- Join for free
- Sign In
Latest Gent hotel reviews
Pro
Beautiful classical city, statues and sculptures, less touristy than "picturesque" Brugges
Con
A lot of rain but I'm sure its not like that every day
In a nutshell
One of the trendiest citys in Belgium with the perfect balance between medieval culture & innovation
Ghent Altarpiece - Adoration of the Mystic Lamb
brendareed Says: One of the most important pieces of art is on display in St. Bavo’s Cathedral. One of my books refers to it as “one of the greatest cultural treasures of northern Europe” while another book that I just finished reading says “Jan van Eyck’s Ghent Altarpiece is on any art...
Museum voor Schone Kunsten - Fine Arts Museum
brendareed Says: Ghent’s Fine Art Museum was a little bit away from the city center that we had been touring, so we hopped onto a tram and headed towards the museum, getting off within the lovely Citidel park that the museum was next to. The Museum voor Schone Kunsten is housed in a...
brendareed Says: Just across the plein from St. Bavo Cathedral is Belfort, the medieval bell tower, and the Cloth Hall known as Lakenhalle. Belfort makes up the second of the three spires in the medieval Ghent skyline (St. Bavo and St. Niklaaskerk are the other two).Belfort is a 299 foot...
Groot Vleeshuis – Great Meat Hall
brendareed Says: The large meat hall, Groot Vleehuis, was an interesting stop in our tour of Ghent architecture. We stopped in to look at the original wood beamed ceiling and an uneven wooden floor. Today, it is still used for selling meats and contains a restaurant and a deli. Hanging from...
Het Gravensteen – Castle of the Counts
brendareed Says: Just down the road from Graslei we came upon a large castle. I was unaware of a castle in Ghent but was very pleasantly surprised to find that Het Gravensteen was the birthplace of Charles V in 1500 (the history geek in me is coming out here!). Not only was he born here, but...
brendareed Says: Graslei is the embankment on one side of the Tusschen Brugghen, the old medieval harbor of Ghent. All lined up along Graslei are guild houses, each unique in their own way. The opposite side of Graslei (the other embankment) is called Korenlei and it, too, had buildings...
St-Niklasskerk - St Nicholas Church
brendareed Says: We went into this church briefly to see the architecture known as Scheldt Gothic, a style distinctive for this region. It is named for St. Nicholas, the saint that eventually we get our Santa Claus from. You can see a painting above the altar of St. Nicholas chasing slave...
St-Baafskathedraal - St. Bavo Cathedral
brendareed Says: St. Bavo’s Cathedral stands proudly on the side of the square opposite the Belfort and down the road from St. Niklasskerk. These three buildings make up the Ghent skyline of towers, almost as if they are vying for position and recognition. The Gothic style cathedral was...
zadunajska8 Says: These two opposing embankments probably make the most attractive street in Ghent. The Graslei on the Eastern side in particular is crammed full with stunning guildhouses showing a wide variety of decoration between them. The oldest is No 10 (Spijker - Staple House) which...
zadunajska8 Says: I think that this is (after the city's general charm), Gent's star attraction. The powerful castle of the Counts of Flanders is a must see for all first time visitors. The castle has everything you would expect of a medieval castle, it has a draw bridge, turrets and torture...
steedappeal Says: The S.M.A.K. is a bit of a contemporary arts ramble. Some interesting, arty bits but, overall, a little random. Reminds me of the sort of "progressive" art space most second tier cities attempt to have but are no always successful pulling-off. There are lockers to store your...
5 Reviews and 248 Opinions Now this hotel is not easy to get to BY CAR but it does have its own private car park beneath it...
6 Reviews and 216 Opinions we came to the ibis gent centrum opera as majoette group of 46 people including childern for the...
Vooruit Cafe: Cafe and Culture!
steedappeal Says: This is a cafe located in an old department store that is now a major cultural center, hence the arty/funky atmosphere. Filled to the brim with locals. There is a menu at each table. Order and pay at the bar upfront. They will give you a receipt and one of those alert orbs...
Trio's: For the last night in Gent
steedappeal Says: This is a very sincere restaurant- definitely not trying to create new-age trends in fine dining. It is a homey, tasteful place featuring Gent specialties. The formula has worked over since 1947. The only strange thing is that the lights were as bright during the night as...
steedappeal Says: This place is hidden at the back of an alley way. Was very difficult to hear the music (only one guy on a guitar), especially sitting in the outdoor area. Fight through the packed, mostly University crowd for your drink! Casual
BoHo Cafe & Atelier: Sew one on!
steedappeal Says: This is an unusual concept. A full bar along with a sewing atelier upstairs for those inclined to make drapes, dresses, etc.. I tried and enjoyed 'Troubadour' beer for the first time- excellent! Casual
brendareed Says: Traveling by public transportation is very easy in Europe – so many people use it and it just makes sense. Not only do you help the environment, but you save the expense and hassle of a car and fuel as well as having to find parking.Our group took the train for our day...
MavarickChng Says: We found it the "hard" way by asking the locals. Unlike Brugge, not everyone in GENT speaks English but nevertheless every single soul we came across were very kind and helpful.Once you reach St Peters Railway station(the main Ghent railway station), exit the station then...
Actually, this is ON the beaten path...
steedappeal Says: The cuberdon battle goes "Nose to Nose" in the heart of Gent! These purple, conned shaped candies (called the Neus of Ghent) have a very aromatic flavor. They make wonderful souvenirs but make sure to keep at room temperature since they'll melt and stick in your pockets. Not...
steedappeal Says: This is an Art Nouveau themed CO-ED sauna. It is beautifully crafted out of an old town house. It is a very serene and special place. They are especially good about orienting first-time visitors to the rules of sauna engagement- especially that peace and quiet should be...
Biking, skirting a small river and tree alley
Norali Says: Something I did and liked was cycling in Greater Ghent years ago.I don't remember of the name of the spot we were in. I know it was in Greater Ghent. Quite a countryside with nice alleys and dirty roads (yes!)We skirted the little river there, with trees along our flat path....
Sponsored Links
Plan a Gent vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Gent locals
Ghent - my hometown - As you maybe know - Belgium is mainly divided into Flanders/Wallonie/and Brussels. No discussions about politics, provinces etc. Ghent is worthwile to visit for its historical monuments- and other...
351 members live in Gent
Q: Will we be able to get on a Tram to go to the City Centre with a medium sized suitcase? or should we get a taxi to the hotel -...
A: You shouldn't have any problem with the tram. They run regularly and are rarely full except at peak times. Gent taxis are expensive.
Read 2 Replies
1
As you maybe know - Belgium is mainly divided into Flanders/Wallonie/and Brussels. No discussions about politics, provinces etc. Ghent is worthwile to visit for its historical monuments- and other......
2
I only had two days in Ghent in my poor life. LOL Yet, it is not far from Brussels, where I live, and it has a lot to offer. To be accurate, two days in Ghent center and one afternoon cycling in...
3
I am infatuated with Gent. This is a VirtualTourist success story, listen up: Sometime in February in the deep cold darkness of a Minnesota winter, I played on VT until the deeep, deep dark recesses...
4
So, is it Gent or is it Ghent, I guess the jury is out. I believe that Gent is the local spelling and that is the one used on VT but I've always known it as Ghent. Anyway, for the purposes of my...
5
Many people visiting Belgium bypass Gent in favor of Brugge and while I wouldn't recommend skipping either of these cities, I'd have to say that I'd give Gent a slight edge, after all Gent is where my...
Build your own Gent page
Sponsored Links
