Ghent, Belgium

DATE OF VISIT

April 2023

WHERE DID I STAY?

The Marriott Hotel (https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/gnemc-ghent-marriott-hotel/overview/) - Korenlei 10, 9000 Gent, Belgium.

An important tip if you are driving to the hotel - set your SatNav for: DRABSTRAAT 37, GENT and not the hotel address. The SatNav will bring you to the hotel entrance and the parking garage is down the slope to the right. Please look for your parking space which will be marked with your name on a printed sheet of paper.

To book a guaranteed parking spot, please call: +32-9 233 93 93 (there is a supplemental parking fee of EUR15)

This Marriott is a beautifully located hotel adjacent to the water of Korenlei and Graslei.

PERSONAL FEEDBACK

Ghent is the capital and largest city of the East Flanders province, and the third largest city in Belgium, after Brussels and Antwerp. Ghent is both a port and a university city.

The city originally started as a settlement at the confluence of the rivers Scheldt and Leie and in the latter Middle Ages became one of the largest and richest cities of northern Europe.

However, after the late 16th Century, Ghent’s importance as a city declined resulting in an extremely well-preserved historic centre, that now makes Ghent an important destination of tourism.

Ghent is such a touristic attraction that many visitors will have read a great deal about the city before their arrival. However, I would recommend to everyone reading this blog, to not just arrive in the city and visit the well known sites of Graslei; Gravensteen; St. Nicholas’ Church; the Belfry of Ghent (a UNESCO World Heritage site); St. Bavo’s Cathedral; and the Ghent Altar piece; but to take time to stroll around the city, along the canals and walkways to really appreciate the beauty and tranquility of the city.

It is important to choose your timing well to visit Ghent. Like other key tourist destinations in Europe and around the world, the city is very busy during summer. I visited the city in April  and would recommend either early Spring or late Autumn. The city will still be busy but not as “packed” as during the peak summer months.

Every year there is a ten day long Ghent Festival known as Gentse Feesten. The festival is an annual music and theatre festival. Together with stage events, there are street acts such as mimes and buskers. It has been held for more than 50 years (since 1969) and is attended by about 1–1.5 million visitors. Such an influx of visitors makes Ghent extremely crowded and hotel rooms and other accommodation are at a premium. However, despite the logistical drawbacks, Genste Feesten is a fabulous event. For those reading who have visited the Edinburgh festival, it is similar and is the kind of event in which you need lots of stamina to immerse yourself to enjoy and appreciate to the full, (and over several days), but if this is your “thing” you will not regret it!

The festival starts on the Friday before the third Sunday of July and lasts until and including the fourth Sunday of July so for 2024, these dates are: 19th to 28th July and more information can be found at: www.visit.ghent.be

Whilst Ghent is very famous for the city’s architecture and historic buildings which you will see as you walk around, I recommend that you do visit St. Bavo’s Cathedral and view the “Adoration of the Mystic Lamb” by the Van Eyck brothers, (please see my photos below), which was completed in 1432. If you want to visit  to view the altar piece may I strongly suggest that you purchase your tickets online through www.visit.ghent.be - click on “See and Do,” then “Culture and History” and then “St. Bavo’s Cathedral.” The reason that I suggest this is because during peak season, queues to purchase tickets in the Cathedral can be quite lengthy and pre-purchase allows you to avoid this.

PLACES TO SEE

1. St. Bavo's Cathedral; 
2. The Van Eyck Ghent Altar piece [The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb] housed in St. Bavo's Cathedral
3. St. Nicholas Church
4. The Ghent Belfry
5. Graslei Quay
6. Gravesteen

Details of all of the above, (and other sites), including opening hours can be found at: www.visit.ghent.be

PLACES TO EAT

1. "Norma" (https://normagent.com/) this is a wonderful restaurant/coffee shop located located at Bennesteeg 20 serving breakfast, brunch and lunch. "Norma" is located in central Ghent and very easy to find. Please check the website for opening and closing times and meal service times. I ate lunch at this restaurant and I highly recommend "Norma." ($$)
2. "The Midtown Grill" (https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/gnemc-ghent-marriott-hotel/dining/). Located within the Marriott Hotel at Korenlei 10. This restaurant can be considered "fine dining" with a varied European menu on offer. The service and ambiance is excellent and the food extremely good. If possible when booking, request a table at one of the restaurant windows looking out on to Graslei Quay. Also in the summer months, I believe it is possible to actually book a table at the Quayside. I ate dinner at this restaurant and my meal was excellent - I highly recommend. ($$$)
3. "Phaya Thai" (https://www.phayagent.be/). Located at  Drabstraat 36, less than 5 minutes walk from the Marriott Hotel. This restaurant serves almost every dish that you would expect to see served in a Thai restaurant. The service and the advice from the staff is excellent and the food very, very good. I highly recommend. ($$/$$$)

There is a huge choice of restaurants in Ghent from budget eateries all the way through to fine dining. The three restaurants that I have listed above are the only ones that I visited and so am able to provide a personal recommendation. However, for a more comprehensive list please refer to Trip Advisor (https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g188666-Ghent_East_Flanders_Province.html) for a much more comprehensive list of restaurant and reviews.

LINKS

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