St. Nicholas’ Church (Sint-Niklaaskerk)
Cataloniëstraat, Ghent, Flanders, 9000
No tour of Ghent architectural landmarks is complete without stopping at St. Nicholas’ Church (Sint-Niklaaskerk). With spiky spires reaching over Ghent, it’s a hard-to-miss church, which is intentional as it was built to signal the city’s wealth to rival trading cities of Bruges and Antwerp. The inside is equally beautiful with its baroque high altar and stained-glass windows.
The basics
Many visitors stop in while exploring the historic center on foot. See the frescoes and flying buttresses on a 20-minute visit or linger to learn about the landmark’s architecture and history. The free church is a popular stop on sightseeing tours of Ghent, day trips to Ghent from Brussels, and tours that combine history and a canal boat ride. You can also admire the architecture from a nearby café over a coffee or Belgian beer.
Things to know before you go
This church is free and open to the public but has limited opening hours; confirm before visiting.
Cover your shoulders when you visit as a sign of respect for this place of worship.
The city of Ghent offers an online accessibility brochure with detailed information on wheelchair and stroller access; it's designated accessible with assistance.
How to get there
St. Nicholas’ Church is located at Korenmarkt, in the heart of Ghent’s historic center, near other popular landmarks like Graslei and Korenlei. It is easily accessible by public transportation; nearby stops include Gent Korenmarkt perron 3 and Gent Korrenmarkt perron 5. Parking is available at Sint-Michiels. A bike-share program with plentiful stations provides another way to get around the city.
When to get there
The most popular time of year to visit Ghent is June through October, when temperatures are pleasant, and the historic center buzzes with activity from outdoor cafés. Seeing the church glowing by night is a special experience, and many visitors walk by in the evening to check out the views.
Canal boat rides in Ghent
Get a fresh perspective on Ghent by joining a scenic boat ride on the canal. Admire views (and reflections!) of gabled houses and learn about the history of this Belgian city on a guided boat tour. Learn about architecture, art, and food culture on tours that offer views of popular Ghent landmarks, including St. Michael’s Bridge.
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