Ghent · Backpacking

Sint-Michielsplein 21, on the water facing the three towers, with lockers, kitchen, laundry and a bar; linen is included and towels are rented. Breakfast is €7.50, served 8–10am.

Werregarenstraat, a legal graffiti alley just off the main shopping street, repainted so often it looks different week to week. Free, and the only conventions are to respect work better than yours and to keep the noise down for residents in the evening.

€49 for 48 hours or €55 for 72: one entry to every museum and monument in the city, all trams and buses in the historic centre, a guided canal boat trip, a day's bike hire on a €40 refundable deposit and €10 off the Ghent Altarpiece. It only pays if you are doing three or more paid sights.

The van Eyck altarpiece in St Bavo's is what most people come for, but the final restoration phase runs to spring 2027: seven panels in the cathedral are currently high-quality photographic replacements, and the upper register is on view at the Museum of Fine Arts instead. The cathedral itself is open daily except 1 January.

The numbers you can check: Gravensteen €15 adult and free under 12, the Belfry from about €11, De Wereld van Kina €7 for two sites, hostel breakfast €7.50, and beach entry at Blaarmeersen €1 if you book before 9am (€5 after). Two museums plus a boat trip already costs more than half a 48-hour CityCard, so do that sum first.