‘The historic heart of Flanders’, ‘a city of all ages’, ‘Mediaeval Manhattan’ and ‘Europe’s best-kept secret’: the nicknames Ghent has collected over the years are as colourful as the city itself. Walk through the centre of Ghent and you will immediately see why it has won so many tourism prizes and earned so much international acclaim.
Ghent is a historical city in the northern part of Belgium with 270.000 inhabitants and 74.000 students. The city is right in the centre of Europe: half an hour from Brussels and three hours from Paris, London and Amsterdam. It is a cultural and green city where friendly, welcoming people love the good life. As the newspaper the Observer described it: “Ghent should rank as the most surprising city in Flanders, combining beauty and culture with creativity, cutting edge design and a vibrant restaurant and nightlife scene.”
Opening picture: https://www.flickr.com/photos/visit_gent/28795269268/in/album-72157660863483674/ > GHENT TOWN HALL
Ecotourism: pure Ghent
Cities are doing more and more to limit their impact on the environment. In Ghent, ecotourism isn’t just a fashion: it’s a way of life. Ghent is committed to the environment. Ghent has been proclaimed a vegetarian capital and has the largest low-traffic pedestrian zone in Europe. So experiencing Ghent on a bike is a really good idea: the city loves cyclists and cyclists love the city. Ghent is a manageable size and the sights are easy to find, even on foot.
With bus and tram you can reach any part of the city quickly and easily (even on weekend evenings) and taxis are also readily available.
Picture https://www.flickr.com/photos/visit_gent/32526552353/in/album-72157677415428773/ > ENJOY THE GREEN CITY BY BIKE
Fairy-tale culture with worldwide fame
If you have never experienced an overnight stay in Ghent, you have never really experienced the city. Ghent shines day and night. When night falls, Ghent is transformed. Discover the fairy-tale lighting that bathes all of Ghent’s architectural gems in beautiful light. Walk through a magical, sparkling city until midnight. Every three years, Ghent is set ablaze with lights during the free Ghent Light Festival, with exciting light art by national and international artists.
Picture https://www.flickr.com/photos/visit_gent/32670371490/in/album-72157677070949524/ >
Ghent is a little bit Chinese too
More than 650 Chinese live in Ghent and the University hosts 400 students (mainly PhD). Ghent has a partner relation with two Chinese cities: Weihai (since 2013) and Taizhou (2018). The Geely Holding is active in the Volvo plant in the port of Ghent, one of the biggest empoyers in the region. And this year, Ghent hosted the Belgian Chinese New Year Parade, together with the Chinese Embassy in Belgium.
The Ghent Festivities, a party for the people
Have you ever experienced a real party for the people? Come to the Ghent Festivities, held every year in July. The Festivities are the top event in Ghent, taking over the entire city centre for ten days. Get ready for 765,000m² of party mayhem. After 200 years, the Ghent Festivities have grown into one of the biggest cultural festivals in Europe, with national and international artists, free music on more than ten squares, fun for kids at various places around the city and hundreds of indoor and outdoor activities.
Picture https://www.flickr.com/photos/visit_gent/33040242011/in/album-72157678991821601/ > GHENT FESTIVITIES
Stretch your sea legs
Tired of travelling or partying? Come to the historic centre. It is like the song of the Lorelei. The beauty of the Graslei in Ghent brings everyone and everything to a standstill. This is the place where beautiful façades are reflected in the River Lys. Tourists and residents alike relax on either side of the water, whether dangling their legs over the quay, or sitting comfortably at a café terrace.
The two rivers in Ghent are the reason the city exists. Ships have been docking at the Graslei since the 11th century. The view of Ghent from the water is absolutely charming. Take a boat ride
during your city break or weekend trip. There are various boat tours organised on the rivers and canals in Ghent and the green outskirts.
Picture https://www.flickr.com/photos/visit_gent/32322170254/in/album-72157680867873675/ > GRASLEI AND KORENLEI
Bring your children along!
Ghent wouldn’t be Ghent without children and young people, so there are heaps of activities for youngsters. For example the Ghent Belfry has plenty to offer for little dragons. And under -18s can get into most museums for free anyway. You can borrow a pushchair free of charge.
Picture https://www.flickr.com/photos/visit_gent/32222453904/in/album-72157667069184509/ > CHILDREN AT STAM (GHENT CITY MUSEUM)
The masterpiece Mystic Lamb
Last but not least you MUST see The Mystic Lamb, or ‘The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb’ by the Van Eyck brothers, completed in 1432. This alterpiece is recognised worldwide as a great work of art, and one of the most influential paintings ever made. It is an absolute must-see on your weekend break to Ghent. A total of 18 panels form a magical evocation of scenes from the Bible, as well as a portrait of the church warden, Joos Vijd, who commissioned the altarpiece, and his wife Elisabeth Borluut. Head to Saint Bavo’s cathedral to have a look at this masterpiece. Or visit the MSK museum and contemplate the intensive renovation work on this religious masterpiece right before your eyes in the MSK. Stand behind bulletproof glass to watch 11 international restorers removing layers of varnish and later additions and touching up blemishes with paintbrushes. Unique and unbelievably fascinating!
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