Culture, Leisure & Shopping

Ghent and East Flanders have plenty of assets, such as excellently preserved historic cities brimming with culture and delicious food on the one hand and attractive natural landscapes and waterways on the other hand. You can enjoy art and culture here, as well as rest and relaxation.

FOOD AND DRINK IN GHENT AND EAST FLANDERS
Prepare to be overwhelmed. Cooking is in our genes and we like to share this with you.
Wherever you go in Ghent and East Flanders, you are bound to find delicious meals and a comprehensive range of drinks in cosy restaurants or inviting bars.
Belgium has a good reputation when it comes to food, with the same number of starred restaurants per inhabitant as e.g. France. But its culinary reputation is not only based on its world-renowned haute cuisine and Michelin starred restaurants.
We also have a fantastic heritage of old-fashioned and traditional products such as pastry, chocolate, cheese and of course our world-famous Belgian beers (365 different types of beer, or maybe even more by now). An absolute smash hit are our fries, a misunderstood Belgian invention (they are often called "French fries", sold at a “fish and chip stand” on any street corner).
And remember: a visit to Belgium cannot be complete without having tasted the exquisite chocolate produced by many traditional confectioners and sold in the form of pralines or figurines.

ADMIRE ART AND ANTIQUES
From old paintings and valuable antiques to modern art and nice curiosities. Admire the masterworks of painters like Brueghel, Rubens, Van Eyck, Jordaens, Van Dyck, Ensor, Permeke and Magritte in the numerous museums or visit one of the many small antique shops and buzzing flea markets. There is something to suit everyone’s taste and budget. Art cities such as Ghent are teeming with magnificent architecture, all you need to do is open your eyes.

CULTURE IS A PARTY, PARTYING IS A CULTURE
The cities sparkle like a glass of champagne on a Sunday morning. Music, theatre, cinema, opera, exhibitions, events: there is no room for boredom. An evening stroll in the beautifully lit historic inner city of Ghent, oyster tasting at the Sunday flower market, a boat trip on the river Leie,…

SHOPPING AND MARKETS
For economic temptations as well Ghent and East Flanders is the place to be. You will undoubtedly find something to your liking in the many shopping streets. In addition to the major chains of stores, original shops and boutiques ensure a broad and surprising offering. Accidentally or not, you can visit one of the many markets where you can find food and clothing, but also pets, flowers, antiques, curiosities, art and books. You will have no excuse left to return home without a souvenir.