What to See in Ghent: Canals, Towers, and Historic Streets

Why Ghent Deserves a Place on Your Travel Map

Ghent (Gent, in Dutch) often flies under the radar next to its famous neighbors Bruges and Brussels. But if you are interested in canal cities, medieval towers, and walkable historic centers, Ghent is arguably the most balanced of the three. It is a living city, not a museum: students cycle past gothic churches, trams glide along the quays, and music spills from cafés into centuries‑old alleyways.

From an SEO perspective, travelers often search for “what to see in Ghent in one day”, “best canals in Ghent”, or “things to do in Ghent with kids”. The good news is that most of Ghent’s highlights cluster around the same historic core. That means you can structure your visit around three themes: canals, towers, and historic streets—and this is exactly how this guide is organized.

Ghent’s Canals: Where Water Meets History

Water is the thread that stitches Ghent’s story together. The city grew at the confluence of the Scheldt and the Lys (Leie) rivers, and its canals once carried wool, grain, and spices from across Europe. Today, they carry boats full of curious visitors and create some of the most photogenic corners in Belgium.

Graslei and Korenlei: Ghent’s Iconic Twin Quays

If you see only one place in Ghent, make it the Graslei and Korenlei. These two parallel quays face each other along the Lys River, forming the heart of the historic port. Their rows of stepped‑gabled houses are among the finest preserved guild facades in Europe.

On the Graslei side, look for:

• Guild houses of the boatmen and grain measurers, with ornate gables that once advertised each profession.
• The former Customs House, a reminder of Ghent’s booming medieval trade.
• Sun‑drenched terraces where locals nurse Belgian beers as boats glide by.

Korenlei, directly across the water, offers the classic postcard view of Ghent. From here, you can capture the reflection of towers and guild houses in the calm canal surface—especially magical during the blue hour, when façades and bridges light up softly.

Canal Boat Tours: The Easiest Way to See Ghent

To understand what to see in Ghent from a different angle, step aboard a canal boat tour. Most departures cluster around the Graslei/Korenlei area and near the Castle of the Counts. Tours typically last 40–60 minutes and pass under low medieval bridges, past old wharfs, and alongside ivy‑covered walls.

From the water, you will glide past:

• The imposing Gravensteen castle, rising directly above the canal.
• The Old Fish Market gate with its baroque sculptures.
• Lesser‑known quays and industrial buildings now turned into lofts and cultural venues.

Guides usually narrate in multiple languages, including English and Dutch, mixing history with local anecdotes about Ghent’s rebellious spirit and its love affair with bicycles and boats.

Hidden Quays and Quiet Waters

Beyond the famous twin quays, Ghent hides smaller canals that reward slower exploration:

• Recolettenlei & Oudburg: A quieter stretch where houseboats, ivy, and converted warehouses line the water, giving a sense of Ghent’s more recent industrial past.
• Portus Ganda: Once the site of Ghent’s earliest settlement at the junction of the Scheldt and Lys, now a marina where modern boats moor against a medieval backdrop.
• Nieuwewandeling: A bit further out, this canal corridor blends greenery and water, ideal for a peaceful walk or bike ride.

These areas show why Ghent’s canals are more than a backdrop for photos: they are living spaces where residents jog, cycle, and sit on the quays with takeaway coffee, watching the water drift by.

The Three Towers of Ghent: A Skyline from the Middle Ages

Ghent’s historic center is defined by a rare architectural alignment: three towering spires in a straight line. Together they form one of Europe’s most striking medieval skylines. When travelers search for what to see in Ghent, this trio invariably tops the list.

Historic Streets and Neighborhoods You Shouldn’t Miss

What to see in Ghent beyond the canals and towers? The answer lies in its streets. Ghent’s historic core is a web of lanes that alternate between lively and tranquil, elegant and gritty. Together they tell the story of a city that was once one of the largest and richest in northern Europe.

Patershol: Medieval Labyrinth with Modern Flavors

Patershol is Ghent’s most atmospheric quarter, a dense maze of cobbled lanes tucked behind the Gravensteen castle. Once home to tanners and tradesmen, later a working‑class neighborhood, it is now a beloved enclave of restaurants, wine bars, and small houses with flower‑laden windows.

Wander without a plan down streets like Oudeberg, Plotersgracht, and Rodekoningstraat. Here you feel the city’s age in the curve of the stones and the low, leaning facades. In the evening, lantern‑style lights and warm interiors make Patershol one of the coziest places in Ghent to dine or simply stroll.

Gravensteen and the Streets Around the Castle

No exploration of what to see in Ghent would be complete without its castle: the Gravensteen, or Castle of the Counts. Unlike many European castles perched on hills, this one rises directly from the urban fabric, its gray walls mirrored in the canal below.

Inside, an audio tour leads you through stone halls, battlements, and a chillingly informative section on medieval justice. From the ramparts, you gain another striking perspective on the old town’s roofs and towers.

The streets spreading out from the castle—especially Grootkanonplein and Langemunt—mix everyday shops, cafés, and historic facades. It’s a good area to feel how Ghent’s medieval core and modern life blend seamlessly.

Graslei, Korenmarkt, and the Commercial Heart

Just a few steps from the canals lies Korenmarkt, a busy square that acts as a transport and commercial hub. Trams cross here, and many first‑time visitors orient themselves using this space. Around its edges, historic facades shelter modern cafés and stores, underscoring Ghent’s ability to update its heritage without erasing it.

Between Korenmarkt and Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, side streets hide chocolate shops, small boutiques, and traditional snack bars where you can try Gentse neuzen (Ghent noses), the city’s cone‑shaped raspberry candies.

Prinsenhof and Prinsenhofbrug: Royal Echoes

A short walk northwest from the center brings you to Prinsenhof, once the site of a princely residence and birthplace of Emperor Charles V. Today, it is a quiet residential district with narrow streets, modest houses, and a slower rhythm.

