Ghent Cruise Port Guide — Ships, Excursions & Tips

Currency

Euro (€); ATMs plentiful near terminal and city center; USD rarely accepted

Language

Dutch (Flemish), French, English widely spoken in tourism areas

Time in Port

Typically 8am–6pm; allow 4–5 hours minimum for meaningful exploration

Pier Location

Cruise terminal is 2km west of historic center; 20-minute walk or short tram ride (#1) to Graslei; clearly signposted taxi and shuttle services available

Best For

Romantic medieval architecture and authentic Belgian beer culture without over-tourism

About Ghent

Ghent is a medieval fairytale city where three rivers converge, creating one of Europe's most photogenic waterfronts lined with 16th-century guild houses and candlelit bridges. Cruisers dock just 45 minutes from Brussels and can explore a compact, walkable historic center without the overwhelming crowds of Amsterdam or Venice. This Flemish gem offers authentic Belgian culture, world-class beer, and atmospheric canal-side dining that feels genuinely local rather than touristy.

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Insider Tip

Skip the tourist-packed Graslei restaurant strip and walk 5 minutes inland to Graffiti Street cafés or Sint-Veerleplein neighborhood restaurants — you'll get better food, lower prices, and authentic local crowds, plus better photo angles of the waterfront from across the water at sunset.

Highlights

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Saint Bavo's Cathedral
Home to the stunning Van Eyck altarpiece 'Ghent Altarpiece' — one of Northern Europe's most important artworks, located 10 minutes walk from the cruise terminal in the historic center

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Graslei Waterfront
The postcard-perfect embankment where guild houses reflect in the Scheldt River, lined with cafés and restaurants — 5 minutes from the pier, best photographed at dusk

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Canal Boat Tours
Intimate 40-minute cruises through medieval waterways and under low stone bridges, departing from Korenlei dock every 30 minutes, revealing the city's hidden courtyards and architecture

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Veldstraat & Graffiti Street
Main shopping street with Belgian fashion, chocolatiers, and lace shops; nearby Werregarstraatje is a colorful street art district — 8-minute walk from terminal

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Trappist Beer & Waterzooi Experience
Sample Trappist ales at Brouwerij Omer Vander Ghinste or enjoy waterzooi (creamy vegetable stew) at canal-side restaurants like Bron — local specialties unique to Ghent

Local Food & Drink

Gentse Stoverij — a rich beef stew cooked in Trappist beer, served with fries at traditional eateries like De Graslei on the waterfront
Witloof (Belgian endive) — creamed and wrapped in ham, a seasonal Flemish vegetable dish found at restaurants throughout the old town
Trappist beer from Omer Vander Ghinste brewery — the only surviving Trappist ale brewed within city limits, available at nearly every café

Shore Excursion Ideas

1 Full-day Brussels excursion — 45 minutes by train or coach to Belgium's capital for Grand Place, chocolates, and beer cafés

2 Bruges day trip — 30 minutes by train to Flanders' other medieval gem; combine both cities in one itinerary

3 Belgian beer tasting tour — visit local breweries like Brouwerij Omer Vander Ghinste with expert-guided tastings and snack pairings

Sailings to Ghent

Upcoming Royal Caribbean & Celebrity cruises that visit Ghent

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Celebrity

Belgian + Dutch Tulips

Celebrity Compass · 7 nights

Brussels · March 23, 2028

From $6,293/pp