Arriving at the Ghent Belfry base without knowing the elevator only starts from the first floor leaves many visitors exhausted before the real climb even begins. Securing your tickets online saves you from the notoriously slow booth queues, giving you immediate access to the 350 steps ahead.
- Entrance Fee: €13 adults (Free with CityCard)
- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (last ticket at 5:20 PM); July-August until 8:00 PM
- Stair Count: 350 steps
- Elevator: Available from the first floor only
- Location: Emile Braunplein, historic city center
How Much is the Entrance Fee for the Ghent Belfry?
Standard adult tickets cost €13 in 2026. Youth between 19 and 25 pay €6.50, teens between 13 and 18 pay €2.60, and children under 12 enter free. Waiting to buy at the physical desk eats into your sightseeing time, so booking online is worth the few extra minutes.
Holders of the CityCard Gent bypass the reservation system entirely and walk right in, just scan your card at the reception area. The tower runs extended hours during summer, staying open until 8:00 PM in July and August, with last admission at 7:20 PM. Outside those months, regular hours cap the last ticket at 5:20 PM. Booking your slot beforehand also ensures you do not miss the carillonneur playing live every Sunday morning.
Inside the Tower: Stairs vs. Elevator Experience
The promise of an elevator tricks many tourists into thinking the belfry offers an effortless ascent. The reality involves climbing a steep, narrow spiral stone staircase just to reach the first floor where the lift actually begins. The elevator skips the middle sections but drops you off just below the final viewing deck.
You still need to climb the last set of wooden stairs to reach the absolute top. A practical tip many visitors share: take the elevator going up and use the stairs on the way down. The stone walls feel incredibly cold, and the passages are too tight for two people to pass comfortably. Visitors with severe mobility issues unfortunately cannot access the upper levels.
The viewing gallery at the top is narrow enough that lingering for photos blocks other visitors. Move around the full perimeter to let people pass, and time your visit to coincide with a bell-striking hour to watch the carillon mechanism in action from just below.
Best Time to Climb for Panoramic City Views
Climbing the tower right at the 10:00 AM opening time gives you an unobstructed view of St. Bavo's Cathedral without the harsh midday glare ruining your photographs. The afternoon sun washes out the eastern skyline, making early morning or late afternoon the absolute optimal windows for photography.
The outdoor viewing gallery runs completely around the spire. The wind up there feels shockingly strong even on warm days. Bring a light jacket to comfortably enjoy the view over the historic center.
The Dragon, Roland Bell, and the Mammelokker Legend
A massive copper dragon has guarded the city privileges locked in the belfry safe since 1377. This fire-breathing symbol sits perfectly visible at the very peak of the spire. Inside the lower floors, you come face to face with the original Roland bell, the massive alarm that once warned citizens of approaching fires and enemies.
Before you leave, check the small building wedged between the Belfry and the Cloth Hall. The relief sculpture above the door illustrates the Mammelokker legend, a strange Roman tale of a starving prisoner kept alive by his breastfeeding daughter.
How to Get to the Belfry in Ghent's Historic Center
The tower stands directly between St. Nicholas' Church and St. Bavo's Cathedral, forming the famous three-tower skyline. Take Tram 1 or Tram 4 and get off at the Korenmarkt stop. From there, you just walk two minutes straight down the main pedestrian boulevard. Driving into the historic center results in heavy fines due to the strict low-emission zone. Park your car at the P+R facilities on the outskirts and use the extremely efficient public transit to reach the base of the tower.