Cross Prinsenhofbrug, a brick‑arched bridge that feels suspended in time, and you will understand why many visitors list this among their favorite hidden corners of Ghent. There are no major monuments here—just an atmosphere of lived‑in history.

Street Life, Culture, and Contemporary Ghent

To fully grasp what to see in Ghent, you need to look beyond the middle ages. Ghent is also a university city, a hub of alternative culture, and a fertile ground for street art and festivals.

Werregarenstraat (Graffiti Street)

Just off the commercial streets lies Werregarenstraat, better known as Graffiti Street. This narrow alley is an official free wall where artists constantly repaint the surfaces. The result is a living canvas of tags, murals, and political messages that changes from week to week.

It is an excellent counterpoint to Ghent’s carefully preserved facades, proving that the city is not frozen in time but in constant creative motion.

Squares, Markets, and Everyday Atmosphere

Several squares and markets help you feel the rhythm of daily life in Ghent:

• Vrijdagmarkt: One of Ghent’s oldest squares, historically used for speeches, markets, and gatherings. The statue in the center honors Jacob van Artevelde, a 14th‑century statesman who symbolizes the city’s independent spirit.
• Groentenmarkt: The “vegetable market” square near the Old Fish Market, today surrounded by food stands and shops, including the famous mustard maker Tierenteyn‑Verlent.
• Sunday markets: Depending on the season, riverside flea markets and flower stalls bring additional color and life to Ghent’s quays.

Music, Festivals, and Night Illumination

Ghent has a strong tradition of festivals, from classical music to alternative performances. The best known is Gentse Feesten, a ten‑day cultural celebration in July that turns the streets and squares into stages. Even if you visit off‑season, you may stumble upon concerts in churches, open‑air events, or small theater shows in former warehouses.

After dark, the city’s lighting plan—carefully designed to highlight architecture without overwhelming it—reveals a more intimate Ghent. Bridges, towers, and facades glow softly, and the reflections in the canals become deeper and more dramatic. Nighttime is arguably when Ghent’s combination of canals, towers, and historic streets is at its most enchanting.

Planning Your Visit: How to Organize 1 to 3 Days in Ghent

Knowing what to see in Ghent is one thing; fitting it into an itinerary is another. Because the city is compact, you can see the main highlights on foot, but it is worth slowing down if you have more than one day.

One‑Day Itinerary: Essential Ghent

If you have only one day in Ghent, focus on the iconic trio of canals, towers, and historic streets:

1. Morning: Start at Saint Bavo’s Cathedral to visit the Ghent Altarpiece before crowds build. Then walk past the Belfry and Saint Nicholas’ Church toward Korenmarkt.
2. Late morning: Explore Graslei and Korenlei, taking time for photos along the canal and perhaps a quick coffee on a terrace.
3. Early afternoon: Join a canal boat tour from the Graslei area for a restful yet informative overview of the city.
4. Late afternoon: Visit Gravensteen castle and stroll through the Patershol district, where you can stop for an early dinner.
5. Evening: Head back to Saint Michael’s Bridge and the canals to enjoy Ghent by night, when the towers and guild houses are beautifully illuminated.

Two‑Day Itinerary: Adding Depth

With two days, you can explore beyond the core sights and give yourself space to simply wander:

• Dedicate the first day to the historic center, following the one‑day itinerary at a more relaxed pace.
• On the second day, venture to neighborhoods like Prinsenhof, Portus Ganda, and the student‑heavy south of the center, where you will find parks, modern architecture, and local cafés.
• Include a stroll through Werregarenstraat for graffiti, and perhaps visit a museum or cultural venue depending on your interests.

Three Days or More: Living Like a Local

Stay three days or longer, and Ghent shifts from destination to temporary home. You can mix classic sightseeing with slow mornings in local bakeries, afternoon bike rides along canals, and evenings listening to live music.

Use the extra time to:

• Explore different canal paths by bike, following the course of the Lys or Scheldt.
• Visit additional churches and small museums that many short‑stay visitors skip.
• Return to your favorite spots at different times of day—Graslei at dawn, Patershol at dusk, the three towers under midday sun.

Practical Tips for Enjoying Ghent’s Canals, Towers, and Historic Streets

To make the most of what you see in Ghent, a few practical considerations can transform a good trip into a memorable one.

Best Time of Year to Visit Ghent

Ghent is a year‑round destination, but different seasons highlight different aspects of the city:

• Spring (March–May): Mild temperatures, blooming parks, and relatively fewer crowds. Ideal for long walks along the canals.
• Summer (June–August): Livelier terraces, festivals, and late sunsets that bathe the towers and guild houses in golden light.
• Autumn (September–November): A quieter, more introspective Ghent with crisp air and warm colors along the tree‑lined canals.
• Winter (December–February): Shorter days but plenty of charm, especially around the festive season when streets and squares glow with lights.

Getting Around Ghent

Ghent’s historic center is compact and largely designed for pedestrians and cyclists. Most of the attractions described in this guide are within walking distance of each other.

• On foot: The ideal way to appreciate details of facades, bridges, and street life.
• By bike: Cycling lanes and bike‑friendly streets extend from the center toward the outskirts and canal paths.
• By tram or bus: Useful for reaching the center from the main train station or exploring further‑flung neighborhoods.

Respecting the Historic Environment

Ghent’s charm depends on the preservation of its canals, towers, and historic streets. As a visitor, you can help by:

• Staying on marked paths and avoiding climbing on fragile stonework or canal edges.
• Keeping noise low in residential alleys like Patershol and Prinsenhof, especially at night.
• Disposing of rubbish properly so that quays and water remain pleasant for everyone.