Why Ghent Should Be Your Home Base When Visiting Belgium

What I gathered when traveling to Ghent is that locals and Europeans know that it’s an awesome city. While Americans more often than not, know nothing about it. That’s part of what makes it so cool. In my opinion, it is one of Europe’s best-kept secrets and it should absolutely be on your radar before the rest of the world finds out about it.

Ghent offers stunning river views that weave through ancient cobblestone streets with grandiose medieval architecture everywhere you turn. The food is outstanding, the beer flows abundantly, the shopping is plentiful, the people are friendly and the list goes on and on. You could walk around the city in a day but be sure to spend a few nights because there are various places that you’ll want to take a deeper look at or circle back a second time. A few sites that are not to be missed are:

Churches and cathedrals! Start at St. Michael’s Church, then cross St. Michael's Bridge to check out St. Nicholas’ Church, St. Bavo’s Cathedral, the Belfry, City Pavilion and everything in between. After that, walk 5 minutes north to St. Jacob’s Church, you’ll be glad that you did.

Gravensteen (aka the Castle of the Counts) is a medieval castle built in the 12th century and is a prominent site in Ghent. Included in the price of admission is a self-guided audio tour, which I highly recommend as you’re walking through the castle. It is voiced by a Belgian comedian, which I thought was a fun and fresh way to learn about the history of the castle.

If you’re looking for a breathtaking view that makes you feel like you’re walking through the cobblestone streets of Beauty and the Beast, stroll along the river on Garslei and Korenlei. It’s stunning. If you’re looking to shop, stroll down Veldstraat and Kortedagsteeg. If you’re looking for an Instagram backdrop, stroll up Werregarenstraat for a look at the colorful graffiti alley. If you’re looking to meander through a medieval neighborhood with restaurants, art galleries and more, stroll through Patershol.

The best part is that you can feasibly do all of the above and more in just a few days!

Day trips

• Brussels: If you’re planning to fly in or out of Belgium, you will likely find the best flights from Brussels, which is one hour on the train from Ghent. My suggestion is to spend a night in Brussels before or after setting up shop in Ghent for a few days. That way, you don’t have to drag your luggage around the city as you explore. If you do find yourself in Brussels, eat a Brussels waffle, have a beer at the famed Delirium Café and stop by Wolf Food Hall for lunch or dinner. I’ve been to many food halls and this one ranks near the top of the list. It consists of 17 restaurants featuring international street food, two bars and a microbrewery. Walk through the Royal Galleries of Saint Hubert for luxury shopping and cafés. Finally, Manneken-Pis is an iconic and quirky statue that is worth walking by. If you plan to be in Brussels in December, the Christmas market at Vismarkt was the most impressive in the city, in my opinion.

• Bruges: Just a 20-minute train ride from Ghent, Bruges is a quaint city that is well worth the visit. I spent the day walking around Bruges, stopping by various shops and sites (Lovers Bridge, Boniface Bridge, the Belfry, Basilica of the Holy Blood, various Cathedrals, Steenstraat shopping street, a lovely Christmas market, etc.) but two of my favorites stops were Chocolatier Dumon (for the Zwevezele Florentines!) and Brouwerij de Halve Maan (which translates to Half Moon Brewery). One thing I noticed was that there were so many more tourists in Bruges than in Ghent, which made me thankful to return to Ghent at the end of the day.

• Bij Filip: Located outside the Great Butchers’ Hall, this unassuming fry stand is something I still think about. Try the beef stew on fries, you won’t regret it. Cash only.

• Frites Atelier: If you aren’t carrying cash, head around the corner to Frites Atelier for a slightly elevated fry experience. The classic Flemish beef stew fries and the Moules-frites are phenomenal. Pair them with any of the fresh dipping sauces and you will have yourself a mouthwatering and memorable snack.

• Mémé Gusta: If you feel like eating something other than fries, this restaurant serves up pure Flemish cuisine in a cozy setting. A few must-order dishes include croquettes, grilled bone marrow and Karnemelkstampers (mashed potatoes with poached eggs and shrimp). Don't forget to try the Stoofvlees Mémé Gusta which is a brown beer pork stew served with fries, salad and warm apples. Make a reservation ahead of time or there is a good chance you’ll have to wait an hour or so for a table.

• Dulle Griet: Located at Vrijdagmarkt near St. Jacob’s Church (Sint-Jacobskerk), Dulle Griet is a pub with an extensive list of over 500 beers, the largest selection in all of Ghent. This pub is famous for their MAX beer, which is served in a very, very tall glass. Upon ordering, the bar requires you to give up a shoe as insurance for their beer glass. Your shoe is then put into a basket and pulled up to the ceiling for added insurance!

• Dreupelkot: This unique spot serves more than 200 types of gin, some of which are home-made. Stop by this small establishment for a shot of house-made liquor and enjoy the vibes that are unlike any bar I’ve ever been to.

• Galgenhuisje: Located down the block from Bij Filip, Galgenhuisje opened in 1776 and is the smallest pub in Ghent. Fun fact, their outside terrace is larger than the pub itself. If you can find space to fit inside, stop by and have a pint.

• CRU Market: I love to stop by markets when traveling to see what products they sell in different countries (Is that nerdy?). CRU is an upscale fresh market, and it certainly did not disappoint.

• Tierenteyn-Verlent: While this isn’t a restaurant or bar, this specialty shop is worth a spot on my list. Tierenteyn-Verlent has been producing and selling mustard since the 1800s. The mustard is pumped from the basement, where it’s made, into a wooden barrel in the store and scooped into a jar right before your eyes. You can also find mayonnaise, chutney, vinegar, pickles, herbs and spices in the centrally-located shop.