A Weekend Getaway in Belgium

Part 1 — Ghent

A person with a bag walks past a moving train at a train station platform, with an electronic schedule board above displaying train information to Antwerp-C, with the current time 11:58.

Take a train or two from Paris and you might find yourself in Belgium. One more and you could find yourself specifically in Ghent. Or Gent, according to the locals. Or Ganda if you’re hundreds of years old. Ganda is a Celtic word meaning ‘confluence’, a place where two rivers converge—the rivers Scheldt and Leie in the case of Gent—or ‘river mouth’.

Shoes hanging on a clothesline between buildings, with a historic church tower in the background under a clear blue sky, in Ghent, Belgium.
Historic stone building with stepped gables along a river, with plants and greenery at the water's edge, in Ghent, Belgium.
Boats floating on a river with historic European buildings and a bridge in the background during daytime, in Ghent, Belgium.
A Gothic-style church or cathedral with flying buttresses and tall spires, surrounded by a street with pedestrians and historic buildings, under a clear blue sky, in Ghent, Belgium.
Colorful abstract mural painted on the side of a brick building, featuring black, yellow, light blue, and gray shapes, in Ghent, Belgium.
Castle entrance with a tower, people walking in front, and a flag flying at the top, in Ghent, Belgium.
Low-angle view of a medieval stone castle tower with a bird on top, showing an arched entrance and small windows against a clear blue sky, in Ghent, Belgium.
A cityscape with historic Gothic-style churches, including a prominent tall spired clock tower, under a light blue sky with some clouds, in Ghent, Belgium.
A scenic view of a European city with a river, historic buildings, and a church with a tall steeple, bustling with pedestrians and boats on a sunny day, in Ghent, Belgium.
A flag with a castle design flying on a pole, with people standing on a stone bridge or platform below it, in Ghent, Belgium.
Castle interior with glass display cases showcasing weapons, a stone wall with a tapestry, and visitors exploring the exhibits in a high-ceilinged room with wooden beams and Starry Night-like lighting, in Ghent, Belgium.
A medieval or historical blacksmith's workshop seen through black iron bars. The room has stone and brick walls with an arched ceiling, and contains tools like a saw, hammer, and anvil, along with a workbench and a chopping block, illuminated by warm lighting.
Artworks on a brick wall featuring sketch and painted portraits, a still life, and a portrait of a woman with a cigarette.
A wooden painting or tapestry depicting a knight on horseback with three smaller scenes above, hanging on a stone wall. A white bench is positioned in front of it.
A wooden panel with artwork depicting a knight on horseback with medieval scenes, mounted on a stone wall, and a white bench in front.
A stone wall with a wooden painting of a winged creature and a sword. A white bench is in front of the wall.
Interior of a stone building with arched windows and wooden ceiling, decorated with several black circular chandeliers with candles.
Medieval stone castle gate with an archway, turrets, and crenellated walls, partially shaded by nearby trees, in Ghent, Belgium.
A medieval stone castle with flags flying on top, partially obscured by dark leafy trees with red leaves, under a cloudy sky, in Ghent, Belgium.
Stone castle with multiple arched windows and a tower with a flag, surrounded by trees and grass, in Ghent, Belgium.
Historic stone castle with arched windows and a stepped gable, surrounded by visitors and greenery under a blue sky, in Ghent, Belgium.
A medieval stone castle with a tall tower, flags, and arched windows, surrounded by cobblestone courts and visitors, in Ghent, Belgium.
People sitting and enjoying food at outdoor cafes in a historic square with old brick buildings and a statue on a pillar in Ghent, Belgium.
A large Gothic-style stone church with tall spires and arched stained glass windows, surrounded by people walking and bicycles parked outside on a sunny day, in Ghent, Belgium.
A person dressed in blue playing an organ inside a Gothic cathedral with stone arches, large stained glass windows, and ornate statues.
Interior of a grand, Gothic-style cathedral with colorful stained glass windows, ornate altar with statues, candles, and religious artwork.
Interior of a historic church with tall stone columns, arched vaulted ceiling, and stained glass windows.

If you enjoy churches then Saint Nicholas Church here is one of the oldest buildings in the city, dating back to the early 13th century.

