Today, Ghent is the proud capital of Belgium's Oost-Vlaandered and although the city is considerably larger than nearby Bruges, it is perhaps not quite as full of character or picturesque.
 
Nevertheless, Ghent still has plenty of tourism appeal and its numerous university students add a definite youth quality, being well catered for by the city's nightlife.  A walking tour of Ghent is a good way to get your initial bearings and see many of the main sights.  These are readily available and a great way of seeing everything that Ghent has to offer. 

Ghent is only a short drive away from Calais and nearby the cities of Brussels, Antwerp, Ostend and Brugge, which make this city an ideal touring destination.