23 Best Things To Do in Ghent With Kids & Where To Stay
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Ghent is a charming city with something for everyone, especially for families planning a trip. The city is home to medieval gems scattered around its historical center. There are also many fun things to do, making it an ideal destination for families with kids.
Discover the best things to do in Ghent with kids, where to stay, and practical tips for planning your family visit.
In a Nutshell
- Best hotels
- Best luxury hotel: B&B The Verhaegen is an 18th-century mansion turned luxury B&B is just a few steps away from the historic center of Ghent with a beautiful garden, fitness center, and private parking.
- Best midrange hotel: Hotel Harmony is located close to the Gravensteen castle and has a heated outdoor pool, family rooms, and private parking.
- Best budget hotel: Novotel Gent Centrum is in the heart of Ghent. It has an outdoor pool, sauna, and gym at affordable rates.
Best Places To Visit in Ghent with Kids
The best places to visit in Ghent are in the historical center and within a short walk from each other.
1. Explore the Gravensteen Castle
Gravensteen is the most important attraction of Ghent. The 10th-century medieval Castle of Counts is the only castle in Europe that is in the center of a city.
The castle has a turbulent history. It started as a wooden castle, then was built in Tournai limestone. It has been a court, a prison, a place for torture, a textile factory, and at the end of the 19th century they also wanted to demolish it to sell the land. Thankfully there was no interest in that.
The audio guide is lots of fun, but unfortunately, they only gave one to me (they said they give to kids as of 9 years old). You also get a nice view of the city from the top of the castle.
2. Go on a Boat tour
One of the best things to do in Ghent with kids is to take a boat tour around medieval Ghent. We highly recommend it because you get to see Ghent from a different perspective and is great with little kids, as you get to see everything without them getting tired.
3. Visit St. Bavo’s Cathedral
Saint Bavo’s Cathedral is famous for the altarpiece Lamb of God by Van Eyck.
You can experience an augmented reality tour that gives a lot of information about the era and the story behind the painting. This was lots of fun for our kids! I especially appreciated the flying teapot that was leading the way.
4. Wander Around Patershol
Walk around Patershol, the neighborhood with the tiny cobblestone streets and the medieval small buildings. It is also full of cozy restaurants and some have a view over the canal at the back
5. Have Ice Cream and Jump on Trampolines
After lots of sightseeing, a short stop for trampolines and ice cream at Maaseikplein!
Address: Geraard de Duivelhof, 9000 Gent
You’ll find ice cream right across the street of Maaseikplein.
Cremerie Gérard
Limburgstraat 36, 9000 Gent
6. Relax at Kids-friendly Cafes in Ghent
Ray is a café right next to St Nicholas Cathedral. There you can sit in a glasshouse (!) and enjoy your drink, while the kids are playing at the kids corner
Address: Klein Turkije 20, 9000 Gent
De Speelfontein is another kids-friendly cafe in a toy store. This is about 10 minutes by car from the center and next to SMAK, the City Museum for Contemporary Art, and the World of Kina.
De Speelfontein
Kon. Astridlaan 169, 9000 Gent
Looking for more kids-friendly cafes and restaurants? We have gathered tons of them on our map under a separate layer!
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7. Admire St. Michael’s Bridge
Stop for a moment at Sint-Michielsbrug, the bridge of St Michael. This arched stone bridge offers a view of the three towers of Ghent: St Nicholas Church, the Belfort, and Saint Bavo’s Cathedral.
8. Explore The World of Kina
The World of Kina is an interactive and fun museum about science and technology. It is about a 10-minute drive from the center of Ghent, and it makes for a great couple of hours with kids on a rainy day (or any day, really).
There are different sections with several themes, and almost all kept our son’s interest!
Read also: Brussels with Kids
9. Admire St. Nicholas Cathedral
Saint Nicholas Cathedral is a 13th-century Scheldt gothic church. Note how the the tower is not above the entrance as usually but in the middle of the building. The organ is one of the most important romantic organs in Belgium.
Tip
Right next to St. Nicholas Cathedral you will find Ray, a cafe/restaurant with an indoor play area.
10. Leave Your Mark at the Graffiti Street
Walk along the graffiti street, where graffiti is legal, and artists enjoy creating. You can buy a spray and leave your mark there, too.
The exact location is here.
11. Climb the Belfry of Ghent
The Belfry of Ghent offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. At 91m, this 14th-century building is the tallest belfry in Belgium. You will need to climb up about 50 steps to take the elevator to the top of the tower, and then you will need to climb down approximately 250 steps to get back.
Tip
Do not attempt this with young kids, as the steps are very steep and small!
