When Tomorrowland needs a pause between stages and sets, Ghent is the most rewarding day escape from the festival grounds — just 45 minutes from Boom, Belgium's most underrated medieval city delivers three Gothic towers above a Romanesque quayside, the most important painting in Northern European art and a street food culture built around sweets that exist nowhere else on earth. A complete change of frequency, entirely within reach.
Your driver takes you directly from Boom to Ghent's historic centre and returns you at the agreed time — 45 minutes each way, door-to-door with no train connections or navigation to manage.
Ghent delivers three Gothic towers above a Romanesque quayside, the Van Eyck altarpiece and sweets that exist nowhere else — a complete change of frequency from the festival grounds.
What to see
• Sint-Baafskathedraal and the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb — the Van Eyck altarpiece of 1432, considered the most important painting in Northern European art
• The Graslei and Korenlei quaysides — Romanesque and Gothic guild houses of the 12th to 16th centuries forming the most beautiful urban waterfront in Belgium
• The Gravensteen — a 12th-century moated castle of the Counts of Flanders rising implausibly from the centre of a living city
What to eat
• Gentse waterzooi — a cream and vegetable stew of chicken or fish unique to Ghent
Take note
• The Mystic Lamb altarpiece requires advance booking — timed entry is strictly limited and fills quickly
Yes. Access to the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb is by timed entry only, and slots are strictly limited and often fill quickly, especially in summer. Book well ahead through the official Sint-Baafskathedraal website to be sure you can see it. The rest of the cathedral can usually be visited without a reservation.
Ghent is often described as a working medieval city rather than a museum town. It has the Gothic architecture, canals, and chocolate of Bruges, but with a stronger student and arts scene and noticeably fewer crowds. Many visitors find it feels more relaxed and lived-in, while still offering world-class art, food, and historic buildings.
Ghent is about 35 miles (56 km) west of Boom, and the private transfer usually takes around 45 minutes to an hour each way, depending on traffic. A private car drops you close to Ghent's historic center, avoiding train transfers from the Tomorrowland area and any need to navigate the medieval streets yourself.
Yes. The historic center is largely traffic-restricted and mostly flat, with plenty of cafes and benches along the quaysides for breaks. Canal boat tours, the Gravensteen castle with its dungeons and armor, and chocolate shops appeal to a wide range of ages. Cobblestones can be uneven, so sturdy shoes are helpful for anyone with mobility concerns.
Ghent's historic core is very walkable and largely traffic-restricted, so wear comfortable shoes for cobblestones. The classic loop covers Sint-Baafsplein, the Belfry, the Graslei and Korenlei quaysides, and the Gravensteen castle in a compact circuit. A short canal boat tour is a popular way to see the merchant houses and bridges from the water.
Don't miss Sint-Baafskathedraal, home to the Van Eyck brothers' Adoration of the Mystic Lamb altarpiece from 1432, often called the most important painting in Northern European art. Walk the Graslei and Korenlei quaysides lined with Romanesque and Gothic guild houses, and visit the moated 12th-century Gravensteen castle rising right out of the city center.
Try Gentse waterzooi, a creamy stew of chicken or fish with vegetables that is unique to Ghent, ideally at a traditional tavern in the old center. Belgian fries, waffles, and a local beer or jenever (juniper spirit) are other classics. Several historic taverns near the Graslei specialize in Flemish beers brewed in nearby abbeys.
Late spring through early fall is the most enjoyable period, with warm temperatures and long evenings to enjoy the canals and outdoor terraces. July and August can be busy, but Ghent rarely feels overrun compared with other Flemish cities. Winter offers a quieter mood, with festive lights along the quaysides and fewer crowds at major sights.
Day trips offer travelers private round-trip transportation to popular sightseeing locations. One of our professional drivers will pick you up in a luxurious, climate-controlled car, take you to the site of interest, and wait for you while you explore before driving you back to your hotel.
Yes! You’re free to choose the pickup and drop-off times that work best for you. However, the time spent at the destination is fixed and cannot be changed.
Each sightseeing stop has a recommended duration that includes plenty of time to explore. However, it is possible to customize the time spent at each sightseeing stop at a later stage in the booking process to best fit your unique schedule.
Your Daytrip driver will wait for you nearby for the duration of your exploration, meaning you’ll never have to wait for your return trip transportation to arrive. Your comfort and convenience are our top priorities, and we aim to close out your day trip with a return on your schedule.
The price of a day trip does not include any entrance tickets, guided tours, or meals you may partake in at your destination. The price covers round-trip transportation in a luxury vehicle with a professional driver who can provide local insights en route.
Day trip bookings can be canceled up to 24 hours before your trip for a full refund, no strings attached. While the destination and stops are predetermined, it is possible to change your pick-up point, whether it is at your hotel or some other location within the city.