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

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How safe is Ghent?

Safety at night:

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:

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:

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:

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

4.2 /5

based on 6 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.6/5

Safety

4.7/5

Food

4.6/5

Budget-friendly

3.3/5

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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Is Ghent safe for women?

Safety index

3.8 /5

Based on 16 local experiences

Crime index

1.4 /5

Based on 16 local experiences

Ghent is a safe city. I am a young girl and I don't feel like I need to be scared of something. Maybe, for tourists, if you want to bike, it is good to try it in advance since everyone in Ghent is used to it and there are some metro tracks which can be dangerous

Posted: September 3, 2024
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Very safe town, even at night. There are certain places you want to avoid at night (for example the Citadel park and maybe the area around Rabot) but overall, there is not a lot of crime happening here

Posted: August 18, 2024
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Meet locals in Ghent

Laure

Laure

About Me

Spontaneous, easy-going, enthusiastic, sensitive, curious, lust for life

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Stay with locals in Ghent

Annalise

Annalise

Ghent

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hi, my pronouns are they/she. I'm into all sorts of things really. Let's meet up!

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Safety in Belgium