Holiday home near Ghent: escaping to the countryside close to the city
Ghent itself is full of hotels and city rooms, but anyone wanting a holiday near Ghent is better off choosing a holiday home in the countryside. The Meetjesland to the north, the Lys Valley to the south offer a completely different atmosphere: forests, polders, waterways and quiet, with Ghent always less than half an hour away. Renting a holiday home around Ghent is ideal for those who want to explore the city but prefer to return each evening to a house with a garden.
Holiday homes around Ghent are found mainly in the Meetjesland (to the north) and the Lys Valley (to the south). Prices range from €80 to €160 per night. Ghent city centre is 20 to 40 minutes by car. Combine countryside peace with a day in Ghent, Bruges or the Lys Valley. Cycling is the best way to explore the area.
The Meetjesland: polders and canals north of Ghent
The Meetjesland is one of the least-known regions of Flanders. Yet it is a special place: an open landscape of polders, canals, willow woods and small villages between Ghent and the Dutch border. Eeklo is the regional capital, but the most beautiful spots lie outside the built-up areas. Cycling along the Ghent-Bruges Canal takes you through a landscape that has barely changed in the last hundred years.
Holiday homes in the Meetjesland are usually quietly situated farmhouses or country houses with a garden. They are popular with families wanting space for children, and with couples looking to escape the city. The Meetjesland has no big tourist attractions, but that is precisely its strength: quiet, nature and authenticity.
The Lys Valley: cycling along the Lys and artist villages
South of Ghent begins the Lys Valley, a landscape made famous around 1900 by the Latem School, a group of Flemish symbolist and expressionist painters who settled in Sint-Martens-Latem. The Lys winds through a gently hilly landscape with willow rows, monasteries and picturesque villages. Sint-Martens-Latem and Deurle are the best-known places. The Dhondt-Dhaenens Museum in Deurle shows changing exhibitions of modern art.
Cycling along the Lys is one of the finest rides in East Flanders. The route from Ghent to Deinze follows the river through varied scenery, past castle gardens and through meadows. A holiday home in the Lys Valley combines art, nature and proximity to Ghent in a way that few other regions in Belgium can offer.
What to do in the Ghent area?
- Day trip to Ghent: Gravensteen, Graslei, Saint Bavo's Cathedral with the Ghent Altarpiece
- Cycling along the Lys from Ghent to Deinze (30 km, flat and family-friendly)
- Ghent-Bruges Canal by bike through the Meetjesland (Ghent-Eeklo, 45 km)
- Dhondt-Dhaenens Museum in Deurle: modern art in a park landscape
- Kayaking on the Lys between Sint-Martens-Latem and Deinze
- Monday market in Eeklo for local produce
- Evening walk along the Graslei and Korenlei in Ghent
Holiday homes in the Ghent area
The range of holiday homes around Ghent is varied. In the Meetjesland you find large farmhouse holiday homes for families and groups, sometimes with their own pond or enclosed garden. In the Lys Valley the houses are smaller and more characterful, more suited to couples and small families combining quiet and culture. Villages such as Deurle, Sint-Martens-Latem, Nevele and Lovendegem are popular bases.
A holiday home around Ghent also works well as a base for day trips to Bruges (40 minutes), the Belgian coast (50 minutes) or the Flemish Ardennes (30 minutes). For those wanting to combine several Flemish cities, the Ghent area offers an excellent central position. Prices are generally lower than in Bruges or on the coast, with more space and privacy for the same budget.
Day trip to Ghent: what not to miss?
If you rent a holiday home around Ghent, a day in the city is unavoidable and well worth it. Ghent is Belgium's third largest city and has a historic centre that is larger and more varied than Bruges. The Gravensteen, the medieval castle in the heart of the city, is a must. The Van Eyck altarpiece 'The Lamb of God' in Saint Bavo's Cathedral is one of the most important works of art in the world.
Beyond the well-known sights, Ghent has a lively food culture. An evening walk along the Graslei and Korenlei, when the illuminated façades are reflected in the Lys, is one of the most beautiful sights in Belgium.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Meetjesland and the Lys Valley?
The Meetjesland is north of Ghent, towards the Dutch border. It is an open polder region with canals, meadows and little tourism. The Lys Valley is south of Ghent, along the Lys towards Kortrijk. The landscape is gentler and hillier, with artistic significance through the Latem School. Both regions are quiet and suitable for holiday homes, but they have a very different atmosphere.
Is a holiday home around Ghent suitable for a city break?
Yes, that is actually the biggest advantage. You are in the countryside but Ghent city centre is 20 to 40 minutes by car. A day in Ghent then returning to your quiet house with garden is more comfortable than a hotel in the city. Bruges and the coast are also easily accessible.
Can you cycle from your holiday home to Ghent?
That depends on where you are staying. From Deurle or Sint-Martens-Latem, Ghent is an 18-kilometre cycle along the Lys, a flat and pleasant route. From the Meetjesland the distance is greater (25 to 40 km). The Lys Valley is the best choice if you want to reach Ghent by bike.
How far is the Belgian coast from the Ghent area?
The Belgian coast is easily reached from the Ghent area. From Ghent city centre, Blankenberge or De Panne is 50 minutes by car. From the Meetjesland (towards Eeklo), the coast is even closer: Blankenberge in 40 minutes. Bruges is 30 minutes from Ghent.