8 Great (Mostly) Free Things to Do in Ghent

A City Rich With History

Picturesque architecture, a rich history and a beautiful river make Ghent a great place to visit. We questioned whether to stay in Bruges or Ghent and were happy we chose Ghent. Although it seemed quaint, it is the third largest city in the country, after Brussels and Antwerp. Its history dates back as far as the Stone Age and Iron Age. In the 13th century, it was one of the largest towns in northern Europe. You’ll feel like a part of that history as Ghent has retained more traces of its past than any other Belgian town except Brugge. If you love history, architecture, waffles, or chocolate, this is the town for you!

8 Great (Mostly) Free Things to Do in Ghent

Ghent architecture

Gravensteen Castle in Ghent

Enjoy Belgian Waffles in Ghent

Belgian Waffles in Ghent

The lights of Ghent at night

Kayaking in Ghent

Sunrise in Ghent

To Do in Ghent

Free

Put on your hiking shoes and explore these free activities

See the lights of the town reflecting on the river at night
Walk the cobblestone side streets for a quiet escape from the heart of the tourist area along the river.

Kayak along the Leie river.
Take a boat tour for a multi-lingual orientation to the town filled with interesting historical facts.
Eat a Belgian Waffle. We tried several, they are even sold in the vending machines! The reported best in town is Max’s, but we thought Jack’s House (which now looks like it’s sold out to The Waffle Factory) was better although quite overpriced.
Eat Belgian Chocolate. We sampled form 5 different artisan shops and our favorite was Yuzu Chocolate Shop.
Tour the Gravensteen Castle. The humerous audio tour is slightly inappropriate for children with it’s frequent innuendos. There are a few areas lacking railings so keep an eye on the kids as you explore.
Eat at MeMe Gusta – great local food. We started with prawns and bread served with pork grease, followed by beef stew, vegetable stew, sausage and potatoes, and tomato soup. This was served with traditional frites for the table and dessert was cream puffs, ice cream and chocolate sauce.

Worth the Money

These activities are worth the spend

Tips for Visiting Ghent

You need cash for the grocery store
There is frequent public transportation but the town is very walkable, just don’t wear heels.
Watch for tourist traps – pricing is sometimes not listed and varies significantly by location.