This is Ghent

Header This is Ghent

Offbeat city
in the heart of Europe

A human-scale city with the heartbeat of a metropolis. A city of trailblazers and free spirits. An authentic place with a rich past and an exciting future.

We’ve got a lot going on in Ghent. But it’s not about how much we do, it’s about the way we do it: the Ghent way.

Offbeat city
in the heart of Europe

  • A human-scale city with the heartbeat of a metropolis.
    A city of trailblazers and free spirits.
    An authentic place with a rich past and an exciting future.


    We’ve got a lot going on in Ghent.
    But it’s not about how much we do, it’s about the way we do it: the Ghent way.

Why Ghent is 'de max'

  • A pocket-sized metropolis

    OK, Ghent is not terribly big: you can cycle from one side of town to the other in half an hour. But when Ghentians like something, we describe it as ‘de max’, literally ‘the max(imum)’. Why are we so fond of this superlative phrase? Well, we like to think big. We don’t believe in distance and division. We believe in accessibility and connection. After all, 1 in 3 Ghentians has roots outside Belgium.

  • Where we do things together

    Our city is a magnet for talent from all over the world. We enjoy an open and creative atmosphere thanks to our vibrant cultural scene, our many renowned knowledge institutions and innovative companies. And though Ghentians are known for being rebellious and pioneering, we leave no one behind. We look out for each other and do all we can to build this city together.
     

  • Our way

    Ghent is a proud city that has always marched to the beat of its own drum. A city where you can be who you are, where there is room to think differently and plot your own course. We’re not afraid to swim against the current if we believe we’re headed in the right direction. It’s no coincidence that Ghent was crowned the veggie capital of Belgium and Europe’s first car-sharing city.

    Read more about the Ghent character

Why Ghent is 'de max'

  • A pocket-sized metropolis

    OK, Ghent is not terribly big: you can cycle from one side of town to the other in half an hour. But when Ghentians like something, we describe it as ‘de max’, literally ‘the max(imum)’. Why are we so fond of this superlative phrase? Well, we like to think big. We don’t believe in distance and division. We believe in accessibility and connection. After all, 1 in 3 Ghentians has roots outside Belgium.

  • Where we do things together

    Our city is a magnet for talent from all over the world. We enjoy an open and creative atmosphere thanks to our vibrant cultural scene, our many renowned knowledge institutions and innovative companies. And though Ghentians are known for being rebellious and pioneering, we leave no one behind. We look out for each other and do all we can to build this city together.

  • Our way

    Ghent is a proud city that has always marched to the beat of its own drum. A city where you can be who you are, where there is room to think differently and plot your own course. We’re not afraid to swim against the current if we believe we’re headed in the right direction. It’s no coincidence that Ghent was crowned the veggie capital of Belgium and Europe’s first car-sharing city.

    Read more about the Ghent character

All eyes on Ghent

  • Ghent Festivities

    Belgium’s biggest and wildest street fest! Over 400 organisers put on a spectacular (free) festival in the city centre. 10 days of fun, music, theatre, exhibitions... Since 1843!

    Read more
  • Wintercircus

    This new hotspot in the heart of the city is home to numerous young tech entrepreneurs, bars, restaurants and a cool concert hall.

    Read more
  • Climate city

    Futureproof buildings, renewable energy, sustainable food, circular economy, urban green, clean mobility,… This is how we turn Ghent into a climate-neutral city by 2050.

    Read more

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  • Ghent’s also a great place
    to visit, study and invest