Best Things To Do in Ghent

Belgium is a country of underrated beauty, hiding architectural gems, historical treasures and majestic landscapes. That's why I suggest a visit to Ghent, where every place will captivate you with its medieval essence. Visiting this location is like being in a big city and a picturesque village, all at the same time, as it is the capital of Flanders and one of the oldest cities on the continent.

You can confirm this by seeing facades such as the Castle of the Counts of Flanders, or tasting its centuries-old chocolates. You can also immerse yourself in magical bike rides, beer tours and street art passages. You can even take in the panoramic views from the Belfort Tower and sample typical sweets. To make your visit easier, here is a guide with recommendations and unforgettable places to visit.

Ghent is characterized by its medieval architecture and historic buildings, in fact the favourite place of many locals and tourists is the Castle of the Counts of Flanders. It was built in the 12th century as a fortress, so the first thing that will catch your eye is the walled areas that line the structure.

Its façade is impressive on the outside, but it's also worth taking a look inside to see the count's residence, where stories from Roman times are hidden. As you walk through the corridors you will see latrines, fireplaces and medieval elements. In fact, you can pass through the old Torture Room, enter the museum of prison life or climb the Torre del Homenaje (Homage Tower), noted for its beautiful panoramic views.

You can visit on your own or join a guided tour of the city, an experience that is usually personalised according to your preferences. This way, you can stroll through the surrounding Patershol Quarter with its cobblestone houses, old buildings and the iconic Alijn House which houses stories of 20th century life and interesting artefacts.

The city has a lot to offer and a local snack never hurts, especially if it's linked to Ghent's history. Chocolate is one of the representatives of its gastronomy and some of the best chocolate shops are located in the iconic medieval centre. This is because it was one of the first Belgian cities to market this delicious product, which was used to make desserts and pharmacy tonics.

In fact, around 1857, a hybrid bakery-pharmacy business was created, where the famous praline-filled chocolates were born. Later, the town was noted for its variety of Greek, Turkish and Swiss shops. Not surprisingly, it is now possible to discover the most exotic flavours on your own or with a guided tour of approximately two hours.

These activities can take you to the most emblematic places on the current scene without any fuss, to taste chocolates, brownies and chocolate-based sweets. This way, you will get to know the Chocolatier Deduytschaever, ranked as the best on the perimeter. A gastronomic encounter is also likely at the Chocolaterie Van Hoorebeke to try combinations with mustard, bacon or chilli.

The foundations of the city are closely linked to St. Peter's Abbey, a historic house open to the public that was founded in the 7th century. Its imposing architecture preserves Baroque, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Rococo elements, among others. Therefore, the tour inside is very interesting because it takes you through excavated caves, ancient cemeteries and vineyards.

If you want to see it from a quieter perspective, you should know that Ghent was made for cycling. The city offers guided experiences whose route usually includes a stop at the abbey to appreciate its gardens. You may also get to see the most beautiful trails, witness street art and see other iconic sites such as:

• St. Bavo's Abbey, which can be seen from the outside and is just as important and beautiful as St. Peter's. It houses the Tombstone Museum, the ancient cloister and the lavatory. You can also scan QR codes throughout the building to learn about its history.
• The charming streets of the Vrijdagmarkt, where you will see the life of the Ghent people in the foreground.

Another experience you have to set aside some time for is a boat ride through Ghent, there are different options along the canals and the incomparable beauty of the river Leie. Can you imagine having around 40 minutes to relax? These kinds of experiences allow you to make it happen, and some organised tours even include on-board narration to ensure you learn about the main monuments lining the river area.

It's best to join the best Ghent tours which usually include a local guide, trained to introduce you to the history of St. Bavo's Cathedral or take you on a journey back in time to the former residence of Charles V.

Every place has its own unique traditions and Ghent is no exception. In fact, many tourists visit a popular spot to enjoy craft beverages. This is Dulle Griet where you can start your beer tour, through more than 500 types of beer. They have an interactive game which involves exchanging your shoe for a glass of beer, be prepared because you will be encouraged to drink to your heart's content and only give it back when you have finished.

You are unlikely to leave any beer in the glass, given its irresistible taste. Of course, this is just one of hundreds of breweries and brewpubs in the city, so to discover the fascinating brewing history and sample all the local offerings, it's worth joining a tour of about three hours. They are ideal for visiting renowned pubs, where other activities such as cheese sampling and chocolate tastings are on offer.

The Werregarenstraat is one of the most charming and authentic areas you will find in Ghent. It offers a vibrant atmosphere at all hours, as there is a passage of graffiti and a variety of street art performances. The most interesting thing is that anyone can paint legally, and murals are painted over other works, creating an exotic mix of expressions.

This makes it a dynamic and changing street, meaning that the next time you visit Ghent you are likely to see different murals. For a more complete experience you can learn about its history and some of the sights in the surrounding area by booking a guided tour of the city.

