WHAT TO SEE IN GHENT

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Day 2: WHAT TO SEE IN GENT - Graslei, Korenmarkt, Belfort Tower, Sint-BaafsKathedraal, Het Gravensteen, Stadhuis, The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb

Friday, November 1

Wake up sound at 7 in the morning? And we are not in our bed? That means it is time to wake up quickly and get going. We are in Ghent and today we will know the famous Graslei area in Ghent.
And as we usually do when we are traveling, before leaving we watch the weather on the internet and although they announce some rains, the impression is that it will endure the day until the late afternoon, so we leave even happier if possible, we have many things to see in Ghent!
Shortly before 9 am we are already touring the streets of Ghent.
A good option to not miss anything in the city is to book a guided tour in Spanish or this free tour of Ghent. Free!

This time we don't have breakfast in the hotel in Ghent, the Ibis Centrum Opera Hotel, so we have to look for a place to load the energies to keep up a good pace throughout the day.
And although we don't want to do it, walk around streets of Ghent At this time, when we are practically alone and not stop to enjoy it, it is impossible.

Graslei in Ghent

So seeing that we are unable to go straight to breakfast, we choose to walk for a while in the area of Graslei.

Graslei, the heart of Ghent

Strolling through Graslei

Graslei in Ghent

Graslei and Korenlei are two dikes facing each other in Tusschen Brugghen, at the beginning of the medieval port of Ghent.
Graslei, on the eastern side, it houses a set of guild headquarters, including that of the Free Rowers.

Resting in Graslei in Ghent

Graslei in Ghent

Strolling through Graslei in Ghent

The views from St. Michielsbrug, the southern end bridge are the most beautiful of Ghent.

More practical information to prepare your trip to Ghent
- 10 essential places to visit in Ghent
- Ghent in one day
- How to go from Brussels to Ghent
- The best free tours in Ghent for free
- 10 places to see in Belgium

After this morning walk through the Graslei, the center of Ghent we set out to find a place where we can have breakfast and for that, although we want not to get too distracted, we end up stopping on more than one occasion to capture images with our cameras.

Ghent

Het Gravensteen in Ghent

Images of the streets of Ghent

And finally we arrive at the gates of Julie's House, an incredible pastry shop in Ghent where they make homemade muffins in a very special environment.

Julie's House in Ghent

As soon as you cross the threshold of the door you realize that this place has magic.

Julie's House in Ghent

We are very clear that if we lived here this place would be one of our usual places. After our walk through Graslei, being able to load forces in a place like this is a privilege.
We sat on a small table in the upper area of the bakery, with Leonard Cohen as background music. Impossible to ask for nothing more than a breakfast.
We had a couple of coffees with 3 muffins of different flavors for 16 euros! We cannot say that it is especially economical, but we will not lie if we say that it is worth knowing the place and that everything is great.

Charging energy at Julie's House in Ghent

When we decide that Ghent, Leuven and Antwerp It would be one of our destinations this year, the first thing we did was plan the days and see how many we would dedicate to each city.
TO Ghent We were clear that we wanted to spend at least one day, since it is a city that attracted us a lot and we had read very special opinions about this destination.
We know that it is a city that in a little more than mid-morning you can know, the most important thing.
But on this occasion, we have preferred to set aside the “want to know everything possible”, to opt for the “relax getaway” that will include moments of “seeing life go by,” like this one we are having at breakfast time.
After 10 in the morning, we start again, with a clearer sky than we found when we left our hotel in Ghent.

Ghent Streets

Ghent Canals

Our first stop is the Patershol neighborhood, north of Kraanslei, where we find picturesque alleyways and brick houses.
After enjoying as children with spectacular views of this area of Ghent we go to the area of Vrijdagmarkt, where we find the Dulle Griet.

