Ghent: the pearl of Belgium

If you're planning a trip to Flanders, don't limit yourself to stunning Brussels and Bruges, but also reserve a spot for the delightful Ghent city.
Close to Brussels and included in Lonely Planet's seventh Best in Travel section, Ghent, whose Celtic name comes from Ganda, the confluence, as the Schelde and Lys rivers meet here, is a place that will delight your eyes.

Every day, tourists go to Belgium, pre-ordering a car rental. In Ghent, the average cost of a compact car is 15 euros per day, in Bruges - 14 euros per day.

Ghent: What to See in this Fabulous City

Ghent is Belgium's largest university city, with 60,000 students cycling through the streets. Our tour of this Flanders town can start from the Tourist Office, formerly the Fish Market, which offers a direct view of the Lys. From here you can admire the canal, which, if desired, will take you to Bruges.

A little further you will reach the Castello dei Conti, built in 1180 but completely restored between the 19th and 20th centuries. This building was a symbol of the power center of the cities, which was feared by the inhabitants, who called it by its nickname: the Castle of Gerardo the Devil. Over time, it has been the residence of counts, a cotton consortium, a fortress and, finally, a very prestigious tourist attraction.

Going further, you will come to one of the most attractive places in the city: two embankments between Gasly and Korenley, where you can take many photos. Their names mean respectively: Riva delle Erbe and Riva del Grano, and they once represented the commercial core of the city. Guild buildings were built along the sides of the waterfront, making the area the commercial center of Ghent.

The San Michele bridge stands out for its beauty and the fact that from here you can admire one of the most beautiful views of the city.
The next step is to the Church of Saint Nicholas, one of the finest examples of Flemish Gothic architecture in Belgium. Here the city guilds had their own chapels. Torre del Belfort stands out at 91 meters high, dominated by a dragon as a symbol of the undeniable superiority of corporations in the Middle Ages. From the top platform you can admire the breathtaking panorama of the city.

Near Belfort is also the Cathedral of San Bavone, which combines Romanesque and Gothic styles and dates back to before 1500. Here you can admire the famous painting on 10 wooden panels dedicated to the Adoration of the Mystical Lamb by the Van Eyck Brothers.

How to Get to Ghent

Zaventem Airport is located just 65 km from the city of Ghent. Ghent can be reached by train, Ghent's railway stations are Sint-Peters and Dampoort.

Where to Stay in Ghent

There are many accommodation options: hostels, boarding houses, hotels at any price. At the 3-star Holiday Inn Express in Ghent, a double room costs €90, while the Uppelink Hostel in Ghent city center costs €29.50.