Saint Bavo's Cathedral & the Ghent Altarpiece: Tickets & CityCard Gent Discount
30 min (cathedral only) to 60 min (with Ghent Altarpiece tour)
Gothic Cathedral & Renaissance Altarpiece
Present Gothic structure built 14th-16th centuries; Ghent Altarpiece completed 1432
Sint-Baafsplein, 9000 Gent, Belgium
Planning to visit Saint Bavo's Cathedral (Ghent Altarpiece)?
Compare ticket and city-pass options for this attraction.
Practical Visitor Info & Tips
€0.00
€8 (Kids Tour, under 12)
Cathedral: Monday-Saturday roughly 8:30am-5:30pm, Sunday from 1pm-5:30pm. Ghent Altarpiece visitor centre: Monday-Saturday roughly 10am-5pm, Sunday from 1pm-5pm — hours differ between the cathedral and the visitor centre, so check both before visiting.
No reservation required for free general cathedral entry. Online advance booking is recommended for the Ghent Altarpiece visitor centre, especially in peak season, via the cathedral's own ticketing site. The cathedral and the visitor centre keep different opening hours, especially on Sundays.
Free walk-in access to the Gothic cathedral's nave, chapels, baroque high altar, and Rococo pulpit. A separate ticket at the dedicated visitor centre is required to view the Ghent Altarpiece (the Mystic Lamb) by Jan and Hubert van Eyck, displayed in the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament.
| Option | Price | Booking | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cathedral entry (general) | Free | No ticket needed, walk-in during opening hours | |
| Ghent Altarpiece — Lam Gods Only (25 min) | €12.50 | On-site or online via the cathedral's ticketing site | |
| Ghent Altarpiece — Standard Tour (60 min) | €16 | On-site or online via the cathedral's ticketing site | |
| Ghent Altarpiece — Kids Tour, child under 12 | €8 | On-site or online via the cathedral's ticketing site | |
| With CityCard Gent | €10 off the Altarpiece ticket | Show your card when purchasing the Altarpiece ticket |
Book tours & tickets
SponsoredProvided by our commercial partner GetYourGuide — bookings made through this section may earn LocalExperiences a commission. See our Editorial Transparency page.
Ticket Options
€0.00
Check whether a city pass already covers this attraction before buying separately.
See pass compatibility below ↓Overview & History
Saint Bavo's Cathedral is one of Ghent's three landmark towers and the city's principal church, its Gothic nave, chapels, baroque high altar, and Rococo pulpit free to visit at any time. Its most famous treasure, the Ghent Altarpiece (also called the Mystic Lamb) by Jan and Hubert van Eyck, is a separate, ticketed experience through a dedicated visitor centre next to the cathedral. Completed in 1432 and displayed in the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament, the altarpiece is considered one of the most important works in the history of Western painting.
What to See: Top Highlights
The Ghent Altarpiece (Mystic Lamb)
Jan and Hubert van Eyck's 1432 masterpiece, viewed via a separate ticket through the dedicated visitor centre.
The Free Gothic Nave
Walk the cathedral's nave, chapels, baroque high altar, and Rococo pulpit at no charge, any time it's open.
The Crypt
One of the oldest parts of the building, with Romanesque origins beneath the later Gothic structure.
One of Ghent's Three Towers
Alongside the Belfry and St. Nicholas' Church, the cathedral's tower forms part of Ghent's iconic three-spire skyline.
Which is the Best City Pass for Ghent?
We analyze prices, ticket options, and transport deals for Ghent.
Location & Google Maps
Does CityCard Gent Include the Ghent Altarpiece?
Compare Ghent PassesNot for free — CityCard Gent gives a confirmed €10 discount on the Ghent Altarpiece visitor-centre ticket, but does not include it outright. General cathedral entry is already free for everyone, with or without any pass.
CityCard Gent
Discounted. €10 off the Ghent Altarpiece visitor-centre ticket ticket. Visit Gent's own CityCard Gent page states the card gives a EUR 10 discount on the Ghent Altarpiece specifically — not free entry. The cathedral's own nave is already free to everyone regardless of any pass.
Data Provenance
Book tours & tickets
SponsoredProvided by our commercial partner GetYourGuide — bookings made through this section may earn LocalExperiences a commission. See our Editorial Transparency page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Saint Bavo's Cathedral free to visit?
Does CityCard Gent include the Ghent Altarpiece?
How much does the Ghent Altarpiece cost?
Do the cathedral and the Ghent Altarpiece visitor centre keep the same hours?
Nearby & Related Attractions
Is a City Pass Worth It in Ghent?
Compare pass options, prices, ticket entry rules, and transportation.
View Ghent Pass Comparison