Ghent

The best kept secret

Almost a third of Ghent's 265,000 inhabitants are students. So it's no wonder that the city is young and innovative despite its historic backdrop. Regional, sustainable and veggie cuisine is a top priority. Time-honored buildings such as the Grafenburg, the Belfry and the cathedral can be enjoyed on a stroll along the canals. This is best done in the dark, when the Ghent lighting plan comes into play and everything is atmospherically illuminated. The highlight at the end: the Lamb of God Altar by the Van Eyck brothers is a must-see during any visit to Ghent.

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Highlights

In this city, you should simply let yourself drift - visit the small stores that you discover along the way and settle down wherever you feel like it. Tip: A relaxing boat trip along the confluence of the Scheldt and Leie rivers offers unique views of the old town - simply enjoy. The city becomes particularly lively in the evening: there is a wealth of excellent places to discover Belgian food culture, which is also considered a veggie city. The famous Belgian beer is also very popular in one of the many beer pubs. And then there's a pinch of music, which is always present in Ghent. It is not for nothing that UNESCO has awarded the city the title of Creative City in Music. A vibrant nightlife is therefore guaranteed. An absolute highlight is a stroll through the old town in the evening: the unique facades and monuments are beautifully illuminated and will amaze you.
The cityscape is also dominated by the Gravensteen Castle. This castle, modeled on the fortresses of the Crusades by the count of the time, was for centuries the residence of the Count of Flanders, later a court and then a prison, today a museum with a torture chamber. It also offers beautiful views of the old town from between the battlements. The Grafenburg is located in Patershol, an old quaint quarter with winding alleyways and cobblestones, with lots of nice little pubs.
A counterpoint to the old towers is the modern open town hall, a piece of contemporary architecture. But now to what is probably the best photo spot, which is the St. Michael's Bridge. From here you have a fabulous view of the three towers, the river Leie, but also the sociable quays of the old harbor, the Graslei and the Korenlei, which are full of life - not least because of the many students here in Ghent. At the nearby Korenmarkt with its characteristic buildings, restaurants and cafés, you will also find the Cuberdon vendors with typical sweet Ghent delicacies. Ghent also has a graffiti street, Werregarenstraatje, an open canvas for young street artists.
All good things come in threes: St. Nicholas Church, the Belfry and St. Bavo's Cathedral are known as the three towers of Ghent. This trio characterizes the skyline of this cosy, lively city of art. The Belfry has been a symbol of the city's prosperity and independence since the Middle Ages. If you climb the spiral staircases in this building, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view. For its part, St. Bavo's Cathedral has great stories to tell. Since 1432, it has housed the legendary "Ghent Altarpiece" by Jan van Eyck, one of the world's greatest art treasures. The visitor center in the cathedral also uses a VR experience to tell all about the turbulent history of the work.
The world of fusion cuisine is at your feet. On your city trip, you will not only want to treat your eyes, but also your stomach. You can choose from a variety of restaurants, bars and cafés in Ghent. Ghent is Europe's vegetarian capital and its revolutionary chefs are causing a sensation on the international food scene.

Insider Tips

The museum triumvirate

There are three museums in the Museum Quarter that are well worth a visit. First and foremost is the Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art (SMAK) with a solid permanent exhibition of works from Andy Warhol to Francis Bacon. The Museum of Fine Arts (MSK) - directly opposite the SMAK - is dedicated to slightly older fine art, from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Highlights include Hieronymus Bosch's Carrying of the Cross and Peter Paul Rubens' Scourging of Christ. The trilogy is rounded off by the STAM Museum, the local city museum.

Das Geheimnis Gents

In dieser Stadt sollte man sich einfach treiben lassen - die kleinen Geschäftsläden besuchen, die man unterwegs entdeckt und sich niederlassen, wo es einem spontan gefällt. Tipp: Einzigartige Perspektiven auf die Altstadt bietet eine entschleunigende Bootsfahrt am Zusammenfluss der Schelde und der Leie - einfach genießen. Besonders lebhaft wird die Stadt am Abend: Dort findet sich eine Fülle an hervorragenden Orten, um die belgische Esskultur zu entdecken, die übrigens auch als Veggie-Stadt gilt. Auch das berühmte belgische Bier erfreut sich in einer der zahlreichen Bier-Kneipen grösster Aufmerksamkeit. Und dann noch eine Prise Musik, die in Gent immer präsent ist. Die UNESCO hat der Stadt nicht umsonst den Titel Creative City in Music verliehen. Ein pulsierendes Nachleben ist somit garantiert. Als absolutes Highlight sollte ein Abendspaziergang durch die Altstadt nicht fehlen: die einmaligen Fassaden und Denkmäler sind wunderschön beleuchtet und versetzen in Staunen.