(Ghent) Gent 47and Durbuy in Belgium: The Best Travel Guide
(Ghent) Gent 47 and Durbuy in Belgium: The Best Travel Guide
Table of Contents
A map of Belgium
Informations
Ghent is the second largest city in Belgium after Antwerp. It is also the capital of the province of East Flanders and of the arrondissement and constituency.
Ghent grew into one of the largest and most important cities in Europe thanks to the flourishing cloth trade. Towards the end of the 18th century, when Ghent became one of the first industrialized cities on the European mainland.
Temperature: The high season lasts from mid-April to mid-October. The tourist season reaches its peak in July and August.
Language: The official languages are Dutch, German and French.
Currency: Euro
Food Prices: Meal in a cheap restaurant=15 EUR, Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant=65 EUR
You can find more information about the visa here.
Things to do
Sint-Michielsbrug
The Sint-Michielsbrug is a narrow bridge in the center of the Belgian city of Ghent. The bridge lies over the Leie, on the southern edge of the Graslei and the Korenlei. The large monumental building was built in the period 1905-1909, on the basis of the post building. Zowel de Sint-Michielsbrug as het Oud Postgebouw zijn creaties van architect Louis Cloquet.
Graslei
The beauty of the Graslei enchants everyone and will captivate you too. There the beautiful gabled houses are reflected in the Leie. Visitors and residents can enjoy the peace and quiet on both banks of the river. Sit on the quay and not only relax your legs, but also your soul. Or find a nice seat in one of the many street cafes.
Stadsmuseum
The Stadsmuseum Gent, STAM for short or also called Bijlokemuseum, is the city history museum of the Flemish city of Ghent. It opened on October 9, 2010. With the Bijloke Collection as a base and the buildings of the Bijloke Abbey, the STAM is a modern forum that preserves the city’s cultural heritage and makes it accessible
Belfried
We think a view from above is part of every city trip. You have a nice view of Ghent. The ascent with the corona measures is well guaranteed. The ascent to the 3rd floor is by elevator and the descent is by narrow stairs. In addition, as everywhere, only a limited number of tourists are currently allowed in the tower.
Gravensteen
Gravensteen Castle in Ghent is the castle of the Counts of Flanders. It is one of the largest moated castles in Europe and dates back to the first fortifications in the 9th century.
Sint-Niklaaskerk
The Sint-Niklaaskerk in the heart of the historic old town of the Flemish city of Ghent is one of the most important Gothic church buildings in Central Europe. Unlike St. Bavo’s Cathedral, which is about 400 m away, it is not a bishop’s church, but the parish church of the town’s citizens who have become rich through manufacturing and trade, and as a result is more representative and better equipped in many respects.
Saint Peter's Abbey
Saint Peter’s Abbey is a former Benedictine abbey in Ghent, the capital of the province of East Flanders in the Kingdom of Belgium. The monastery is situated on an old branch of the Scheldt on the Blandinberg, a hill which at 28 m is the highest point in Ghent.
St. Bavo's Cathedral
The Roman Catholic Saint Bavo Cathedral is located in the Belgian city of Ghent. It is named after St. Bavo.
Graffiti Street
The Old Town Hall
The Old Town Hall in the Belgian city of Ghent is a 500-year-old building complex in the city center. The construction of the town hall lasted from 1518 to the 19th century, due to military and financial problems, the construction was interrupted several times for longer periods. The magnificent building shows above all a mix of styles from Gothic and Renaissance. The town hall has also been the political center of the city without interruption since its inauguration.
Durbuy
Durbuy is a Belgian city in the province of Luxembourg. It consists of the villages of Durbuy, Barvaux, Grandhan, Petit Han, Septon, Wéris, Bende, Bomal, Borlon, Heyd, Izier, Palenge, Petite-Somme, Tohogne and Villers-Sainte-Gertrude. The core town of Durbuy is the smallest town in Belgium with city rights (about 400 inhabitants).
The medieval town center on the Ourthe river with narrow streets and cobblestones attracts 1.5 million tourists to the town, which the tourist office advertises as the “smallest town in the world”.
Things to do in Durbuy: Le château de Durbuy, L’église Saint-Nicolas, Halle aux blés, Dorf Wéris, Parc des Topiaires.
Where to stay
A good night’s sleep is particularly important when you are travelling. Belgium offers its guests a host of luxurious, charming and also out-of-the-ordinary accommodation.
Whether in the heart of the city, near the lake or surrounded by nature – Belgium’s hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses guarantee a relaxing and invigorating stay.
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hotels we recommend in Durbuy: Hotel Le Clos des Récollets, Azur en Ardenne, Hotel La Caleche, Hotel Saint-Amour.
Mid-range hotels we recommend in Ghent: Erasmus Hotel, Hotel Orion, Hotel Cathedral.
