Americans appear to have a new favorite European destination, and it’s no longer Paris and its Haussmann-planned cityscape. Or Rome and the millennia-old ruins of an empire. Much less Barcelona and its jam-packed Gothic Quarter.
As a matter of fact, tourists are now being squirted with water pistols by angry anti-tourist protesters in Spain.
After years of being treated as a secondary destination, or a mere stopover on the way from this to that place, a lesser-known medieval city in Belgium dominated by a moated castle, traversed by scenic canals, and home to an unrivaled beer scene is stealing the limelight.
Belgium’s Best-Kept Secret About To Go Full Mainstream
Only 31 miles northwest of Brussels, Ghent is Europe’s best-kept secret about to be spilled.
A charming Belgian city combining stunning medieval sights and the vibrant energy of a university town, it never quite reached the dizzying popularity of its own country’s capital, or even its closest competitor, the Flemish gem of Bruges, despite being just as, if not even more picturesque.
That’s quickly changing, for better or for worse.
We’re not the first ones to cheer when a low-key, under-visited European city finally goes mainstream, but we do know nothing ever stays under wraps forever, and this summer, it seems Americans have finally caught on to Ghent’s timeless treasures.
A whopping 40% of foreign-card spending in Ghent processed through Worldline this season came from U.S.-issued cards, while the Dutch, historically one of Ghent’s most important visitor markets, accounted for only 19%. Brits came third at 11%.
The full tourism figures aren’t in yet—for instance, Worldline’s data doesn’t tell us how many tourists made a beeline for Ghent straight from Brussels Airport—but the picture is clear:
American spending is surging, to the point that Americans are now outspending Ghent’s long-time visitors.
What Sets Ghent Apart From Other Medieval Belgian Towns?
Most people used to have their sights set on Bruges, as it’s Belgium’s most obvious town escape for Old World charm and canal tours, but it’s far too small, and far too quaint, to warrant much longer than a day trip.
Ghent stands out for combining that Bruges-style medieval scenery with the thumping energy of a university city: yes, there’s a castle right in the city center, and the skyline is dotted with historic towers, but you’ll also find waterside bars, street art, and a surprisingly adventurous food scene.
This is coming from someone who’s not particularly a fan of Belgian cuisine, and who was positively surprised by the offering in Ghent.
In other words, if the Brussels–Antwerp duo gets far too chaotic to handle, and sleepy corners like Bruges and Leuven don’t exactly give you that weekend-getaway thrill, Ghent is the happy medium.
Fairytale Sights Everywhere You Look
The imposing Castle of the Counts, or Gravensteen, is one of Belgium’s best-preserved and most impressive medieval fortresses:
Built all the way back in the 12th century, it comes complete with stone battlements, and with its soaring towers reflected in the moat below, it feels like a medieval glitch in space and time dropped right into the heart of a busy downtown area.
The cool thing about Ghent’s Historic Centre is that every major landmark is usually within a short 10- to 15-minute walk of the next.
There’s no need to wait for another tram, nor try your luck unlocking one of those app-operated rental bikes that never seem to work smoothly, and that you always end up overpaying for anyway.
Around half a mile from the castle, St Bavo’s is the city’s majestic cathedral, and a Gothic centerpiece home to Belgium’s most famous altarpiece: the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, a 15th-century masterpiece by Hubert and Jan van Eyck that’s worth the trip here alone.
Along the Graslei and Korenlei waterfront, that’s where you’ll find that postcard-ready view of typically Flemish stepped-gable houses, and pointy towers looming over red-tiled roofs.
One of those towers, the Belfry of Ghent, is a UNESCO-listed landmark, and a symbol of the city’s historic autonomy.
Check Travel Rules For U.S. Passport Holders Before Flying
Before we continue, if you’re heading to Europe this season, make sure you check the entry requirements and travel rules that apply to you as a U.S. passport holder.
From mandatory fingerprinting to reinforced border checks, there’s a lot you need to catch up with if you haven’t been across the pond in a while.
Head over to the Entry Requirement Checker, type in your destination’s name, and pull up the complete checklist of documents and border formalities.
Hidden Gems To Look Out For In Ghent
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Now, if you’re anything like me, chances are you’ll be on the lookout for those local gems only Belgians know about.
I’m actually not sure this church is one of them, but it definitely felt like I was the only tourist wandering in that day: St Nicholas’ is a striking 13th-century Gothic church built from grey-blue Tournai stone, and the coolest thing about it is its central lantern tower, which lets daylight pour into the interior.
It’s one of those beautiful places hiding in plain sight, the kind casual tourists typically walk right past on their way to the pubs.
Speaking of pubs, if you’re here primarily for the wild variety of beer and the juicy burgers served with Belgian fries—no judgement, we’ve all planned a trip or two around the booze—you’ll want to move away from the touristy waterfront and into Patershol.
This historic neighborhood is not only incredibly pretty, with narrow cobbled lanes, old brick townhouses, and quirky little Flemish restaurants, but on the edge of Patershol, the House of Alijn is that one tourist spot you definitely shouldn’t gloss over:
Think less enormous German-style beer garden with endless rows of trestle tables, and more intimate, leafy, typically Flemish courtyard.
A bottle of local Gentse Gruut will set you back around $5, and if you’re feeling peckish, if not absolutely ravenous, take your ass over to Uncle Babe’s, only a 5-minute walk away.
They serve killer burgers, and their fries will put Brussels’ world-famous frites to shame.
I also love Du Progrès, a long-standing, French-style brasserie right on Korenmarkt.
Their chicken waterzooi, Ghent’s iconic creamy chicken-and-vegetable stew, is a must-try, and if you don’t want to stray too far from the cathedral area, ’t Vosken has a terrace overlooking St Bavo’s, and its Flemish beef stew is a handy choice for comfort food in between sights.
How Safe Is Belgium For Tourists In 2026?
U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory: Level 2. Exercise increased caution due to crime, terrorism, and unrest.
Travel Off Path Traveler Safety Index: 80/100, based on reports from recent visitors.
Ghent itself is a mid-size city with a low to moderate level of street crime.
Although it’s definitely not immune to theft, nor is it a pickpocket-free haven, it’s nowhere near Brussels’ or Antwerp’s levels of urban chaos. As long as you keep a watchful eye on your personal belongings and don’t leave items unattended in busy areas, you’ll be as good as gold.
How To Visit Ghent From The United States
The easiest way to reach Ghent from America is by flying into Brussels Airport, which hosts nonstop transatlantic flights from Stateside hubs like New York, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.
You don’t even need to travel into Brussels first, then transfer onto a regional train: you can leave straight from Brussels Airport’s underground railway station for Ghent.
The journey takes around 55 minutes, and a standard one-way ticket costs around $22, or roughly €19.
If you’re visiting Flanders as part of a wider, cross-country trip around Western Europe, Ghent is equally accessible from Amsterdam, with an easy change in Antwerp, and from Paris starting in December 2026.
This winter, a new GoVolta train is launching from the French capital to Amsterdam, stopping in Ghent along the way, with one-way fares starting from only $22. Read more about it here.
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