Ghent, Belgium: description, history of the city, attractions and interesting facts. The narrowest building in Belgium

When it comes to choosing a city to travel to Europe, Belgian Ghent definitely won't be the first city that comes to your mind. For unknown reasons, this city has been repeatedly slandered by various critics of travelers, therefore, for many, the question of visiting it is not even considered.

And not everyone knows about the existence of such a beautiful small town. Today I will tell you about several reasons that still made me love this city.

By the way, I was in it 2 times. The first time I had to stay there for less than one day. And, to be honest, he did not inspire me in any way, but on my way back home I had to stay in it for a few days, after which I radically changed my mind, but about everything in order.

So, first of all, the city has a glorious view, like, probably, any other Belgian city. Ghent is located not far from Bruges, the so-called golden source of tourism throughout the country. People flock there in droves, head out to see the pretty buildings, taste the chocolate and enjoy the classic European look.

In fact, Ghent can offer you all the same, but not everyone understands it. And the problem is as follows. Upon arrival in the city, you want to be greeted by a medieval European Flemish town with gabled terraced houses and many shops selling chocolate and beer. But when you stay in Ghent, you can see what is called the gray and gloomy part of the city.

I sincerely hope that I am not the only one who has expressed such an opinion over the entire time of the reviews of Ghent. At the very least, I would set up a special stand for tourists here, which would show directions and distances to local attractions with the help of signs, thus instilling hope in the hearts of visiting tourists. For the first time, struck down on the spot by the local train station, I realized for myself how "interesting" it would be here.

Nevertheless, with the advent of extra time and the passage of more and more kilometers around the city, I was amazed at its beauty and architecture, realizing that Ghent can be considered enough beautiful place for visiting with a fairly large abundance of local attractions, of which there are even more than in the same Bruges. What are the numerous city lanes and canals, which make the already stunning view more attractive to tourists. But first things first.

I want to note that the city is well established transport system, and in the city itself all the local attractions and important objects infrastructures are located close to each other. Ghent is located just outside Brussels, a short train ride from the capital (read -). By the way, this city can be considered an excellent option for a one-day city tour, if you want to see the difference in the color of cities between the capital and its Ghent.

The streets of the city itself can be considered the first attraction, where you can walk for hours and meet everything only unique, colorful and pleasant for the soul. Do not consider me a great romantic, but here even the smell of chocolate in the shops is completely different. I want to warn you that it will take some time to understand the location of the local streets and lanes, but how I managed to do it, I felt like I had discovered an old secret.

The local culture of the city also deserves special attention. Few tourists know that Ghent is considered one of the most popular university cities. As an analogue, it can be compared with English Oxford, even the distance from the capital is the same.

As a rule, if there are many students and universities in a city, then it must be culturally developed. In fact, the local number of museums is pleasing to the eye for all lovers of art and creativity, and, besides this, I am also surprised by their number - there are several dozen museums in the city. The topics of such institutions cover almost all industries, from the visual arts to exhibitions of historical values.

But I liked the local city museum the most. Perhaps much of the credit goes to his young curator, who gives visitors a clear, almost perfect idea of the life of the city and its inhabitants. The museum attracts you in such a way that you might think that you are visiting not one, but several museums at once, and, moreover, all over the world.

I have visited many such establishments, but I have never been particularly fond of them. You can say I was pulled, because it was necessary to develop culturally. Whereas here I really liked it. What is worth visiting the Ghent castle. Its history stretches back to the beginning of the ninth century, but I will talk about this a little later.

I have specially prepared a small list of reasons for visiting Ghent, so I ask for your attention.

First of all, as I said earlier, these are street views, which, according to their position, can be considered an architectural holiday. You will remember a walk in Ghent for its historical painting, architectural masterpieces in the form of castles, cathedrals, churches and old merchant houses. Don't forget to look down at the city from above and climb the Belfort Tower for an amazing view of the city!

I recommend reading the history and finding out why the inhabitants of Ghent are considered the so-called bearers of loops (the locals quite often like to talk about this). Ghent, in fact, can be considered a rebellious city. The fact is that in the sixteenth century, the locals rebelled against the then regime and the Spanish king Charles the Fifth.

Ultimately, the riot was suppressed, and all of its participants marched in shame in white T-shirts and with loops around their necks. There are several monuments in the city that have immortalized this event. In addition, there are bars and shops of the same name.

Talking about the Castle of Ghent. This medieval castle is located directly in the city center. This is truly a great place with great view from its towers. No one left the castle indifferent, and to once again make sure of this, do not go to the torture chamber museum if you have an overly active imagination and a full stomach. And don't be surprised if you run into a knight - the castle is still functioning.

Every Belgian city has its own beguinage, I'm not sure about that, of course, but how many places I have visited, everywhere I walked through these beautiful little historic quarters of the city. In this area, the walls are poured with an emphasis on maximum soundproofing, which is why it is always so quiet and calm here. There are several similar quarters in Ghent, and all of them are located in close proximity to the historic city center, so do not pass by.

I was also pleased with the local unique and authentic shops located on every corner here. I want to say that the variety of the offered goods is really great here.

For example, in a grocery store, you can easily find a section of antiques and rare things, and in a flower boutique you can drink a milkshake or eat ice cream. A wallpaper store deserves special attention. The fact is that its design is made taking into account the styles of the last few decades. Randomly glued rolls create the impression of design chaos, but they are remembered for a long time.

Well, of course, where without local national dishes and food. Ghent even has its own sweets. They are called "Ghent Spouts". Most interestingly, even the sweets are made here in the Flemish style - cone-shaped chocolates with a raspberry flavor, hard on the outside, but melting on the inside.

