In this Article
- Introduction
- Neighbourhoods
- Sights and Activities
- Events and Festivals
- Weather
- Getting There
- Getting Around
- Eat
- Drink
- Sleep
- Work
- Learn
- Keep Connected
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Introduction
Ghent is one of the wonderful cities of Flanders, the Dutch speaking part of Belgium. Like Bruges it is a place with plenty of water. Unlike it, Ghent is not a city of a single period. Its buildings span many centuries. This may make it somewhat less 'tidy' then Bruges but it is extremely interesting and well justifies several nights. For more information, visit the official Tourist Website.
Neighbourhoods
Sights and Activities
- Graslei and Korenlei - two sides of the river in the old harbour area.
- St Bavo Cathedral - great building with fine picture's including Van Eyck's 'Adoration of the mystic lamb.'
- Belfry - has a lift but you have to go up a lot of steps first!
- St Nicholas Church - early 13th cntury.
- Gravensteen (Castle of the Counts).
- Alijns House Called 'Folklore Museum' but both the building and the collections are utterly fascinating - including black beaded wedding dresses and a device for Christening a baby in utero.
- Beguinages.
- Historic boat trips - from the Graslei or the Korenlei should not be missed.
Events and Festivals
The main festival during summer are The Ghent Festivities, a free ten day festival during the week of 21 July, celebrated in the historic centre of Ghent. This festival attracts over a million visitors each year, who will see free concerts, puppet busker acts, street theatre and much more on the streets and various squares.
Weather
Ghent has an average Belgian climate with warm and relatively dry and sunny summers from June to August. Average daytime temperatures are around 20-23 °C and nights are between 12 and 14 °C. Winters last from December to February when it is mostly above zero, but nights average just below. Snow is not very common but always a possibility in winter. Most of the rain falls during the October to April period though heavy showers in summers after hot conditions are possible as well.
Getting There
By Plane
Brussels International airport (BRU) and Brussels South Charleroi Airport are the main international airports, located near Brussels, which is just about 30-45 minutes by car/train/bus.
By Train
Ghent has two train stations, Ghent Saint-Peter (Gent Sint-Pieters) and Dampoort. Saint-Peter is the main station, and the second busiest train station of Belgium. Nowadays, huge construction and expanding works are in progress who will last for a few more years but services are normal. Check the NMBS website for information about connections, prices and other details.
By Car
Ghent is easily reached by car along the E40 highway from Bruges and Ostend in the west and Brussels, Leuven and Liege in the east, and along the E17 with Antwerp in the northeast and Lille in France in the southwest.
By Bus
By Boat
Getting Around
By Car
Your best bet is to put your car in one of the underground parking lots, or to use one of the P+R (park and ride) parking lots outside the city and to take a bus or tram.
By Public Transport
You can use both bus and tramway of the De Lijn Company.
By Foot
Like most Belgian cities, Ghent is pretty small, so easy to explore by foot!
By Bike
It's sometimes difficult (and dangerous) by bike because of the cobble stones and the tramway rails.
Eat
Ghent is the vegetarian capital of Belgium, with dozens of vegetarian or vegan restaurants! Do not forget to check out Panda, Avalon and Komkommertijd!
- Brasserie Borluut - Korenlei 7 - Phone: + 09 225 45 41.
Drink
Sleep
Budget
| Property | Address | Type | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aquarius Boutique B&B | Pieter Van Reysschootlaan 8 Ghent | Guesthouse | - |
| Bed & Breakfast Hancelot | Vijfwindgatenstraat 19 | Hotel | 87 |
| Casa Borsalino | Vlaanderenstraat 46 | Guesthouse | 74 |
| Ecohostel Andromeda | Elyzeese Velden 22 Bargiekaai 35 | Hostel | 88 |
| Guesthouse PoortAckere | Oude Houtlei 56 9000 | Guesthouse | 80 |
| HI De Draecke Gent | Sint-Widostraat 11 | Hostel | 78 |
| La Ducale | Vlaanderenstraat 54 | Guesthouse | 87 |
| Logies Onderland | Rabotstraat 62 | Guesthouse | 89 |
| Suro Guesthouse | 57 Vlierstraat, 9000 Gent | Guesthouse | 95 |
Mid-Range
- Brooderie - terrific situation - facilities shared with restaurant guests but a hotel in this location would cost at least double.
Upscale
Work
This is version 10. Last edited at 15:37 on Oct 28, 09 by Utrecht (-2). 3 articles link to this page.
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