Leaving Ghent without visiting its museums would be a mistake, as you would miss out on the most important details of its history, culture and art collections. Each has something special about it, but if you have to choose, it's best to start with the Ghent Museum of Fine Arts. Not only is it the place to escape for art lovers, it is also a source of learning for all ages, with exhibitions from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.

In its corridors you will find paintings, sculptures, engravings and restorations. For example, you can immerse yourself in the history of Van Eyck, a famous Flemish painter who is among the greatest European artists of the 15th century. Another reason why I like this place is because of its children's activities and family tours, private collections, open-air park and spaces dedicated to the passion for art.

You can visit it from Tuesday to Friday from 9:30 to 17:30, as well as on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 18:00. Additionally, tickets are available from 13 euros per person.

Other interesting museums in Ghent

• Industriemuseum: discover the evolution of Ghent's textile production with interactive exhibits on the Industrial Revolution, e.g. see up close the changes in the factories since the advent of steam and electricity. Also, witness the manufacturing process from raw cotton to final delivery.
• Ghent City Museum: certainly the best place to learn about local history through interactive presentations. You can see and touch 15 identifying objects of the city, or climb the Ghent Aerial Photo, an interactive photograph that changes over four centuries.

A landmark of the city is the Belfort Tower or Ghent Bell Tower, a structure that can be seen from a number of different locations. Not only is it an interesting façade, it is also one of the best local vantage points for panoramic views of the capital of Flanders. It was built in the 14th century and its interior is a learning space with eye-catching exhibitions that are not to be missed.

For example, a tour allows you to see a model of the building, as well as learn about the bells that have been used throughout history to warn of attacks and invasions. You can also go up to the fourth floor to see a 17th century clock. Additionally, this visit can be the perfect opportunity to see the Lonja de los Paños, a preserved pearl that was the entrance to a former prison.

Please note that the tower is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00, with tickets from 10 euros.

Of course, you can't miss Ghent's most famous streets. These are Graslei and Korenlei, the emblematic harbour promenades located on the sides of the canal. Here you can stroll along their piers and take pictures that will immortalise the local essence. Specifically, Graslei is considered the vegetable wharf and Korenlei the wheat wharf, the best part is that on both sides you will see the imperial and medieval houses overlooking the river Leie.

You must stop by Cooremetershuys which is now an accessory shop, but centuries ago was one of the most important grain buildings in the region. There are also other historic buildings, in fact it is still an enclave of international trade with high traffic all year round.

One thing that stands out is the Old Post Office building, which resembles London's Big Ben, although it is smaller. In addition, people stroll through the flea markets, drink a beer on the terraces with live music shows or get ready to board a boat ride through Ghent's medieval centre.

As you walk around Ghent you will probably notice that most street stalls have a certain colourful product, an award-winning traditional Belgian sweet. Cuberdons are very special for many reasons, among them their peculiar shape of a nose or hat. In addition, the locals take care of the traditional recipe and it has become a gastronomic secret that is practically impossible to reveal.

When you try it, you will be completely captivated, as it has a sweet taste based on raspberry, gum arabic and sugar. It is also characterised by its double coating that has been perfected since its origin around the 19th century, which has generated around 30 variants. On the Groentenmarkt square you are sure to find stalls and it is also possible to try it when booking a chocolate tour of Ghent.

There are details that can make your holiday more enjoyable, especially in cities like Ghent that are a bit of an enigma. Factors such as weather, sightseeing passes and days of stay are essential to co-ordinate a dream holiday.

Buy a tourist card

Getting to know the whole city may seem like a challenge, but I assure you it will be easier with a tourist pass, ideal if you plan to stay for several days. The CityCard Gent will help you save during your trip, starting from 42 euros, and its benefits include:

• 48 or 72-hour tickets, to fit your itinerary and accompany you throughout your trip.
• A practical map available in Spanish and other languages.
• Free visits to all temporary exhibitions in the city.
• Unlimited public transport.
• Entrance fees to monuments and museums, such as the House of Alijn, the Ghent City Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Peter's Abbey and much more.
• Use of the water train, which cruises along the canals offering free stops.

Consider the climate of Ghent

Ghent's climate is mostly cool all year round, even in summer it doesn't exceed 23°C. Therefore, winters are quite cold and it's important to bring warm clothes to have a good time, as temperatures range between 3°C and 7°C. If you want to avoid the rains, I wouldn't recommend travelling in January and February.

Instead, you can have a better experience in March, April, June and October, the latter being doubly advantageous because it's full of university cheer.

Learn basic words

Few people speak Spanish in Ghent, although with technology it is possible to communicate with a translator. As such, the official language is Flemish, a Dutch slang that is widely assimilated. Locals also speak French and English, so you may want to learn basic words in whichever language is easiest for you.