Why go
The meeting of the Leie and Scheldt shaped a trading city whose cloth wealth still reads in the Belfry, Cloth Hall and old centre. Ghent also has places that tell different chapters: St Bavo's Cathedral for the Van Eycks, the Museum of Industry for textile work, and STAM for the city's longer story.
What to look for
- The Belfry and Cloth Hall connect Ghent's skyline with its medieval cloth trade.
- St Bavo's Cathedral houses the Ghent Altarpiece, made for a chapel in the building's predecessor.
- The Leie and Scheldt meet in the city where Ghent first developed.
Useful to know
- Use the central landmarks for orientation before choosing a museum; the Museum of Industry and STAM tell different parts of Ghent's story.
- Leave time for riverside walking if the weather suits it, or focus on cathedral and museum interiors in rain.