Is Ghent Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Ghent is generally a safe city to visit, even for solo female travelers. The crime rate is low, and most visits are trouble-free. It's a friendly place where locals are often willing to help tourists in need. It is always advisable, however, to take some basic precautions like avoiding less crowded areas late at night and keeping your personal belongings secure at all times.

Safety rating

4.8 /5

Based on 9 experiences from female travelers

4.5 /5

Based on our research and crime data

4.2 /5

Based on 32 experiences from local women

Ghent is currently ranked #9 safest place for solo female travelers, with an overall safety rating of 4.8 out of 5. Check the full ranking.

Travel and Meet new People

Get the Travel Ladies app to meet new people, find travel buddies and stay with local women for free through hospitality exchange.

How safe is Ghent?

Safety at night:Safe

Ghent is generally a safe city, even at night. It is well lit and often bustling with all the students who live there. Public transportation ceases around midnight but taxis are readily available. Like anywhere else, it's suggested to avoid dimly-lit and less populated areas and always be mindful of your surroundings. Keep an eye on your belongings and avoid displaying expensive items, as pickpocketing can occur in crowded areas. As a solo female traveler, you should feel quite safe for most of your excursions, however, always trust your intuition.

Public transportation:Safe

Public transportation in Ghent is quite reliable and generally safe. City trams and buses are efficient and conveniently mapped. Nonetheless, it's advisable to stay vigilant, especially at night, and always be aware of your belongings. Traveling during peak hours ensures more company which can also add an additional sense of security.

Street harassment:Very low

Ghent is known for its peacefulness and respect towards women. Street harassment is quite rare, instances of catcalling or inappropriate behavior are not common. Most importantly, the locals are friendly, and the authorities are very responsive, which makes Ghent a safe city for solo female travelers.

Petty crimes:Low

Ghent usually exhibits low levels of petty crime. Most of the incidents include pickpocketing or purse snatching, particularly in crowded areas and tourist hotspots. It's always important to keep an eye on your valuables, but generally, the city is considered quite safe.

Is Ghent worth visiting?

Overall rating

4.4 /5

based on 9 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.4/5

Safety

4.8/5

Food

3.9/5

Budget-friendly

3.1/5

Family travel

Ghent is a really nice and historic city to visit. I do think around 3 days in Ghent will be enough to explore the city. The atmosphere was nice and friendly, we felt very safe. You can take a really nice boat tour, during this a guide will tell you all about the city’s history. Also nice museums are around, like the ‘museum voor schone kunsten’. You will also find some nice bars and pubs.

Posted: March 7, 2025

favorite_border 0

mode_comment 0

Gabriela

Brazil

Solo travel

I spent 4 months in Ghent as an exchange student and it was the best experience of my life!! I stayed with a great hostess, made lots of friends, saw beautiful places and had an amazing time. As a woman I never feel unsafe, and was always treated with respect even though I do not speak Flemish. Would totally recommend visiting for at least 2 days so you can see everything in that beautiful city.

Posted: January 4, 2025Experienced: August, 2024

favorite_border 0

mode_comment 0

Group travel

Small, cozy place, felt super safe, nice bike infrastructure and amazing nature, the city centre is gorgeous, the beer is delicious! Public transport is safe and convenient, museums are very interesting. Not so many tourists as it isn’t the most touristy place.

Posted: December 26, 2024

favorite_border 1

mode_comment 0

Solo travel

Ghent is an amazing city to go to as a woman. It's very safe, many cool things to do and very open-minded. You can easily walk alone at night and ask for help in any bar or club if you are feeling unsafe. The prices are a bit high, but you can find some nice budget places such as Panos or other chains.

Posted: August 15, 2023Experienced: June, 2023

favorite_border 0

mode_comment 0

Solo travel

To be done: - Enter the historical center - Stroll around (St. Michael's Bridge, Patershol, Gravensteen Castle, Graslei, Korenlei) - Lunch on the waterfront at Delerium Bruges - Walk around the historical center (The Markt and Belfry, Burg Square and Town Hall, Rozenhoedkaai) - Climb up the Belfry to admire the beautiful view - Boat trip on the canal (stunning!) - Shopping

Posted: November 5, 2022

favorite_border 60

mode_comment 0

Solo travel

To Do: - Cross the St. Michael's Bridge - Take a walk around Graslei and Korenlei - Go on a canal tour - Visit Gravensteen Castle - Climb the Belfort Tower Safety: Ghent is a very safe city. There's nothing to worry about. Recommendations: Ghent is a cool city and definitely worth visiting! I highly recommend a day trip there.

Posted: September 16, 2022

favorite_border 74

mode_comment 0

Solo travel

Things to do: - Go on a boat trip - Visit Castle Hrabia - Visit the Bell Tower - Visit Graffiti Street Safety: This is as safe as anywhere else in Europe. Recommendations: Ghent is cool, I spent the whole day walking.

Posted: September 9, 2022

favorite_border 62

mode_comment 0

Solo travel

To do: - Gravensteen - Cathedral of Saint Bavo - SMAK - Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art - Museum of Fine Arts - Church of Saint Nicholas - Design Museum Gent - Graslei - STAM - City Museum of Ghent - Saint Michael's Bridge Safety: Ghent is a wonderful place to visit and is as safe as it can be in Europe. Recommendations: Ghent is also a charming city and can be visited during a day trip.

Posted: September 2, 2022

favorite_border 74

mode_comment 0

Is Ghent safe for women?

Safety index

4.2 /5

Based on 32 local experiences

Crime index

1.7 /5

Based on 32 local experiences

Nicol

Ghent is a very safe space! Very open for lgbtq+ community and also as a woman u can feel safe alone on the street. The whole Belgiul is a very safe country. You can feel welcome and we are looking forward to meet up with you! :-)

Posted: March 13, 2025

favorite_border 0

mode_comment 0

Lena

Ghent is a really energetic and normally safe city. There are a lot of cozy cafes, shops... It's a student city, so the city is alive at night. You also have a lot of little and bigger parks in and around the city, to relax, play some games... these parks are the nicest in the summer.

Posted: February 28, 2025

favorite_border 0

mode_comment 0

Check all reviews

Meet locals in Ghent

Nisa

About Me

I am a teacher and I love being social, traveling and drawing. I enjoy meeting new friends.

Speaking

mode_comment 0

Isis

About Me

Hi! I'm a busy student at the University of Ghent. Animals are my passion, more specifically horses. I enjoy loads of little projects and social activities. As a board member of a student organisation, I love to spend my evenings with friends in the city, doing activities or organising them. My hobbies and interests are very broad, from caring for my horse, to poledancing or ballroom dancing, to crocheting or reading a book (these last two are less prominent these days due to my busy schedule unfortunately). Travelling has always had a special place in my heart, I work hard throughout the year to finance my little trips with friends. More than 5 months spent without travelling makes me go crazy!🤪 Italy has a very special place in my heart and tends to be my go-to destination when I need an escape from daily life in Ghent!

Speaking

mode_comment 0

Stay with locals in Ghent

Isis

Ghent

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Speaking

mode_comment 0

Melissa

Ghent

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hey I’m Melissa, 19yo, and I’m a full time math-student in Belgium, Ghent. I currently live in Dendermonde by my parents, but I have a small apartment in Ghent with my boyfriend(Arend21yo). I really want to offer a hospitality place for females who travel around the world. If you need a place, it is best to arrive and leave in the week (not in the weekend because that is when I live in Dendermonde) Hit me up!