Location: Ghent
Top Things to do in Ghent
- 1. Ghent City Center
- 2. Graslei and Korenlei
- 3. St Michael's Bridge
- 4. St. Bavo's Cathedral (Sint-Baafskathedraal)
- 5. STAM Ghent City Museum
- 6. Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen Nature Reserve
- 7. Museum Dr. Guislain
- 8. Gravensteen Castle
- 9. Belfry and Cloth Hall (Belfort en Lakenhalle)
- 10. Museum of Fine Arts Ghen
Countries
10 Things to Do in Ghent That You Shouldn't Miss
Belgium's fourth-largest - and most beautiful - city is home to a quarter of a million people and a flourishing flower export trade. An important port, Ghent's city center is a pedestrian area that is like a museum to early Flemish architecture and a testament to the city's medieval might. Impressive Gothic sites, such as dramatic St. Bavo's Cathedral and the Castle of the Counts, inspire awe. The works of Flemish masters are housed in the distinguished Museum voor Schone Kunst.
Restaurants in Ghent
1. Ghent City Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
2. Graslei and Korenlei
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Mary M - London, United Kingdom
A big outdoor scene beside the water in Ghent. Boat trips are happening all day long & even in February there were hoards of people sitting outside & having a good time people watching. This is the heart of Ghent’s bar & restaurant scene & great fun with plenty of photo opportunities - enjoy!
3. St Michael's Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By MWitz - Montpelier, Vermont
Since much of this part of Belgium is fairly flat, even a slight elevation yields a view, and much of the historic area can be seen including the hulking presence of the Castle of the Counts.
4. St. Bavo's Cathedral (Sint-Baafskathedraal)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Georgiana L - High Wycombe, United Kingdom
Very imposing building with wonderful surroundings. Went inside and it was freezing cold but beautifully still. Do walk around to see all its features of glory.
Visiting is free of charge. No photos I can show you as you are not allowed to take pictures inside.
5. STAM Ghent City Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 451 reviews
STAM is the Ghent city museum. It presents the story of the city of Ghent. A permanent circuit leads visitors along a chronological trail of objects and multimedia which trace the development and growth of Ghent. Temporary Exhibitions explore the concept of 'urbanity' from different angles. STAM's real showpiece, its raison d'être, is the city itself. A visit to the city museum is not complete without a visit to Ghent.
Reviewed By AllanJGJ - Wellington, New Zealand
Chronological museums are a little out of fashion in many countries but for a city museum it works well, and this romp through Ghent's history over the last 2,000 years plus is excellent. There are many fine artifacts, particularly for the medieval period and being in such a lovely old complex of buildings adds to the experience as there are a number of lovely rooms here. If you're an English speaker do get the audio guide to add a bit of substance to the summary boards in English scattered throughout the Museum. That is the one criticism I would have : more English would have added enormously to the experience. There were many fascinating looking artifacts withe two or three lines only in Dutch and plenty of space for a similar small exposition in English. It always sounds a little arrogant when an English speaker makes these kinds of comments, but tourism sites are just going to have to accept that English is now the go-to language for people from many countries. If you want more international tourists then more English is a must. Having said that perhaps STAM isn't interested in that: when we arrived they didn't ask the question that should be obligatory in such institutions as regards future planning- 'where are you from?. Putting these comments to one side any visitor to Ghent should visit this lovely little museum. Also worth noting that there's an excellent coffee shop on site.
6. Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 123 reviews
Reviewed By csw2013 - London, United Kingdom
Accessible by the number 3 bus towards Mariakerke. Best to ask where to get off (Dreipikkelstraat). A very pleasant 2-3 hour circular walk. We visited on a warm October day and the trees gleamed yellow in rays of Sunshine that broke through grey clouds. It felt like being in a Flemish old master. For some reason the cafe did not open till 2.30pm on Sunday (not sure about other days) so best to bring sustenance
7. Museum Dr. Guislain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 245 reviews
Reviewed By AllanJGJ - Wellington, New Zealand
If you're a museum person you probably like throwing the occasional off-beat offering into the mix. If so, this superb, thought-provoking museum should be a definite during your time in Ghent. It's a little bit outside the historic centre in an old 'mental' home but if you don't feel like walking the number one tram will drop you at it's front door. The main, permanent exhibition traverses various cultures' thoughts on mental illness and its potential cures. All captions had (good) English translations, a refreshing change from many Western European museums.There's many interesting, and some disturbing, artifacts and considerable detail on the various strands of treating mental health conditions. The curator of this exhibition was clearly, and rightly, proud of the role of Dr Guislan and Belgium in our modern thinking on mental health treatment. The fact that all of this is in what could only be an institutional building makes it all the more poignant. In addition to the main exhibition there are two substantial displays of 'outsider' art, created by artists with mental-health issues. There are some fascinating works and ideas and one comes away with the obvious question as to how many of the great artists (not just van Gogh) had mental-health issues!
This is a well curated museum and obviously not a bundle of laughs. It might well challenge to thing about those on the 'outside'. Definitely worth your time.
8. Gravensteen Castle
Overall Ratings
4 based on 3 reviews
The only surviving "castle of the count."
Reviewed By 111TWIGAMINHAAFRIKA - Bristol, United Kingdom
The trams stop outside the castle which is right in the heart of where you want to be in Gent.
Well organised and laid out, this unguided tour was easy to follow and English literature was available at each area to explain where you were and its purpose.
Great views from the towers etc and we never felt this was crowded.
Value for money.
9. Belfry and Cloth Hall (Belfort en Lakenhalle)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 988 reviews
This municipal tower was a symbol of the city's autonomy, begun in 1313 and completed in 1380.
Reviewed By GeZeCeN - Izmir, Turkey
After parking your car,or you stopped with tour bus.finally you reach center of old city and you see this amazing tower.it is established 13th century
They have been recognised as UNESCO World Heritage sites since 1999..
The belfry tower is over 83 metres tall. Climb the 366 steps to the top and discover on the way a treasury, an impressive clockwork mechanism, and a carillon with 47 bells everyday at 11.00 am.
10. Museum of Fine Arts Ghen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 336 reviews
At the Museum of Fine Arts Ghent (MSK), you can discover more than 400 masterpieces of European art from the Middle Ages to the present day. In our iconic building, Old Masters such as Bosch and Rubens hang alongside Impressionists, Surrealists and Modernists. With names like Ensor, Magritte and Permeke, Belgian art is well represented. And you can now also witness the live restoration of the Ghent Altarpiece, behind the glass wall of the restoration room. The museum shop and restaurant, a diverse programme with room for contemporary art and our location in the Citadel park all turn the museum into a vibrant place where you can easily pass a few hours surrounded by beauty.
Reviewed By Katrien S - Ghent, Belgium
The museum houses mostly Belgian art from the Middle Ages to mid 20th century. Currently one can see (during the week) specialists working on the Adoration of the Lamb in action. The panels being restored, are always on display. The highlights of the collection are the paintings from the Middle Ages (Bosh) and the late 19th and early 20th century. In 2 rooms the paintings are displayed as they would have been in a 19th century salon, all close together and without information. There is information on a table, but that is rather cumbersome. Sadly the display is often below the standard for a modern museum.
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