgium. A place where apart from getting a map of the city they will help us with all our doubts.
You can also get the Gent City Card here . With it, we were able to visit all the museums, use public transport, and even go on boats and rent a bike for the whole day without having to pay anything extra. It's a great option. There's a 48-hour card for €36, which you'll easily recoup by visiting the Castle, taking a tourist boat, renting a bike, and using public transport. However, I recommend only buying the card for adults; for children under 18, most monuments and museums are free, and they only have to pay for the boats.
Before moving on, look at the square outside the office, there are some street lamps, well they are special street lamps, they are turned on every time a child is born in Ghent. The hospital has them connected and turns them on to notify that a new baby has been born. A curiosity.
And since we're standing in front of the Castle of the Counts of Flanders in Ghent , there's no better place to begin exploring this city than this stunning and beautiful landmark. An impressive medieval stone castle, it's a must-see on your visit.
Within its walls they will explain to us through an audio guide in Spanish, part of the history of Ghent city. An audio guide with a lot of spark and humor that will surely make you laugh. Now, be careful with the little ones. The same laugh that will bring you out can make you blush a bit if you leave it to the little ones.
With the entrance to the Ghent castle of the Counts of Flanders includes the audio guide in Spanish for everyone over 8 years old. I think 8 years is a bit tight, or that or I'm a bit of a puritan ejhehehe. But my little ones hallucinated a little and I more ... so between wars and sex there is the auditoguide of your choice.
Children under 18 enter the Ghent Castle of the Counts of Flanders free of charge, while adult admission is €12. Due to Covid restrictions, tickets must be booked online in advance through the Ghent tourism website: https://visit.gent.be/nl/boek-je-activiteit-gent . Remember to book your tickets online before visiting this and all other attractions in Belgium.
Continue entering and locating yourself in Ghent city with a boat trip along its two rivers and canals
What to visit in Ghent? The best of Ghent can be seen by boat. For us, the tourist boat trip was a must. We didn't really get our bearings in the city until we did it. Traveling along its two rivers and canals is like exploring its main arteries and its most romantic and beautiful corners. Without a doubt, this makes it a must-see in this article about what to see in Ghent in a day.
The best thing about Ghent is that there's a tourist boat called Hop-on Hop-off that lets you hop on and off at different stops. It's known as Ghent's water tram . Just be aware, though, that it only runs on weekends.
The price is €13 for adults and €10 for children aged 4 to 11. It's a reasonable price for an almost one-hour boat trip with live commentary, where you can hop on and off at the various stops. Going to one of the piers and taking the boat is a delight; it's well worth it. The hop-on hop-off boats run on a schedule, approximately every hour. The other tourist boats depart frequently. You can see where to catch them and their schedules here: https://visit.gent.be/es/ver-y-hacer/tranvia-de-agua-hop-hop.
Walk the streets of Ghent and lose yourself in them
Ghent what to see in one day is an article dilemma. An aubergine getting into prioritizing. And it is that everything is so beautiful in Gent, Ghent Belgium. After the boat you will start to position yourself. So, now it's time to wander around and see the places that from the boat have caught your attention in the distance on the boat.
Above all, do not miss the cereal quay, Yslei and Korenlei, with very old houses where all the imported cereal arrived and Flanders taxes were paid. Also do not forget to walk around the Castle of Gerardo el Diablo (they called him that because of how dark he was, not because he was bad) and jump in the park next door where there are elastic mats. And finally, don't forget to go over the San Miguel bridge over the River Lys and take a photo of the three towers of Ghent, the place with the best perspective on them.
TIME TO EAT. It's time to eat well, enjoy a typical meal in Ghent while you think about which museum you are going to visit in the afternoon
And all the strolling whets your appetite. It is time to eat and rest a bit, while we return to the guide and prioritize what to continue watching. Remember that you are in Ghent Belgium, here you eat between 12 and 13 hours. And even if you don't like it, I recommend that you eat at that time. Why? Well, because at 17:XNUMX p.m. they close everything, so you better eat now and take advantage of the afternoon, you will appreciate it later.
