WHAT TO SEE IN GENT WITH A DOG IN 1 DAY 

We have prepared this optimised itinerary of qué ver en Gante with a dog in 1 day with which you will be able to see the essentials without wasting too much time. This is just a suggestion, you can add and subtract what you want. We have added to the itinerary the possibility of entering the main attractions, but you also have to take into account that in most dogs are not allowed. The itinerary is designed to see everything in a more panoramic way, so you can adapt what you want.

If you want to organise a trip to Belgium like this one and you don't know how to adapt it to you, or simply don't have the time to organise it, remember that we have the consultancy services that are available at a very cheap price. where we will be in charge of everything.

We took the guided tour departing from Brussels, where pets are NOT accepted when travelling by bus, so our recommendation is to take the train from Brussels, paying the supplement for your pet.

We had to get up very early, because it was going to be a long day. And the truth is that going with a dog seemed like a lot of work, so the best thing to do is to dedicate a day to each city, and not like us, who did a very hectic 12-hour guided tour.

To travel to Ghent from Brussels, you need to take the train from the central station, and then choose the Ghent route.

But now I'm sure you're wondering: ‘I'm not going to find out anything because no one will explain things to me’. Well, I have a very easy solution: book a Free Tour directly in Bruges. They last 2 hours and because you go walking you will be able to go with your dog.

You need to know something about the Free Tourand is that in Civitatis it says that they DON'T allow dogs, but it's a mistake because we spoke with the company, and they DO allow dogs. In fact, our guide told us that they would never refuse a tour to someone with a dog, that all the guides love dogs and are happy to have them on the tour.

So you can safely book using this Civitatis because no one will complain.

Here are our must-sees in Ghent:

• St. Bavo's Cathedral: this is the oldest parish church in the city and one of Ghent's must-see sights. It is built on the site of a first church dating from the 10th century and a Romanesque church from the 12th century dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. It was built in honour of Saint Bavo, patron saint of Ghent, and inside you will find numerous works of art, the jewel in the crown being the Polyptych ‘The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’.
• Van Eyck brothers monument: this grandiose monument was installed here on the occasion of the Universal Exhibition held in Ghent in 1913. It is a tribute to the painters in which men, women, and children bring flowers, wreaths, and garlands.
• Graslei and Korenlei Docks: one of the most visited places in Ghent, you can enjoy the calm waters of the river Lis and the history of Ghent over the centuries, silently told by the facades of the houses in this medieval harbour. We personally liked this place very much and took some great pictures. In spring there are many boat trips along the canals.

• Ghent City Council: the Ghent City Hall occupies one city block and the complex has a deceptive façade, as it is one building that looks like two. This is because it is composed of two wings, built in different periods and therefore in different styles. Thus, we find a Renaissance façade in the part located on Botermarkt, while on the corner of this same street with Hoogport begins the Gothic façade, which is perhaps the most striking.
• Church of Saint Nicholas: a perfect example of Scheldt Gothic, it overlooks the Korenmarkt square and completes the fantastic line of towers of the city of Ghent, known as the city of the three towers. At Christmastime, the main flea market is held next to this church.
• Castillo de los Condes de Flandes: this remarkable monument has had a turbulent existence, closely linked to the complex and often turbulent political and social history of the city. It is the only remaining medieval castle with a moat in Flanders, with a virtually intact fortification system. It can be visited inside from 10:00 to 18:00 and admission is €13 per person. Only assistance dogs are allowed, but you can visit the outside of the castle.

• Boat tour around the canals: dogs are only available from April to November and dogs are allowed. The price is €10 per person. For more information, you can have a look here.
• Belfort Tower: the tower is over 90 metres high and crowned by a dragon's weather vane. Its height is due to the fact that it was originally a watchtower and also the place where the city's municipal privileges were guarded.
• The meat market: the market was formerly a covered market where the inspection and trade of meat was centralised, as in the Middle Ages it was forbidden to sell meat in houses.

• Graffiti Street: it has often been said that a living city can be recognised by its street art. Ghent is a modern and contemporary city.
• Vrijdagmarkt Square: also known as the Friday market, due to the fact that in the past the stalls were set up where farm animals used to be sold. The articles and products that can be seen today are very varied: stalls with elaborate dishes to taste the flavours of the local food, stalls with handicraft articles to buy souvenirs, flowers, vegetable stalls, fresh fish, clothes, etc.
• Toreken Building: today it is home to the Poetry Centre, the centre par excellence for poetry from Flanders and the Netherlands. Poetry in Dutch or translated into Dutch, poems translated into Dutch and South African poetry are the focus.

This guide is focused on what to see in Ghent with a dog, but if you want an itinerary through Belgium, we invite you to read our big post about what to see in Belgium with a dog.

From Brussels, you have trains to many cities, both in Belgium and in other countries such as Luxembourg, the Netherlands, France, etc. Therefore, we have left you some other important cities that you can visit:

• Amsterdam: the capital of the Netherlands, and a day trip option from Brussels. Obviously, it's not the same as travelling directly to the city and staying there for 2–3 days, but if you're planning a longer trip, you can still make the most of it.
• Mechelen and Leuven: the two cities of Flanders, full of history, art, and culture. The tour is done by train, so it is quicker and more comfortable than by bus. The guides in Antwerp and Ghent told us that this was a very good option as well. As it is by train, ask if pets are allowed, because you might be able to take them with you for a supplement.
• Luxembourg: Uno de los países más caros del mundo. Nosotros nos quedamos con ganas de visitarlo, ya que dicen que es un país precioso. Además, conocemos a una chica que fue con su perro y solo habla maravillas del país. En Civitatis no se admiten perros, pero en los trenes sí, así que preguntad a ver si se puede hacer algo y que los admitan.
• Leuven: one of the university towns in all of Flanders, so it's well worth a visit. It is done by train, so in principle you shouldn't have any problem to go there with a dog.

Even if it is a short trip, think that many things can happen, such as your dog getting sick, getting cut by a bottle (in Brussels there was a lot of glass on the ground), or simply getting sick because of the change in temperature or for any other reason. For this very reason, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you hire travel insurance. We recommend you IATI, as it is one of the few insurances that not only offers a very competitive price, but also covers practically everything, including your pet. Remember, you have a 5% of discount if you book using our link