Ghent is an old medieval city that has long been overshadowed by
Bruges, but holds many attractions for the visitor and has the
advantage of having far fewer tourists.
The city was once the heart of the cloth trade and the largest
medieval city in Europe after Paris. Today the old centre has many
historic buildings including St Bavo's Cathedral, the Castle of the
Counts, a turreted castle with a moat, a bell tower for great
views, the Town Hall and the 15th-century Cloth Hall.
Ghent's city centre is wholly modern however, and the city's
large university population mixes with an eclectic blend of expats
and artists to give the city a diverse and cosmopolitan air.
Despite being off the beaten track for may tourists, Ghent
offers good museums, lively nightlife, and excellent restaurants
serving the best in Flemish cuisine.
Belgium's small size ensures that Ghent is less than a 40-minute
train ride from major cities like Bruges and Brussels, and within
easy distance of other interesting tourist destinations, like
Courtray and Ostend. A weekend in Ghent is the perfect addition to
any holiday in Belgium.