Dulle Griet

This colossal canyon, located on the pier of the Leie River, is famous in the folklore of Ghent.
At this point in our visit to Ghent we are clear that it is a city where walking and getting lost in its streets is one of the best ways to get to know the city and part of the “essential visits” is to get lost in the interwoven streets that make up one of the most beautiful cities in which We have been.
After this time of strolling, we have to go to the Plaza de la Catedral de St. Jacobs and from there to take a walk around the Antiques Market and food.

Antiques and food market

One of the things we wanted to visit in Ghent it was the Graffiti Alley, so before it is done to us later and following our map, we are on our way to that area.

Book the best rated tours and excursions in Ghent by travelers:
- Free tour of Ghent Free!
- Guided tour of Ghent
- Beer Tour
- Excursion to Bruges and Ghent
- Ghent excursion
- More excursions and tours here

And we have to recognize that as soon as we arrive, we are surprised by the place.

Alley of the Grafittis in Ghent

It's just an alley with graffiti, but it has that special roll, of the places that tell stories, so we had a good time touring it and enjoying this "little" secret of Ghent.

Alley of the Grafittis in Ghent

It is much less known by its real and almost unpronounceable name, Werregarenstraat.
We find a small street, small and narrow, recommended to see if you have enough time.

Alley of the Grafittis in Ghent

After this, we go straight to the Town Hall or Stadhuis area, where we cannot avoid taking some photos.

Ghent Town Hall

The Ghent Town Hall or Stadhuis, presents two architectural styles.
The oldest section, which overlooks Hoogstraat is from the 16th century and is characterized by an elaborate flamenco style Gothic tracery.

Ghent Town Hall

The most modern and austere section is a characteristic example of post-Reformation architecture.
And from here, since the Ghent Town Hall o Stadhuis is closed today, we are going to the Ghent Cathedral but they are celebrating a Mass, so we cannot visit it with tranquility, so we take advantage we go to Het Gravensteen Castle, where we do not enter and only make a visual visit on the outskirts.

Ghent Cathedral

Het Gravensteen Castle

As it is still early, let's go to the Belfort Tower, where we pay 5 euros per person to go up and have one of the best views of Ghent.

Views from the Belfort Tower

At this point of our Getaway, Leuven and Antwerp getaway, we realize that it is a bridge and being in one of the most famous visits of Ghent, we began to cross with more tourists than we would have liked, but what are we going to do ... And it arrives, how could it be otherwise, the anecdote of the day, to call it somehow, when being in the underground part of the Belfort Tower, we found an Italian couple, who shouts read the information they find in their footsteps, seeming to do so for all the people who are currently in the compound.
And if with this we had not had enough, after 5 minutes a group of Spaniards enters who seem to be in a disco, shouting, laughing out loud ...
Maybe we are, we can not say no, but we have to recognize that in recent years, every time we witness such scenes, we try to avoid sharing space with these people that make us feel ashamed of others ...
And that said, we continue with our visit to the Belfort Tower, reaching the second floor, where we reach the elevator that will finally take us to the upper area of the tower.

Belfort Tower Interior

But at this point, we see that we have right in front of the Italians and the Spaniards behind, so we choose to get out of the queue and sit on some benches, waiting for them to move away to follow the quiet route.
Call us antisocial but we can't stand rudeness and shouting 😉
And after being able to avoid this discomfort, we reach the top of the Belfort Tower, from where we have stunning views of Ghent.

Views of Ghent from the Belfort Tower

Without a doubt, this visit is worth it, just for being able to see the city from the air ...

Stunning views of Ghent from the Belfort Tower

When we leave we see that the sun has appeared among the clouds that previously accompanied us and we go straight to Graslei Take some photos and take the time to take a walk.
On the way we pass through the famous Guild House of the Masons.

Guild House of the Masons, famous in Ghent

Graslei It is one of the areas of Ghent more special While it is true that the entire city has a very special atmosphere; Graslei It is undoubtedly "a cherry" in a fairytale city.
A good option to see all these places from another perspective is to book this cruise through the city canals.

