A GUIDE TO GHENT
INTRODUCTION
PLACES OF INTEREST 1
PLACES OF INTEREST 2
PLACES OF INTEREST 3
BARS/CAFES INTRO
BARS and CAFES
TRAM MAP
PICTURE GALLERY
POPERINGE
PLACES OF INTEREST
MILITARY CEMETERIES
IEPER (YPRES)
YPRES 2
IEPER MAP
ANTWERP
BARS AND CAFES 2
BARS AND CAFES 3
PHOTO ALBUM
PHOTO ALBUM 2
ST ANNATUNNEL


 

 

INTRODUCTION 

This guide is specially written for travellers who use public transport and like to explore on foot (but the traveller by car may find it useful also). It gives detailed directions on how to find your way around on foot and by public transport, it describes places of interest including tourist attractions, museums, churches and some places of lesser interest that may be overlooked by the larger guides. Also included are a few bars and cafes and other snippets of information. 

 GHENT

The city of Ghent (French Gand Flemish Gent) is situated in the region of east Flanders about halfway between  Brussels and Brugge on the main line from Ostende to Brussels. The city itself is large and quite industrial but with an old and very interesting centre, including Gothic, Renaissance and Romanesque architecture and has the most listed monuments in Belgium. It also has a quite extensive system of docks and canals still used commercially and connected to the sea by  the 31km seacanal between Ghent and Terneuzen. The most impressive sight in Ghent (it appears in every brochure) is of the three towers as seen from St Michaels Bridge, St Nicholas,The Belfry and St Bavo's. There are plenty of museums (at least 21) enough to keep you going for the duration, some are free but you have to pay at most of the major ones. Happy wanderings. 

 

TRAVEL

There are quite a number of different ways of getting to Belgium by public transport. By air from most major British airports flying into Zaventem 14 km/9 miles to the northeast, about half an hours train ride into Brussels (frequent trains). Beware of anybody using Brussels South airport because it is Charleroi 61 km to the south. Euro Lines runs daily buses from London to most Belgian cities. Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels Midi (Zuid is the same station) journey time 2hrs, you can book straight through to Brussels from most major stations (changing in London). When you arrive in Brussels you can use your Eurostar ticket* to take you on to any other Belgian rail station within 24 hrs of your arrival and the same on your return. *Please note a normal Eurostar Ticket does not allow you to go to any Belgium Station it now has to be specified on your ticket and there is an extra cost included.

ARRIVING IN GHENT 

On arriving at Ghent St Pieters Station you will find two exits from the platform, one takes you to the front  (or rear exit) of the station and the other direct into the tram subway which is now closed to trams (pedestrian access only 5/10/2011 trams now depart for the city centre from the front of the station centre at frequent intervals (tram No 1). There are quite a few hotels and bars around the station area it can be quite convenient to stay in this area and travel into the city by tram. A city day ticket costs 5 euros, a 3 day costs 10 euros and can be brought from the ticket machines at the front of the station (easy to use and in English). 

GETTING TO THE CENTRE

The easiest way from the station area to the city centre is by tram No 1 direction Evergem, Wondelgem or Beverenplein. Other trams depart from the front of the station No 4 goes to Moscou (no not that one), it does go to the city centre but the long way round. 21 and 22 go to Melle Leeuw and D.C Gentbrugge. If you prefer to walk its about 2.5km from the front of the station. Proceed along Kon Elisabethlaan then into Kortrjksestwg, straight ahead at junction into  Kortrijksepoortstraat, then Nederkouter,then Veldstraat, arriving at St Nicholas Church where you turn right for the Belfry, Tourist Office and St Bavo's. Left for St Michaels Church. Go straight ahead for the Korenmarkt and Groentenmarkt, follow the tram lines over the bridge and the Castle of the Counts is in front of you. Also in this area  (old quarter) there are many fine Bars, Cafes and restaurants and shops galore (heaven forbid).

 PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THEIR HAVE BEEN MAJOR ALTERATIONS TO TRAM NOS. NO 1 IS  UNALTERED . NO 4 NOW RUNS FROM ZWIJNAARDE TO MOSCOU NOS 21 AND 22 DONOT RUN AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY NO 24 

CLICK HERE FOR TRAM MAP 

 

 

 TRAM NOW RE NUMBERED 4 PASSES THE BELFORT