City of Ghent - Tourism


T o u r i s m

T o u r i s m

Address

Tourist Office - City of Ghent
Administration
Predikherenlei 2
B-9000 Ghent
Tel. +32 0(9) 266 56 60
Fax +32 0(9) 266 56 73
E-mail visit@gent.be

Inquiry desk
Crypt of the Belfry
Botermarkt 17A
B-9000 Ghent
Tel. +32 (0)9 266 56 60

Open

1.11 - 30.03: 9.30 a.m. - 6.30 p.m.
31.03 - 4.11: 9.30 a.m. - 4.30 p.m.

Closed: 25/12 and 01/01

Ghent is situated at the intersection of the motorways E17 and E40 and can easily be reached by car. National and international trains stop in Ghent (stations Sint-Pieters and Dampoort).

The city has an extensive public transport network serving the city centre and surrounding area.

It can be no coincidence that Ghent, the capital of East Flanders, was given several pretty names: historic heart of Flanders, a city of all times, one of the most beautiful historic cities in Europe.

The city combines an impressive past with a vivid present. Numerous tourists visit Ghent of which the citizens carry the nickname "stroppendragers" or noose-bearers and use the extensive accommodation possibilities. The historic heart of the city offers a lot of places of interest. From St Michael's bridge there is a wonderful view on the skyline of Ghent with the three impressive towers of St Nicholas' Church, the Belfry with its bell tower and St Bavo's cathedral with the world famous painting "The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb" by Jan van Eyck.

Traces of the Middle Ages were preserved at a lot of places. The old port with its guild halls on the Graslei and Korenlei is merely one example of the beautiful views this town has to offer.

Not far from the Graslei arises the Castle of the Counts, once the medieval fortress of the Count of Flanders. Nowadays it is a major tourist attraction.

Ghent also has several museums, abbeys, beguinages, dozens of churches and historical buildings.

Not only art lovers but everyone can find something here to suit his taste. Ghent offers a lot of shops, restaurants and an exciting nightlife.

Ghent can be discovered by boat, carriage, bicycle or on foot.

The official language in Ghent is Dutch, but most people also speak French, English and/or German.

The Belgian currency unit is the euro.
There are exchange offices and banks in the city centre.
Credit cards are accepted in most places.

All prices in Belgium include VAT and service.

More information on miscellaneous subjects, such as:

CLIMATE:
Unstable (and wet) weather. It can be both hot (± 30° C) and cool (± 11° C) during summertime.
In the wintertime temperatures vary between ± 10° C and ± 0° C.

Map of the city

If you are a backpacker, exchange student, day-tripper or student from anywhere in the world, if you don't have a lot of cash, but definitely do have a lot of curiosity and happen to be in and around Ghent for any length of time, then Use-it is the tourist information service for you.

Since 1997, Ghent has chosen to make the city centre a low-traffic zone, rendering the historical centre even more attractive for residents, visitors and shoppers.