Belgium's best-kept secret is a car-free medieval city of three soaring towers, glittering canals, and a surprisingly vibrant craft-beer and veggie-food scene — all within easy reach of your river berth.
Ghent is a river port — cruise ships dock alongside a quay with no tendering required.
💡 Pro move: The entire historic centre is a pedestrian zone — no cars. Bikes and trams rule; walk in marked pedestrian areas, not red cycle lanes.
Ghent's cruise berth is pier (no tender) — river ships use the Grootdok (Rigakaai) quay north of the centre, while large ocean vessels dock at Zeebrugge or Antwerp.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| River cruise lines (Avalon, AmaWaterways, Arosa, CroisiEurope, etc.) | Grootdok / Rigakaai quay, ~1.5-2 km north of historic centre📍 | Docked |
| Large ocean cruise lines (Royal Caribbean, NCL, MSC, etc.) | Zeebrugge or Antwerp — shore excursion transfer to Ghent📍 | Docked |
Ghent's medieval core is supremely walkable, but a canal boat tour or a half-day in Bruges makes an easy add-on.
The Van Eyck brothers' 1432 masterpiece — the most-stolen painting in history — is now displayed in a state-of-the-art chamber inside the cathedral. Book tickets online well in advance; the augmented-reality guide is excellent.
Book Ghent Altarpiece tickets →A hulking 10th-century castle complete with moat, battlements, and a famously hilarious audio guide. Right in the city centre, it is Ghent's most photogenic landmark.
Find Gravensteen guided tours →A 40-50 minute guided boat ride along the Leie gives you Graslei's guildhalls, the Gravensteen, and the medieval skyline from water level — the best photo angles in the city.
Book Ghent canal boat tours →Sample Gentse Waterzooi (creamy chicken stew), double-fried frites from Frituur Jozef, and a Gruut herb beer brewed in medieval tradition. Patershol district is lined with excellent restaurants.
Find Ghent food tours →This 91-metre UNESCO World Heritage tower anchors Ghent's skyline. Ride the lift or climb to the top for a sweeping 360° panorama over the medieval rooftops and canal network.
Find Belfry tours →For passengers arriving via Zeebrugge, Bruges is just 20 minutes away — the picture-perfect canal city with chocolate shops, lace, and the Markt square. Many cruise lines offer combined Bruges-Ghent excursions.
Find Bruges shore excursions →Ghent's pedestrian centre makes self-guided walking effortless — the classic route links all major sights within a compact loop.
From the shuttle drop-off (or Korenmarkt tram stop) head to Graslei, cross to Korenlei for the guildhall view, continue to Gravensteen castle, then loop back via Groentenmarkt (cuberdon stalls), down to Sint-Michielsbrug for the iconic three-tower shot, and finish at St. Bavo's Cathedral.
From Gravensteen, duck into the cobblestone alleys of Patershol for lunch or a Belgian beer, then cut south to Werregarenstraat — Ghent's legal graffiti street, where murals change weekly.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Ghent, East Flanders, Belgium (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 44°F / 7°C | 36°F / 2°C | 14 |
| Feb | 47°F / 8°C | 36°F / 2°C | 12 |
| Mar | 52°F / 11°C | 38°F / 3°C | 12 |
| Apr | 58°F / 14°C | 42°F / 6°C | 10 |
| May | 65°F / 18°C | 48°F / 9°C | 12 |
| Jun | 72°F / 22°C | 55°F / 13°C | 11 |
| Jul | 73°F / 23°C | 58°F / 14°C | 11 |
| Aug | 73°F / 23°C | 58°F / 14°C | 13 |
| Sep | 69°F / 21°C | 54°F / 12°C | 10 |
| Oct | 61°F / 16°C | 49°F / 9°C | 13 |
| Nov | 51°F / 11°C | 42°F / 6°C | 14 |
| Dec | 46°F / 8°C | 39°F / 4°C | 14 |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Upcoming cruises that call at Ghent, East Flanders, Belgium. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.