Ghent and/or Anwerp?

I have no experience of Ghent, but our group of 4 went to Antwerp last year where we spent about 4 hours as a half-day trip from Amsterdam. We unanimously agreed we had made a mistake in not going earlier, as we would have all liked to spend more time there. In fact, that experience is a big reason why we're spending 2 days in Belgium next year on our way to Germany. Other than Rubenshuis [www.rubenshuis.be], there is not one "place" I could point to in the city as a "must-see"; rather, it was the whole city we so enjoyed. My point: pick one & give it your full attention- I'm betting you won't miss what you didn't see & in fact, may very well wish you had spent all your time in one place :)

And I've never been to Antwerp, but I was in Ghent for a day and enjoyed it. Depending on your interests, you can visit Sint-Baafs-Kathedral (or St. Bavo's, in English) and see the enormous Ghent Altarpiece by artist Jan van Eyck; you can take a tour of Gravensteen Castle (originally from the 11th century, I think, but completely "remodeled" by the Victorians based on what they thought a castle should look like); you can stand on St. Michal's Bridge and see St. Nicholas's Church and the Graslei (maybe the prettiest view in Ghent). Do some research on each town and see what you're interested in.

"Graslei (maybe the prettiest view in Ghent)." How about the prettiest view in all of Belgium? Personally, I prefer Ghent to Brugge. The center of Brugge may be slightly prettier than Ghent, but there's a lot more to see and do in Ghent. And whereas Brugge's old city is dead at night, Ghent has a thriving university population to keep things more interesting. So, if possible, I would stay in Ghent instead of Brugge, and see Brugge as a daytrip instead. As for Antwerp... it definately is not as pretty as either of the above, but worth a visit. Can you do both as a daytrip? In the summer... yes, although it would be a very unsatisfying visit to either city.

Tom - great response! It sounds like you have traveled through much of Belgium. I was there for a month with a medieval archaeology program and have been to a number of cities, including Bruges. Ghent was absolutely my favorite city in Belgium.

When you go to Gent try the Hotel Harmony -=-=- a nice family hotel with very nice views (try a balcony at midnight as the city lights go off). Nice brekkie too.

Thank you all for your responses! I've done some research and I'm now more inclined to visit Ghent and dedicate the whole day to this lovely town. You're making me doubt, though, about my nights in Bruges, I've always thought of going there and I'm a bit reticent to change my plans, but you are almost convincing me of staying in Ghent! I'll have to reconsider... I really don't want to stay one night in one place and one in another... So now the question is Bruges or Ghent?? Is anyone pro-Bruges?? I'm here to keep reading your opinions!

We were there this year. Our ranking would be Bruge first, then Antwerp, then Ghent but they are all worth a visit.

My sister and I are going for a long weekend to Nelgium next month. Here is our itinerary: Arrive 9:55 Sat morning and take train to Ghent. Sat and Sat night in Ghent. Sunday we will either explore Ghent more or take train to Antwerp or somewhere (Brussels, Brugge, Ostend) for the day. Sunday night Ghent. Monday take train to Brugge - explore and spend night there. Tuesday train to Brussels - explore and spend night. Wednesday plane home. My sister went to Brugge back when we we young (20 + years ago) and I have wanted to go ever since. Decided to do our two nights in Ghent because it sounded more lively.

I should add that my preference for Ghent over Brugge is based on several trips to both, so my perspective is probably somewhat different from that of a first timer.

Brugge at night when all the tourists are gone is awesome, you won't be disappointed! Keep your plans, sleep in Brugge and save some time to still visit Ghent.

I loved Brugge for 5 days w/ a sidetrip along the canal(lovely) and a disaapointing daytrip to Ghent. I was advised to go to Ghent but I did not see enuf to warrant a rd trip train tix and visit there. I would have preferred the xtra time in Brugge for sure. I have not visited Antwerp.

I just got back from Belgium today. We spent four nights in Brussels with a day trip to Ghent, and four nights in Bruges. I liked all three cities very much. Bruges is a bit more sanitized than Ghent [INVALID] it seemed cleaner and quieter, which appealed to me. There are definitely more tourists, but if you get on the back streets, you don't see many. Ghent seemed more like a real city that people live in, which has it's appeal as well. I was glad we chose to spend more time in Bruges, but since we only spent a day in Ghent, I can't really compare them fairly.

If you're that ambitious, see both. I'd cut down Brussels to half a day and give a full day to Ghent, the old part is otherworldly.