They are sold everywhere, even at exchange offices. Local waffles, chocolate and beer deserve special attention. In general, everyone can find something tasty for themselves. But I liked the waffles the most. More precisely beer. More precisely, both.

Here you can always find something to photograph. Here I am such a person. I love to photograph everything that others will not even pay attention to. I'm just obsessed with details and standard landscapes, which then constantly flash in the slideshow on my desktop. In Ghent, I was struck by the doors. Yes, exactly the doors.

It may seem strange, but in fact, I have not seen such design elements anywhere else. In addition, as I learned from a conversation with local residents, the front door for a "Gentz" is considered an indicator of stability and respectability, so many make them specially to order according to their own design.

Don't forget to visit the Cathedral of Saint Bavo! Visiting Ghent and not visiting the cathedral will be simply pointless. Here, a few hundred meters before the cathedral, you can climb a rather high bell tower, from where, on one side, you will have an excellent view of the cathedral, and on the other, the panoramic landscapes of the city.

Believe me, these are just a few of the reasons, as a result of the knowledge of which I began to think that every tourist should give Ghent a chance. I agree that there are many other good places to visit in Europe, but for me personally, Ghent represents a certain value of a rough diamond. I happened to spend several days there, exploring the nooks and crannies of the city and communicating with the local townspeople, with the people who call him home.

As for me, Ghent lacks self-confidence. It would be possible to hold some event of international significance here so that people can appreciate it at its true worth. And so, at this stage of time - this beautiful city represents a certain level of realism in comparison with the same Brussels or Bruges. This is actually a fantastic place to visit.

There are towns in Europe that have preserved the living spirit of history in the narrow corridors of their ancient streets. In the case of Ghent, it seems like a real miracle to me. The city is beautiful and majestic: you don't feel desolation on any of its streets. No cobwebs or cracks, just a little noble touch of antiquity. The houses, streets, churches and castles of Ghent seem to have been transported from the Middle Ages to the present at the wave of a magic wand.

Despite the fact that Ghent is one of the main cities in Belgium, tourists do not come here very often. Cities such as, or have gained great popularity among them. But if u are multinational, colorful, constantly developing cities, but looks like a retouched tourist postcard, then Ghent is incredibly authentic in its architecture. This is a very authentic Belgian city worth visiting to see the true face of Belgium.

I did not live in Ghent, but I often traveled here while studying and working in the capital of the European Union. Each time Ghent seemed to me like a hidden pearl of Belgium. Everyone who came to a foreign land to visit me, I certainly brought it here.

How to get there

Getting to Ghent is easy. not in vain was chosen administrative center The European Union. This small country is profitable geographic location and a developed transport system. So Ghent, like other Belgian cities, can be reached by train, plane or car.

By plane

Brussel-Nationaal-Luchthaven airport

Your journey to Ghent will most likely start from the main Belgian airport Brussel-Nationaal-Luchthaven, which is located 66 km. from Ghent. This is the nearest airport.

You can read more about how to get from the Russian Federation by plane to Brussels.

You can compare ticket prices.

How to get from Brussel-Nationaal-Luchthaven to Ghent

From Brussels Airport, Ghent can be reached either by train or by car. In case you chose the first option, go down to the lowest floor of the airport, buy a ticket at the ticket office and take either a direct train to Ghent (it takes about an hour, direction La Panne), or a train to Bruxelles-Midi, where you can change take the faster train to Ghent. In this case, you can keep within 40 minutes.

In the dark, I advise you to avoid connections at Bruxelles-Nord train station. This is the most criminal train station in Brussels. One not very successful day I was robbed there. As a result, I was forced to return home without a passport and wallet. And although the Belgian police found almost all of my belongings (except for the chocolates, which I was carrying as a gift), it took several months.

The journey by car from Brussels to Ghent will also take about an hour. You will need to take the E40, which will take you virtually straight into the city.

Airport Brussels South Charleroi Airport

A number of domestic European airlines, as well as low-cost airlines such as Ryanair or Wizzair, arrive not at Brussels airport, but at Brussels South Charleroi Airport. Don't be fooled: the word Brussels appears in the airport's name solely as a decoy. In fact, Charleroi Airport is located quite far from the main Belgian city. It also takes longer to get to Ghent from here than from Brussel-Nationaal-Luchthaven (111 km).

How to get from Brussels South Charleroi Airport to Ghent

To get from the second most important Belgian airport to Ghent, you will first need to take bus A, which will take you to the city's main station in 20 minutes. There you can change to the Brussels train (direction: Anvers). In Brussels, in turn, take the direct train to Ghent. The journey will take about 2 hours.

By train

We already know how to get from Brussels to Ghent by train. You can get to Brussels by rail with or without transfers from almost any major city in the EU.

From Moscow

Theoretically, you can get to Ghent by train directly from Moscow. To do this, you will need to sit on the "Strizh", which provides rail link between Moscow and Berlin. In Berlin, you will need to change to the regional train to Cologne. From Cologne, you can get to Brussels in the same way. Well, then you already know everything.

The total travel time will be about 30 hours, 20 of which you will spend on the site. Ticket prices for "Strizh" range from 169.5 to 667.5 EUR depending on the class. Travel expenses on railways Europe will amount to another 150-170 EUR.

By bus

From European cities

You can get to Ghent by bus from a number of European cities using budget company Flixbus. Here is a rough list of destinations with minimum prices:

The company also travels between Ghent and French Paris and Lille and also Amsterdam. All Flixbus buses arrive at the Gent-Dampoort train station area. It is approximately 1.5 km. from the city center. You can either overcome them on foot, or take tram # 3, 7, 18, 38, 39.

