Let's Go Europe 2019. Harvard Student Agencies

      Sint-Veerleplein 11; 92 25 93 06; www.gravensteen.stad.gent; open daily 10am-6pm

      This medieval castle has been a count’s residence, a cotton spinning mill, and the seat of the Council of Flanders. Walk along the ramparts for a stunning view of the city, and be sure to explore the dungeons and accompanying torture museum. English explanation cards offer cheery titles like “Case 5: Stabbing.” Rows of bludgeons, spiky collars, and even a guillotine will have you flinching. Nevertheless, this giant castle emerging out of the middle of a modern city is sure to impress.

       i Admission €10, students €6; no wheelchair accessibility

      MUSEUMS

       MUSEUM VOOR SCHONE KUNSTEN (MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS)

      Fernand Scribedreef 1; 92 40 07 00; www.mskgent.be; open Tu-F 9:30am-5:30pm, Sa-Su 10am-6pm

      The museum’s centerpiece is the Ghent Altarpiece (also known as the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb) from the Van Eyck brothers, described by the museum as the “highlight of fifteenth-century Flemish panel painting.” Cards with English explanations are scattered throughout, detailing everything from the composition of religious paintings from the Middle Ages to the symbolism behind a tapestry collection from Brussels. Don’t miss the massive modern art installation in the center either, a piece that takes up the entire room, surrounded by water beds on which to relax and immerse yourself in the artwork.

       i Admission €8, students €2; wheelchair accessible

       STAM (GHENT CITY MUSEUM)

      Godshuizenlaan 2; 92 67 14 00; www.stamgent.be; open daily 10am-6pm

      Not many museums ask you to put on shoe covers to enter. It’s not because the staff is made up of insane neat freaks; it’s because the highlight of the museum is an enormous satellite map of the city spread across a huge floor. In the center is an astonishingly large and detailed scale model of the city center, and, throughout the museum, there are computers where visitors can click through tons of interactive exhibits about the city’s history. The museum goes all the way back to Ghent’s beginnings, demonstrating why people first settled at this relatively high point at the confluence of the Lys and Scheldt rivers.

       i Admission €8, 19-25 years old €2, under 19 free; wheelchair accessible

      OUTDOORS

       CITADELPARK

      Citadelpark; open daily 24hr

      Citadelpark has historically been a site of great military defenses in Ghent. It takes its name from the citadel built here (though now demolished) by King William of the UK in 1819. Now instead of heavy fortifications, you’ll find a small waterfall, hills and caves, and even a playground (although you may be too young for children of your own and too old to play on it without getting at least a few glances from concerned parents). It’s also the home of city’s modern and fine art museums, so the park is a great place to relax and reflect on the life changing Flemish masterpiece you just saw.

       i Free; limited wheelchair accessibility

       FOOD

       SOUP’R ($)

      Sint-Niklaasstraat 9; open Tu-Sa 11am-5pm

      Despite the fact that its name is a total dad joke, this restaurant serves up soups far better than that canned chicken noodle soup Dad heats up at home. A crowd clusters around the door before lunchtime waiting for the place to open up, and it’ll soon become clear as to why. The soups, ranging from Belgian classics to Thai and Vietnamese curries, are both soup’r delicious and soup’r affordable. Three sizes of soups with bread and butter can be garnished with your choice of free toppings or paired with a sandwich or salad. You may have some trouble deciphering the Dutch menu, but even if you point at something random, you’re sure to end up with piping hot and flavorful soup on the table eventually.

       i Soups from €4.50; gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options available; limited wheelchair accessibility

       GREENWAY ($$)

      Nederkouter 42; 92 69 07 69; www.greenway.be; open M-Sa 11am-10pm

      The name is not only indicative of the green plants covering seemingly every surface of this healthy “fast food” spot’s interior, but the vegetarian and vegan menu will also satisfy those seeking a quick green meal—even on the go. With everything from veggie burgers to salads to wraps to lasagnas, the menu is sure to accommodate diverse diets in a way that’s satisfying and flavorful. Be sure to check the specials and soups of the day for the freshest additions.

       i Salads from €12, burgers from €8.90, wraps, lasagna, curry from €12; gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options available; limited wheelchair accessibility

       SELI’S NOODLE BAR ($$)

      Limburgstraat 28; 92 23 58 88; www.selinoodlebar.be; open daily noon-9:30pm

      There are some things you just don’t want to see being made: sausage, cigarettes, and your brother. If you’ve never seen noodles being made, however, you need to sit inside at Seli’s and watch as their own house-made noodles are stretched, cut, and prepared. The next step is crucial: get these very same noodles in your belly. Order a big bowl of salty and delicious noodle soup, full of plenty of vegetables and your choice of meat. Sides like fresh spring rolls and gyoza are equally satisfying.

       i Noodle soup from €10.50; gluten-free and vegetarian options available; limited wheelchair accessibility

       NIGHTLIFE

       ‘T VERLOOTJE

      4, Kalversteeg 2; 92 23 28 34; open daily noon-3am

      Trying to describe the strange and wonderful experience of having a beer at ’t Verlootje is like Alice trying to describe Wonderland to your average Joe. You’ll be greeted on the tiny street by Lieven, the owner, identifiable by his short shorts and fuzzy beard. An eccentric man with a welcoming spirit, he’ll be happy to show you his bar-cum-house, where bikes hang from the walls and ceiling and cover just about every actual surface in sight. He even claims to have a bike from Napoleon III. Everyone at the place is encouraged to chat, get to know one another, and sign the thick guest book. It’s not uncommon for everyone to hug their new friends before they leave. So, go ahead, fall down this amazing rabbit-hole! You’ll be mad for it.

       i Beers from €6; cash only; limited wheelchair accessibility

       HOT CLUB GENT ($$)

      Schuddevisstraatje 2; 92 56 71 99; www.hotclub.gent; open daily 3pm-3am

      At a place with a name like Hot Club, you would expect to find a slightly stuffy, dark nightclub where the only thing keeping you there is the fact that you already paid a cover to get in. Yet the actual Hot Club is a classy affair, not a nightclub at all, but rather a small jazz bar with live music five nights a week named after Hot Club de France, a jazz club in Paris founded in the 30s. After dipping down a tiny unassuming