An Accessible Day Out in Ghent

This article was written by Cindy in December 2024, the information was double checked in August 2026.

Hello WheelTribe community! I would like to introduce you to a fascinating new destination: Ghent, in Belgium. In December 2024, I had the pleasure of visiting Ghent with Erik and Eleonora. Let me give you a quick introduction to our group: Eleonora is the founder of WheelTribe, Erik is a Belgian friend who lives in Brussels and knows the history and culture of the country very well, and also from the perspective of a wheelchair user, and I am Cindy, the founder of Travel Hand (opens in a new tab), from Aix en Provence, France .

As our local guide for the day, Erik had thoughtfully prepared an itinerary for all of us, ensuring we would make the most of our time in Ghent! Our journey began in Brussels, where we boarded a train to Ghent. Erik booked online the assistance service: the Belgian railway system requires this at least 3 hours in advance, but it's better to do it earlier, just to be sure. You need to arrive 45 minutes before the train leaves, so that you can receive assistance with boarding using a ramp.

So we made sure to arrive early, allowing us plenty of time to get the assistance we needed without feeling rushed.

Limerick Café and Bookstore

Once we arrived in Ghent, with the cold weather setting in, we made our first stop at Limerick, a cozy café bookstore. It was the perfect place to warm up with a homemade pastry and a hot drink. Surrounded by books and the café's inviting atmosphere, it was a wonderful way to kick off our exploration of the city. The Limerick café (opens in a new tab) is wheelchair accessible, although the door may be a bit narrow for some wheelchairs. However, it is important to note that the restroom is not wheelchair accessible and only the first part of the shop is actually accessible, as there is a big table full of beautiful books - but that does not leave enough space to access the rest of the bookstore. But it's so cute, it's really worth a visit.

The Prinsenhof

We began by visiting the Prinsenhof area, where, among other things, Charles V was born. In the Prinsenhof there is a statue, called De Stroppendrager (the Noose Bearer), to commemorate the many Ghent dignitaries that were persecuted after rebelling against Charles V. This was a meaningful stop, where we took our time to look at the statue and reflect on its history. Nearby, we also explored some remnants of Ghent’s past, which gave us a deeper appreciation for the city’s heritage. During our exploration of the Prinsenhof, we had the chance to visit a building site where some archaeological remains were discovered. We were lucky enough to meet a group of archaeologists who invited us to take a closer look at the findings. It was an unexpected experience, but a really nice one !

We continued strolling through the streets of Ghent. The city has cobblestone in various parts, but all in all paths were pretty easy to navigate, with also smooth pavements and ramps, which made the experience pleasant. The streets themselves have a uniquely Belgian character, full of history and charm, most of the main routes are designed with accessibility in mind. Along the way, we passed by the Castle of the Counts, a stunning medieval fortress. Although we didn’t go inside, the sight of the castle gave us a glimpse of the city’s rich past. Further along, we stopped to admire the Belfry of Ghent, an iconic UNESCO World Heritage site. The belfry stands out as one of the symbols of the city, and we took a few moments to enjoy its imposing presence, but did not visit inside.

Foodie stop at Tierenteyn-Verlent

Later, we made a stop at Tierenteyn-Verlent (opens in a new tab) a small shop known for its mustard, pickles, and other artisanal products. The shop, which dates back to 1860, was made wheelchair accessible. Although there is a step at the entrance, the owners have a movable ramp that allows wheelchair users to enter easily, you just need to ask ! Inside, the shop seller took the time to explain their products and show us how everything was made. We were fascinated by the enormous mustard jar from which they served fresh mustard based on customer preferences. We left with several jars, including convenient travel sizes perfect for flights. I definitely advise you to stop there to taste this homemade mustard !!!

Afterwards, we took a break at a bar on Korenmarkt, where we enjoyed a Belgian beer and rested for a while. We stayed in the outside terrace because there was a step to go in, but also it was nice and heated and this lively square offered a great view of the surrounding historic buildings.

Our next stop was Saint Nicholas Church, an accessible Gothic church. The entire church, including all floors, is wheelchair accessible via a lift, making it easy to explore. The church itself is beautiful ! While there, we had the chance to see the famous painting The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb by the Van Eyck brothers. The level of detail in the painting was truly remarkable, and it made this visit one of the highlights of our day. There is also a curious story behind the Mystic Lamb : it was stolen by the Nazis during World War II and later recovered by the "Monuments Men".

As evening approached, our last stop before heading back to Brussels was dinner at Café Parti, a Belgian-Mediterraneas-Fusion style restaurant located right across from the train station. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible, except for the restroom, which isn’t wheelchair friendly.

What score do we give Ghent, then?

Ghent is definitely a must-do if you are staying in Belgium. It offers a wonderful mix of history, accessibility, and welcoming experiences, making it easy for everyone to enjoy. Our visit was truly enjoyable and I definitely advise you to discover this beautiful city !