Overview
Ghent (Gent in Dutch) is Belgium’s hidden gem — a vibrant university city with stunning medieval architecture, world-class museums, and a thriving culinary scene that rivals Brussels at lower prices. The city’s car-free historic center, dramatic canal-side guild houses along Graslei, and the masterpiece Ghent Altarpiece by Van Eyck make it a cultural powerhouse that many travelers overlook in favor of more touristed Bruges.
The euro (EUR) is the local currency. Cards are widely accepted, but small frituren and market stalls may prefer cash. Ghent is easy to visit year-round, with the best weather from May through September. The city is compact enough to explore entirely on foot, which keeps transport costs near zero.
Daily Budget Breakdown
Budget ($75-$110/day): Stay in a hostel or budget B&B ($40-$70/night), eat at frituren, waffle stands, and kebab shops ($12-$20/day), walk everywhere in the compact center, and enjoy free attractions like Patershol, Graslei, and street art.
Mid-Range ($140-$220/day): Book a boutique hotel or charming B&B ($100-$200/night), dine at Belgian brasseries with local beer ($30-$50/day), visit top museums like the Ghent Altarpiece and STAM city museum ($10-$15 each), and take a canal boat tour ($10-$15).
Luxury ($300-$450+/day): Reserve a luxury hotel or historic property ($250-$450/night), enjoy fine dining and Michelin-starred restaurants ($70-$130/day), book private guided tours ($100-$200), and attend exclusive Belgian beer tastings and chocolate workshops ($40-$80).
How to Save Money in Ghent
- Walk everywhere — the historic center is compact and car-free, so you need zero transport budget.
- Eat at frituren (fry shops) for authentic Belgian frites at $3-$5, and grab waffles for $2.50-$4.
- Buy a CityCard Gent for discounted access to museums, a free canal boat ride, and free tram travel ($38 for 48 hours).
- Explore free attractions: the Patershol medieval quarter, Graslei waterfront, street art scene, and St. Bavo’s Cathedral (free entry, altarpiece extra).
- Visit on weekdays when some attractions offer lower rates and crowds are thinner.
Worth the Splurge
- The Ghent Altarpiece (Adoration of the Mystic Lamb) by Van Eyck at St. Bavo’s Cathedral — one of the most important artworks in Western history ($15).
- A Belgian beer tasting tour sampling Trappist ales, lambics, and local craft brews ($30-$50).
- Dinner at a waterfront restaurant on Graslei with Flemish stew (waterzooi or stoofvlees) and Belgian frites ($35-$55).
- A day trip to Bruges by train (30 minutes, $12-$20 round trip) for a two-cities-in-one experience.