Ghent

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.