5 Unusual Activities to Do in Ghent
Ghent, the capital of East Flanders, captivates visitors with its remarkably well-preserved medieval center, picturesque canals, and rich historical heritage. But beyond iconic landmarks such as the Castle of the Counts, the Belfry, and St. Bavo’s Cathedral, the city also offers a wealth of unique experiences that allow you to discover it from a completely different perspective.
Whether you’re visiting as a couple, with friends, or as a family, Ghent has plenty of unusual activities that take you off the beaten path. Solve puzzles on an interactive treasure hunt, make your own chocolate from cocoa beans, explore the canals by kayak, battle zombies in virtual reality, or let off steam in a rage room—the opportunities for creating unforgettable memories are endless.
In this article, discover our selection of the best unusual things to do in Ghent and explore the city in a whole new way during your trip to Belgium.
1 – Visit Ghent: Explore the City Differently with the “Ghent Highlights” Treasure Hunt
Would you like to discover Ghent in an original way, away from traditional guided tours? The Ghent Highlights treasure hunt, created by Paris Enigmes, invites you to explore the city’s historic center through an immersive adventure combining puzzles, observation, and cultural discoveries.
Starting from Vrijdagmarkt Square, the app guides you through the medieval streets and canals of one of Belgium’s most beautiful cities. Along the way, you’ll visit Ghent’s most iconic landmarks, including the Castle of the Counts, St. Bavo’s Cathedral, the Belfry, St. Nicholas’ Church, the Old Post Office, and the NTGent Theatre. Every stop is an opportunity to admire architectural details, sculptures, and the many symbols that tell the story of this historic Flemish city.
Throughout the route, you’ll solve puzzles inspired by the monuments around you. Your observation skills and logical thinking will be put to the test as you uncover the key moments that shaped Ghent’s history, from the Golden Age of the textile trade and the powerful merchant guilds to the Counts of Flanders and the masterpieces created by the Van Eyck brothers. It’s an entertaining way to learn while exploring the city.
The experience is entirely self-guided and can be started at any time of day without prior booking. Whether you’re visiting Ghent as a couple, with friends, or as a family, it’s a fun and interactive way to explore the city at your own pace while enjoying its most beautiful landmarks.
This original experience transforms sightseeing into a true urban treasure hunt, perfectly combining history, entertainment, and exploration.
Practical Information
Starting point: Vrijdagmarkt 33, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Duration: Approximately 90 minutes
Price: Free
Minimum age: Suitable for everyone (children can participate with adult supervision)
Team size: 1 to 4 participants per smartphone
What you’ll need: An Android or iPhone smartphone with the Paris Enigmes app installed, plus comfortable walking shoes
Opening hours: Start whenever you like, every day, with no reservation required
2 – Blow Off Steam in a Rage Room Near Ghent
Looking for a unique activity near Ghent to relieve stress in a completely unconventional way? Head to Rage Room Wreck It, where the concept is simple: for several minutes, you can smash, destroy, and demolish dozens of objects in a fully secure environment. It’s an exhilarating and surprisingly satisfying experience to enjoy with friends, your partner, or colleagues.
After putting on full protective gear, you’ll enter a room specially designed for destruction. Glass bottles, dishes, furniture, televisions, electronic devices, and everyday household items are all waiting to be smashed into pieces using hammers, crowbars, or baseball bats—all while listening to the music of your choice.
Several packages are available depending on how much destruction you’re looking for. For a quick stress-relief session, the “Crack a Bottle” package lets you smash dozens of bottles and various objects in around twenty minutes. More comprehensive packages include furniture, electronic devices, or even a flat-screen television to destroy. The “Apocalypse Now” experience offers nearly an hour of non-stop destruction with multiple pieces of furniture and plenty of breakable objects.
Especially popular for birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties, outings with friends, and team-building events, this rage room provides a fun and unusual way to let off steam in a safe and controlled environment. Everything is designed to let you smash without worry and fully enjoy this one-of-a-kind experience.
A unique activity near Ghent that promises plenty of adrenaline and stress relief—perfect if you’re looking for something different from traditional leisure activities.
Practical Information
Location: Verrekijker 10, 8750 Wingene (approximately 30 minutes from Ghent)
Duration: 20 to 60 minutes, depending on the package selected
Price: From €42 per person (packages available up to €185 depending on the experience)
Minimum age: 18 years
Group size: 1 to 10 participants, depending on the package booked
Equipment provided: Full protective gear and demolition tools
Opening hours: By reservation only
3 – Take a Chocolate-Making Workshop in Ghent
No trip to Belgium is complete without tasting its world-famous chocolate—but why not take it one step further by learning how to make it yourself? The workshop offered by Chocolade Ambassade immerses you in more than 5,000 years of cocoa history through a delicious, interactive, and truly unique experience.
Unlike traditional chocolate workshops that begin with melted chocolate, this experience starts with real cocoa beans. You’ll learn how to crack, shell, and grind them by hand, just as the ancient Maya and Aztec civilizations once did. Throughout the workshop, you’ll discover every stage of the transformation from raw cocoa to finished chocolate while exploring its journey to Europe and its evolution into the renowned Belgian chocolate tradition.
