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The Ghent Altarpiece — 16 EUR, St. Bavo's Cathedral. The main event. Allow 1-1.5 hours with the audioguide.
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Gravensteen Castle — 12 EUR. A 12th-century moated castle in the center of the city. The Counts of Flanders built this as a statement of power. The ramparts offer rooftop views. The weapons and torture instruments exhibition is quirky and slightly disturbing.
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St. Michael's Bridge — Free. Stand on this bridge and you see three medieval towers in perfect alignment: St. Nicholas' Church, the Belfry, and St. Bavo's Cathedral. This is Ghent's postcard shot, and it's best at blue hour.
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The Belfry of Ghent — 10 EUR. Climb 366 steps for panoramic views. The belfry dates to 1313 and holds a carillon of 54 bells. If you time your visit with a concert (check schedule), the sound from inside the tower is overwhelming.
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STAM City Museum — 10 EUR. Housed in a medieval abbey, this museum tells Ghent's story from its origins to the present through interactive exhibits. The floor map of the medieval city is stunning.
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Graslei and Korenlei — Free. The medieval guild houses lining the harbor are Ghent's most photographed facades. Walk along the water, read the guild signs, imagine the medieval traders who built these buildings to advertise their wealth.
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Patershol Medieval Quarter — Free to wander. A tangle of narrow cobblestone streets behind Gravensteen, once a red-light district, now Ghent's most atmospheric dining neighborhood. The buildings are mostly 17th century.
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MSK (Museum of Fine Arts) — 12 EUR. Covers Flemish art from medieval to contemporary, including Hieronymus Bosch and Rubens. Less famous than the Bruges and Brussels collections but less crowded and well-curated.
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SMAK (Museum of Contemporary Art) — 12 EUR. Right next to MSK, focusing on post-war and contemporary art. The rotating exhibitions are consistently strong. The permanent collection includes major works by Bacon, Beuys, and Panamarenko.
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Design Museum Gent — 10 EUR. Art Nouveau and contemporary design in a historic mansion. The Art Nouveau rooms are exquisite, and the contemporary design exhibitions rotate regularly.
