What to Do in Ghent? Our Honest Insider Tips (and One Workshop That Will Make Your Day)

Ghent is the kind of city you walk into as a tourist and leave as a lifelong fan. The canals, the façades, the bars that never quite close. But what to do in Ghent when you already know the standard guidebook suggestions? That’s when things get really interesting. We’ll take you past the familiar spots and into the corners most visitors never find. And we’ll tell you why a workshop at Waffles ‘n Beer deserves to be the centrepiece of your day.

The classics: quick but worth it

Yes, the Graslei and Korenlei are beautiful. Yes, the Gravensteen is impressive. Yes, the Ghent Altarpiece at Saint Bavo’s Cathedral is worth seeing. You already knew that. Go if you like, but don’t spend half your day there. Ghent has far more to offer than the spots that appear in every travel guide.

Wander around the Vrijdagmarkt on a weekday

The Vrijdagmarkt is the large square tucked behind the Graslei bustle, and on a quiet weekday morning it’s a joy to stroll through. The square has a raw, genuinely Ghentian charm you won’t find at the tourist hotspots. Look up at the façades, find the statue of Jacob van Artevelde, then step into one of the brown cafés around the square for a local drink. No tourist prices, just real atmosphere.

Discover the STAM neighbourhood and the Bijloke

Most visitors miss the Bijloke district entirely, which is a real shame. The STAM, Ghent’s city museum, is housed in a former abbey complex and tells the story of the city in a way that genuinely moves you. But even if you’re not in the mood for a museum, the neighbourhood is worth the trip. The abbey gardens are free to enter and offer a quiet retreat in the middle of the city. Perfect for catching your breath between activities.

Waffles ‘n Beer: bake, taste and truly understand what Belgian means

And then. The part we’re most excited to tell you about.

What to do in Ghent if you want to do just one thing that brings it all together? A workshop at Waffles ‘n Beer. Not because we say so, but because it’s simply the most complete Belgian experience you can have in this city.

At Waffles ‘n Beer, you bake your own Belgian waffle. Not watching someone else do it, but getting stuck in yourself. From mixing the batter to lifting a golden waffle off the iron. You smell it, you hear it sizzle, and you eat it while it’s still warm. That’s a different kind of memory than a photo of a building.

But there’s more. Alongside the waffle workshop, you also dive into the world of Belgian beer. Our guides walk you through the flavours, the styles and the stories behind what’s in your glass. Why does a Trappist beer taste different from a fruity wheat beer? What actually makes a Belgian beer Belgian? After the workshop, you’ll know, and better still: you’ll feel it.

Whether you go for a waffles and beer workshop or lose yourself in chocolate during a chocolate ‘n beer session: it’s open to everyone, great for couples and perfect for groups of friends. You go home with a new skill, a story to tell and a very happy stomach.

Want your day in Ghent to be truly complete? Book your spot in time, because the workshops fill up fast.

Take the water bus

Few people know that in Ghent you can hop on a water bus that carries you through the city via the canals. It’s cheap, practical and gives you views you’d never get from the quayside. You glide past the backs of buildings, under low bridges and through parts of the city the average day visitor never sees. Highly recommended, even if you’ve been to Ghent before.

Explore the Vlasmarkt area after sunset

During the day, the Vlasmarkt is an ordinary square. After sunset, it transforms into the beating heart of Ghent’s nightlife. The terraces fill up, music drifts out of the bars and everyone seems to know each other. This is where Ghent locals actually go, not where they send tourists. Pull up a chair, order a Tripel Karmeliet or a Gentse Strop and just let the evening happen.

Browse the flower market and the flea market at Beverhoutplein

Ghent has a few hidden markets that are well worth your time. The small flower market in the city centre is charming and compact, but the real find is the flea market at Beverhoutplein. You’ll find a mix of antiques, curiosities and things you didn’t know you needed. Perfect for browsers who might want to go home with an unexpected souvenir.

Try a beer at a local Ghent brewery

Ghent is a beer city. Everyone knows that. But there’s a difference between drinking a beer in a café and truly understanding what you’re drinking. A visit to one of the smaller local breweries in and around the city gives you context and depth that no drinks menu ever could. Which hops, which water, which tradition. After a visit like that, you’ll never look at a glass the same way again.

What to do in Ghent? More than you think

Ghent is a city that doesn’t push itself on you but rewards those who look beyond the first page of the guidebook. The markets, the neighbourhoods, the water, the bars and the people make it unique. And with a workshop at Waffles ‘n Beer, you add something no other city can offer you in quite the same way: authentic Belgium, made by your own hands and tasted by you.

Welcome to Ghent. You’re going to love it here.