The Gentse Feesten from Brussels
The Gentse Feesten from Brussels via Train
Taking a day trip to the Gentse Feesten from Brussels is very straightforward. In fact, we started our trip by taking the Metro directly to the Brussels-Zuid station. We had taken the train to Leuven and Mechelen on the two days prior. While those earlier trains were quite empty, the train to the Gentse Feesten was packed from the start. Many young travelers carried large weekend bags, signaling that they planned to stay in the city for the full weekend. In 34-minutes, we our train pulled into the Gent-Sint-Pieters station.
Arriving at the grand brick facade of Gent-Sint-Pieters station beneath sunny skies, ready to explore the city.
Arriving at Gent-Sint-Pieters Station
The red brick facade greeted us right away. The station features a tall cylindrical clock tower built for the 1913 World's Fair.
Right under the modern glass canopy, we spotted the first event decorations. Two giant folklore figures stood by the entrance doors. One figure wore traditional Flemish dress. Meanwhile, the other figure wore a noose around his neck. That noose represents the historic Stroppendrager heritage of Ghent.
Ghent’s iconic giant folklore figures greet arriving train passengers with traditional costumes and the famous Stroppendrager noose symbol.
Taking the Tram to the Gentse Feesten
Connecting to the historic center is simple. Dedicated trams run directly from the station plaza to the event zones.
As a result, we boarded the tram right outside the main station doors. The ride took only ten minutes. We then stepped off directly at the Korenmarkt stop in the heart of the pedestrian zone.
Following the tram rails down Cataloniëstraat into the historic heart of Ghent, with Saint Bavo’s Cathedral rising in the distance.
Exploring the Historical Sites
The Gentse Feesten covers a very large area. Therefore, you should expect to do a lot of walking across historic cobblestone streets.
Fortunately, you do not need a rigid schedule. Instead, we let the flow of the crowds guide our walk. Furthermore, the city offers plenty of benches and open restaurant terraces. You can stop, sit down, and order a drink whenever you need a rest.
Festivalgoers filling the historic avenues as the entire city center transforms into a pedestrian celebration.
Medieval architecture meets modern festival energy along the cobblestone approach to the Ghent Belfry.
Key Landmarks Across the Event Grounds
Major stages sit right in front of the primary monuments. For example, Saint Bavo Cathedral serves as the backdrop for a massive outdoor music stage on Sint-Baafsplein.
Nearby, the ninety-one meter Ghent Belfry stands above the open-air food courts. And Saint Nicholas Church anchors the lively beer stalls on the Korenmarkt.
Next, we walked past the Ghent Town Hall on the Botermarkt. After that, we continued to the Old Fish Market gateway at Sint-Veerleplein. The Castle of the Counts sits just across that square. Finally, we walked along the quiet banks of the Leie River.
Front facade and tower of Saint Bavo's Cathedral behind an outdoor concert stage in Ghent
The impressive Van Eyck Brothers monument honoring the master painters of the Ghent Altarpiece just outside Saint Bavo’s Cathedral.
The UNESCO-listed Ghent Belfry and historic Cloth Hall standing tall over Sint-Baafsplein.
Perched at the top of the Belfry spire, the gilded dragon has watched over Ghent's municipal liberties since the 14th century.
Street food stalls and outdoor terraces wrap around the ancient base of Saint Nicholas’ Church on the Korenmarkt.
The striking Scheldt Gothic lantern tower of Saint Nicholas’ Church commanding the Ghent skyline.
Flamboyant Gothic stonework meets Renaissance balance along the corner of Ghent's historic City Hall.
Baroque pediment of the Old Fish Market featuring a stone sculpture of Neptune with a gold trident
Approaching the imposing medieval fortress walls of Gravensteen Castle through lively festival crowds.
Canal boats and waterside terraces along the picturesque Leie River in central Ghent.
Returning to Brussels
Eventually, we finished our walking tour through the secondary streets and followed the tram tracks back out of the pedestrian core.
We boarded the tram back to the Gent-Sint-Pieters railway station and too the return train to Brussels-Zuid. It was full of other day-trippers heading back to the capital for the evening.
Explore and Discover
The Travel Tipster
I'm Ed Vasquez — The Travel Tipster. I've explored 35 countries and 100+ cities, almost always in a business class seat earned entirely through points. Firsthand destination guides, honest reviews, and practical points advice — from someone who has actually been there.