Housed in a beautifully preserved 16th-century building just a short walk from the Castle of the Counts, the workshop combines demonstrations, tastings, and hands-on activities. You’ll sample an ancient cocoa drink inspired by a 5,000-year-old recipe, prepare a 17th-century hot chocolate using an authentic historical recipe, and taste several handcrafted pralines from award-winning Belgian chocolatiers before comparing them with the chocolate you’ve made yourself.
At the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with your very own chocolate bar, crafted entirely by hand from bean to bar. Conducted in a small-group setting, this experience offers a fantastic way to discover Belgian culture through one of its most famous specialties while enjoying a far more immersive experience than a simple tasting.
A unique activity in Ghent that’s perfect for chocolate lovers and curious travelers eager to discover Belgian traditions in a fun and authentic way.
Practical Information
Location: Kraanlei 3, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours
Price: €66 per person
Minimum age: 12 years and above
Group size: Small-group workshop (maximum 8 participants)
Language: English
Recommended attire: Comfortable clothing (the workshop can be quite cool)
Opening hours: Friday to Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. (advance booking required)
4 – Explore Ghent by Kayak Along the City’s Canals
Want to admire Ghent from a completely different perspective? Renting a kayak with Kajaks Korenlei is one of the city’s most original ways to explore its historic center. As you paddle along the canals, you’ll discover Ghent’s most beautiful landmarks while enjoying a peaceful journey on the water.
Your adventure begins at Korenlei Quay, at the foot of St. Michael’s Bridge in the heart of the Old Town. After a short briefing and equipment handover, you’ll set off on a self-guided excursion lasting around three hours. The route takes you close to historic façades, medieval quays, and iconic landmarks such as the Castle of the Counts, offering viewpoints that are impossible to enjoy from the streets.
Suitable even for complete beginners, no previous kayaking experience is required. Double kayaks are the most common option, making this an ideal activity for couples, friends, or families. Throughout the journey, you can paddle at your own pace while enjoying a peaceful atmosphere far removed from the bustling shopping streets. At sunset, the reflections of Ghent’s historic buildings on the canals create an especially beautiful setting.
Exploring Ghent by kayak is a fantastic way to rediscover the city’s heritage while enjoying a gentle outdoor activity. It’s also a unique opportunity to admire its remarkable medieval architecture from the water and appreciate the city from an entirely new perspective.
A memorable experience combining relaxation, sightseeing, and adventure—perfect for discovering Ghent in a different way during a weekend getaway or a trip to Belgium.
Practical Information
Starting point: Hostel Uppelink, Sint-Michielsplein 21, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Duration: 3-hour rental
Price: €39 for a double kayak • €29 for a single kayak
Minimum age: From 5 years old (children must be accompanied by an adult)
Group size: Mainly double kayaks available (groups of up to 11 people)
Equipment provided: Kayak, paddles, life jackets, and a waterproof bag for valuables
Opening hours: Open every day of the year (weather permitting), with departures every 30 minutes by reservation
5 – Immerse Yourself in a Virtual Reality Adventure at Zero Latency VR Ghent
Looking for a unique activity in Ghent to enjoy with friends, family, or colleagues? Zero Latency VR Ghent offers an immersive free-roam virtual reality experience where you can physically move through a large arena without cables or backpacks. It’s a spectacular adventure that blurs the line between the real world and the virtual one.
After a briefing from the on-site team, you’ll put on a state-of-the-art VR headset and controller before entering an arena where every movement you make is tracked in real time within the game. Walk freely, explore immersive environments, work together with your teammates, and interact with your surroundings for an experience that’s far more realistic than traditional virtual reality.
Several game scenarios are available depending on your preferences. Battle hordes of zombies, embark on science-fiction adventures, explore fantasy worlds, or tackle cooperative missions where communication and strategy are essential to success. Every session turns participants into the heroes of their own action-packed adventure.
Even if you’ve never tried virtual reality before, the experience is designed to be accessible to everyone. Friendly staff guide you throughout the session and help you get comfortable with the equipment. Thanks to its completely free-roaming system, Zero Latency delivers a truly unique level of immersion that appeals to both gaming enthusiasts and groups looking for an original activity in Ghent.
A futuristic and immersive adventure that’s perfect for enjoying an unforgettable experience during your stay in Ghent.
Practical Information
Location: Zero Latency VR Ghent (address provided upon booking)
Duration: Approximately 45 to 60 minutes (including briefing)
Price: Varies depending on the chosen scenario and the number of participants
Minimum age: Varies by experience (generally from 10 to 12 years old)
Group size: Group experience, ideal for friends, families, or team-building events
Equipment provided: Virtual reality headset, controller, and all required equipment
Opening hours: By reservation only, subject to availability
Conclusion
Ghent is much more than its historic landmarks and famous canals. The city also offers a wide range of unusual experiences that allow you to discover it in a more playful, immersive, or delicious way. Whether you’d like to solve puzzles in the heart of the Old Town, craft your own Belgian chocolate, paddle along the canals, dive into a virtual reality adventure, or let off steam in a rage room, you’ll find an original activity to match your interests.
These experiences not only provide a different way to explore Ghent but also help create unforgettable memories during a weekend getaway or a holiday in Belgium. Be sure to book your activities in advance—especially during school holidays and the summer season—to make the most of your visit.
Do you know of any other unusual things to do in Ghent that deserve a place on this list? Share your recommendations in the comments and help future travelers discover the hidden gems of this beautiful Flemish city.
