Ghent
Ghent is a lively university city built around its medieval core, known for its canals, guild houses and the 'three towers' skyline of St. Bavo's Cathedral, the Belfry and St. Nicholas' Church. A large student population gives it a younger, less touristy feel than nearby Bruges.
Last updated: 2026-07-04
Ghent is a lively university city built around its medieval core, known for its canals, guild houses and the 'three towers' skyline of St. Bavo's Cathedral, the Belfry and St. Nicholas' Church. A large student population gives it a younger, less touristy feel than nearby Bruges.
- Population
- ~265,000
- History
- A major trading city since the Middle Ages, historically one of Europe's largest cities north of the Alps
Why visit
- • Gravensteen — the only fully preserved moated medieval castle in Flanders
- • Graslei and Korenlei — twin quays lined with 12th-century guild houses along the Leie river
- • St. Bavo's Cathedral, home to the Ghent Altarpiece by Jan van Eyck
- • The Belfry of Ghent — at ~91m, the tallest belfry in Belgium and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- • A large, lively student population that keeps the city more affordable and less touristy than Bruges