Pet-Friendly Parks in Ghent

Ghent's main city park, adjacent to the SMAK (Museum of Contemporary Art) and the Museum of Fine Arts. Citadelpark is beloved by dog owners — there is a designated off-leash dog run near the south entrance, and the open lawns and tree-lined paths are perfect for on-leash walks. The park has a playground, ponds, and a café. A central and convenient green space for visitors staying anywhere in the south of the city.

A remarkable 230-hectare nature reserve on the western edge of Ghent — meadows, ponds, and willow forests crossed by well-maintained walking paths. Dogs are allowed on leash on marked paths. The reserve is home to a huge variety of birds and the landscape is dramatically different from the urban centre. A 20-minute bike ride or tram from the city centre.

Not a park but an essential Ghent dog walk — the canal towpaths running from Gravensteen Castle through the medieval centre and out along the Leie river. The towpaths are flat, mostly quiet, and dogs on leash are entirely at home here. The views of the medieval towers, Gravensteen, and the guild houses are spectacular. A 2–3 km loop is easily done in an hour.

A large recreational park west of the city centre, with a lake, walking and cycling paths, and large open grassy areas. Dogs on leash are welcome throughout and there is an informal dog-friendly grassy area where local owners let dogs run. The scale of the park — much larger than Citadelpark — makes it perfect for longer walks. Popular with local families and dogs on weekends.