5 Things you must do in Ghent
Ghent lies in the Flanders region of Belgium, and it is truly a historic gem. I honestly was hesitant to write about this little town, for fear it would become over run with tourists like Bruges. Ghent is an ancient city of cobblestone streets, medieval architecture, marketplace squares, and lazy canals. Ghent is also a college town, its home to the biggest university in Belgium. Because the city center is “car free”, walking through Ghent can feel like your stepping back into medieval times. These are just a few of my favorite things to do in Ghent:
- Gravensteen Castle also known as “castle of the counts” was built early in the 11th century. While walking through the castle, it feels like you have stepped back in time to the medieval era. The castle houses a museum of various weapons used in warfare, and a room with torture devices (not for the squeamish). Make sure to visit the rooftop where you will get a 360 degree view of the city, and a view of the 4 medieval towers of Ghent. The castle is a steal at only 10 euros per person.
- Hike the Belfry Tower or take the lift to the top. The Ghent Belfry is a UNESCO world heritage site, and is well worth the visit. In ancient times Belfries or Belfort’s were used to protect the town against attacks, fires, and to announce weddings. The hike to the top is up a narrow spiral staircase, and is totally worth the effort. The view from the top is amazing, and to hear the bells chime while you are up there is a feeling you must experience. At 8 euros per person you must visit the tower.
- We visited Ghent on a chilly spring day so it was the perfect weather for afternoon tea at Maison Elza. I highly recommend making reservations because this place is popular! We didn’t have reservations, but were lucky enough to get a table as a big group was leaving. On warm sunny days you can enjoy your tea on the terrace right next to the river Lieve. If your not in the mood for tea, they also have delicious breakfast options. High tea ranges from 12-25 euros per person.
- St Michaels Bridge is hands-down one of the most picturesque sites in Ghent. It’s a great place for a photo op because its one of the few spots in Ghent where you can see all 3 towers aligned.
- When in Belgium you have to drink Belgian beer, after all Belgian beer history goes back for centuries, and its famous all over the world! Ghent has a ton of places to drink beer, but the restaurant “Sint Jorishof” is my favorite. The restaurant is located in one of the oldest buildings in Ghent, and the interior is like a mini museum. Make sure to check out the “smoking room” and the “toilets” for the eclectic furnishings.
Visiting Ghent is like taking a step back into medieval times, its an amazing little town with so much to offer! Have you been to Ghent? If so, please comment about your experience below.
Looking for more towns in Belgium to visit? Check out “2 Days in Bruges, Belgium”.
