The buzzing student district south of the centre — cheap bars, clubs, eateries and the famous Overpoort nightlife strip, plus the leafy citadel park and museums nearby. Lively, affordable and youthful (Ghent is a big university town), a short walk or tram from the centre; the base for travellers who want a great, cheap night out and the energy of a real student city.
A look around
What you’ll be living next to. Swipe through.
€120–200
typical per night in Belgium
The sensible middle
Typical prices for Ghent — neither steal nor splurge.
Where it sits
The circle is Overpoort & the university quarter and roughly a 10-minute walk around it.
How far is everything?
From the middle of this area to the city's headline sights — pick your own on the city page and these become your list.
- The Ghent Altarpiece23 min walk1.9 km
- The Belfry23 min walk1.9 km
- Belgian beer26 min walk2.1 km
- A canal boat tour26 min walk2.2 km
- The Graslei & Korenlei26 min walk2.2 km
- Gravensteen Castle29 min walk2.4 km
- Patershol quarter7 min taxi2.4 km
- Flemish food & waterzooi7 min taxi2.4 km
On your doorstep
What you’re living next to if you stay here.
- 11.Ghent nightlife — As a big university town, Ghent has a brilliant, cheap and buzzing nightlife — from cosy beer cafés and canalside terraces in the centre to the raucous student clubs and bars of the Overpoort strip. The mood is friendly, young and unpretentious; sip Trappist ales in an old brown café, catch live music, or party with the students till late. Cheaper and livelier than touristy Bruges, it's one of the city's great, under-the-radar pleasures.
- 13.Citadelpark — A lovely, leafy park south of the centre near the station — winding paths, ponds, a bandstand, grottoes and the two big art museums, a green escape where students and locals come to relax. A pleasant spot for a stroll or picnic between museum visits, and a breather from the medieval bustle; combine it with the MSK and SMAK galleries it holds. A relaxed, green corner of the city, easy to reach and enjoyable in fine weather.
- 14.The Sunday market & Vrijdagmarkt — Ghent's squares host lively markets — the grand Vrijdagmarkt (Friday Market) square has held markets for centuries and now buzzes with cafés and terraces, while a big flower-and-food market and Sunday markets fill the centre. A colourful, local way to soak up city life; browse the stalls, sit out on the historic square with a coffee or beer, and watch Ghent go about its day. A pleasant, authentic slice of the city, best on market mornings.
When are you staying?
Booking.com & Airbnb open searched to Overpoort & the university quarter; flights via Google Flights.