The regenerated eastern edge around the Portus Ganda marina, where two rivers meet — trendy waterside cafés, a lovely swimming spot in summer, and the up-and-coming, characterful streets nearby. Relaxed, waterside and a short walk from the centre; the base for travellers who want a hip, local, canalside feel with the historic core within easy strolling distance. A quieter, cooler side of the city.
A look around
What you’ll be living next to. Swipe through.
€120–200
typical per night in Belgium
The sensible middle
Typical prices for Ghent — neither steal nor splurge.
Where it sits
The circle is Portus Ganda & the east 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.
- The Ghent Altarpiece6 min walk497 m
- The Belfry7 min walk608 m
- A canal boat tour10 min walk818 m
- Gravensteen Castle10 min walk862 m
- The Graslei & Korenlei10 min walk874 m
- Patershol quarter11 min walk899 m
- Flemish food & waterzooi11 min walk899 m
- Fine Arts & SMAK museums25 min walk2.1 km
On your doorstep
What you’re living next to if you stay here.
- 8.Belgian beer — Belgium makes the world's greatest beers, and Ghent is a wonderful place to drink them — cosy old brown cafés and specialist beer bars pour a dizzying range of Trappist, abbey, lambic and blonde ales, including the city's own strong 'Gruut' and the legendary 'Delirium'. Try the beloved Dulle Griet bar (where you leave a shoe as deposit for the giant 'Kwak' glass); a delicious, only-in-Belgium ritual. Sip slowly and savour the astonishing variety.
- 9.Graffiti Street (Werregarenstraat) — A little alley in the heart of the old town given over entirely to legal street art — a narrow, ever-changing gallery where anyone can spray, so the walls are repainted constantly in a riot of colour and creativity. A fun, photogenic surprise amid the medieval grandeur, and a nod to Ghent's youthful, creative spirit (the city has a great street-art scene throughout); pop in with a camera to see what's new. A colourful, quirky highlight.
- 16.St Bavo's Abbey ruins — The romantic ruins of a great medieval abbey by the water — cloister arches and a herb garden, an atmospheric, little-visited corner away from the centre.
- 18.Portus Ganda — The old marina where two rivers meet, restored for swimming and paddling — Ghent's summer hangout, with a lovely walk back to the centre along the water.
When are you staying?
Booking.com & Airbnb open searched to Portus Ganda & the east; flights via Google Flights.