Views of Graslei in Ghent

Graslei in Ghent

Impossible not to photograph every corner of Graslei

Posing in Graslei in Ghent, one of the best things to see in Ghent

Graslei in Ghent

Since Graslei we arrive at the Meat Market in the Grointemark Square, where we see a place well known for the quality of the famous frites and we decided that today will be ours restaurant in Ghent.
But taking a walk in the area, we see a couple of carts where they also sell the famous Ghent noses or Cuberdons and we can't resist !! We ordered about 100 grams for 2 euros and we had a good snack in the Plaza Grointemark, where there is also the smallest café in Ghent.

Ghent's smallest bar in Grointemark Square

Cuberdons in Grointemark Square

Having eaten the Ghent noses A few minutes ago, we do not feel like eating anymore, so we prefer to continue walking and we arrive at Korenmark Square, where the architecture leaves us with our mouths open.

Korenmark Square

Korenmark Square is one of the liveliest areas of Ghent and in other times it was a corn market, the commercial center of the city since the Middle Ages.
Another of the most beautiful areas of Ghent.
And by continuing without being too hungry, we decided that the best option is to return to the Ghent Cathedral, in which surely there will not be many people by the time it is and see the famous Altarpiece of the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb before eating.
The Ghent Cathedral or Sint-Baafskathedraal, is one of the most beautiful cathedrals we have seen for some time.

Interior of the Ghent Cathedral

And the mere fact that inside we find the the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb makes it one of the great jewels of Ghent.
On the left as we enter the Ghent Cathedral, we see the box office where after paying 4 euros per person, we find ourselves in front of us Altarpiece of the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb.
The Altarpiece of the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb It is between crystals and surrounded by people and more people.
And we thinking we were going to be alone. It turns out that everyone has thought the same thing and we have met at lunchtime around the Altarpiece of the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, one of the best things to see in Ghent.
As it fills up more, we get closer to the front row and listen to the audio guide they have given us with the entrance, for more than half an hour, in which it phenomenally explains all the details of the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb.
Amazing work of art that we have found in Ghent.
When we leave it is after 2 in the afternoon, so we return to Grointemark Square and see a huge queue at the frites beach bar that is right next to the Meat Market and is considered the best of Ghent To try them. And what are we going to do? Well, naturally wait for our turn to try the delicious frites of Ghent.

Meat Market in Grointemark Square

Queue to eat some frites at Grointemark Square

After almost 20 minutes of queuing, our turn finally arrives and we order two frites and two normal fricandelas plus a special one with two cans of soda. All for 8 euros !!

Details of Grointemark Square

We enjoy this delicacy in the same Grointemark Square, surrounded by people who like us are enjoying their street frites ...

Eating some frites at Grointemark Square

After this picnic we go to a Starbucks to have a coffee and a cappuccino to warm up for 6 euros.

Coffee in Ghent

We had a good time resting and recharging energies with coffee and shortly after 4 pm, we return to the streets of Ghent, where we have the firm idea, that we fulfilled, to lose ourselves in its streets and enjoy a city that has fallen in love as soon as we arrive.

Ghent corners

Ghent

Walking through Ghent

Graslei, one of the best things to see in Ghent

Details in Graslei

When it's almost 6 in the afternoon, the sun of Ghent He decides that he has had enough for today and takes part in the night, so we take this moment to approach the hotel and rest until dinner time.
Shortly before 8 pm, we go back out and go straight to Ghent Amadeus restaurant Very famous for the ribs!
The restaurant is very close to our hotel in Ghent, so we arrived in less than 10 minutes and we ordered a plate of ribs, in which it is a “eat all you can” plus a chicken skewer and two waters plus a cocacola for 34 euros.

Having dinner at Amadeus Restaurant in Ghent

Ribs at Amadeus Restaurant in Ghent

We have to say that it is a highly recommended place, not only for the quality of the food, but for the atmosphere of the place and the decoration, as a whole it is worth visiting.

Amadeus restaurant in Ghent

After 10 at night we have to return to ourhotel in Ghent, the Ibis Centrum Opera Hotel, and remember the images that one of the most beautiful cities in the world has left us ... Ghent…