Why Ghent? Because Lonely Planet has called our city “Europe’s best kept secret” and a must see destination for 2011
Mirror in the Lys river
From the bridge you can also see the unique row of houses mirrored in the Lys, on both sides of the river. With the Castle of the Counts in the distance.
“The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb is without a doubt world’s most besieged and coveted work of art. In Paris it would easily knock the Mona Lisa off the throne” Noah Charney, art historian
Greetings from Ghent!
Because National Geographic Traveler Magazine has listed this city as the most authentic historic city in the world and full of life
Five photos? In our day and age, with digital photography? Patershol; the new City Museum, STAM; the interior garden at the House of Alijn; the Cloud Measurer at S.M.A.K., Ghent’s Municipal Museum of Con-
Because you must witness with your own eyes what Napoleon and the mysterious thief of The Just Judges panel already knew: The Mystic Lamb really is key to European art history
temporary Art; the Sunday flower market… They’re all worth a shot… or two!
Because the city comes to life again after sunset And of course because you like to get off the beaten track!
…that’s why!
Tourist Office Inquiry desk Sint-Veerleplein 5 – 9000 Gent. T. +32 9 266 56 60 www.visitgent.be.
Ghent in five photos
Only stopping by for a short visit? Then make sure you see these highlights (and capture them on camera!).
“Smack in the middle of Brussels, Bruges and Antwerp, Ghent distils their greatest attributes into one engaging and enchanting city” Lonely Planet
Through the eyes of the Count
From the keep of the Castle of the Counts the city lies at your feet. Experience the Counts of Flanders’ sense of power.
Publisher: Lieven Decaluwe, alderman for Culture, Tourism and Festivities. Stadhuis, Botermarkt 1, 9000 Gent.
Lay-OUT: Thirtythree text: conception
Small Town, Big City Ghent is a cosy, well organised city with countless tourist attractions within walking distance from one another. 1,000 years of history have left their mark. Whatever you see during the day is even more magical at night thanks to the ingenious lighting plan. The city loves light – the annual Light Festival in January is proof of that. That’s when the city is at its best – light and bright!
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In a different light
After sunset Ghent takes on a new dimension. Its pretigious and award-winning lighting plan creates a magical, shimmering sight!
Medieval Manhattan
Only from or just next to St Michael’s Bridge can you see the three towers that formed our medieval skyline in a nice straight line.
You hear music all over the place in this UNESCO City of Music. Dozens of events and festivals turn every visit into a unique experience. The highlight? The ten-day Ghent Festivities!
Flemings love good food and drink, and there’s ample proof of that in Ghent. Patershol, a medieval neighbourhood with a great atmosphere, is the city’s culinary hotspot. A pedestrianized shopping area covers a large part of the city centre. Below it there are large underground car parks, but most hotels have their own parking facilities.
Work up your appetite on the water! You’ve watched them pass by all morning, now it’s your turn to hop on a boat! After all, that’s the best way to see Ghent from a different perspective. The captain will give you a taste of history laced with juicy little anecdotes, in a language of your choice.
Friday, 5 p.m. | Grab a beer
Saturday 2.30 p.m. | The art of choosing
Find yourself a spot along the Graslei and enjoy the impressive row of medieval houses (on both sides of the river) and the cosy atmosphere. This is where the people of Ghent grab a beer. Start with a Gruut, the only beer that is brewed here in the city using traditional methods.
The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb is the absolute masterpiece of medieval art. Grand with overwhelming detail. This altarpiece by the Van Eyck brothers is an absolute must-see, but there’s plenty more: Flemish (and other) masters at the Museum of Fine Arts , modern art at the Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art (S.M.A.K.) and an interactive overview of Ghent’s history and its people at the new City Museum (STAM).
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From Amsterdam, London, Paris and Cologne you can be in Flanders – the northern part of Belgium – in less than two hours. Ghent lies right in the midst of the other top tourist destinations in Belgium. In a nutshell, it is the perfect base for visiting the region!
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Soup is the new fast food! Plenty of choice, always tasty and of course healthy! The Souplounge near Vrijdagmarkt offers delicious soups with a view of the Lys. And a free apple, because an apple a day…
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Ghent’s oldest building is the Castle of the Counts , the impressive medieval fortress in the city centre. Go back in time and shiver at the sight of armour, weapons and torture instruments.
Saturday 12.30 p.m. | Easy as duck soup
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Taste and buy typical products from Ghent and East Flanders under the impressive vaults of the Great Butchers Hall . RoomeR is the ideal aperitif. If you have a sweet tooth, buy cuberdons. For a spicier touch try Tierenteyn mustard on the other side of the square.
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that at the flea market near St James’ Church . At Bar Dépot you can buy anything, even a yummy breakfast!
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Saturday, 10 a.m. | Castle of the Counts
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Saturday, 8 a.m. onwards | Early risers’ opportunities
Saturday, 11.30 a.m. | Ghent delicacies
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Friday night at Vrijdagmarkt ? Good idea! Start off with PIJ LST R AA T a Kwak at beer bar De Dulle Griet. You’ll have to leave W IN TER T U IN ST R your shoe in a hanging basket as a deposit for the amazing glass. A stone’s throw away you’ll enjoy the hustle and busE K K E R till tle of the Vlasmarkt, with its rock music and DJs playing G E M S T R A AT early morning.
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Lights out, spots on! Hidden gems during the day are suddenly put in the spotlight at dusk. To enjoy Ghent by night to the full try the Ghent Illuminated walk. Get your map at the Ghent Tourist Office or download it from
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VO GE L Z hidden gems in Gthe E U Z Eside ! Or discover AN NBERG PAR K G R streets, typical Aproducts at the Koestraat, Bennesteeg, Jan A EN OL Breydelstraat and Serpentstraat. Bag a bargain from 1 to 31 A N M LA GE RS TST January and from 1 to 31 July! IS RA U EN T
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Sundays in Ghent start at the flower market with a coffee, a chat and a walk along the colourful stalls. To top it off: oysters and champagne at the blue kiosk, while discussing what to do next.
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Sunday, 10 a.m. | Flower power
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Friday, 9 p.m. | Enlightening
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Saturday, 4.30 p.m. |
JOZ E F VAN C R OMBR UG G
What used to be a poor man’s dinner is now a speciality. Gentse Waterzooi with chicken, fish or even vegetarian – after all, Ghent is the Veggie Capital of Europe! At Bij den Wijzen en den Zot at Patershol a culinary jury tasted the best waterzooi made from a traditional recipe.
Time for a nightcap. At Dreupelkot you can choose from over 200 (!) types of ‘jenever’. Vanilla jenever has conquered the world, though the chicory version isn’t likely to. The adventurous leave through the back entrance to discover the narrowest street in Ghent. Want to bet you won’t feel like heading home or to your hotel?
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Friday, 7 p.m. | Poor man’s dinner
Saturday, 10 p.m. | Take a shot
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A weekend in Ghent
Friday, 11 p.m. | The night is still young
Its chef now cooks at J.E.F. Trendy Volta is housed in a former warehouse and De Vitrine offers top cuisine in an old butchery.
Saturday, 1 p.m. | Don’t miss the boat
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Ghent: more than a one night stay!