GHENT RESTAURANTS WHERE TO EAT
Well, look there are so many restaurants in Ghent that I could not list them all. One day we ate in a very typical Belgian place, especially if you go to Belgium with children, the Balls and Glory in Ghent. A restaurant where for € 15 you eat a plate of the typical Belgian giant stuffed meatball (to choose) with mashed potatoes and vegetables or typical salad and where water and fruit are free. The truth is that very rich and the kids liked the site.
It may be an option, but as I tell you there are thousands! Above all, look at the guide above, you have the typical Belgian dishes that you should not forget to try.
AN ENTERTAINING AND CULTURAL AFTERNOON. You can't leave without seeing a couple of the good museums or monuments in Ghent or without seeing the Mystic Lamb by the Van Eyck brothers. End the afternoon with culture
Another must-see in Ghent for a day trip is one of the following museums and monuments that we loved (besides Gravensteen Castle). Visiting the Belfry, the Ghent City Hall and Bell Tower , is a great idea; it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Part of the way up is by elevator, so don't worry, and the views are breathtaking. I would also recommend visiting St. Bavo's Cathedral , the Church of the Mystic Lamb ( Emblem) , and St. Nicholas' Church, all within the same area. And if you're traveling with children, a visit to Alijn House is a must ; it's a great way to observe how time passes for everyone.
Snack and don't miss the chocolates, waffles, and Belgian fries
After all that culture, don't forget to buy some chocolates and enjoy a delicious waffle, or if you prefer savory, some tasty Belgian fries . It's not about gaining weight, it's about experiencing the gastronomy of Ghent and Belgium. And you know what? Where to eat in Ghent? Everywhere! It's full of charming little shops that make waffles and chocolates.
Now that everything has closed, stroll along the banks of the river Lys and Scheldt and its canals
It is already after 17 pm, after the waffle and chocolate, everything has closed in Ghent city. Well, what better plan than to walk along the promenade next to the Lys and Scheldt rivers. Posing photos are worth it and if you go with children you will always find a park to stop.
During your walk, don't forget to see the spectacular Krook Library in Ghent next to the river or St. Peter's Abbey , as well as passing by the side of the canal that connects the Lys and Scheldt rivers, where you can stop at a terrace for a drink.
TIME TO DINNER. Play a delicious dinner, do not miss the nightlife of Ghent Belgium
Again, so much walking has whetted our appetite. It's time for dinner, but this time it's a little terrace in a nice place. I recommend you go to a good restaurant, one of those with an elegant bohemian touch that is in Ghent and that there you delight yourself with its Moules Frites or its typical stew or shrimp croquettes, salmon or its stone entrecote. And all marinated with good Belgian beers.
GHENT RESTAURANTS WHERE TO EAT
There are thousands of restaurants open for dinner. I can tell you about two that we loved. One was Du Progress and the other was Belfort barKaffe. Excellent restaurants, great food and decor with lovely music, and super centrally located with a terrace offering beautiful views of Ghent's three towers. I would definitely go back to both.
And if you dare to stay two days in Ghent ...
In two days in Ghent I would finish seeing the museums that you could not see of the ones I told you on the first day. And I would also go to the area of the art museums and STAM to see some of them. Half an hour from the center walking you can visit the museums of fine arts (you have the classical or modern art) and / or the STAM museum of the City of Ghent, although we found this very weak. In addition, in that area you have a beautiful park where you can get lost and walk.
Camping Ghent and other options if you go to Ghent by motorhome, caravan or you go to Ghent by camper van to spend the night
Ghent by motorhome is not as easy as Bruges by motorhome. There is no motorhome area so there are only two options: in a parking lot or in the Ghent campsite or two more that are around it. Ghent campsites are quite far from the center and the price is around € 40 per night for two adults and two children.
We choose a parking in this case where they let you spend the night in a motorhome or camper. The parking is a free parking and ride next to a Decathlon and an ikea furniture store. A parking and ride is a place where you park on the outskirts of the center of a big city and you can take a bus in this case totally free that takes you to the center in this case of Ghent city (it only has one stop).
Ghent Belgium photo gallery
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