Hotels in Ghent

Ghent is Belgium's quietly confident second city — a Flemish medieval powerhouse whose canals, guild houses, and Gothic churches are matched by a lively student population, thriving veggie scene, and one of Europe's best-preserved centres. Gravensteen castle, Saint Bavo's Cathedral with the Van Eyck altarpiece, and the tri-tower skyline of Sint-Niklaas, Belfort, and Saint Bavo's define the postcard view.

Ghent's compact, mostly-pedestrian centre rewards slow travel — pier-side beers on the Graslei, weekly food markets, and detours into design shops and canal-side bistros. It's also one of Belgium's most veggie-friendly cities and an easy 30-minute train ride from Brussels or Bruges.