The medieval city of Ghent in Belgium is well known for its historical architecture with beautiful old churches, two castles and the historical port with UNESCO World Heritage -listed beguinages. In addition to historical sights and museums, Ghent also has a rich cultural life with large festivals and art galleries, as well as many lovely restaurants and pubs. Thanks to the largest car-free city center in Belgium, Ghent is a good place for walking and bicycling.
Charming Medieval city called Gent in Dutch and Gand in French, Ghent is located in the northern Belgium, at the confluence of Scheldt and Lys Rivers. It is the capital of the dutch-speaking East Flanders province and a lively port and university town. Having been inhabited since the Stone Age, the city of Ghent grew around the two 7th century abbeys and a marketplace. Flourishing between the 11th and 13th centuries because of wool industry, Ghent was once one of the biggest cities as well as the first industrial area in Europe. Textile industry made the city flourish again in the 18th and 19th century. Today, Ghent is a wealthy and tolerant city with many foreign residents as well as plenty of tourism during the summer months.
Cultural & culinary attractions. There are many impressive museums in Ghent, including a major Museum of Modern Art and a museum of folklore. A variety of sightseeing tours are available in Ghent, including guided walking and boat tours. Traditional pubs, shops and fine restaurants in the city attract visitors as well. Ghent hosts a number of popular festivals, including the 10-day Ghent Fests street festival with as many as 2 million visitors every year, as well as an international film festival. Biking in Ghent is pleasant and popular.
Charming Medieval city called Gent in Dutch and Gand in French, Ghent is located in the northern Belgium, at the confluence of Scheldt and Lys Rivers. It is the capital of the dutch-speaking East Flanders province and a lively port and university town. Having been inhabited since the Stone Age, the city of Ghent grew around the two 7th century abbeys and a marketplace. Flourishing between the 11th and 13th centuries because of wool industry, Ghent was once one of the biggest cities as well as the first industrial area in Europe. Textile industry made the city flourish again in the 18th and 19th century. Today, Ghent is a wealthy and tolerant city with many foreign residents as well as plenty of tourism during the summer months.
Sights and activities in Ghent: historical attractions, museums, pubs & festivals
Ghent is famous for its well preserved medieval architecture. The historical city center hosts a great variety of interesting historical sights, and is also the largest car-free area in Belgium. Outside the medieval core area, there are also many beautiful 18th and 19th century buildings. The three towers of Ghent: the Cathedral of St. Bavo, the church of St. Nicholas and the city Belfry are all popular attractions, and Ghent’s historical port area, Graslei has three beguinages and an old cloth hall, all recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. There are also two castles in Ghent: Gravensteen and Gerard de Duivelsteen, as well as several historical theaters.Cultural & culinary attractions. There are many impressive museums in Ghent, including a major Museum of Modern Art and a museum of folklore. A variety of sightseeing tours are available in Ghent, including guided walking and boat tours. Traditional pubs, shops and fine restaurants in the city attract visitors as well. Ghent hosts a number of popular festivals, including the 10-day Ghent Fests street festival with as many as 2 million visitors every year, as well as an international film festival. Biking in Ghent is pleasant and popular.
Ghent travel information and practical tips
Ghent has a typical West European climate with four seasons and a plenty of rain.
Photo: nonstopflights, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
The winters from December to March are chilly and damp, while the summers from June to September are warm. Springtime from April to May is also a good time to visit Ghent. The local weather is highly unpredictable, so plan accordingly.
How to get there. There is no airport in the city, but travelling to Ghent is very easy by train or bus from nearby bigger cities. There are frequent and comfortable trains to Ghent from for example Brussels, Antwerp, Lille and Paris, and buses from all over Europe. The city is also easy to reach by car.
Local transportation. The city center in Ghent is small enough to be explored by walking, and offers nice places for shopping in Ghent. Bicycling is also pleasant in the city, and public transport is available in form of buses and trams. There are taxis as well as free night buses on Friday and Saturday nights. Bicycles are available for rent, and car rental in Ghent is also possible for trips around Belgium.
Services & safety. There are many nice hotels in Ghent to choose from, and cheaper accommodation options such as hostels are also available. Restaurants in Ghent serve both delicious local cuisine and international favorites. There are also plenty of interesting shops, pubs and nightlife in Ghent to enjoy. Ghent is a safe city with little crime problems, and the local people can usually speak English as well as French and German.
hint See also these nearby destinations: Bruges, Brussels, Antwerp, Rotterdam, The Hague, Leiden
