Ghent in a nutshell

Why Ghent?
Because Lonely Planet has called our city
Europe’s best kept secret (and a must see
destination for 2011).
Because National Geographic Traveler Magazine has listed this city as the most
authentic historic city in the world and full of life.
‘THE ADORATION OF THE MYSTIC LAMB
IS WITHOUT A DOUBT WORLD’S MOST
BESIEGED AND COVETED WORK OF ART.
IN PARIS IT WOULD EASILY KNOCK
THE MONA LISA OFF THE THRONE’
5. MIRROR IN THE LYS RIVER
From the bridge you can also see the unique row of
houses mirrored in the Lys, on both sides of the river.
With the Castle of the Counts in the distance.
Noah Charney, art historian
2. GHENT ALTARPIECE
Because you must witness with your own eyes
what Napoleon and the mysterious thief
of The Just Judges panel already knew:
The Mystic Lamb really is key to European
art history.
Because the city comes to life again after sunset.
And of course because you like to get off the
beaten track!
GREETINGS FROM GHENT!
‘SMACK IN THE MIDDLE OF BRUSSELS,
BRUGES AND ANTWERP, GHENT DISTILS
THEIR GREATEST ATTRIBUTES INTO ONE
ENGAGING AND ENCHANTING CITY’
Five photos? In our day and age, with digital photography?
Patershol; the City Museum, STAM; the interior garden
at the House of Alijn; the Cloud Measurer at S.M.A.K.,
Ghent’s Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art; the
Sunday flower market… They’re all worth a shot… or two!
Ghent in
a nutshell
Lonely Planet
Ghent in
five photos
Only stopping by for
a short visit?
Then make sure you
see these highlights.
3. THROUGH THE EYES OF THE COUNT
From the keep of the Castle of the Counts the city lies
at your feet. Experience the Counts of Flanders’
Small Town,
Big City
sense of power.
Ghent is a cosy, well organised city with countless tourist
attractions within walking distance from one another.
1,000 years of history have left their mark.
Whatever you see during the day is even more magical at
night thanks to the ingenious lighting plan. The city loves
light – the triennial Light Festival in January is proof of
that. That’s when the city is at its best – light and bright!
4. IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT
VISIT GENT
Tourist Information Centre
After sunset Ghent takes on a new dimension.
Sint-Veerleplein 5 – 9000 Gent
T. +32 9 266 56 60
www.visitgent.be – [email protected]
Its prestigious and award-winning lighting plan
creates a magical, shimmering sight!
Open:
9.30 > 16.30 (15/10 > 14/03)
9.30 > 18.30 (15/03 > 14/10)
PUBLISHER:
Annelies Storms, alderwoman for Culture, Tourism and Events.
Stadhuis, Botermarkt 1, 9000 Gent.
Follow visitgent on:
1. MEDIEVAL MANHATTAN
Only from or just next to St Michael’s Bridge can you
see the three towers that formed the medieval skyline
in a nice straight line.
#visitgent
You hear music all over the place in this UNESCO City of
Music. Dozens of events and festivals turn every visit into
a unique experience. The highlight? The ten-day Ghent
Festivities!
Flemings love good food and drink, and there’s ample proof
of that in Ghent. Patershol, a medieval neighbourhood with
a great atmosphere, is the city’s culinary hotspot.
A pedestrianized shopping area covers a large part of the
city centre. Below it there are large underground car parks,
but most hotels have their own parking facilities.
Ghent: more than
a one night stay!
SATURDAY, 1 P.M. | Don’t miss the boat
Work up your appetite on the water! You’ve watched them
pass by all morning, now it’s your turn to hop on a boat! After
all, that’s the best way to see Ghent from a different perspective. The captain will give you a taste of history laced with
juicy little anecdotes, in a language of your choice.
A weekend in Ghent
FRIDAY, 5 P.M. | Grab a beer
SATURDAY 2.30 P.M. | The art of choosing
Find yourself a spot along the Graslei and enjoy the
impressive row of medieval houses (on both sides of the river)
and the cosy atmosphere. This is where the people of Ghent
grab a beer. Start with a Gruut, the only beer that is brewed
here in the city using traditional methods.
The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb is the absolute masterpiece of medieval art. Grand with overwhelming detail. This
altarpiece by the Van Eyck brothers is an absolute must-see,
but there’s plenty more: Flemish (and other) masters at
the Museum of Fine Arts , modern art at the Municipal
Museum of Contemporary Art (S.M.A.K.) and an interactive overview of Ghent’s history and its people at the City
Museum (STAM).
