Along Ghent's waterways cycling route

The Watersportbaan – officially the Georges Nachez National Watersports Course – is no less than 2.3 kilometres long and 67 wide. No wonder it attracts lots of rowers on the water and joggers and walkers beside it. Along the Zuiderlaan are the Blaarmeersen, the place to be for outdoor swimming, sunbathing, surfing, fishing or diving in Ghent. Close to the centre, this 100-acre park is a green haven and a beacon of sportsmanship. A water playground with a slide and a vast sandy beach complete the outdoor fun.

The verdant Citadelpark – the site of the 1913 World's Fair – is home to two leading museums: the Museum of Fine Arts (MSK) holds a representative collection of art from the Southern Netherlands from the Middle Ages to the first half of the 20th century; the S.M.A.K. is one of Belgium's most interesting contemporary museums, with some exciting exhibitions complemented by sculptures, paintings and installations from its own collection. On the outskirts, Ghent University Museum (GUM), a unique museum of science, research and critical thinking, opened in 2020.

Ganda, as Ghent was originally called, was founded at the confluence of the Lys and the Scheldt. On that spot now is Portus Ganda, a marina for passers-by. The Lower Scheldt, once filled in to make way for the supremacy of cars, was restored to its full glory here. Bridges and little parks, cosy cafés and the beautifully restored art deco Van Eyck swimming pool: it makes for – again – a beautiful piece of Ghent.

Let the Industrial Museum flash you back to the late 19th century, when Ghent was still a bustling factory town with smoking chimneys and crowded working-class neighbourhoods. The glorious textile past is the common thread throughout the exhibition at this old cotton mill. Take the lift to the top floor for some phenomenal views of the city.

This particularly beautiful corner of Ghent is a city-within-the-city: an old neighbourhood with a mediaeval street pattern and a folksy soul. Strolling through its narrow, car-free alleys, you'll discover a mix of restaurants, folksy cafés and trendy bars.

This former residence of the Counts of Flanders is a must on your Ghent to-do list. The mystical fortress has an eventful history, closely intertwined with the city's complex and often turbulent past. It is the only remaining mediaeval moated castle with a virtually intact defence system in Flanders. Atop the keep, you'll enjoy a fabulous view of the city; inside, you'll get a full picture of knightly culture in the 12th century. Not averse to a touch of humour? Ghent comedian Wouter Deprez voiced the funny audio tour!

With their area of more than 220 hectares, the Bourgoyen-Ossemeersen are a unique reserve. The vast marshes invite you to bring out the binoculars. Scour the horizon.  Admire the pristine nature, and feel free to explore the various hiking routes. At the visitors' centre, in addition to all the information, you can also go for an organic drink or a Fairtrade snack. Next to the visitors' centre is a short but very fun barefoot trail for the children.