Should I go to Antwerp or Ghent?

Choose Ghent for a picturesque, cozy medieval vibe with stunning canals and a younger student feel, perfect for wandering, or pick Antwerp for a bigger, more cosmopolitan city experience with major art museums, high fashion, excellent shopping, and grand architecture like the stunning train station. Ghent is often seen as more charming and less crowded, while Antwerp offers more of a bustling city buzz and diverse cultural depth, both are easily reachable by train from each other and Brussels.

Which is better, Antwerp or Ghent?

Antwerp is much bigger and basically newer but with more prestigious museums and an interesting port aspect. Gent however has one of Europe's classic Amsterdam-like RedLight districts in its old sailors' quarter. Perhaps for a day trip Gent is easier to absorb than huge Antwerp. Both are fantastic cities!

What is the prettiest town in Belgium?

❣️Bruges is the most beautiful city in Belgium. When you come to Bruges, you will be attracted by its long history. There are many ancient buildings and charming streets here.

Which city has better shopping, Antwerp or Gent?

Is the Shopping Better in Ghent or Antwerp? Antwerp is a world-class destination for shopping. Also, Ghent is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities. Antwerp is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores.

What is the 30% rule in Belgium?

Belgium's "30% tax ruling" refers to a special tax regime for expatriates and inpatriates, allowing employers to reimburse certain recurring relocation costs tax-free, generally up to 30% of gross remuneration, capped at €90,000 annually, plus other specific costs like school fees, replacing older schemes for many. This regime aims to attract international talent, exempting these allowances from tax and social security, with conditions like minimum salary thresholds (€75k for non-researchers) and a 5-year duration (extendable).

Bruges vs Antwerp vs Ghent: COMPLETE TRAVEL GUIDE

Should I skip Antwerp?

So you can already guess my answer to this question: yes, Antwerp is absolutely worth visiting.

Can you do Ghent and Antwerp in one day?

Explore Antwerp and Ghent in one day on a guided tour from Brussels. Enjoy round-trip transfers, a professional guide, historic monuments, and charming neighborhoods.

Which city should I visit in Belgium?

Depending on the length of your trip, and taking geographic proximity into account, here are our recommended priorities for a great week in Belgium: 2 days: Bruges. 4 days, add: Brussels. 5 days, add: Antwerp.

What is the number one tourist attraction in Belgium?

What are the Most Popular Tourist Attractions in Belgium?

• Grand Place, Brussels.
• Canals of Bruges.
• Atomium, Brussels.
• Belfry of Bruges.
• Gravensteen Castle, Ghent.
• Belgian Comic Strip Center.
• Royal Museums of Fine Arts.
• Tournai Cathedral.

What is the nicest town on the Belgian coast?

1. De Panne. De Panne is Belgium's westernmost seaside town and is known for its wide beach. Here you can get a breath of fresh air, sail on the beach or enjoy a quiet day in the sun.

Why are so many Jews in Antwerp?

At the end of the 1930s, Antwerp was the preferred destination for many of the Jews who chose to flee the rampant anti-Semitism in Nazi Germany. Historians estimate that there were about 35,000 Jews in the city on the eve of World War II. Many of them were foreigners, who did not have Belgian nationality.

Should I go to Antwerp or Bruges?

Bruges is famous for its fairytale feel, canals and picturesque old town. Antwerp on the other hand is famous for its port, diamonds and historic city centre. Each city oozes character and charm but both give visitors different experiences of Belgian life.

Is Ghent or Antwerp nicer?

They are both great cities with rich history and lots of culture. Antwerp is bigger, big city feeling, better for fashion addicts, more hype. Ghent blends a beautiful medieval look with a vibrant young artistic, rebel vibe, many students and locals who love going out, all within walking distance.

Why is Bruges called the dead city?

Bruges is called the "Dead City" primarily because of Georges Rodenbach's influential 1892 novel Bruges-la-Morte (Bruges-the-Dead), which portrayed the decaying, melancholic city as a perfect setting for a widower's obsessive grief, making it a symbol of death and lost glory for Symbolist artists and a morbid tourist attraction for romantics seeking atmosphere, even as the city's importance declined historically due to its silting Zwin channel.
 

Which city of Belgium is the most beautiful?

1. Bruges. This city is on top of most visitors' lists for a reason: it is without a doubt one of Europe's most picturesque towns. A medieval fairy-tale town with cobblestone lanes and charming canals, hordes of visitors from all over the world rightly come to admire its photogenic and romantic beauty.

Where is Diagon Alley in real life?

CECIL COURT THE REAL DIAGON ALLEY. Cecil Court being "just off Charing Cross Road" and with its curious mix of bookshops and antique shops, is widely believed to be the real Diagon Alley, or at least the thoroughfare on which Diagon Alley was based.

Was Harry Potter shot in Ghent?

Don't believe us? OK, so, the crew used castles in the UK such as Alnwick Castle for those majestic outdoorsy shots. Of course, Gravensteen being in the heart of Ghent city wasn't the good choice for that kind of scene. Instead, it was the inside of Gravensteen used for all sorts of shots.

Where was Draco Malfoy's house filmed?

Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire was used to film the exterior scenes of Malfoy Manor, family home of Harry Potter's nemesis Draco, of Slytherin house. It features in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, with help from some CGI effects.

Which is nicer, Brussels or Antwerp?

Brussels has a more international feel - it's common to meet people from across Europe and beyond. Antwerp feels more local and authentic, especially in neighbourhood cafés and markets. You'll probably hear less English outside the tourist areas, but locals are friendly and happy to help.

Which city is better to visit in Belgium?

Best for a leisurely city break

A visit to Bruges feels like stepping into a fairy tale. Often called the Venice of the North, the city is incredibly charming with an intricate network of tree-lined canals, cobblestone streets and well-preserved architecture.