FRIDAY, 7 P.M. | Poor man’s dinner
What used to be a poor man’s dinner is now a speciality.
Gentse Waterzooi with chicken, fish or even vegetarian –
after all, Ghent is the Veggie Capital of Europe! At Bij den
Wijzen en den Zot at Patershol a culinary jury tasted
the best waterzooi made from a traditional recipe.
SATURDAY, 4.30 P.M. |
A few more hours (and euros) to spend?
© PHILE DEPREZ
SATURDAY, 6 P.M. | Rock’n’roll cuisine
Friday night at Vrijdagmarkt ? Good idea! Start off
with a Max at beer bar De Dulle Griet. You’ll have to leave
your shoe in a hanging basket as a deposit for the amazing
glass. A stone’s throw away you’ll enjoy the hustle and bustle
of the Vlasmarkt, with its rock music and DJs playing till early
morning.
Feeling adventurous? The Flemish Foodies, three culinary
free spirits who chose to open their respective restaurants in
Ghent, will introduce you to a playful, dynamic cuisine filled
with tasty surprises.
‘GHENT IS EUROPE’S
BEST KEPT SECRET’
FRIDAY, 11 P.M. | The night is still young
SATURDAY, 10 P.M. | Take a shot
Time for a nightcap. At Dreupelkot 18 you can choose from
over 200 (!) types of ‘jenever’. Vanilla jenever has conquered
the world, though the chicory version isn’t likely to. The
adventurous leave through the back entrance to discover
the narrowest street in Ghent. Want to bet you won’t feel like
heading home or to your hotel?
SUNDAY, 10 A.M. | Flower power
Sundays in Ghent start at the flower market 19 with a coffee, a
chat and a walk along the colourful stalls. To top it off: oysters
and champagne at the blue kiosk, while discussing what to do
next.
Shop at the Veldstraat ! Or discover hidden gems in the side
streets, typical products at the Koestraat, Bennesteeg,
Jan Breydelstraat and Serpentstraat. Bag a bargain in January and July!
FRIDAY, 9 P.M. | Enlightening
Lights out, spots on! Hidden gems during the day are suddenly put in the spotlight at dusk. To enjoy Ghent by night to the
full try the Ghent Illuminated walk. Get your map at the
Visit Gent Information Centre or download it from
www.visitgent.be
They’ve also inspired other chefs to launch similar initiatives.
J.E.F. 13 , De Vitrine 14 , Volta , Vrijmoed 16 , Naturell 17 …
there’s something for everyone.
Lonely Planet
250 m
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More information?
Go to www.visitgent.be
Or contact Visit Gent at the number
+32 9 266 56 60
Always close
15
5
2
From Amsterdam, London, Paris and Cologne you can
be in Flanders – the northern part of Belgium – in less
than two hours. Ghent lies right in the midst of the other
top tourist destinations in Belgium. In a nutshell, it is the
perfect base for visiting the region!
GRAVENSTEEN
SATURDAY, 8 A.M. ONWARDS | Early risers’ opportunities
17
Browsing vinyl records, snapping up a second-hand jacket or
scoring the perfect souvenir? Early birds can do precisely that
at the flea market Bij Sint Jacobs . At Bar Dépot you can
buy anything, even a yummy breakfast!
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6
18
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SATURDAY, 10 A.M. | Castle of the Counts
ST-JACOBSKERK
ST-MICHIELS
KERK
Ghent’s oldest building is the Castle of the Counts ,
the impressive medieval fortress in the city centre. Go back
in time and shiver at the sight of armour, weapons and torture
instruments.
ST-NIKLAASKERK
13
STADSHAL
BELFORT
SATURDAY, 11.30 A.M. | Ghent delicacies
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Taste and buy typical products from Ghent and East Flanders
under the impressive vaults of the Great Butchers Hall .
RoomeR is the ideal aperitif. If you have a sweet tooth, buy
cuberdons. For a spicier touch try Tierenteyn mustard on
the other side of the square.
8
ST-BAAFSKATHEDRAAL
OUD JUSTITIEPALEIS
19
DUIVELSTEEN
SATURDAY 12.30 P.M. | Easy as duck soup
16
Soup is the new fast food! Plenty of choice, always tasty and
of course healthy! The Souplounge near Vrijdagmarkt offers delicious soups with a view of the Lys.
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9
10
400 m
VOORUIT
From Brussels Airport and Brussels South station
(Bruxelles-Midi, where the Eurostar and Thalys stop)
you can catch a direct train to Ghent. Train travel
between Brussels South and Ghent takes half an hour
and costs about ten euros.