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 8 experiences from female travelers

4.5 /5

Based on our research and crime data

4.1 /5

Based on 26 experiences from local women

Ghent is currently ranked #12 safest place for solo female travelers, with an overall safety rating of 4.8 out of 5. Check the full ranking.

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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 8 experiences from female travelers

Things to do

4.5/5

Safety

4.8/5

Food

4.1/5

Budget-friendly

3.1/5

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

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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

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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

4.1 /5

Based on 26 local experiences

Crime index

1.7 /5

Based on 26 local experiences

Ine

Ghent is very lovely and vibrant city with lots of people around of all ages, gender and cultures. It’s always full of life and things to do. That means that there’s always someone around to help out if it would be necessary.

Posted: January 13, 2025

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I think Ghent is a very safe city to visit when solo traveling. The people here are very friendly and always open to have a chat. Also because it’s a student city, so there are a lot of young people everywhere.

Posted: January 4, 2025

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Meet locals in Ghent

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 I 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

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Kato

About Me

Hey! I lived one year abroad for a language exchange with EF. I loved being in a host family and how the locals made me feel welcome. I would love to meet new souls, get inspiration and have fun with people all over the world with an open-mind. I live in Ghent in a student house where I can’t offer hospitality but in my hometown (Wachtebeke), I can at some times. :) Nice to meet u!