A medieval port with a student soul
Ghent has the medieval beauty of Bruges with the energy of a working city and a large student population. The Graslei and Korenlei, facing each other across the river, are lined with guildhouses, and the Gravensteen is a moated 12th-century castle in the middle of town. St Bavo's Cathedral holds the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, the celebrated altarpiece by Jan and Hubert van Eyck. The city's cafés, vegetarian restaurants and bars are excellent, and the Ghent Festivities take over the streets each July.