Why visit
Ghent is Bruges without the crowds. Gravensteen castle, Van Eyck's Mystic Lamb altarpiece, Graslei medieval waterfront, and a younger, student energy.
Belgium at a glance
Country center
50.8°, 4.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
30,528 km²
11,787 mi²
Country population
11.7 million
384/km²
Subregion
Western Europe
Currency
Euro (€)
EUR
Dial
+32
Languages
German, French, Dutch
Demonym
Belgian
Internet
.be
UN
Member state
ISO code
BE / BEL
Where in the world
50.8° · 4.0°
Belgium
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Did you know
- Ghent has the largest car-free urban area in Europe; most of the medieval center is pedestrian.
- "The Ghent Altarpiece" (Adoration of the Mystic Lamb) by the Van Eyck brothers, finished in 1432, is in Saint Bavo's Cathedral.
- Ghent declared every Thursday "Veggie Day" in 2009, the first city in the world to do so, encouraging meat-free meals.
- Belgium has three official languages (Dutch, French, German) and some of the world's most complex federal politics.
- The country holds the world record for the longest time without a government: 541 days in 2010-2011.
Bordering Belgium
Traveler notes
- Gravensteen 12th-century fortress
- Saint Bavo's Cathedral and the restored Ghent Altarpiece
- Werregarenstraat legal graffiti alley
Plan checks
- Build a three-day plan before extending. Most travel cities are easy to undersell to yourself.
- Check seasonal timing: high season can triple costs on some coastal destinations.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
- Check opening days. Major sites close on Mondays or Tuesdays in many countries.
Explore more
Frequently asked about Ghent
What currency is used in Ghent?
Ghent uses the Euro (€), ISO code EUR.
What languages are spoken in Belgium?
The primary languages are German, French and Dutch.
What is the international calling code for Belgium?
The calling code is +32.
Other Europe destinations
France
France is the most-visited country on earth for good reason. Paris's museums, Loire châteaux, Provence lavender, Alpine skiing, Normandy beaches, and the Riviera, all linked by the TGV.
Germany
Germany mixes Berlin's history and counter-culture, Bavaria's Alps and beer halls, the Rhine Valley's castles, and Hamburg's harbor. ICE trains link everything.
Greece
Greece pairs Athens's Acropolis with island-hopping. Santorini's caldera, Crete's gorges, Mykonos nightlife, Naxos beaches, and Corfu's Ionian green.
Hungary
Hungary is Budapest's Danube panorama, thermal baths, ruin bars, and the most underrated food scene in Central Europe. Countryside wine regions add a Tokaj detour.
Iceland
Iceland is raw geology. Golden Circle waterfalls, glaciers, black sand beaches, and the Blue Lagoon. Packed into a country you can circle in a week.
Ireland
Ireland rewards slow travel. The Wild Atlantic Way, Ring of Kerry, Galway pubs, Cliffs of Moher, and Dublin's literary heritage. Weather changes hourly; that's part of it.