Best Things To Do in Ghent

Belgium is a country with an underrated beauty, where architectural gems, historical treasures and majestic landscapes are hidden. That's why I suggest you to stop by Ghent, where every place will captivate you with its medieval essence. Visiting this location is like being in a big city and a picturesque village, all at the same time, as it is the capital of Flanders and one of the oldest cities on the continent.

You can confirm this by seeing facades such as the Castle of the Counts of Flanders, or tasting its centenary chocolates. You can also immerse yourself in its magical bike rides, beer tours and street art passages. It is even possible to enjoy the panoramic views from the Belfort Tower and taste typical sweets. To facilitate your visit I leave you a guide with recommendations and unforgettable places.

Ghent is characterized by its medieval architecture and historic buildings, in fact the favorite place of many locals and tourists is the Castle of the Counts of Flanders. It was built in the 12th century as a fortress, so the first thing that will catch your eye are the walled areas that line the structure.

Its façade is impressive on the outside, but it's also worth taking a look inside to see the count's residence, where stories from Roman times are hidden. As you move through its corridors you can see latrines, fireplaces and medieval elements. In fact, you can pass through the old Torture Room, enter the museum of prison life or climb the Torre del Homenaje, noted for its beautiful panoramic views.

You can make the visit on your own or join a guided tour of the city, an experience that is usually customized based on your preferences. This way, you can stroll through the Patershol Quarter which is situated in the surrounding area with cobblestone houses, old buildings and the iconic Alijn House which houses stories of 20th century life and interesting artifacts.

The city has a lot to offer and a local snack never hurts, especially if it is linked to Ghent's history. Chocolate is one of the representatives of its gastronomy and some of the best chocolate shops are located in the emblematic medieval center. This is because it was one of the first Belgian cities to commercialize this delicious product, which was used to make desserts and pharmacy tonics.

In fact, around 1857, a hybrid business was created as a bakery-pharmacy, where the famous praline-filled chocolates were born. Later, the city was noted for the variety of Greek, Turkish and Swiss stores. It is not surprising that today it is possible to discover the most exotic flavors through a self-guided tour or a guided experience of about two hours.

These activities can take you to the most emblematic places of the current scene without complications, to taste chocolates, brownies and chocolate-based sweets. In this way, you will get to know the Chocolatier Deduytschaever, ranked as the best in the perimeter. A gastronomic encounter is also likely at the Chocolaterie Van Hoorebeke to try combinations with mustard, bacon or chili.

The foundations of the city are closely linked to St. Peter's Abbey, a historic house open to the public that was founded in the 7th century. Its imposing architecture preserves Baroque, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Rococo elements, among others. Therefore, the tour inside is very interesting because it takes you through excavated caves, ancient cemeteries and vineyards.

If you want to see it from a quieter perspective, you should know that Ghent was made for cycling. The city offers guided experiences whose usual route includes a stop at the abbey to appreciate its gardens. You may also get to see the most beautiful trails, witness street art and see other iconic sites such as:

• St. Bavo's Abbey, it can be appreciated from the outside and is as important and beautiful as St. Peter's. Inside it houses the Tombstone Museum, the old cloister and the lavatory. In addition, throughout the building you will find QR codes to scan its history.
• The charming streets of Vrijdagmarkt, where you will see the life of the Ghent people in the foreground.

Another experience you have to reserve time for is a boat ride through Ghent, there are different options along its canals and the incomparable beauty of the river Leie. Can you imagine having around 40 minutes to relax? These types of experiences allow you to make it happen, some organized tours even include on-board narrations that guarantee learning about the main monuments that line the river area.

It is best to join the best Ghent tours that usually include a local guide, trained to introduce you to the history of St. Bavo's Cathedral or take you on a journey back in time to the former residence of Charles V.

Every place has peculiar traditions and Ghent is no exception, in fact many tourists visit a very popular place to enjoy craft beverages. It is Dulle Griet where you can start your beer route, through more than 500 types. They have an interactive game that consists of exchanging your shoe for a glass of beer, be prepared because they will encourage you to drink to the bottom and only give it back to you when you are done.

You are unlikely to leave beer in the glass, given that it stands out for its irresistible taste. Of course, this is just one of hundreds of breweries and brewpubs in the city, so to discover the fascinating brewing history and sample all the local offerings, it is worth joining a tour of about three hours. They are ideal for visiting renowned bars, where other activities such as cheese sampling and chocolate tastings are offered.

The Werregarenstraat is one of the most charming and authentic areas you will find in Ghent. It offers a vibrant atmosphere at all hours, as there is a passage of graffiti and a variety of street art performances. The most interesting thing is that anyone can paint legally, plus the murals are done on top of other works, creating an exotic mix of expressions.

This makes it a dynamic and changing street, meaning that the next time you visit Ghent you are likely to see different murals. For a more complete experience you can learn about its history and some of the sights in the surrounding area by booking a guided tour of the city.

