Ghent

Ghent gives you the medieval-canal magic of Bruges without the price tag, thanks to a big student population that keeps food and drink noticeably cheaper. The whole historic core is a free open-air museum: wander the Graslei and Korenlei quays past their row of guild houses, then climb the steps of St Michael’s Bridge for the postcard view of the city’s three towers at no cost. Saint Bavo’s Cathedral is free to enter (only the Ghent Altarpiece room needs a paid ticket), and the moated Gravensteen castle looks just as dramatic from the street outside as it does from within. The compact center is flat and walkable, so you can skip transit entirely, and the city’s bars and frietkot stalls reward budget eaters. Use Ghent as a base for cheap day trips to Bruges, Antwerp, or Brussels, all a short train ride away. Spring and autumn bring the mildest weather and the thinnest crowds, so aim for the shoulder season for the best value.