Ghent is also a city that is well worth a day or two of your time. Gravensteen Castle is a fun place to visit. Not only does walking along the castle wall give you stunning views of the city, but there is also a rather chilling, yet impressive display of medieval torture paraphernalia that was used in the castle during the medieval period. You can also see the castle dungeon and the cellar, which was used as a stable and a torture chamber at different times.
Of all the churches in Ghent, St. Bavo’s (Sint Baafskaathedral) is probably the most impressive. There is an astonishing amount of art housed inside the cathedral, all fantastic sculptures and paintings as far as the eye can see, including Van Eyck’s famous painting, “The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb,” which is said to be Belgium’s greatest treasure. St. Bavo’s also has some interesting sarchophagi, which are works of art in themselves. The crypt is interesting to look at, with some of the graves dating hundreds of years. Check out Bosch’s “Christ Carrying the Cross,” a fascinating painting that dates back to 1490. There are some beautiful and well-preserved clerical clothes on display as well that date from the 16th and 17th centuries.
You can take boat tours on the canals and horse and buggy rides in Ghent as well. But Ghent is compact enough that you can just stroll along the canals, admire the fantastic guild houses and explore whatever strikes your fancy.