We often find ourselves not doing much research before visiting a new city, this has its good and bad points. The good often involves discovering things at your own pace while the bad means you probably miss a few things that you would have enjoyed. Here are 4 things to do in Ghent that you don’t need to research ahead of time.
Got your nose!
Discover the Ghent nose, a cone shaped sweet treat that also goes by the name of Cuberdon. Raspberry flavoured, the outside is firm and inside you find a softer raspberry jelly-like substance. The Flanders’ Agriculture Marketing Board (VLAM) has deemed the cuderdon a regional product.
Nose peddler
Cuberdons
How many stairs?
After our 1st tower climb in Europe, instigated by the lovely Gina of Gitana Blog fame, we decided to climb towers wherever we went. Mostly for exercise (and for Nat to get over her fear of heights or fear of falling) but also for the views. From the Belfry in Ghent, you have a perfect view of St Bavo’s and the surrounding area. We didn’t count the number of stairs you have to climb to get there because we were concentrating on breathing in the claustrophobically narrow staircases. You literally feel like the walls were closing in on you.
View of St Bavo’s from the belfry
Belfry staircase
So many beers…
If you’re a beer lover, you would probably consider Belgium heaven. There are over 400 beers to try in this beautiful country and what better place to do it than in quaint Ghent? Most bartenders are friendly and will gladly answer your questions or ask a few of their own to suggest beers you might enjoy.
Belgian beer
It comes with its own dungeon!
Gravensteen also known as Castle of the Count was built in 1180 and it is from here that the counts of Flanders would uphold law and order in Ghent. You know what that means, it has a dungeon and a pretty extensive exhibit of torture instruments.
Now that is a huge sword
Where the prisoners were kept
Gravensteen
Have you been to Ghent? What were some of the highlights of your visit?
Ghent is a great little town, gaining in popularity on the tourism radar. You should definitely check it out if ever you’re in those parts.
I’ve always had a sweet tooth but it seems to have developed ever more so since heading out to Thailand. Throw in a few beers and..
Well.. Beer and sweets!? You can’t go wrong really can you?
Tim, do you have sword envy? 😛 Thanks so much, you two, for the mention and I’m thrilled to know I infected you with the habit of tower climbing! Make sure to do the ramps up the tower in Sevilla – the moors built it with the idea of riding their horses up every day to ring the bells. Smart planning! Besos and baci x x x
Great posting about Ghent..indeed so many things to feel and taste in this old university town