Ghent (Gent in Dutch) is a medieval city in Flanders, Belgium, where the Leie and Scheldt rivers meet. It offers canals, a castle and historic facades in a more relaxed setting than crowded Bruges.
What to see in Ghent
- Gravensteen: a medieval castle with a moat, in the middle of the city.
- Graslei and Korenlei: rows of historic guild houses on either side of the river.
- Saint Bavo's Cathedral: home to the Ghent Altarpiece by the Van Eyck brothers.
- The Belfry: a medieval bell tower rising above the old town.
When to go
July and August average a high of 24 to 25 degrees. January ranges from 7 to 2 degrees. February and April are the driest months, with 58 millimetres, but winter is grey. From May to September the canal banks are the most pleasant for walking.
Getting there from Turkey
In MBD tours, Ghent is visited on the "Bruges, Ghent and Brussels" day. The Benelux, France and Germany tours run 6 to 7 nights, and they leave from Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara, Adana and Antalya, listing Turkish Airlines and SunExpress. It also appears in the 3 to 4 night Amsterdam tours. Dates and prices are on the tour page.
Who it suits
Visitors who want Belgian history in a short time, and those who like canal walks and architecture. It is not the main stop for shopping or the sea.
Questions people ask
Ghent or Bruges? The programmes put both on the same day. Ghent is less touristy, and Bruges is smaller and busier.
Where can I stay? MBD lists Sandton Grand Hotel Reylof and NH Gent Sint Pieters as 4-star, Novotel Gent Centrum and Carlton as 3-star, and Ibis Centrum Opera Gent as 2-star.
How long does it take? Half a day for the main sights.