Leaving Ghent without visiting its museums would be a mistake, as you would miss the most important details of its history, culture and art collections. Each one has something that makes it special, but if you have to choose it is advisable to start with the Museum of Fine Arts in Ghent. Not only is it the place to escape for those who love art, it is also a source of learning for all ages, with exhibitions from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.

In its corridors you will find paintings, sculptures, engravings and restorations. For example, you can immerse yourself in the history of Van Eyck, a famous Flemish painter who is among the best European artists of the 15th century. Another reason why I like this place is because of its children's activities and family tours, private collections, outdoor park and spaces dedicated to the passion for art.

You can visit it from Tuesday to Friday from 9:30 to 17:30, as well as Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 18:00. Additionally, there are tickets from 13 euros per person.

Other interesting museums in Ghent

• Industriemuseum: discover the evolution of Ghent's textile production with interactive exhibits from the Industrial Revolution, for example see up close the changes in the factories from the advent of steam and electricity. Also, witness the manufacturing process from raw cotton to final delivery.
• Ghent City Museum: certainly the best place to learn about local history through interactive presentations. You can see and touch 15 identifying objects of the city, or climb the Ghent Aerial Photo, an interactive photograph that changes over four centuries.

A landmark of the city is the Belfort Tower or the Bell Tower of Ghent, a structure that can be seen from several different locations. Not only is it an interesting facade, it is also one of the best local viewpoints that gives you panoramic views of the capital of Flanders. It was built in the 14th century and its interior is a learning space with eye-catching exhibits not to be missed.

For example, a tour allows you to see the model of the building, as well as learn about the bells that have been used throughout history to warn of attacks and invasions. You can also go up to the fourth floor to see a 17th century clock. Additionally, this visit can be the perfect opportunity to see the Lonja de los Paños, a preserved pearl that was the entrance to a former prison.

Note that the tower is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00, with tickets starting at 10 euros.

Of course, you can not miss the most famous streets of Ghent. These are Graslei and Korenlei, the emblematic harbor promenades located on the sides of the canal. Here you can stroll along their piers and take pictures that will immortalize the local essence. Specifically, Graslei is considered the vegetable pier and Korenlei the wheat pier, the best thing is that on both sides you will see the imperial and medieval houses overlooking the river Leie.

You have to pass by Cooremetershuys which is currently an accessories store, but centuries ago was one of the most important grain buildings in the region. There are also other historic buildings, in fact it is still an enclave of international trade with high traffic all year round.

Something that catches the eye is the Old Post Office building, which resembles the Big Ben in London, although it is smaller. In addition, people stroll through the flea markets, drink a beer on the terraces with live music shows or get ready to board a boat ride through Ghent's medieval center.

As you walk around Ghent you will probably notice that most street stalls have a certain colorful product, an award-winning traditional Belgian sweet. Cuberdons are very special for many reasons, among them their peculiar shape of a nose or hat. In addition, the locals take care of the traditional recipe and it has become a gastronomic secret that is practically impossible to reveal.

When you try it, you will be completely captivated, since it has a sweet flavor based on raspberry, gum Arabic and sugar. In addition, it is characterized by its double coating that has been perfected since its origin around the 19th century, which has generated about 30 variants. On the Groentenmarkt square you are sure to find stalls and it is also possible to taste it when booking a chocolate tour of Ghent.

There are details that can make your vacation more enjoyable, especially in cities like Ghent that are a bit of an enigma. Factors such as weather, sightseeing passes and days of stay are elementary to coordinating a dream vacation.

Buy a tourist card

Getting to know the whole city may seem like a challenge, but I assure you that it will be easier with a tourist pass, ideal if you plan to stay several days. The CityCard Gent will help you save during your trip, since you can get it from 42 euros and among its benefits highlights:

• 48 or 72-hour tickets, to fit your itinerary and accompany you throughout your trip.
• A practical map available in Spanish and other languages.
• Free visits to all temporary exhibitions in the city.
• Unlimited public transportation.
• Entrance fees to monuments and museums, such as the House of Alijn, the Ghent City Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Peter's Abbey and much more.
• Use of the water train, which navigates the canals offering free stops.

Consider the climate of Ghent

Ghent's climate is mostly cool all year round, even in summer it does not exceed 23°. Therefore, winters are quite cold and it is important to bring warm clothes to have a good time, as temperatures range between 3°and 7°. If you want to avoid the rains, I would not recommend traveling in January and February.

Instead, you can have a better experience in March, April, June and October, the last one has double advantage because it is filled with university joy.

Learn basic words

Few people speak Spanish in Ghent, although with technology it is possible to communicate with the translator. As such, the official language is Flemish, a Dutch slang that is widely assimilated. The locals also speak French and English, so you may want to learn basic words in whichever language is easier for you.