One Night in Ghent - Belgium

Itinerary: Ghent (Link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bys9H9hPgFspdWQ0V2tDNzRTN3c)

From Brugge, I took a train to go to my next destination, Ghent via Belgian rail. The trip took about 45 minutes. Ghent is famous with a huge historical building. Ghent is known as medieval Manhattan.

Gent-Sint-Pieters Train And Bus Terminal (Copyright @ VisitGent)

Gent-Sint-Pieters Train And Bus Terminal (Copyright @ VisitGent)

 
When I was there, part of the terminal was still under renovation. As I arrived, I walked outside to catch a tram to Korenmarkt where most of the attractions located. From Gent-Sint-Pieters, I took either Tram #1 or #22 to Korenmarkt Station. You can buy the ticket at the ticket machine. The ticket machine located in front of the station where the Tram stopped at. You can also bought a ticket inside the tram or bus. The one time ticket ride costs €3.00 for 60 minutes. This means that you can take as many rides as you want during the 60 minutes.You can also bought one day ticket for €6.00. The list of the existing ticket can be seen in this link. I bought the one time ticket as I only rode from Gent-Sint-Pieters to Korenmarkt and the other way around. 

Remember that if you buy the ticket inside the tram or bus, you can pay with a maximum  €10.00 note. You may only pay with  €20.00 note if you bought the tickets for more than
€10.00. In the case you cannot pay, you have to complete a 'passenger without exact money' form and pay via bank transfer two weeks after the journey. Also, you need to validate the ticket every time you get on or transfer by inserting the ticket in the yellow machine. 

 
As I arrived in Korenmarkt, I walked to the hotel that I stayed, Ghent Marriott Hotel. The backdoor of the hotel is located at Korenlei street. For the Ghent Marriott Hotel review, check it here.

Backdoor of Ghent Marriott Hotel

During my visit, the city was very hectic with lots of constructions going on. Ghent has one of the largest Christmas festival in Belgium. They were in the process of building the Ferris wheel and the area for the Christmas festival. Some of the historical site were also under renovation. Therefore, it was not the best time to travel at that time. 

 

 

Korenlei & Graslei (A on Map)

Between this two streets, the Graslei Canal can be seen. This location is an excellent place for a leisure walk with a view of beautiful architectures. In Graslei side, you can check out Gildehuis der Vrije Schippers, Gildehuis der Graanmeters, Tolhuisje, Koornstapelhuis, and Gildehuis der Metselaars. In Korenlei, you can check out Hof van Gruuthuse, Hotek de Ghellinck, Gildehuis der Onvrije Schippers, and Lintworm en Krocht. In this location, you can also take a canal boat for a canal tour for €7.00 for 40 minutes around the medieval city centre or €10.25 for 90 minutes for complete Ghent. For more information, please check this link.

Gravensteen (B on Map)

Gravensteen is a fortress surrounded by Lieve river. The fortress was built on the orders of Philip of Alsace, the former count of Flanders. 

Sint-Michielskerk (C on Map)

Sint-Michielskerk is a Roman Catholic Church built in a gothic style. This church is located at the sint-michielsplein

Sint-Veerleplein (D on Map)

In front of the Gravensteen is Sint-Veerleplein, the oldest square in Ghent. This square was known as an executions of the victims of the Inquisition in the past. Nowadays, it is a market place with restaurants and vismarkt.

Groentenmarkt (E on Map)

Groentenmarkt means vegetables market and is a square in historic site near Korenmarkt. In this square, there is a famous hall which is a butcher's hall.

  

Vrijdagmarkt (F on Map)

From the Groetenmarkt, turn right thru Langemunt road. This road is where all the shopping stores located. Toward the end, the vrijdagmarkt located. Vrijdagmarkt means friday market and it is one of the oldest squares in Ghent. The square is very huge and in the middle stands a statue of Jacob van Artervelde, the wise man of Ghent. In this square, you can see the turret, the oldest building in the area. From this square, you can see Sint-Jacobskerk on the background.

Turret, the Oldest Building in Vrijdagmarkt

Sint-Jacobskerk

 

Stadhuis (G on Map)

From the Vrijdagmarkt, walk towards the Stadhuis which is located at the Botermarkt.

The building in front of Stadhuis

 

Sint-Baafskathedraal (H on Map)

Another huge church in Ghent. During my visit, the tower was under renovation and the large square in front of the church, sint-baafsplein was closed for construction for Christmas festival.

Sint-Baafskathedraal (Copyright @ Wikimedia)

Belfry of the Ghent & Sint-Niklaaskerk (I on Map)

In front of the Sint-Baafskathedraal, Het Belfort van Gent is located. This building is also know as the Belfry of the Ghent. Next to this belfry, Sint-Niklaaskerk is located. Between Belfry of the Ghent and Sint-Niklaasker, there is a small park.

Belfry of the Ghent

Sint-Niklaaskerk

Across the road of Sint-Niklaaskerk, there is a small house called as Matselaarshuis with a great architecture.

  

Korenmarkt (J on Map)

In front of the Sint-Niklaaskerk via Korenmarkt, there is another picturesque and great architecture building. This building is an old post office. During my visit, this building is under renovation. It seems like the building will become a shopping center. 

Walking toward Sint-Michielskerk, there is a bridge on top of Graslei Canal. You can take  pictures with a great view of the Graslei Canal, the old post office building, Sint-Niklaaskerk, Sint-Michielskerk, etc.  From all of the pictures that I took, I like two pictures that was taken here that shows the medieval Ghent.

From above picture, there is a restaurant located on the first building on the right called Chocolato. They are mainly served chocolate, waffle, and macarons. The food is great.