Discover Ghent: Budget-Friendly Fun for 2 Days

Discover the charm of Ghent without breaking the bank.

21 June 2023

If you're on a limited budget, Ghent is an excellent European city to visit. You can sightsee for free by wandering around the charming old town, visiting the historical castle, and checking out beautiful churches. The local food is delicious, and many fantastic restaurants offer affordable options that won't break the bank.

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Travel plan

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Day 1

Exploring the Historic City

  • Check into the Ibis budget Gent Centrum Dampoort hotel, a cozy and affordable place to stay.
  • Visit the impressive 12th-century Gravensteen Castle and its museum, featuring medieval weapons and artifacts.
  • Take a stroll through the quaint and picturesque Patershol neighborhood, filled with narrow streets and charming houses.
  • Visit St. Bavo's Cathedral to see the famous Ghent Altarpiece, a stunning masterpiece by the Van Eyck brothers.
  • Have a delicious Belgian meal at Brasserie Bridge, a cozy restaurant overlooking the river, serving local specialties like waterzooi stew and flemish beef stew.
  • Enjoy a drink at Dulle Griet, a quirky local bar with a large selection of Belgian beers and a tradition of serving beers in a shoe-shaped glass.
Day 2

Arts and Nature

  • Start the day with a coffee and pastry at Le Pain Quotidien, a cozy bakery-cafe with a lovely outdoor terrace.
  • Visit the Museum of Fine Arts, a beautiful building housing an impressive collection of Flemish and Belgian art, including works by Rubens and Van Dyck.
  • Take a scenic boat tour along the Ghent canals to admire the city from a unique perspective.
  • Visit the tranquil Citadel Park, a beautiful green space with a pond, flower gardens, and several museums, including the Museum of Natural History.
  • Have a casual lunch at Tasty World, a hip street food joint serving delicious wraps, burgers, and salads.
  • Take a short train ride to the nearby town of Deinze to visit the stunning Castle of Ooidonk, a 16th-century castle surrounded by a beautiful park.
  • Ghent is a charming city full of history, art, and delicious food. This itinerary will help you make the most of your short stay without breaking the bank. Have fun exploring this hidden gem in Belgium!

Length of stay

1 day 2 days 3 days 4 days 5 days

Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Ghent by plane is to fly to Brussels Airport and then take a train from Brussels Airport-Zaventem to Ghent-Sint-Pieters station. The total journey time is approximately 1 hour and tickets can be purchased at the airport train station.

Car

The best way to get to Ghent by car is to take the E40 from Brussels and follow the signs to Ghent. The journey time is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on traffic.

Train

The best way to get to Ghent by train is to take a Eurostar from London St. Pancras to Brussels Midi and then change to a local train to Ghent-Sint-Pieters station. The total journey time is approximately 3 hours and tickets can be purchased on the Eurostar website.

Boat

The best way to get to Ghent by boat is to take a river cruise from Amsterdam to Ghent. The journey time is approximately 7-8 hours and tickets can be purchased on various river cruise websites.

Bus

The best way to get to Ghent by bus is to take a Flixbus from London Victoria Coach Station to Brussels North Station and then change to a local train to Ghent-Sint-Pieters station. The total journey time is approximately 6 hours and tickets can be purchased on the Flixbus website.

Destination

Ghent

If you're a fan of medieval architecture and Belgian waffles, then Ghent might just become your new favorite city. Plus, it's home to more bicycles than there are people, so be sure to watch out for rogue cyclists while exploring!

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Number of days

1 2 3 4 5

Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

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