DK Travel : Brussels, Bruges, Antwerp and Ghent

The four great cities of northern Belgium share a rich cultural heritage dating back to medieval times, when this was one of the most vibrant trading regions in the world. Yet each is very different: Brussels is the new Capital of Europe, while Bruges is one of Europe’s best preserved medieval cities. Ghent is a historic university city, while Antwerp still has the muscular stance of a great industrial centre. Each, in its own way, is richly rewarding – not only in cultural sights, but also in delightful and welcoming places to stay, eat and drink.

For a list of the best art galleries and museums (see Art Galleries and Museums)

Galerie Agora

This maze-like covered arcade sells T-shirts, baseball caps, leather goods, costume jewellery and incense – all surprisingly in the lower price range.
Galerie Bortier

This is a small, rather dowdy sister to the Galeries Royales de Saint-Hubert. Here you’ll find second-hand books, prints, postcards and posters.
Galerie de la Toison d’Or

Another covered arcade of up-market boutiques close to the Porte de Namur.
Galeries Royales de Saint-Hubert

A spectacularly elegant and spacious shopping arcade built in 1847 (see Galeries Royales de Saint-Hubert).
Galeries Royales de Saint-Hubert

When it opened in 1847, this elegant shopping arcade was the grandest in Europe (see Galeries Royales de Saint-Hubert).
Galler

A mass-market but high-standard manufacturer. Its famous Langues de Chat (cat’s tongues) are shaped in a jokey cat’s face.
Game

Belgian food pays heed to the seasons. Winter is the time for warming game recipes, such as the classic dish faisan à la brabançonne , pheasant cooked with caramelized endives. Rabbit, hare, venison, wild boar, pigeon, duck and guinea fowl are also much cherished. Much of the “game” is now farm-raised.
Garnaalkroketten

Deep-fried potato croquettes filled with fresh shrimps; an excellent starter or snack.
Gentse Floraliën, Ghent

Every five years, this vast flower show takes place in the Flanders Expo trade fair complex to the south-west of the city centre. Ghent’s flower-growing industry is famous above all for its begonias, azaleas, rhododendrons and roses.
George V

A small, friendly hotel in a 19th-century maison de maître, with touches of old-world English charm, the George V lies to the west of the Grand Place, close to the lively cafés and bars of Place Saint-Géry.

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Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes, and extra charges.
- under €60
- €60–€100
- €100–€175
- €175–€250
- over €250