Ghent

Ghent is the secret that Belgian locals keep from tourists. While visitors flock to Bruges and Brussels, this vibrant university city offers the same medieval beauty - soaring Gothic churches, canal-side guildhalls, and a dramatic castle - but with a raw, lived-in energy that feels authentically Belgian.

The Ghent Altarpiece by the Van Eyck brothers at St Bavo's Cathedral is one of the most important artworks in Western art history. Graslei and Korenlei, twin rows of medieval guild houses reflected in the Leie River, create one of Europe's most photographed waterfronts. The city is also Belgium's vegetarian capital, hosting the world's first official Veggie Day.

May to September offers pleasant weather (16-23°C) for canal walks and outdoor dining. The Ghent Festival (Gentse Feesten) in July is one of Europe's largest cultural festivals.