Ghent

Ghent has the architectural weight of a major medieval city without feeling preserved solely for visitors. From the Graslei and Korenlei quays, guild houses line the River Leie beneath the towers of Saint Nicholas’ Church, the Belfry and Saint Bavo’s Cathedral. Inside the cathedral, the Van Eyck brothers’ Adoration of the Mystic Lamb—commonly called the Ghent Altarpiece—anchors one of Europe’s most important collections of early Netherlandish art. A short walk away, the stone walls and battlements of Gravensteen castle recall the power of the Counts of Flanders, who governed from the city when Ghent was among the largest and wealthiest urban centres in northern Europe.

What distinguishes Ghent from Bruges is its contemporary life. A large student population keeps the historic centre energetic, while neighbourhoods around Patershol, Vrijdagmarkt and the former industrial docklands mix old streets with independent restaurants, design studios and cultural venues. The city centre is compact and largely car-free, making walking, cycling and trams the easiest ways to move around. Halal dining is available across central Ghent and around Dampoort, although the selection is smaller than in Brussels or Antwerp and current status should be confirmed directly with each venue.

Ghent deserves at least one full day and works especially well as an overnight stop, when the illuminated waterfront and quieter streets reveal a different rhythm. Direct trains from Brussels take roughly 35 to 40 minutes, while Bruges is about 25 minutes away, so the three cities combine naturally without a car. Spring and early autumn offer comfortable weather and fewer crowds; July brings the Gentse Feesten, a major citywide arts and music festival that transforms the centre for ten days.