A two-day trip to Ghent allows you to see the main sights without an exhausting marathon of sightseeing. The best approach is to group the locations by neighbourhood, leaving time for medieval architecture, the canals and museum collections, meals, a rest after the coach journey, and the flexibility to change plans if the weather doesn’t cooperate.
Before setting off
Save your arrival address, an offline map and directions to your accommodation. If the coach arrives early, check whether you can leave your luggage somewhere. Check the official city tourism website for current opening hours and tickets for paid attractions.
Day one: the historic centre
Start with St Bavo’s Cathedral, the bell tower, St Michael’s Bridge and the Graslei and Korenlei quays. Don’t try to visit every museum: choose one main paid attraction, and spend the rest of the first day on a leisurely stroll. That way, you’ll see more of the city’s atmosphere and won’t be tied to a tight schedule.
The evening of the first day
Leave time for a leisurely dinner and a short stroll through the main streets. If you’ve been travelling overnight, getting an early night is better than visiting yet another distant attraction. Check the last public transport service back to your accommodation before heading out from the city centre.
Day two: another side to the city
Continue your route from Gravensten Castle, the Patershol district and a stroll along the canals. Alternate between indoor venues and open spaces: this helps to avoid overloading your itinerary and leaves a buffer in case of rain. Booking in advance may be advisable for popular museums or viewing platforms, but always check the current rules.
Transport and budget
First, check the distances on a map: it’s often easier to walk around much of the city centre. For outlying areas, check the local fare payment system. A day ticket only makes sense if you’re planning several journeys, so compare it with single-journey fares on the transport operator’s official website.
Preparing for a bus journey
Tips for travelling to Belgium and checking your documents are summarised in this RedRay article. It’s handy to check what to pack for a long journey against the hand luggage list, and you can find available journeys on RedRay.
Return journey
On the day of departure, double-check the time, the bus station address and the platform number. Allow plenty of time, especially if you need to change buses or check in luggage. Keep your ticket, passport and mobile phone with you, rather than in a large suitcase.
A quick checklist
- two groups of locations by district;
- one main paid attraction per day;
- an offline map and ticket;
- allowance for the weather and relaxation;
- plenty of time before the return bus.