Discover Gent

Gravensteen brings a medieval fortress into the heart of modern Ghent. Its stone walls, towers and moat create one of the city’s most distinctive historic sights, while the elevated sections offer views across the surrounding rooftops. Visiting the castle helps travelers understand the scale of medieval power in the city without leaving the centre, and it pairs naturally with a walk through the nearby Patershol streets and historic core.

Inside Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, the Ghent Altarpiece is one of the city’s defining works of art. Created by the Van Eyck brothers, the multi-panel painting rewards slow looking for its detailed figures, landscapes and symbolism. Seeing it in Ghent connects the artwork directly with the city where it has long been associated, making the cathedral an essential stop for travelers interested in Northern Renaissance painting and the cultural history of Flanders.

Walk along Graslei and Korenlei to experience Ghent at its most recognisable waterside setting. Historic façades line both banks of the Leie, reflecting the city’s long commercial importance and creating a lively public space for walking, sitting and watching boats pass. The quays are especially useful as a visual introduction to central Ghent because medieval and later architecture, bridges and river views come together within a compact stretch of the old city.

Try a cuberdon, the cone-shaped Belgian sweet closely associated with Ghent and often recognised by its purple colour. Traditionally, it has a firm outer shell and a soft, syrupy centre, usually with a raspberry-like flavour. Travelers can spot them in confectionery shops and market stalls around the city. Their distinctive shape and texture make them a simple, specific local taste to seek out while exploring central Ghent.

Patershol is a compact historic quarter where narrow lanes and closely packed houses create a more intimate side of central Ghent. The neighbourhood sits near Gravensteen and is easy to explore on foot, with small restaurants and residential streets mixed into the old urban fabric. Rather than focusing on a single monument, a walk here gives travelers a sense of how historic architecture still forms part of everyday city life.