Belfry of Ghent

Approx. 5 min walk from train station The Belfry of Ghent is one of the city’s most important medieval monuments and forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing of the Belfries of Belgium and France. 14th century origins (1313–1380) Construction began in 1313 as a symbol of Ghent’s freedom, wealth, and independence during the Middle Ages. The tower was completed around 1380. Belfries in medieval Flanders were not religious — they were civic towers, showing the power of the citizens, not the church.

The Belfry in Ghent is a must-see! This tall, old tower stands proudly in the city center, offering amazing views from the top. Climbing the steps is a bit tiring, but totally worth it for the stunning sights of Ghent’s rooftops. The history inside, with cool exhibits about the city, is really interesting. The big bells and old clockwork are fascinating to see up close. It’s not too crowded, which makes it a peaceful visit. The entrance fee was covered by the City card, and there’s an elevator for those who need it. I loved the mix of history and beauty. A quick visit here will make your trip to Ghent special. Highly recommend checking it out!

A UNESCO World Heritage monument that dominates the Ghent old city skyline. I couldn't take my eyes off it while exploring this beautiful city. It costs to climb the tower and it's worth it! Highly recommended to book to climb if you're intending to visit in the weekend.

The tallest belfry in Belgium and listed on the Unesco world heritage list (as part of belfries in Belgium and France). The medieval belfry dates back to 14th century and along with the 2 church towers nearby make up the cityscape. A landmark sight in Ghent, the belfry offers stunning views across the city. Beautiful and imposing even from the outside, if you don't want to go up the tower.

The tower is a great thing to do in Gent even on a rainy day. There are descriptions and history placards along the way as you wind your way up the tower. There is an elevator for a portion of the climb but there are plenty of steps too. Seeing the big bell and the dragons that were once atop the tower is cool. And the view is amazing even if we got wet. The nice thing about this view is we were above the multiple cranes that dot the Gent skyline. It is included with the Gent City Card. We thought the card was nice but finding a site that actually sold them was not easy. They should early adopt Antwerp’s way of handling the City Card - it is very easy to purchase and use.

The Belfry of Ghent, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the majestic, ancient St. Bavo’s Cathedral are located close to each other, making it easy to stroll between them for photos. At night, when they are illuminated, they offer an entirely different charm.

Excellent views of the city are possible from this tower. Unusually, there is a lift to ascend most of the way. You take the narrow stairs down afterwards. I found the top slightly vertiginous as the walkways are narrow, but the views are great.

Worth the Price for the views alone, but you also get some nice history and to watch the Bell mechanism work (3rd floor). It goes off every 15 minutes and is very cool to See! Agree with other Reviews that the stairs are a bit treacherous so beware!