What Makes Ghent Worth Visiting?

Ghent was often called the “Manchester of the Continent”. It stems from its pivotal role during the Industrial Revolution, when Ghent became continental Europe’s first major industrial city outside the UK. The city’s strategic position at the confluence of the Leie and Scheldt rivers, combined with its medieval prosperity from the cloth trade, made it a natural hub for early industrialization. By the 1800s, Ghent boasted massive textile mills, innovative machinery, and a skilled workforce that transformed it into a powerhouse of European manufacturing.

“The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb”, also known as The Ghent Altarpiece, by the Van Eyck brothers (Hubert and Jan), was completed around 1432. This polyptych is considered one of the most important paintings in Western art history and a cornerstone of Early Flemish painting. The altarpiece consists of 12 panels depicting biblical scenes with revolutionary detail and technique that influenced centuries of artists. The work showcases the Van Eycks’ mastery of oil painting, featuring incredibly detailed landscapes, expressive faces, and symbolic elements that art historians still debate. It has had a tumultuous history. Panels have been stolen by Napoleon, hidden during both World Wars (inspiring the Hollywood film “The Monuments Men“), and even subjected to theft attempts as recently as 1934. One panel remains missing to this day. Visiting information.

The cloth trade, particularly the production and finishing of woolen textiles, made Ghent extraordinarily wealthy during the High Middle Ages. By the 13th and 14th centuries, Ghent had become one of Europe’s largest cities (larger than London at the time) with a population exceeding 65,000. The city’s prosperity was built on importing raw wool primarily from England and transforming it into high-quality finished cloth through sophisticated guild systems. Ghent’s weavers, fullers, dyers, and cloth finishers developed advanced techniques that made their products highly sought after across Europe. The wealth generated by this industry funded the construction of magnificent buildings like the Cloth Hall (Lakenhalle), Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, and countless guild houses that still define Ghent’s skyline today. The cloth trade also gave Ghent significant political power – the city could effectively challenge the authority of the Count of Flanders and even negotiate directly with foreign rulers. This economic foundation created a merchant class whose influence and cultural patronage established Ghent as not just a commercial centre, but a hub of art, learning, and innovation that would last for centuries.

Gravensteen Castle (Castle of the Counts) provides visitors with the rare opportunity to walk along genuine medieval battlements and experience fortress life as it existed over 800 years ago. Built in 1180 by Count Philip of Alsace, this remarkably well-preserved castle served as the residence of the Counts of Flanders and later as a courthouse, prison, and even a cotton mill before its restoration. The castle’s defensive walls, topped with crenelated battlements, offer spectacular panoramic views over Ghent’s historic centre. Visitors can explore the great hall with its impressive wooden ceiling, climb the keep’s narrow spiral staircases, and examine the dungeon and torture chamber that houses a collection of medieval judicial instruments. The battlements themselves feature arrow loops, murder holes, and defensive positions that demonstrate medieval military architecture at its finest. The castle’s strategic position at the heart of Ghent also offers unmatched photo opportunities of the city’s three famous towers and the winding Leie River.

The azalea has become inextricably linked with Ghent’s identity, transforming the city into the “Azalea Capital of Europe.” This connection began in the 18th century when Ghent’s favourable climate and innovative greenhouse techniques made it a centre for exotic plant cultivation. Local horticulturists developed new azalea varieties that became prized across Europe, earning Ghent international recognition for botanical excellence. The famous Gentse Floraliën (Ghent Flower Show), held every four years since 1809, showcases this floral heritage on a massive scale, transforming the Citadelpark into a wonderland of azaleas, begonias, and other flowers. The event attracts over 250,000 visitors from around the world and features elaborate themed gardens, innovative landscape designs, and competitions among the world’s best horticulturists.

The Gentse Feesten (Ghent Festival), held every July for ten days, transforms the entire historic city centre into one massive open-air party, attracting over 1.5 million visitors annually. This event is one of Europe’s largest cultural festivals, offering hundreds of concerts, street performances, theatre shows, and activities across multiple stages and venues. What makes the Gentse Feesten unique is its accessibility – most events are completely free. From folk music to electronic dance, classical concerts to experimental theatre, the festival caters to every taste while maintaining its distinctly Belgian character with local beer, food trucks, and a wonderfully chaotic, democratic spirit. The historic backdrop of medieval buildings illuminated at night, combined with the festival’s tradition of staying up until dawn, creates a magical atmosphere that locals describe as “ten days when Ghent belongs to everyone”.

Ghent operates an extensive and successful tram network, combined with a car-free city centre policy that has transformed urban mobility. The city’s circulation plan, implemented in phases since the 1990s, has created a “car-free heart” where public transport, bicycles, and pedestrians take priority over private vehicles. This helps to make Ghent’s historic centre peaceful and clean compared to other European cities of similar size. The tram system connects all major attractions, universities, and residential areas with frequent, efficient service, while an extensive network of bicycle paths makes cycling the preferred method for locals to navigate the city. Additionally, Ghent has embraced water transport along its canals, offering both tourist boat tours and practical water taxi services.

The famous “Three Towers of Ghent” – Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, Saint Nicholas’ Church, and the Belfry – create one of Europe’s most distinctive medieval skylines. Rising majestically above the Leie River, they have defined Ghent’s silhouette for over 600 years and represent the city’s spiritual, commercial, and civic power respectively. Saint Bavo’s Cathedral tower houses the renowned Ghent Altarpiece and represents ecclesiastical authority. Saint Nicholas’ Church, built by the wealthy merchants’ guild, symbolizes commercial prosperity with its distinctive blue-grey stone from Tournai. The Belfry, a UNESCO World Heritage site, stands as a symbol of civic freedom and municipal power, housing a carillon of 54 bells that still chime across the city. The towers are perfectly visible from multiple vantage points, creating countless photographic opportunities and serving as natural navigation landmarks. They look particularly attractive at night, when illuminated.

Ghent has emerged as Belgium’s unofficial “vegetarian capital” and a pioneer in sustainable gastronomy, while also maintaining excellence in traditional Belgian cuisine. The city officially promotes “Donderdag Veggiedag” (Veggie Thursday), encouraging restaurants and residents to go meat-free one day per week – a policy that has influenced cities worldwide. This initiative has attracted innovative chefs who create plant-based versions of Belgian classics, alongside a number of vegan restaurants. However, Ghent’s culinary scene extends beyond vegetarian cuisine. The city is renowned for its traditional Gentse waterzooi, a creamy stew originally made with fish from the Leie River, now commonly prepared with chicken. Local specialties include cuberdons (purple cone-shaped candies filled with syrup), mastel buns, and locally-brewed beers from breweries like Gruut, which creates beers using herbs instead of hops.

Ghent University, founded in 1817, is as one of Europe’s top research universities and Belgium’s largest Dutch-speaking institution of higher education, with over 50,000 students. It has had a liberal, progressive role in Belgian society. It was the first major Belgian university to conduct all instruction in Dutch rather than French, representing a crucial victory for Flemish cultural identity. The university’s research excellence spans multiple fields, with strengths in biotechnology, veterinary medicine, engineering, and social sciences. The campus is integrated throughout the historic city centre, with faculties housed in everything from converted medieval buildings to cutting-edge modern facilities. The large student population has transformed Ghent’s social scene, leading to vibrant nightlife, affordable dining, cultural activities, and a youthful energy that balances the city’s medieval heritage. The university’s influence is also a major economic driver, attracting international students and researchers, fostering startup companies, and maintaining Ghent’s reputation as a centre of innovation and progressive thinking.