Ghent - Townscape

Ghent's historic inner city offers a superb collection of splendid buildings along picturesque canals, only superseded by Bruges. A walk through the town on a summer's evening, when the most important buildings are illuminated, is a particularly unforgettable experience. In high summer the canals, almost at a standstill, have their own distinctive aroma which permeates the city in the heat. However, this hardly mars the overall impression of this unique city.

As the historic Old Town is quite compact it can be taken in on one day and still include a detailed visit to the Sint-Baafskathedraal, the Gravensteen and the Museum of Ethnography. A visit to the Museum voor Schone Kunsten requires more time.

Cars should not be driven into the city center. There are parking lots at Vrijdagmarkt, at the University, at Kouter Square, at Sint-Pieterskerk and at Sint-Pieter station (tram to the city center).