Inside a historic church, stained glass window depicting religious figures, with large stone columns and gothic architecture.
Interior of a historic church with an ornate altar, sculptures, and stained glass windows.
Interior of a Gothic-style church with stained glass windows, statues of saints, and candles, where people are walking and praying.
Sunlight streams through a large grid window onto a religious altar with a painting of Jesus and other figures, framed by ornate wood carvings and statues in a church.
Interior of a historic church with tall stained glass windows, stone walls, and religious statues, illuminated by sunlight.
Interior of a church with large stone columns and an elaborate baroque-style altar featuring statues and intricate carvings
A boat with four people on a river in an urban area with historic brick buildings, a bridge, and a church steeple, in Ghent, Belgium.
A historic stone church with a large sloped roof, arched windows, and a round tower, partly surrounded by greenery under a partly cloudy sky, in Ghent, Belgium.
Close-up of an old stone sculpture of a man dusted with cobwebs, mounted on a brick wall.
Ancient stone archway with a red wooden door, surrounded by old bricks and greenery.
Interior of an old, stone church with high arched wooden ceilings, tall narrow stained glass windows, and modern hanging light fixtures.
Front view of an old stone and brick church with a peaked roof, arched doorway with decorative framing, and some greenery on the building and surrounding grass, against a cloudy sky.
Interior of an ancient stone building with high arched ceiling, tall narrow windows, and ambient lighting, possibly a church or historical site.
Interior of an old stone church or chapel with high, arched wooden ceiling. There are small arched windows with stained glass, and a wooden door open to outside. The church has a statue of Jesus on the cross on the wall, with two plaques underneath. The lighting is dim, with spotlights focused on the altar area, and the floor is made of stone tiles.
Ancient stone and brick ruins with archways, greenery, and a glimpse of a church steeple in the background.
Old stone and brick archway overgrown with vines, leading to lush green plants and a garden pathway.
An old stone archway and a small Gothic-style turret with a spire behind an overhanging tree in a garden setting with grass, shrubs, and a stone wall in the background.
Boats docked along a marina with a cityscape of residential and commercial buildings across the water, under a partly cloudy sky, in Ghent, Belgium.
Interior view of a Gothic cathedral with pointed arches, ribbed vaults, stained glass windows, and tall stone columns.
Interior of a church featuring a large ornate sculpture with religious figures, including angels and humans, and stained glass windows in the background.
Interior of a Gothic cathedral with tall stone columns, stained glass windows, an ornate pipe organ, and people visiting, some lighting candles.
Interior of a Gothic cathedral with stained glass windows, stone columns, vaulted ceilings, a statue of a religious figure, and lit candles on a stand with visitors nearby.
Crucifix with Jesus inside a Gothic-style church with stained glass windows and high vaulted ceilings.
Inside a church, featuring a large colorful stained glass window, religious statues, lit candles, and ornate decorations.
Interior of a historic Christian cathedral with stained glass windows, a large pipe organ, statues, and an altar with candles and flowers.
Interior of a Gothic cathedral showing a large pipe organ, stained glass windows, stone arches, and candle lights.
A gray stone Gothic cathedral on a busy city street with pedestrians walking and bicyclists, tram tracks on the cobblestone pavement, and buildings on either side, in Ghent, Belgium.
A modern, irregularly shaped brick building with rounded and elongated windows, partially obscured by green trees, in an outdoor seating area with people dining, in Ghent, Belgium.
A historic multi-story building with ornate architectural details, including columns, gold accents, and a staircase leading to a green door. A person with a stroller is walking in front of it, in Ghent, Belgium.
Urban square with people, benches, bikes, and modern and historic buildings, including a prominent contemporary structure with wooden and metal facades, on a cloudy day, in Ghent, Belgium.
A tall Gothic-style church with a large tower, pointed arches, and ornate windows, situated in a busy street with pedestrians and tram tracks, in Ghent, Belgium.
Modern wooden building with a unique, angular design elevated on concrete supports in an urban square, surrounded by traditional buildings and people walking.
A brick building facade with a wooden door featuring layered, textured patterns, flanked by two smaller arched doors, and a circular window above. There are also communication and security devices on the wall.
Low-angle view of a red brick building with curvy architectural details, circular windows, a golden medallion sculpture, and a cloudy sky in the background, in Ghent, Belgium.
Cityscape with historic buildings, power lines overhead, and a hot air balloon in the sky.
A historic clock tower with a tall spire, clock faces on multiple sides, surrounded by ornate old buildings, and a clear sky background.
Inside a busy train station with high windows, ornate vaulted ceilings, and a digital departure board displaying train information, with passengers waiting and walking.
Back to Belgium
Continue to Part II