Short Breaks by Car - Ghent by Eurotunnel

A medieval treasure full of surprises waiting to be discovered! Busy shopping streets alternate with well-preserved historic charm. Pavements and squares bustle with cafés and restaurants, many of which line the beautiful canal quaysides weaving through the city.

There has been a Friday market on Ghent’s largest square since the late Middle Ages. In the nearby Groentenmarkt make sure to call in at the old Meat Market Hall, which now sells delicious local specialities, and the Dreupelkot bar, home to 200 varieties of jenever. Bizarre bars are something of a theme: in De Dulle Griet watch your shoe be hoisted to the ceiling as a deposit on their extraordinary beer glasses and in ‘T Velootje enjoy a drink under a ceiling of antique bicycles and curiosities.

A grisly medieval past comes to life at the Museum of Torture located in the moated, 12th century Castle of the Counts. Marvel at Van Eyck’s world-famous Adoration of the Mystic Lamb in the Gothic cathedral or, alternatively, visit the Design Museum to see a collection of furnished 18th century interiors.

No other city in Belgium has so many listed monuments and you can explore the atmospheric, winding streets and canals by bicycle, boat, horse-drawn carriage or tram. There's so much to see and do that you can easily work up an appetite for a bowl of mussels and Belgian frites!

Select a hotel below to view prices and details of great value Ghent holidays.

DON'T MISS

Eurobierbeurs Beer Festival 4-5 Jul

Ghent Festivities and International Street Festival 14-23 Jul

Van Eyck’s Adoration of the Mystic Lamb in St Bavo’s Cathedral

View of 3 towers of Ghent from St Michael’s Bridge

Museum of Torture in Castle of the Counts

Bargains at the weekend Flea Market

SMAK Museum of Contemporary Art

Nightly city illuminations

Zeeland oysters and mussels

Temmerman’s – a 100-year old sweet shop