From Moscow

If you are so brave and desperate that you are ready to travel to Ghent by bus directly from Moscow, there is an option for you! The bus departs from the capital Shchelkovsky railway station twice a week Ecolines... In less than 2 days it will take you to Brussels Main Station (Bruxelles Centrale). Tickets can be purchased online at the Ecolines website. An important point: on the way you will have to change the bus once. The transfer is carried out in Warsaw. You will need a bus from Riga to ( Riga-Paris).

From Brussels train station, take the train to Ghent.

The total cost of such a trip is approximately 160 EUR. You will have to spend about 45 hours on the road.

By car

Getting to Belgium by car is no more difficult than to other countries Western Europe.

From Moscow

The distance from Moscow to Ghent is 2,562 km.

To overcome them, in addition to a reliable iron horse, you need international car insurance (green card), as well as wit and readiness for unexpected situations on the road. When you travel such long distances, anything can happen. However, I will give you some tips:

Save some change for toll roads.
Think in advance where you will sleep.
Do not load the machine unnecessary things and attachments (otherwise it will lose its maneuverability).
Before choosing which border checkpoint to go to, look on the Internet, where there is less queue (this can be done on the website of the Belarusian customs).
Prepare yourself mentally for the broken roads in Belarus.
Calculate how much the trip will cost you. Most likely, you will burn gasoline for 300-400 EUR. Spend a couple of hundred more for overnight stays.

From St. Petersburg

The distance from St. Petersburg to Ghent is 2,480 km. They are also easily overcome by car. To do this, you will need to travel through Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Germany.

Clue:

Ghent - the time is now

Difference in hours:

Moscow 1

Kazan 1

Samara 2

Ekaterinburg 3

Novosibirsk 5

Vladivostok 8

When is the season. When is the best time to go

The good thing about Western Europe is that there is almost always a "season" here. Tourists come to Belgium absolutely at any time of the year. So Ghent could be a good Christmas destination, the May holidays, vacation or just any of your free weekend. It's up to you!

Ghent in summer

Visiting Ghent in the summer is a great idea. Firstly, because of the grandiose Genst festivals taking place in July. Secondly, in summer, the city has excellent weather for walking and exploring ancient buildings. average temperature during these months - +17 degrees. There are a lot of tourists during this period, but there are few students who go on vacation to their homes.

I really love Ghent in the summer. Chilly Belgian weather leaves tourists and locals alike with few sunny days a year. Therefore, in the summer, everyone tries to walk up a year in advance, and an atmosphere of relaxation and carelessness reigns in the city.

Ghent in autumn

In the fall, Ghent not only does not lose its majestic medieval beauty, but also becomes even more picturesque. However, the autumn trip to Ghent has its drawbacks: eternal damp weather and always noisy students. Average temperature: +11 degrees.

Ghent in spring

Ghent blooms in spring, and the revived beauty of nature is in perfect harmony with neat medieval houses. Average temperature in spring in Ghent: +10 degrees. However, I advise you to dress warmer: in the spring months in Ghent, you can still feel the cold breeze from the sea. There are not very many tourists at this time.

Ghent in winter

In winter, Ghent is as easy to find something to do as it is in summer. The weather is chilly, of course, but mulled wine bought at the Christmas market will help you get through it. Average temperature in the city in the winter months: +4 degrees. Sometimes it snows a little.

In winter, I advise you to take winter clothes on a trip: it always seemed to me that during the winter months the weather in Belgium is colder than the average in Moscow. All because of the high humidity. In any case, in December-January I always wrapped myself in warm scarves and did not forget about gloves and a hat.

Ghent - monthly weather

Clue:

Ghent - monthly weather

Districts. Where is the best place to live

Administratively Ghent is divided into 14 districts. All of them are safe, but not all are interesting from a tourist point of view.

As you can see on the map below, most of the hotels are located in the city center - in the Gent area. Here you will find hostels, hotels, and apartments (although the number of the latter is not very high). Most tourists do not stick their nose further than this area, and even believe that the city of Ghent is limited to the Ghent area. This is understandable: all the main attractions are located exactly in the city center.

A number of hotels and apartments for rent can be found in areas adjacent to the center Gentbrugge, Sint-Denijs-Western and Zwijnaarde... Housing here is on average lower. However, the difference is not big enough to be taken into account.

What are the prices for rest

Vacation prices in Ghent are not cheap. Lunch in inexpensive restaurants will cost you about 15 EUR per person. A room in a three- / four-star hotel will cost around 100 EUR. A taxi ride around the city will cost approximately 20 EUR.

You can save money on entrance tickets to various tourist destinations. To do this, you need to purchase City Card Gent... It gives you free admission to Ghent's main museums, free public transport, one pleasure boat ride and the option to rent a bike for one day. It costs 30 EUR for two days and 35 EUR for three days. The card can be purchased at the city's tourist office at Sint-Veerleplein 5.

Clue:

The cost of food, accommodation, transportation, and more

Currency: Rubles, rub. Dollars, $ Euro, €

Major attractions. What to see

I would say that the main attraction of the city of Ghent is its entire center. It is necessary to walk slowly along it, examining architectural details and looking for evidence of past centuries. Well, to be more specific: Ghent is famous for its sacred buildings. So do not apply to go to the main churches and temples of the city, even if you are not too religious.

Top 3

Belfort van Gent (Watchtower)

The 95-meter watchtower of the 14th century was and is the symbol of the city. I advise you to take the elevator all the way to the top to see the huge bells and beautiful view to the city.

Attention: only part of the way can be covered by the lift. For the most desperate, there is an option to walk all the way. Actually, the first time I did so, but then I felt a little unwell from the play of claustrophobia and the fear of falling off the worn narrow steps.

