Itinarary for half a day in Ghent

[NewNormalLife]

We're staying in Bruges for 2 nights and have a little time on the day we check out to visit Ghent. We could be there by 10am and would need to leave at 3.30 latest.

Is it worth a quick visit and what could we do in that time?

I love Ghent. We spent a few days there before Covid. I know we went to the castle and walked around the mediaeval area, think we had an online walking tour. I don't remember going to much else in the way of museums but the area by the river and old bridge is beautiful and a great spot to have a waffle. We were there in April but all outside seating had heaters/ blankets.
We didn't do a boat trip and wish we had now.
It was lively with students which makes it more real than somewhere like Bruge (far too busy to enjoy in my experience).
I think castle and a walk around the old town and/or boat trip is probably ample for your time. It wasn't a big city.

You have to see the Mystic Lamb. It's phenomenal. If you did that and the castle it would be a marvellous day out (but not too much) and you could walk past / through some of the more picturesque streets or do a canal tour too.

Apologies for the typo...Itinerary obviously

Agree re the mystic lamb painting - do the VR tour first. We did the short one and it wasn't too long for kids and made the painting come to life when we then saw it (you see it after).

Some good chocolate in that area too, and patisserie!

I love Ghent, we spent Christmas there one year. The bell tower is lovely to visit and just walking around the city. Walking along by the canals is nice

Ghent has the most incredible Art Deco swimming pool. Van-Eyck pool but might be slightly incorrect spelling.

I'd echo PP re suggesting boat trip and wandering around the Korenlei and Graslei canal area. Also many beautiful churches, not just the cathedral. Trip up the belfry worthwhile too, especially in good weather. Love Ghent - definitely my favourite of the places I've visited in Belgium.

I love Ghent and second that , for half a day, go on a walking tour.
I love the Sacred Lamb, and went last time. But had fond memories of just being able to walk in and look at it. It feels too mediated now.

Thanks for your tips. It sounds like it's a lovely place to walk around. I think we'll try and get a boat tour as we won't have time for one in Bruges. We'll have a young baby with us so the steps of the castle might not be possible.

The sacred lamb looks interesting, something to squeeze in if we have time and there's not stupid queues.

from what I remember, you can't buy tickets for the Sacred Lamb at the Cathedral, or at the nearby Tourist Office, but only online. Worth bearing in mind if you haven't much time.
We enjoyed STAM - the city of Ghent museum very much and, if we only had an afternoon, would walk there (it's just outside the centre)

Go to the pub. It’ll be raining. Seriously I have never been to Ghent when the rain hasn’t been horizontal in my face. I realise that’s just bad luck and I’m sure it is awesome for everyone else

yes - it was raining when we went! And blowy.

No rain on my trips there, though they were in July and September. OP, there is also a lovely park, the Citadel Park, with botanic gardens nearby, though both are a mile or so south of the city centre.

The beautiful old part of Ghent is quite compact and walkable, start at Gravensteen Castle and just walk along the river, stopping off for a waffle. Follow the towers.
You will need to get a tram or taxi from the train station though, just ask for Gravensteen

going without kids, luckily because they’re all in their 20s, but need some restaurant and cool shops ideas please