As summer holidays peak, more travelers seek lesser-known destinations free from tourist crowds. Ghent, a Belgian city blending rich medieval heritage with vibrant contemporary culture, stands out as an ideal choice. Its preserved historic center, lively canals, and thriving student community create an atmosphere both timeless and energetic.
Why Choose Ghent?
Often viewed as a quieter alternative to Bruges, Ghent offers all the charm of a historic Belgian city while maintaining the character of a place where people genuinely live, work, and study. Entering Ghent feels like traveling through time, with an abundance of beautifully preserved medieval structures.
Top Attractions
Overlooking picturesque canals, Gravensteen Castle provides a journey back to the Middle Ages. Visitors can explore its stone walls, battlements, and centuries-old rooms, discovering life inside one of Europe's best-preserved medieval fortresses. Constructed in 1180 by Philip of Alsace, Count of Flanders, the castle served as both a symbol of authority and a defensive stronghold. Its name means "Castle of the Counts," fitting for a fortress that once housed the Counts of Flanders. Tourists can wander through ramparts and underground chambers, learning stories of medieval warriors and aristocracy.
Exploring and Dining
A relaxing boat trip along Ghent's canals offers a distinctive view of historic structures and bridges. For food lovers, the city presents a range of gastronomic delights, from Belgian waffles and chocolate to Flemish stews and seafood. Visitors can dine al fresco at canal-side cafes or enjoy local specialities in intimate taverns along cobblestone streets.
Practical Information
Ghent is widely regarded as one of Belgium's most rewarding city breaks, sharing many of Bruges' historic charms but with a more relaxed pace. Its pedestrian-friendly streets are best explored on foot or by bicycle, minimizing carbon footprint. Most visitors find two to three days sufficient to see main attractions while leaving time to wander the waterfront, relax in cafes, and enjoy the evening atmosphere. Its central location makes it an ideal base for day trips to Brussels, Bruges, and Antwerp.
Getting to Ghent
Ghent has no airport, so most UK travelers fly to Brussels Airport and then take a train. Typical flight times include London to Brussels (around 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes), Manchester (around 1 hour 20 minutes), Birmingham (around 1 hour 15 minutes), and Edinburgh (around 1 hour 40 minutes). From Brussels Airport, it's about 15–20 minutes by train to Brussels city center, or 55–70 minutes by direct train to Ghent-Sint-Pieters station, depending on the service.