Entrance costs 6 EUR for adults, 2 EUR for persons from 19 to 26 years old, 4.50 EUR for seniors. Admission is free for persons under the age of 19. The tower is located on the Emile Braunplein and is open every day from 10:00 to 18:00.

By the way, inside the tower you will find a completely unique and ancient mechanism that looks like a barrel organ. It is he who controls the ringing of the bells.

Het Gravensteen (Castle of the Counts of Flanders)

Built by Philip of Alsace, Count of Flanders, after his return from a crusade in 1180. Therefore, in terms of its architecture, the castle resembles similar buildings in the Holy Land. Wall thickness - 2 meters! There is a torture chamber inside. Above, a wonderful view of the city opens up.

Entrance costs 8 EUR for adults, 6 EUR for groups, as well as seniors and young people from 19 to 26 years old. Admission for persons under 19 years old: free. Open from April to September every day from 9:00 to 18:00, from October to March every day from 9:00 to 17:00. Closed Jan 1, Dec 31, Dec 24-25.

Graslei and Korenlei

Many believe that Graslei and Korenlei are the most beautiful embankments in Europe. These people can be understood. Neat toy houses, turrets, glare of the sun on the water, boats sailing by and colorful umbrellas of cafes create a unique atmosphere here.

Beaches. Which is better

There are no beaches in Ghent. However, the sea lover can rush from Ghent (61 km) or Knokke(49 km) - famous Belgian resort towns. The water temperature in these places rarely rises above 20 degrees Celsius, however, wide beaches, soft sand and a refreshing sea breeze can certainly cheer you up.

To get from Ghent to Brussels, take a car or train. Take the E40 by car. You will be in Brussels in about 50 minutes. You can get there by train in 36 minutes. You need direct Express train IC to Brussels. One adult ticket costs 9.20 EUR.

Antwerp (59 km)

Probably the second most important city in Belgium, it is also not far from Ghent. It is the capital of diamonds and just very picturesque medieval town with a castle and old buildings in the unique style of the Brabant Gothic. I came to Antwerp when I wanted to go to the zoo. Here is one of the oldest zoos in Europe.

By car, you can reach here in approximately 1 hour on the E34. The train journey will take about the same. From Ghent main station, take the direct train to Antwerp. The ticket will cost 10 EUR.

Food. What to try

There are many places in Ghent where you can taste Flemish cuisine, which is considered one of the finest in Europe. The main dishes are mussels in various sauces, fried ribs and " stoverij"(slices of tender meat simmered for three hours in a dark Belgian beer.) All this is invariably accompanied by Belgian fries.

Another famous dish of Ghent is the Ghent waterza ( Gentse waterzooi). It is a fish and vegetable soup. It is sometimes also made with chicken.

Budget

Faja Lobi on Vlaanderenstraat 2 - the only Surinamese restaurant in Belgium. For those who don't know, Suriname is a small African country formerly the seat of Netherlands Guiana. The menu includes both African and Flemish dishes. In general, both original and tasty and inexpensive!
Groot vleeshuis- a very inexpensive place where you can taste Flemish cuisine for less than 10 EUR.
On the Sleepstraat many cheap eateries with Turkish, Indian and Pakistani cuisine. The food here is of decent quality.

Expensive

Jan Van den Bon for Koning Leopold II laan 43.
C-Jean on Cataloniëstraat 3.

Holidays

Gentse feesten - 10-day festival that takes place in the second half of July. The history of the festival goes back 170 years! Today it is one of the largest European festivals, home to some of the smaller ones (for example, MYouth Circus Festival). The Ghent Festival includes free performances by bands, various entertainment for children and adults, theater performances, rides, fireworks and much, much more. Among all the festivals that I have seen in my life, this one is the most grandiose and interesting.

Safety. What to watch out for

Ghent is a safe city, but touristy enough. This means that a large number of tourists attract petty thieves and beggars. You should beware of them, as in any other major city.

If you have any problems, contact the local police. The central site is at Belfortstraat 4.

If you are using a bike, be sure to lock it securely. In Belgium, as in the Netherlands, bicycle theft is one of the most common crimes.

Things to do

Finding something to do in Ghent is not difficult. I will offer you several options:

Shopping and shops

The first thing I advise shopping lovers to visit is the local markets ( Vrijdagmarkt), which have been located in the city center since the 13th century.

Markets today unfold from 7:30 to 13:00 on Fridays, as well as on Saturdays (11:00 to 18:00), and even on Sundays (11:00 to 18:00). Here you can taste fresh vegetables and fruits, cheeses, ham and even ready-made meals.

The flea market operates on the square near the Cathedral of St. Jacob also on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Most of the shops and retail chains are located in Ghent on the street Weldstraat.

Bars. Where to go

The bars in Ghent can be found on St. Veerleplein, around the Church of St. James, and in the student area of Blandijnberg. Excellent Belgian beer will be waiting for you everywhere. Most of the drinking establishments work late.

Here are some places worthy of your attention:

Baravins- a wine bar with an excellent card. Located at Steendam 53. Open every day until midnight. Prices are reasonable.
Dulle griet- a traditional Belgian pub with a huge variety of beer drinks and a truly intoxicating atmosphere. Address: Vrijdagmarkt 50. Open every day from 12:00 to 01:00.
Bar des amis at Vlasmarkt 5 is intended for long, friendly get-togethers. It works every day from 18:00 to 05:00.
Trappistenhuis at Brabantdam 164. Very small but very cozy bar. On weekdays it is open until 01:00, on weekends - until 02:00.