12. Walk Along Korenlei, Graslei & Kraanlei
Walk along Korenlei or Graslei, the streets along the banks of river Leie, and enjoy the marvelous architecture. These are some of the most picturesque spots in Ghent.
13. Go on a Walking Tour
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A private guided walking tour is another way to see the main attractions in the center of Ghent and get a feel for the city. Guided walking tours in groups are also available, and they are more budget-friendly.
14. Marvel at the Different Facades of the Ghent Town Hall
Pass by the Ghent Town Hall and notice how the two façades are different. One is built in Gothic style and the other in Renaissance style.
15. Visit Vrijdagmarkt on a Friday
Vrijdagmarkt is a charming square where a market has been held every Friday since 1199 [yes, 1199, this is not a typo 🙂 ]. Nowadays there is a market also on Saturday.
This is where royalty was officially received at the “Joyous Entries” ceremonies and where people were executed (the last execution was in 1863). You can see there the 15th-century Toreken, meaning ‘Little Tower’, the only building originally from that era. The rest were built in the 19th century. Toreken was the house of the tanners’ guild.
Pass by Dulle Griet, the 15th-century red iron canon (info panel at the bridge nearby). Exact location here
16. Explore the Design Museum
The Design Museum is one of our favorite museums in Ghent. If you are into design, then it will be interesting to walk around. Kids can do a treasure hunt for hidden playmobile among the international design collection and there is also a soft area where kids can play
Read more: Design Museum in Ghent
17. Pass by at Huis van Alijn
Huis van Alijn, the museum of ordinary daily life, is not one of the top attractions, and I would recommend skipping it, especially if you are in Ghent for only a day. It was once an almshouse where the old and sick were cared for. The little terrasse there is nice for some quiet time.
18. Walk Around the Stadshal
You can take a look at the Stadshal, an example of modern architecture in the city by architects Robbrecht & Daem / Marie-José Van Hee. If you are lucky, you might get to see a concert there!
19. Rent a kayak
Another way to see Ghent from the water is to rent a kayak. If your kids are older, this is a fun activity.
20. Have Fun at Blaarmeersen
If you are in Ghent and you want to spend time outdoors with the kids, then Provincial Domain Blaarmeersen should be on your list! There is a lake where you can swim with water slides, and the playgrounds are awesome. It’s just 4km from the center of Ghent (10 minutes by car or 40 minutes by public transport).
Read more: Blaarmeersen
21. Enjoy the Spring in Ghent
There is a street full of cherry blossoms in Ghent during spring. Read more details on where to see cherry blossoms in Belgium.
Read more: Cherry Blossom Spots in Belgium
22. Go to a Swimming Pool with a Play Area
LAGO Gent Rozebroeken has an indoor swimming pool with play area for kids and a small outdoor pool (not the one in the photo above).
Address: Victor Braeckmanlaan 180, 9040 Gent
Read more: Best Swimming Pools in Belgium for Families
How To Get to Ghent
Guided Tour from Brussels to Ghent and Bruges
This highly-rated guided tour from Brussels to Ghent and Bruges includes guided walking tours in both cities and an optional boat tour in Bruges.
By Plane
Ghent does not have an airport. You can fly to Brussels Zaventem and take the train or the shuttle bus to Ghent, or fly to Brussels Charleroi and take a shuttle bus to Ghent.
By Train
Ghent is about 35 hours from Brussels by train. The train station is very close to the center. If you go to Ghent by train and you want to follow this cyclical route, then you’ll start from Maaseikplein, where the trampolines are (and ice cream, never forget the ice cream!)
By Car
Ghent is about 45 minutes from Brussels by car and about half an hour by car from Bruges.
Where to park in the center of Ghent
This parking is ideal for visiting the three medieval towers of Ghent (St Nicholas, Belfort, and St Bavo’s Cathedral)
Parking Sint-Michiels (P7)
Sint-Michielsplein 8, 9000 Gent
This parking is ideal for visiting the Vrijdagmarkt [apparently :)], Patershol, Gravensteen Castle and Huis van Alijn
Parking Vrijdagmarkt
Vrijdagmarkt 1, 9000 Gent
Low Emission Zone in Ghent
There is a Low-Emission Zone in Ghent. If your car is Euro 1/2/3, you can buy permission (EUR 35 daily). If your car is Euro 4, you must buy permission again, just in a different category (EUR 25 per week). If your car is newer than Euro 4, you can access the city by car with no worries. Be careful not to overlook this, as there are people who have been fined.
More details here.
Also if your car has number plates that are not Belgian or Dutch, then you need to register the vehicle to enter the city.
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