Ghent Cruise Port Guide: Things to Do, Getting Around & Practical Tips

Quick Take

Port Type

Compact Historic City Port

Best For

Medieval architecture lovers, foodies, walkers who want a real Belgian city experience without Amsterdam crowds

Avoid If

You need a beach day or struggle with cobblestone streets and uneven medieval surfaces

Walkability

Excellent — the medieval core is tight and almost entirely walkable from where river ships dock

Budget Fit

Mid-range; cheaper than Amsterdam or Bruges, especially for food and drinks

Good For Short Calls?

Very good — you can cover the highlights in 3-4 hours on foot

Port Overview

Ghent sits at the confluence of the Leie and Scheldt rivers in northern Belgium, and river cruise lines — AmaWaterways, Viking, Scenic, Avalon, and the rest — typically dock close enough to the historic core that you can walk into the city within 10-20 minutes. This is one of the more rewarding stops on a Belgium-Netherlands river itinerary precisely because it hasn't been fully polished into a tourist conveyor belt the way Bruges has.

The city has genuine texture: a functioning university, a lively local bar culture, great food, and a medieval center that still feels lived-in. The Graslei and Korenlei quays, Gravensteen Castle, and Sint-Baafskathedraal (home to the Van Eyck Ghent Altarpiece) are the headline draws, and they cluster tightly enough that you can see all three in a half day without rushing.

For river cruisers, Ghent is usually a full port day, which is exactly what it deserves. Half a day is workable if you prioritize, but you'll want more time if you plan to go inside the cathedral to see the altarpiece. Arrive with a plan and comfortable shoes — cobblestones are everywhere.

Is It Safe?

Ghent is a safe, low-crime city by any reasonable standard. Normal urban awareness applies — watch your pockets in crowded areas around the Vrijdagmarkt and busy tram stops. There are no areas near the tourist center that warrant concern on a daylight port visit. Solo travelers, couples, and families can all move around comfortably without issue.

Accessibility & Walkability

The historic center is charming but uneven. Cobblestone streets, narrow medieval bridges, and stepped canal access points make wheelchair navigation genuinely difficult in parts of the old town. The main squares and some wider streets are more manageable. Gravensteen Castle involves stairs and is not wheelchair accessible. The tram network is partially accessible with low-floor vehicles on many routes. If mobility is a concern, plan your route carefully and focus on flatter areas near the main squares.

Outside the Terminal

Depending on where your river ship berths, you'll step off the gangway onto a riverside path or quay. The atmosphere shifts quickly from port-industrial to historic within a few minutes of walking. Signage in Ghent is reasonably good in English, and the main medieval skyline — Gravensteen's tower, the cathedral spire, the Belfry — will orient you visually before you even check a map. There's no aggressive tout culture or taxi hustle at the pier.

Local Food & Drink

Ghent punches above its weight for food. The local dish is waterzooi — originally a fish stew, now more commonly made with chicken — and Patershol is the right neighborhood to eat it, with several restaurants doing solid versions for €15-22 EUR. Ghent also claims Tierenteyn mustard as a local institution; the shop on Groentenmarkt has been selling it from wooden barrels since the 1700s and costs almost nothing.

For snacks and street food, seek out a proper frietkot for Belgian frites — not the tourist traps on the main squares but a stand around Vrijdagmarkt or side streets. Ghent also has a strong craft beer scene; ask for a local tripel or amber rather than defaulting to the national brands. The city is notably beer-adventurous even by Belgian standards.

Budget €12-25 EUR per person for a solid sit-down meal with a drink in Patershol. Vegetarians will find Ghent unusually accommodating — the city has a voluntary weekly 'veggie day' tradition and plant-based options are widely available.

Shopping

Ghent's shopping is concentrated around Veldstraat (mainstream chains), the Saturday market on Vrijdagmarkt, and specialty food shops scattered through the old town. Tierenteyn mustard and Ghent's own 'cuberdon' (a cone-shaped purple candy with a soft raspberry center) make genuinely local gifts that you won't find everywhere. The Graanmarkt area has some independent design shops if you want something non-edible. Skip the generic souvenir shops near the tourist squares — they carry the same inventory as every other Belgian city.

Money & Currency

Currency

Euro (EUR)

USD Accepted?

No

Card Payments

Very high — cards accepted almost everywhere including small cafés and market stalls. Contactless is standard.

ATMs

ATMs available throughout the city center, including near Sint-Baafsplein and Korenmarkt

Tipping

Not mandatory in Belgium. Rounding up or leaving 5-10% for good service is appreciated but not expected.

Notes

Some street food vendors and smaller stalls are cash-only. Carrying €20-30 EUR in cash covers you for frites, candy, and market purchases.

Weather & Best Time

Best months

May, June, and September offer the best balance of warmth and manageable crowds

Avoid

November through February — cold, frequently wet, and some attractions have reduced hours

Temperature

12-22°C (54-72°F) during the main river cruise season of April to October

Notes

Belgian weather is unpredictable year-round. Pack a light waterproof layer regardless of forecast. River cruise itineraries through Ghent tend to run spring through autumn.

Airport Information

Airport

Brussels Airport (BRU) is the primary international gateway; Ghent also sits midway between Brussels and Bruges

Distance

Brussels Airport is approximately 60 km from Ghent city center

Getting there

Direct train from Brussels Airport to Ghent Sint-Pieters station (approximately 40-50 min, one change at Brussels North or Ghent). Taxi or private transfer runs €80-120 EUR. Antwerp Airport is smaller and closer but has fewer international routes.

Notes

Ghent Sint-Pieters train station is the main hub — trams connect it to the historic center. If your cruise embarks or disembarks in Ghent, the train connection to Brussels Airport is reliable and cost-effective.