Clubs and nightlife

I must admit right away that I am not a great specialist in nightclubs and have not visited many of them in Belgium. But I know that the most popular club in Ghent is the club Decadence at Overpoortstraat 76. The world's best DJs often play here.
Live music, namely jazz, you can listen to on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 21.00 at Hot club de gand at 15b Groentenmarkt.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

From Ghent, I advise you to lead your food, because here the culinary traditions have been preserved here for centuries! Here is a short list of local delicacies: praline candies, local beer, meats and cured meats, Tierenteyn mustard Ghent, Mastelles buns. All this you can buy in numerous small shops in the city:

I advise you to buy traditional Ghent sweets in the shop Confiserie temmerman on Kraanlei 79.
You are looking for trinkets, magnets, lace and other amenities in the store Craenkindershuys on Kraanlei 2.
Buy the traditional Ghent Tierenteyn mustard only in the company store on Groentenmarkt 3. It has been made here since 1790.

The price for all of this is very reasonable. Of the souvenirs, only handmade lace can be expensive, which can cost up to several hundred euros for a small product.

How to get around the city

The center of Ghent is small enough to be easily explored on foot. I always did that - I moved around the city on my own two feet.

Not a bad option maybe a bicycle. There are many bicycle parking lots in the city. Streets with one-way traffic are most often two-way for cyclists (a special sign will inform you about this). The only negative: paving stones in the center. This means you can be shaken in the saddle. A couple of times I have experienced this myself: the sensations are not the most pleasant.

For those who like it faster, there are Vespa scooters. They can be rented in the city at the company at Beukenlaan 65. Prices start at 25 EUR per day.

At the same time, Ghent has an excellent transport system. Public transport usually runs on schedule. A ticket for one trip on a bus or tram costs 3 EUR for the driver and 1.40 EUR for the machine. Ticket machines can usually be found at bus stops. Tickets are valid for one hour for any route.

If you are going to spend more than one weekend in the city, I advise you to buy a ticket for 10 rides. It costs 14 EUR and is valid for trips not only in Ghent, but also in other Flemish cities.

Important: if there is a vending machine at the bus stop, the ticket must be bought there. The bus or tram driver may not sell you a ticket directly, indicating that they have a ticket machine. You can also pay for the trip using SMS. Instructions, again, are at the stops. However, for this you need a Belgian SIM card.

All public transport in Ghent is served by the Flemish company De Lijn. There is a company office at Sint-Peters train station, where you can get a free map of the city and the surrounding area, where all bus and tram routes will be marked.

Taxi. What features are there

Taxi ranks in Ghent are located in the square in front of the Gent-Sint-Pieters train station, as well as in other strategically important points in the city: Gent-Dampoort, Korenmarkt, Woodrow Wilsonplein (Zuid), Flanders Expo... Naturally, you can call a taxi by phone using the services of one of the many companies in the city (V-Tax, Taxi Discount Gent, Taxi Gent).

You can often pay for a trip with a card or in cash. But it's always worth having some cash ready just in case. Payment is made according to the counter. average cost city trips - 20 EUR.

Another important point: don't expect all taxis in Ghent to be yellow. The color can be anything, but the characteristic Taxi sign on the roof is still usually present.

Trams

Ghent trams, like buses, are operated by De Lijn. And it is the most popular, fastest and convenient way moving around the city.

There are four routes in Ghent: 1, 4, 21, 22 and 24. Routes 21 and 22 are almost identical. It is especially convenient that each route has its own color: you can easily find the route you need on the city map.

An important point: there are no turnstiles in Ghent trams. Therefore, each passenger must validate their ticket in the validator.

Buses

Buses in Ghent are less popular than trams. However, the Ghent bus network can save you at night, because there are as many as 8 night routes in the city (N1, N2, N3, N4, N5, N17, N70, N76).

At 11:30, 0:15 and 1:00, all night buses except the N1 pass through the Gent Zuid stop.

Transport rental

If you decide to rent a car, I advise you to do it right at the Brussels airport. Or in advance on the Internet. A car for one day will cost you around 70 EUR. The longer the rental period, the lower the cost for each day. Prices and options can be viewed.

If you still want to drive on the streets of Ghent, you can do it in the offices of Sixt, Europcar, Herzt, Luxauto and others.

You will find a complete list of providers.

The price of the 95th gasoline in Belgium at the moment is about 1.35 EUR per liter.

The city center of Ghent is a pedestrian zone, but you will find many convenient underground parking spaces at the entrances to it.

Ghent - holidays with children

I would not call Ghent the best city for families with children. But some entertainment for children can still be found here. Just outside the city, at Gijzelstraat 14, 9031 Drongen, you will find a real farm. It is called Schoolhoeve de campagne... Here your kids can interact with animals, feed and clean them, and even ride a farm tractor. Open from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm on weekdays.

An important point: if you come to Ghent with a toddler child who already walks, but not very many, you can borrow a stroller for free! Contact

Buggypunt gent on Emile Braunplein or call + 32-92428040. The rental point is open every day from 08:00 to 18:00 (on weekends from 10:00 to 18:00). As a deposit, you will be asked to leave a document.

Thinking about Belgium, as a rule, "the three pillars of local tourism" come to mind - these are Brussels, Bruges and Antwerp. In this case, it is worth thinking again - and you will remember about Ghent. This city is unique architectural ensemble, in the center of which is the Cathedral of St. Bavo (16th century) with exquisite paintings and stained-glass windows. It is in it that the famous masterpiece of Jean Van Eyck "Adoration of the Lamb" is kept. Ghent is also famous for its fun student life, an abundance of pubs, excellent museums and a cozy atmosphere of a medieval town.

