Ghent & Antwerp: two Belgian cities, two very different vibes

Spent four days in Ghent and a day in Antwerp during my recent Belgium swing — here's the honest lowdown on both.

Ghent: give it at least three days

Ghent completely won me over. Four days and I still felt like I was scratching the surface. The architecture alone is worth the trip — stunning medieval buildings line the canals and you'll stumble across beautiful cathedrals seemingly around every corner. The famous Belfry (Belfort) tower is an absolute must: climb it, soak in the views, and appreciate why it dominates the city skyline.

The undisputed highlight of my entire trip was the Ghent Altarpiece— the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb by the Van Eyck brothers, displayed in Saint Bavo's Cathedral. I genuinely had to stop and catch my breath. One of those rare moments where you're standing in front of something and you just know it's going to stay with you. If you see nothing else in Ghent, see this.

Ghent also has its own dedicated graffiti street — a narrow alley that's legally covered floor to ceiling in street art, constantly evolving. It's quirky, colorful, and unlike anything else in the city.

The canal boat ride is a nice, relaxed way to see the city from the water — enjoyable but not a must-do if time is tight. One thing to be aware of:finding a good dinner spot can be a real challenge. The crowds in the center make popular restaurants competitive for tables, so book ahead or be prepared to wander. Don't wing dinner in Ghent. I stayed at the B&B Hotel Ghent Centrum a no-frills chain but it does the job. A final challange see if you can find the “Manneken PLS of Ghent...

This is HARD to find

Antwerp: a day is enough but after Ghent it felt a bit underwhelming. I didn't find quite as much to hold my attention — you can comfortably see the main sights in a single day without rushing.

The one jaw-dropping exception: Antwerp Central Station. Calling it a train station almost undersells it — it's a cathedral of iron, glass, and stone, and one of the most beautiful railway buildings in the world. Even if you're not catching a train, go inside and look up. Truly massive and genuinely impressive.