Attractions Nearby Ghent, Day Trips and Excursions

(Ghent, East Flanders, Belgium)

Belgium's Eastern and Western Flanders areas are filled with attractions, many of which are extremely close to Ghent. Surprisingly overlooked by many tourists visiting Belgium and unjustly so, do leave a day or two to explore the attractions of Antwerp, since they are only 59 km / 37 miles east of Ghent and can be reached in just one hour, perfect for an easy day trip or short excursion.

The Belgian capital of Brussels is so close to Ghent that it would be a shame to miss out on its endless attractions, which often draw people from all over the world. Brussels is home to countless famous sights, such as the St. Michael and Gudula Cathedral, the National Palace (Palais Royal), and the rather underwhelming, crowd-pulling bronze statue that is the Manneken Pis.

Antwerp

Antwerp's old city centre is filled with historic attractions, where its cathedral is amongst the most impressive in the whole of Belgium. Many additional sights line the banks of the River Scheldt, as its snakes its way through the city towards the busy port, and are also based around the Old City (Oude Stad) and the vibrant Latin Quarter, which is brimming with fashion boutiques and designer labels.

Bruges

Known for its medieval fortifications and related attractions, Bruges is approximately 56 km / 35 miles to the north-west of Ghent and is a very attractive city in its own right. More than two million tourists choose to visit Bruges each year, enjoying a stroll around the Grote Markt, a large public square flanked by many gorgeous buildings and gabled guildhalls from yesteryear. Other must-sees include Belgium's oldest and perhaps most attractive town hall on the Burg Square, and the Groeningemuseum, where a priceless collection of art resides.

Brussels

Brussels (Bruxelles) is around 57 km / 35 miles to the south-east and has so much to see that a day trip will simply not be long enough. The former market square known as the Grand Place is a good place to start your sightseeing, with neighbouring cobblestone streets leading to a number of appealing quarters, such as both Sainte Catherine and Ilôt Sacré. Although Brussels is a large and busy city, it does contain a number of invaluable green spaces and related attractions, of which the Parc de Bruxelles is by far the biggest and lies off the Place des Palais.

Leuven

Within easy reach of Ghent, Leuven can be found some 90 km / 56 miles to the east of Ghent. This is an ancient capital and in medieval times was a wealthy trading centre for cloth. Today, Leuven is home to an especially ornate town hall and the leading university within Belgium's Flanders region, while further notable attractions include its Grote Markt and adjacent Oude Markt, a large square, which is often transformed into an outdoor drinking terrace during fine weather.