Historic Centre

A look around

What you’ll be living next to. Swipe through.

1/4

Where it sits

The circle is Historic Centre and roughly a 10-minute walk around it.

How far is everything?

From the middle of this area to the city's headline sights — pick your own on the city page and these become your list.

• Graffiti Street (Werregarenstraat)2 min walk161 m
• Belgian beer3 min walk269 m
• The Ghent Altarpiece4 min walk329 m
• Patershol quarter5 min walk390 m
• Flemish food & waterzooi5 min walk390 m
• Citadelpark22 min walk1.8 km
• Fine Arts & SMAK museums22 min walk1.8 km
• Ghent nightlife24 min walk2.0 km

On your doorstep

What you’re living next to if you stay here.

• 1.The Graslei & Korenlei — The most beautiful spot in Ghent — a stretch of the old harbour where two quays face each other across the water, lined with a magnificent row of medieval and Renaissance guildhalls, their stepped gables reflected in the canal. The heart of the city and its most iconic view, especially magical when floodlit at night; sit on the quayside steps with a beer, watch the boats, and soak up centuries of Flemish wealth and beauty. Simply stunning.
• 2.Gravensteen Castle — A brooding, moated medieval castle of the Counts of Flanders, rising right in the middle of the city — a genuine 12th-century fortress of stone walls, towers and a keep, with a wonderfully witty audio-guide, a torture museum and superb views from the ramparts. A rare thing: a real castle in the heart of a city; climb the battlements for the view over the towers and rooftops. Atmospheric, fun and a highlight for all ages.
• 4.The Belfry — Ghent's soaring 14th-century belfry, a UNESCO site and one of the city's famous three towers — climb (or take the lift) up past the great bells and the dragon weathervane to a viewing platform with a superb panorama over the medieval rooftops, canals and spires. A wonderful overview of the beautiful city centre and a dose of its proud, independent history; go up for the view, and enjoy the sound of the carillon. A classic Ghent experience.
• 5.A canal boat tour — The loveliest way to see Ghent is from the water — a boat tour glides along the canals past the guildhalls, the castle and the medieval quays, with the towers rising overhead and the whole beautiful city sliding by from a new angle. A relaxing, scenic 40 minutes and a great orientation; go in the late afternoon or early evening for the best light, or rent a small electric boat to explore yourself. A magical, quintessential Ghent experience.