How to call

8-10-32-91-phone number

How to get there

By train

The most convenient way to get to Ghent is by train. The main railway station is named after St. Peter - St Pietersstation. It looks more like a fortress than a train station and is located 2 km south of the city center. Some trains also stop at Gent-Dampoort station, which lies east of the center of Ghent.

From Sint-Pieters station, trains leave every half hour to Antwerp (8-10 EUR, 45 minutes), Bruges (5-7 EUR, 20 minutes), Brussels (8-10 EUR, 45 minutes), Kortrijk (6-8 EUR, 20 minutes) and Ostend (8-10 EUR, 50 minutes). Prices on the page are for September 2018.

Search for flights to Brussels (nearest airport to Ghent)

By bus

The Eurolines office is located 100 m from the Sint-Pieters station (Koningin Elisabethlaan 73), where you can buy tickets and immediately take your place - buses throughout Europe leave from there.

Weather in Ghent

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Transport

The city has a developed public transport system: buses, trams and trolleybuses. The tariff system is the same for all types of transport. Tickets can be bought from vending machines at bus stops (1.4 EUR per trip), from the driver (3 EUR), at newsstands, or at special kiosks Lijnwinkel. The latter also give free maps of the city with all routes. Free buses run at night, working hours: from 23:30 to 02:30 on Fri and Sat - especially for the "spree" individuals.

There are Lijnwinkel kiosks at the main station (from 7 am to 7 pm Mon-Fri) and on Korenmarkt (from 7 to 7 on weekdays and from 10:30 to 17:30 on Sat).

There are also sold passes for 10 trips, which cost 14 EUR.

The historic center of Ghent is not large, the most convenient way to explore it is on foot, but here are both railways. railway stations - where most of the tourists arrive - are located quite far from the center. For example, it will be easier to get from Sint-Peters station by tram number 1, and from Damport station - by trolleybus number 3. Tram lines with numbers 1,10,11,12 and 13 also lead to the city center.

Bike can be rented from Biker (Steendam 16; half-day / full day 6.50 / 9 EUR; opening hours: 9-12: 30 and 13: 30-18: 00 Tue-Fri until 17:00 Sat).

Cuisine and restaurants

Belgium is famous for its beer, and Ghent is probably no exception. For authentic pubs, head towards St. Veerleplein (in front of the castle), St. Jacob's Church (especially on weekends) or the student quarter around Blandijnberg, near the School of Art and Philosophy, easily recognizable by the 64-meter Art Deco Library Tower.

Suggestions: "at the students' place" take a look at Overpoortstraat with 34 bars of all colors and sizes. On Wednesday and Thursday nights, Sodom and Gomorrah are happening here, because on Tuesday the teachers do not give them a chance - after which young minds rest for two nights in a row. The most famous places: Decadance (house, techno, drum & bass), Boom Boom (good old rock and roll), Den Drummer (rock and metal), Twieoo (new wave), Cuba Libre (or Puta Libre with R&B). Notable nearby are Porter House (Stalhof 1) and Plan B, a typical quiet bar with a medieval atmosphere and charming river views (Verlorenkost 17).

Belgium is famous for its beer, and Ghent is probably no exception. For authentic pubs, head towards St. Veerleplein.

We go further: in the center, near the castle, they are waiting - they will not wait for their revelers Waterhuis aan de Bierkant on Groentenmarkt 9 is an exclusively tourist place, but as many as 400 sorts of Belgian beer are poured here. Het Galgenhuis nearby also offers a large selection of draft and bottled beers, but in a quieter setting. "t Dreupelkot on Groentenmarkt 12 is 200 varieties of" Enever "(local vodka). Headless and persistent individuals should try pepper (if anything, we warned you!) The cost is about 2 EUR per glass. remarkable place- Hot Club de Gand (Schuddevisstraatje - Groentenmarkt 15b), famous for its cozy atmosphere and jazz concerts. Which are held with equal frequency in Damberd, which is on Korenmarkt square.

Near the Church of St. Jacob, you can recommend Charlatan (Vlasmarkt 6), where live performances are held; Jos (Vlasmarkt 7), Bar des Amis (Vlasmarkt 5), Kinky Star (Vlasmarkt 9), "t Begin Van" t Einde (Vlasmarkt 14) and a bar with a simple name Video (Oude Beestenmarkt 7). All of them lead a regular "concert life".

Look for something special at Herberg De Dulle Griet (Vrijdagmarkt 50). The local beer is all strong, full-bodied and quite refined. For example, you can try Guillotine (9.3%), Delirium Tremens (9.5%) and the “strongest” Ghent beer with self-explanatory name Piraat (10.5%).

Markets and bazaars of Ghent

Flowers, birds or just fresh lettuce - all this can be easily found in Ghent, as in this city every day is a market day. And if from Monday to Saturday you can find only one, then Sunday will give shopaholics the pleasure of strolling through at least six markets.

The flower market at Kouter is open Mon-Sun from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm. The flea market is only available on Fri, Sat and Sun from 8 am to 1 pm at Bij St.-Jacobs / Beverhoutplein. Look for fresh vegetables, fruits and cheese at Sint-Michielsplein on Sun from 7:30 am to 1:00 pm. Birds? Excuse me: at Vrijdagmarkt on Sun from 7:00 to 13:00. Small livestock and poultry are sold on Sundays at the Oude Beestenmarkt from 7 am to 1 pm.

Hand-made souvenirs can be found at the Groentenmarkt from 1/04 to 30/09, Sat-Sun and public holidays from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (except on Ghent Festival days). Bio-organic food - same place at Groentenmarkt, but on Fridays from 7:30 am to 1:00 pm. Used books and "small" antiques - at Ajuinlei on Sun from 9:00 to 13:00. And second-hand bicycles (well, you never know what a tourist will think of?) On Oude Beestenmarkt on Sun from 7:00 to 13:00.

