Visit Ghent in 2 days

Where to Stay in Ghent

Location matters in Ghent because the city rewards wandering: choose a base that keeps your walking time short and your evenings relaxed. If you’re here for two days, you’ll want to spend less time commuting and more time lingering by canals, popping into small breweries and slipping into a monastery cloister. A well-placed room means you can return for a quick rest between a castle visit and a dinner by the water without feeling rushed.

Ghent is compact and centered on its historic waterways and market squares, so it helps to think in concentric zones: the busy market and riverfront at the heart, quieter medieval streets just off it, and broader residential districts radiating outward. The city’s main sights—castles, old courts, fish markets and cloisters—form an easy loop rather than a scattered list, which makes a centrally located stay particularly useful. Public life spills out from the canals, so even short walks bring you to plenty of cafes and atmospheric streets.

For a two-day visit aim for the Historic Centre or the nearby Patershol quarter for immediate access to the Gravensteen and the picturesque Oude vismijn and Old Law Courts; these neighborhoods are great if you want medieval charm at your doorstep. If you prefer being closer to cultural venues and a more subdued pace, look toward the area around the Caermers monastery, which sits near university and arts clusters and still keeps you within easy walking distance of brewery spots like Brewery Het Sleutelken. Staying between these points gives you the best option to pop between attractions without juggling long journeys.

Transport in Ghent is straightforward: the city center is eminently walkable and most short trips are faster on foot. Trams and buses run frequently from the main station, Gent-Sint-Pieters, and bike rentals are ubiquitous if you prefer two wheels—cycling is one of the easiest ways to cover more ground. Taxis are available but rarely needed; plan arrivals or departures through the main station and you’ll avoid last-minute stress.

Choose accommodation that balances convenience and comfort: a room near the canals or a short walk from the market squares keeps you close to evening life without being overwhelmed by noise. Look for places with good reviews on cleanliness and easy check-in, and don’t worry if your stay is short—Ghent’s compact charm makes it simple to see a lot in 48 relaxed hours.

Getting Around Ghent

Ghent is wonderfully easy to navigate because its compact center is threaded with reliable public transport and lots of walkable streets, so you rarely feel stranded. The local network run by De Lijn mixes modern tram and bus services that stop close to the major sights, and timetables are frequent enough that even spontaneous plans work. Signage at major stops is clear, drivers are used to tourists, and the historic core is small enough that a short walk often beats a transfer—so you can relax and enjoy the view rather than stressing about connections. 🚇

A practical tip: always buy or validate your ticket before you board when possible. You can purchase single tickets from station machines, many kiosks, or through the official De Lijn app, and inspectors do check. A single ticket costs roughly a few euros for a short ride (around €2–€3 as a ballpark), while a day pass or multi-ride options will save you money if you’re hopping around. If you plan several museum visits, consider the Ghent CityCard, which often bundles attractions and transit for a fixed price. Keep your ticket handy—if you’re asked for it, showing it quickly makes the interaction painless. 🎫

Use Google Maps and the De Lijn app together: Google gives excellent walking directions and transfers, while De Lijn’s app shows live departures and platform information. Type your destination (for example “Gravensteen”) and you’ll see whether it’s a scenic 10–20 minute walk or a 1–2 stop tram ride. The apps also help you check the last departures in the evening so you don’t get surprised. I always pin my hotel and key POIs so rerouting is instant if plans change. 🗺️

To save money, mix walking with short rides—Ghent’s medieval streets are often faster on foot and more rewarding. Buy a day ticket when you know you’ll cross the city multiple times; otherwise single tickets and occasional tram hops are perfectly fine. If you’re staying longer and using transport daily, look into reloadable cards like MOBIB for locals (useful for longer stays), but for most visitors the combination of single tickets, day passes and the CityCard hits the sweet spot.

On a recent weekend we wanted to visit Brewery Het Sleutelken and then Caermers Monastery before finishing at Gravensteen. We walked from the brewery because the river route is charming and only about 15 minutes, but when rain rolled in we hopped on a tram, tapped our tickets, and were at Caermers in two stops without fuss. The short hop reminded me that Ghent’s transport is flexible: you can savor the walk or take a quick, inexpensive tram—either way you’ll get where you want with zero stress.

What to Pack for Ghent

Two days in Ghent is a feast of canals, medieval towers, biergartens and tiny alleys stuffed with history. I always travel light for short city trips, but I pack deliberately: I want to be comfortable walking from Gravensteen to Graslei, ready for a sudden shower, and able to keep my phone alive while hunting cafes. Below are the things I never skip and why they mattered on my last 48-hour loop of the city.

1. Comfortable walking shoes (Merrell Moab 2 or similar): I walked about 15 miles over two days exploring cobbled streets and the castle ramparts—blisters kill the mood. Sturdy sneakers with good arch support and grippy soles (I wore Merrell Moab 2) kept my feet happy on wet cobbles and steep steps. Why: Ghent is best seen on foot; bad shoes = shortened sightseeing.

2. Cross‑body anti‑theft bag: I use a small cross‑body with a zipper and an internal pocket. Ghent is safe but busy areas (Graslei, Vrijdagmarkt, markets) attract pickpockets during festivals. Wearing your bag across your chest, under a jacket on cool days, saved me from worrying when I sat at a crowded beer garden. Why: easy access to wallet/phone but defended against snatch-and-run.

3. Weather‑appropriate layers (light waterproof + scarf): Belgian weather flips fast—one sunny canal cruise, one rainy museum-free afternoon. I packed a thin waterproof shell and a merino tee; the layer system let me handle wind off the Leie and chilled church interiors. Why: layering keeps you comfortable from a sunny terrace to a windy quay without hauling a suitcase.

4. EU power adapter (Type E, 230V): My phone and camera chargers use standard plugs, but Belgium needs the round-pin Type E adapter. I forgot mine once and had to hunt a shop; cost me an hour. Why: you’ll want to recharge in the evening to sort photos/maps for the next day—bring the right plug.

5. Power bank (10,000 mAh+): On a full day out I ran navigation, took pictures at Sint‑Baafs, and checked restaurant reviews—my phone drained fast. A 10,000 mAh power bank gave me a full top-up and then some, so I wasn’t hunting cafés just to charge. Why: keeps you connected for maps, tickets and last‑minute plans for 10+ hours out.

6. Compact umbrella or lightweight rain jacket (optional but recommended): I once had a sudden downpour while crossing Korenmarkt—my umbrella folded into my daypack and saved a soaked shirt. Even if the forecast looks fine, a tiny travel umbrella or packable rain jacket takes up little space and prevents ruined photos and soggy maps. Why: Ghent’s microclimate is real—better to be prepared than miss a sunset over the Graslei.