Typically when a lot of people think of a city outside of Brussels to visit, Bruges immediately comes to mind. With it’s romantic canals, enormous Belfry and Hollywood movie stardom, it’s one on the top of the “must visit” lists of many a European visitor.
But with all this fame comes hordes of tourists, high prices and lots of cheesy gimmicks to try and get you to spend your cash. Ghent is a town located even closer to Brussels than Bruges and is still a bit of untapped awesomeness when it comes to picture postcard Belgian towns.
I included a run-down of Ghent in my 48 hours in Bruges and Ghent post a while back, but I decided to show more of what this great little known city has to offer, with typical Belgian architecture like this.
And a well stocked main shopping street, which is especially picturesque at night when it’s brightly lit with its twinkly lights.
Tracing its origins back to medieval times, Ghent is laden with a maze of waterways and canals to explore. You can meander along the banks or grab yourself a canal tour by boat.
The Three Towers of Ghent are Saint Nicolas’ Church (seen below), the Belfry and Saint Bavo’s Cathedral and provide striking reference points throughout the city. Make sure you climb the Belfry to get a great view of both churches.
You won’t see all the tacky tourist stalls in Ghent. You’ll find friendly locals, a buzz of cafes and bars catering for students and a thousand years of history to discover.
Have you been to Ghent? What was your favourite thing about the city?
Hi Justin,
Great looking photos and a pretty offbeat location to boot! What made you pip for this Belgian town as opposed to somewhere else?
Have to admit I knew nothing about it before reading you’re post but it actually looks pretty darn interesting.
Lovely looking canal city – I imagine, as you’ve pointed out, the cafe culture is booming!
Beautiful city of canals. I’ve only changed trains in Belgium, but would love to spend more time there.
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I think Ghent is a city in Belgium that doesn’t receive the credit it deserves. It’s as beautiful and historic as Bruges but barely anybody knows about it. It’s even got a castle and some of THE BEST Belgian frites you’ll ever have.
To me, it should be the next Bruges. But hopefully not for a while. 😉
Ghent has a lot to offer. As you point out it is close to Brussels and not a travel honeypot. I found Leuven interesting as well. The Town Hall ancient university and the old Stella Artois Brewery standing empty. I would also recommend the Ypres, Diksmuide an the First World War Battlefields, memorials and War Graves. For the coast De Panne is the most interesting and least built up.
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Hi Justin, Some great shots of an interesting city. I’m ashamed to say I’ve been to Bruges but not Ghent. A journey for another weekend.
I’ve added a link to The Travel Bloggers Guide To The World I’m developing.
Regards, Si
Living near Belgium in Rotterdam (Holland), I live to travel to Belgium. In Ghent I always go to the Bierhuis aan de Waterkant, a wonderful cafe stocked with all the nice Belgium beers. The food is very well in Patershol, a neighberhood just on the other side of the canal. Ghent has the mix of old building and a busy student population. It is a real life city and not an tourist trap.
Belgium has many treasures to explore. Last month I was in the Westhoek in Watou. A small hamlet known for it’s poetry festival and the Hommelhof restaurant. Next month Iwill go to the Oostkantons and the Hoge Venen in de east part of Belgium where they speak German.
Hey there, thanks for your comments. I totally agree with you about Ghent and how it’s a real life city and not a tourist trap. 🙂