Guides in Ghent

Popular hotels in Ghent

Entertainment and attractions in Ghent

The Cathedral of Saint Bavo is part of one of the so-called "three towers of Ghent". The other two are the Bell Tower and the Church of St. Nicholas. In the center there is one of the symbols of the city - the St. Michael's Bridge, thrown over the Lis channel, as well as the Watchtower and the Lakenhalle covered cloth market. Another spectacular landmark of the city is the castle of the Counts of Flanders. Its interior houses a museum of the history of prisons with an impressive collection of medieval instruments of torture.

The main attractions of Ghent: the street of the old houses of Graslei, the Tower of the University Library, the Abbey of St.Peter, main square the town of Vrijdagmarkt ("Friday Market"), the town hall on Hoogpoort street, the castle of Gerard the Devil, the Church of St. James and the austere building of the Opera on Brabantdam.

Lovers of simply wandering around the city will also find a lot of interesting things in Ghent: for example, the Veldstraat pedestrian street, where old houses and private mansions of the 18th century are interspersed with fashionable shops. The castles of Laarne, Van Oydonk and Vondelgem, which once served to protect Ghent, lie very close to the city.

Canal tours

Finally, you should definitely take a ride on the canals of Ghent, daily excursions are offered by five companies in the city. As a rule, the ship's captain acts as its guide. Prices from 7 EUR for adults, 4 EUR for children up to 12 years old.

De Bootjes van Gent arranges river walks through the historical center of the city, with an emphasis on interesting folklore features. It is also possible to order lunch on board. Departing from Korenlei, excursions run from March 1st to November 14th every day from 10:00 to 6:00 pm.

Ghent Water Tourist seems to specialize in everything from traditional excursions in the city center to funky champagne parties on board. You can ride both ordinary boats and an old river tram from 1971. Departure from Graslei from March 1 to October 31 from 10 am to 6 pm, from November 1 to February 28 from 11 am to 4 pm.

Flowers, birds or just fresh lettuce - all this can be easily found in Ghent, as in this city every day is a market day.

The highlight of Rederij De Gentenaer are chocolate tours or baby birthdays on board. Departure from Groentenmarkt / Vleeshuisbrug from April 1 to October 15 from 10 to 5, from October 16 to March 31 on Sat-Sun and holidays from 11 to 4.

The company with the uncomplicated name Boat in Ghent, in addition to the traditional sightseeing tours, offers an eco-trip, during which tourists will learn all about the flora and fauna of the region, as well as frolic at a picnic. Departure from Kraanlei from 1 April to 3 October every day from 10 to 6.

Viadagio vzw are cozy wooden boats for 6-12 persons, which will take tourists along the historic canals of Ghent to the creak of aspen (and maybe fir) masts and boards. Departure from Zuivelbrug.

Views of Ghent

Museums

Fans of wandering around museums will also find a lot of interesting things in Ghent: the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Industrial Archeology and Textiles, the City Museum ... today, hidden behind the facade of an 18th century building. Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Retro (including sofas familiar even to us from the 70s) and similar “smart words” will finally appear before you in all their 3-d splendor. Entrance 8 EUR, address: Jan Breydelstraat 5, opening hours: 10: 00-18: 00 Tue-Sun. Read more on the page "Museums of Ghent".

CityCard Gent

All museums in Ghent for one price! 30 EUR and the most interesting and main sites of the city are in the tourist's pocket (including temporary exhibitions). Moreover, city map provides tourists with the opportunity to use free of charge by public transport which is very convenient: tram line number 1 will take curious travelers along all the most important museums in the city.

The city card of Ghent is valid for 2-3 days from the date indicated by the tourist's hand on the back, so you can even buy it "for future use." The card can be purchased at the information office, some museums, hotels and De Lijn kiosks. The CityCard includes: Design Museum, Castle of the Counts of Flanders, Fine Arts Museum, STAM City Museum, St. Peter's Abbey and much more.

My trip to Belgium and a trip to the city of Ghent for 1 day. Sights, interesting places with comments and impressions. Information about where to stay and how to get there.

How to get to the city of Ghent

Brussels-Ghent: The starting point for most tourists will be Brussels and the only option to get to Ghent is the Brussels-Ghent train for 9.2 €, tickets can be bought in Russian without extra charges or at the ticket office before departure. An alternative would be to order for 80 €.
Lille-Ghent: This rare itinerary can come in handy if you come to see France for only 5 €. Then the buses will fulfill this wish and in 1 hour you will French city.

Where to stay in Ghent

Accommodation in Ghent turned out to be more expensive than in the capital of Belgium, which was a big surprise when looking for an overnight stay, but following verified sites I managed to find a room for 2 for one night cheaper than a hotel.

Hotels it is worth booking in advance by looking for offers on. This site does not make hotel reservations, but it helps to find a cheaper option among the various branding systems. If you use it, the price will decrease by another 10-20%.
Apartments are almost always cheaper than hotels. The easiest way to look for them is on and don't forget about. I have booked these. Reviews about the apartment were positive and personal experience I will say that the apartment is clean, the linen is fresh, WiFi is fast, and the owner did not bother with his presence. The only negative is the savings on lighting, the bulbs were quite dim.

City of Ghent in 1 day. Photos and impressions

In fact, I stayed in Ghent for 1.5 days, or maybe a little more, but I managed to walk around the city itself for no more than 5-7 hours, which can be counted as one day. Rain and cloudy weather interfered from time to time, so the photos will be gloomy.