Top hotels we recommend in Ghent: Pillows Grand Boutique, Ghent Marriott Hotel, Ganda Rooms & Suites.
What to eat
- Frites/frietjes- You’ll need at least a couple of servings of frites on any trip to Belgium.
- Mussels of Mosselen- found in the North Sea are more fleshy than those in France
- The Martino is a Belgian sandwich consisting of filet Americaine–that is, raw minced beef mixed with seasonings, mayonnaise, and egg yolk
- Belgian Endive and Ham Gratin
- Croquettes aux crevettes grises
- Waterzooi – It is a stew or soup made with chicken or fish, vegetables, cream, and egg.
- Meatballs are a Belgian favorite, on both sides of the language divide, and are usually a mixture of beef and pork.
- Flemish stew – stew meat
- Grey shrimp croquettes
- Eel in the green is exactly what it sounds like an eel is prepared in a highly green sauce that is colored that way because of the many green herbs that go into it, such as parsley, watercress, and basil.
- sausage and mashed potatoes
- Tomates aux Crevettes Grises
- Belgian waffles
- Speculaas- Gingerbread
- cannibale is served on slices of sweet white toast called pain de mie and cut into triangles.
- Shortcrust Biscuits
- Belgian Chocolates
- Sirop de Liege
Restaurants
- Le Grand Bleu – Indulge yourself with fresh seafood
- Café René – Coffee, lunch & diner
- Eat love pizza – Little Italy
- Aywa – Beirut street food
- De Gekroonde Hoofden – Best spare ribs in town
- OAK – style of contemporary cooking.
- Uncle Babe’s Burger Bar
- TAXI’S – dishes based on North Sea fish and fresh organic vegetables
Saving Tips
- In popular parts of the country, restaurants can be particularly expensive on weekends and in the evenings
- This country has so many breweries (the most per capita in the world!) that beer is the cheapest form of alcohol
- If you’re going to eat out, stick to things like sandwiches, kebabs, and frites. These meals cost between 5-7 EUR
- Every Thursday is “vegetarian day” in plant-based paradise Ghent
- Budget bus companies like Flixbus can take you across the country for cheap
- the museum of military history and touring the European Parliament are open to the public at no cost.
- Get a city tourist card
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Shopping in Ghent
- Tartes de Françoise – Homemade cakes and quiches
- Bakery Oud Huis Himschoot – Bread
- Tierenteyn Mustard – local products
- Confiserie Temmerman – Sweets
- Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat – Vivid street
- Sunday market at Ledeberg
- De Slegte – ‘New’ old books
- Maaike kleedt – Affordable boutique
- Au bon marché – Retro jewelry store
- Post plaza – shopping center
- Mus in een plas – giftshop
- Chocolatier Van Hoorebeke
- Hop Duvel – beer
- Melanie’s World – Belgian wine and spices
Getting Around
Travelling around Belgium is almost always easy: it’s a small country, and there’s an extremely well-organized – and reasonably priced – public transport system in which an extensive train network is supplemented by (and tied in with) a plethora of local bus services.
Tram and metro are the ideal means to get around in the city. They encounter little or no hindrance from other forms of traffic and bring you safely and quickly to numerous destinations in the city. You can travel by tram in the cities of Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent and Charleroi.
The bus is a convenient means of travel and the network covers a wide area not served by other forms of public transport. The bus routes in Belgium are handled by 3 different companies.
The car-free city center of Ghent is tailor-made for pedestrians and cyclists. With bus and tram, you can reach any part of the city quickly and easily (even on weekend evenings) and taxis are also readily available. Of course, you can also rent a car to explore the surroundings.
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Getting Here
Ghent does not have its own airport but can be easily reached from Belgium’s two main airports: Brussels Airport and Brussels South Charleroi Airport. Brussels Airport (Zaventem) is 14 km east of Brussels and has flights to hundreds of international destinations. Brussels South Airport is in Charleroi, 46 km from Brussels, with flights to 26 European destinations.
Flying is the easiest and most time-efficient way to travel to Belgium. The most popular option is to fly to the capital city, Brussels which has good rail and bus links with the rest of the country. Brussels Airport (Zaventem) is the country’s main international airport with flights to over 220 European and international destinations. Another option is to fly into Brussels South Airport in Charleroi – roughly 50 kilometres outside of Brussels – which connects Belgium with 190 destinations.
UK travellers are spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding how to get to Belgium. There are flights to Brussels from London and a string of regional airports; Eurostar trains direct from London to Brussels; ferries from Rosyth and Hull to Zeebrugge, near Bruges, and from Ramsgate to Ostend; Eurotunnel services from Folkestone to Calais, a short drive from the Belgian coast; and frequent international buses from London to Brussels and Antwerp. Buses are usually the least expensive means of transportation, but the train is faster and often not that much more expensive, and there are all sorts of great deals on flights too.
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