East Flanders around Ghent offers wheelchair users a particularly dense concentration of contemporary culture: from STAM and S.M.A.K. to Design Museum and the newly renovated De Bijloke. Add the UNESCO Aalst Belfry, the spectacular Utopia Library and the Verbeke Foundation in the Waasland region, and you have a week's worth of quality outings. Below are seven we confidently recommend, spread out geographically.
1. STAM Ghent: city museum with aerial-photo floor
The STAM is the city museum of Ghent, housed in the restored Bijloke Abbey. Fully step-free: all rooms accessible by lift and ramps, accessible toilets on several levels. The iconic aerial-photo floor game that lets you "walk" across Ghent works perfectly from a wheelchair. Closed on Mondays. Combine with De Bijloke next door.
2. S.M.A.K. Ghent: contemporary art
The S.M.A.K. is the most important contemporary art museum in Flanders, set in Citadel Park. Fully step-free, generous spacing between artworks, assistance dogs welcome throughout the museum. The surrounding Citadel Park has flat paved paths — combine with the MSK opposite for a complete day of art.
3. Design Museum Ghent: design through the ages
The Design Museum Gent has been fully step-free since its renovation thanks to a new lift to every floor. Collection ranging from art nouveau and art deco to contemporary product design. Wide corridors, accessible toilet on site. Combine with the Gravensteen or Korenmarkt, 5 minutes' rolling distance away.
4. De Bijloke Music Centre: gothic infirmary as concert hall
Muziekcentrum De Bijloke is a unique concert venue in a medieval infirmary. Main entrance with ramp, dedicated wheelchair spaces in the concert hall with good sightlines and right next to the accessible toilet. Book in advance via the ticket office. Companion goes free on presentation of the European parking card.
5. Aalst Belfry + Utopia Library: UNESCO + modern architecture
Aalst combines the UNESCO World Heritage Aalst Belfry with the spectacular Utopia Library (2018, KAAN Architecten). The belfry tower itself is not wheelchair accessible, but the ground floor is. Utopia is fully step-free with daylight-flooded reading rooms — an architectural highlight in its own right. Combine with our Aalst city trip.
6. Verbeke Foundation Kemzeke: idiosyncratic art across 12 ha
The Verbeke Foundation in the Waasland region is one of Belgium's most idiosyncratic art organisations. Reception, main hall and large halls are step-free; outside, paved and semi-paved paths alternate. Ask at reception for portable ramps for the pavilions with thresholds. Works by Panamarenko, Wim Delvoye and Koen Vanmechelen.
7. Provincial Domain Puyenbroeck: 510 ha of free recreation
Provinciaal Domein Puyenbroeck in Wachtebeke is one of the largest recreation domains in Belgium. Two dedicated wheelchair routes have been mapped out: 2.7 km and 6 km (starting from Car Park 2). Paved paths, accessible toilets and eateries along the routes. Adapted holiday cottages are available to rent.
Bonus: Provincial Domain De Gavers in Geraardsbergen
For a day out to the south: Provinciaal Domein De Gavers in Geraardsbergen has paved every path around the 35 ha lake. Adapted holiday cottages are available to rent for longer accessible stays in the Flemish Ardennes. The Gaversbad swimming complex is separate — phone ahead about the hoist system.
Practical tips for your East Flanders trip
For a full day in Ghent: see our Ghent 1-day city trip pillar.
For Aalst Carnival (UNESCO): accessible stands are available via Visit Aalst — book at least two weeks in advance. See our Aalst city trip blog.
De Lijn trams and buses in central Ghent are low-floor and wheelchair accessible.
Got an East Flemish address that's missing here? Let us know.