If the city of Ghent met you with the same cloudy weather, then you definitely should not be upset. At the beginning it upset me, but then when I saw a photo of Ghent in the sun on the Internet, I realized that in cloudy weather he is more fabulous and mysterious. The city's Christmas decoration also added fabulousness to the city.

The first photo during the first excursion into the city, this is the most history Center town and just a 2-minute walk from rented apartment... In the background Post office building, and on the right Church of St. Nicholas.

Further route right from this place can be seen on this map. This is the route on the first day, although the map shows that you can walk it in less than an hour because of the rain, this walk lasted 3-4 hours.

If you do not follow the planned route, but deviate to the residential part of the city, then you will see such streets and houses in front of you.

If you go west as shown on the map and as all guidebooks advise, then the next point will be Post office building and Church of St. Nicholas .

And when these objects are passed, the road leads to which overlooks Embankment Graslei and Korenlei .

And the most fabulous and breathtaking view awaits when you pass the bridge and turn around. Just for the sake of this view, it was worth going to the city of Ghent. The photo does not even convey a part of the atmosphere that this place creates, and if you come back here in the evening everything will be even more mesmerizing when the lanterns light up.

A piece of Venice in Ghent

The last photo showed the edge of the historic city, it is worth going back along the canal, which starts right from this structure. This will be especially pleasant for fans of Venice - there are canals and bridges and beautiful buildings.

Walking along the canal you can go to Castle Gravensten.

And almost immediately behind the castle there will be Friday market square.

Another 5 minutes walk and you can return to the place where you started. That was the whole walk for today. Get up early tomorrow and explore the rest of the city on the way to the station.

In the morning, the route lies in the SOUTH on Sint Pieters station from where the train to Bruges will be.

And the next place will appeal to lovers of museums, there are several of them and they are located not far from the station.

I continue to talk about my autumn trip to Belgium... After Brussels we went to Ghent.

I wouldn’t have known about this city if one friend hadn’t said that it’s necessary to go there. After all, our tastes for cities coincide by 200%. Most tourists go straight from Brussels to Bruges. In vain, my friends, in vain! A stop in Ghent is a must.

He is different. Not as fancy as, and not as touristy as Bruges. Something more natural. From the Belgian cities I liked Ghent the most.

We went to Belgium by car, but you can also see the main cities by train. Alternatively, buy a ticket for the Brussels-Bruges train (at the station ticket office it costs 15-16€, no need to buy in advance). After 30 minutes, get off at the bus stop in Ghent. After walking around Ghent, come back to the train station and continue on to Bruges using the same ticket.

Ghent is home to one of the largest universities in Belgium, so the streets are filled with students. People relax on the parapet:

In Ghent, the Sint-Bavo Cathedral has observation deck with gorgeous views of the city center. Recommend!

Apartments in Ghent

Ghent is most beautiful in the evening, when the lights come on. If you have the opportunity, it makes sense to stay in the city for at least one night.

In Europe, I usually rent apartments and flats - it turns out cheaper and more convenient than living in a hotel (in Belgium it is definitely cheaper). There are many options for apartments in the city center in Ghent for a reasonable fee.

Apartment in Ghent - minimum 45€ per day, there are more expensive and more comfortable apartments

Hotels in Ghent

Hotel prices in Ghent start from 60€ per room.

Attractions in Ghent

Ghent has an interesting history. In the 13th century, it was the second largest city in Europe after Paris. Ghent was also very rich, because wool was produced and traded there.

Call him poor and in our time, the language will not turn. Fresh-looking buildings, well-groomed streets, neat flowers.

So it blows with prosperity and well-being. Photo of Ghent:

Sint Bavo Cathedral, Ghent Belgium

Cathedral of Sint-Bavo (St. Bavo's Cathedral, Sint-Baafskathedraal) - located in the central square of Ghent. This church houses the painting “Adoration of the Mystic Lamb” (“De Aanbidding van het Lams God”), a work of art created by the Flemish artist Jan Van Eyck in 1432.

I was very impressed by the interior of the cathedral. All these arches, stained glass windows, secret rooms.

The address: St. Baafsplein, Ghent, Belgium, BE

Open Cathedral from April to October Mon-Sat 9.30-17.00, Sun- 13.00-17.00; from November to March Gy-C, 10.30-12.00 and 14.00-17.30, Sun 14.00-17.00

entrance free, look at the lamb - €4

Belford Bell Tower, Ghent Belgium

Belfry and Cloth Hall (Belfort en Lakenhalle), aka 14th century watchtower, is my favorite attraction and is worth a visit for its breathtaking views from the observation deck.

You can get to the top of the tower by elevator, which is very convenient given the number of steps and the width of the stairwells. This building was once a symbol of Ghent's independence. There are benches around the bell tower, you can bask in the sun. Previously, this dragon flaunted at the peak of the bell tower, now he lives on the 2nd floor and allows himself to be photographed. That's right, there is nothing for the animal to freeze on the street.

The address: Botermarkt, Ghent, Belgium, BE

Working hours: from mid-April to mid-November daily 10.00-12.30 and 14.00-17.30, closed on 25.12, 26.12, 31.12

Ticket price: € 5 for adults, € 3.75 for people under 26 and over 55, up to 19 free

Church of Saint Nicholas, Ghent Belgium

Saint Nicholas Church is one of the most imposing Gothic churches in Ghent.

Open daily 10.00-17.00, Mondays 14.00-17.00

entrance free

Gravensteen "Castle of the Counts", Ghent Belgium

Gravensteen, Castle of the Counts is one of the main attractions of Ghent. The castle houses a torture museum and an observation deck.

After climbing the many steps, a breathtaking view of the whole of Ghent opens up. One of the oldest castles in Belgium, built at the end of the 12th century!