Graslei & KorenleiStory N° 197
Ghent: Living Among Locals
Student energy, canal-side cafés and authentic Flemish life in the unpolished gem of Ghent.
The itinerary.
3 days · 9 stops
Friday
Day One
Arrive in Ghent and sink into local rhythm with a canal-side beer and a wander through the medieval port quarter.
●
Graslei
The historic harbour quay where locals gather at dusk to share drinks along the Leie river.
●
Het Waterhuis aan de Bierkant
A canal-front beer café with a vast Belgian list and a terrace beloved by Ghent residents.
●
Patershol
A maze of cobbled medieval streets full of intimate restaurants and the city's real neighbourhood feel.
🏨
Hotel
1898 The Post booking.com · AI hotel ratings: hotelist.com
→
Getting around
- Arriving via direct train from Brussels to Gent-Sint-Pieters (around 30 minutes)
- Tram 1 into the centre
Saturday
Day Two
Castle, cathedral masterpiece and a deep dive into Ghent's famous markets and food culture.
●
Gravensteen
The moated Castle of the Counts, a genuine medieval fortress with ramparts looking over the city.
●
Saint Bavo's Cathedral
Home of the Ghent Altarpiece by the Van Eyck brothers, one of the most influential paintings in history.
●
Vrijdagmarkt
A lively square hosting a long-running Friday market and surrounded by traditional Flemish eateries.
●
Tierenteyn-Verlent
A historic 1860s mustard shop where the local specialty is still ladled from a wooden barrel.
🏨
Hotel
1898 The Post booking.com · AI hotel ratings: hotelist.com
→
Getting around
- Walking the compact centre
- Cycling the canal paths like a local
Sunday
Day Three
A relaxed Sunday with the city's veggie food scene, contemporary art and a final riverside stroll.
●
S.M.A.K.
The Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art, a Ghent institution championing bold Belgian and international work.
●
Komkommertijd
A popular all-vegetarian buffet that reflects Ghent's reputation as the veggie capital of Europe.
🏨
Hotel
1898 The Post booking.com · AI hotel ratings: hotelist.com
→
Getting around
- Tram to the museum quarter
- Train back to Brussels from Gent-Sint-Pieters
Location.
Frequently asked
How many days do you need for Ghent: Living Among Locals?
3 days. The itinerary runs from Friday to Sunday and covers 9 curated stops across 3 days.
How much does Ghent: Living Among Locals cost?
Mid-range — €150–300 per day per person.
Where do you stay during Ghent: Living Among Locals?
1898 The Post is the recommended base for the trip; the full hotel list per day is in the itinerary section.
What's included in the Ghent: Living Among Locals itinerary?
Day-by-day stops at 9 restaurants, museums, viewpoints and landmarks; transportation hints between each leg; and a hotel base in Graslei & Korenlei.
Going on this trip?
Tag us on Instagram —
Keep reading →
