I studied in Ghent for several years, and even then, I never managed to visit the Gravensteen, Ghent’s main attraction. The impressive Castle of the Counts rises majestically in the middle of the city. It is one of the few remaining medieval stone castles in the whole of Western Europe, which makes it extra special. The castle was built in 1180 by Philip of Alsace, Count of Flanders, and was designed to impress. It is the only castle in Flanders with a moat that is still largely intact. You can visit almost the entire castle.

Inside, you can wander through the many rooms and discover the turbulent history of the castle. It has served as a court of justice, a prison, and even a cotton factory at one point. Today it houses a museum with an intriguing collection of medieval weapons and torture instruments.

You learn more about the Gravensteen and its history with the audio guide (which is included in the admission). But it is not your ordinary audio guide; it is one with a twist. Forgot about the dull audio guides; Wouter Deprez, a Belgian comedian, narrates the history of the Gravensteen. And he isn’t shy of using humour while talking about the different inhabitants of the castle throughout history. And before you know it, you are back where you started.

Make sure to climb all the way up to the top of the castle walls. The panoramic view over Ghent’s rooftops and the winding Leie river is absolutely worth the effort. 

A visit to the Gravensteen is a must when you are in Ghent. The audio guide makes it even more fun.

Tickets are 15 euros for an adult and 7.5 euros for people between 19 and 25. Admission for children is free. You can save time by buying your tickets online. Opening hours and other information can be found on the website.

Looking for a hotel? There are more than enough in Ghent.

Did you already visit a castle?

Plan your trip to Ghent like a pro

✈️ Book your cheap flights to Belgium on Skyscanner
🏨 Reserve a hotel, apartment, or holiday home at Booking.com
🚕 Need a transfer from the airport? Use Welcome Pickups or download the Bolt or Uber app
🛜 Use Airalo eSIM to avoid roaming fees. Use SHARON9895 to get €3
📺 Use NordVPN to keep watching your favorite programs or movies on the go
🚗 Need to rent a car? Use DiscoverCars or Local Rent
🚆 Buy train tickets from Omio or RailEurope
💳 Use Wise to pay in Belgium at the real exchange rate and avoid expensive foreign card fees
🎟️ Pre-book tours, entrance tickets, and activities via Viator or GetYourGuide
🏥 Get travel insurance at World Nomads or Safety Wing

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