When traveling in Belgium, visitors often ask whether they should choose Ghent or Antwerp for a 2-3 day stay. Both cities are in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking region of Belgium, both port cities on the Scheldt river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Which of Ghent or Antwerp is a better choice for a short stay? While the two cities are only an hour apart by train, both have strong touristic appeal. Antwerp is a larger city and is home to key Renaissance Flemish architecture and art. Ghent has a pretty medieval old town and scenic canals, and hosts a world-famous 15th-century painting. While many travelers choose Ghent for its picturesque sights, others prefer Antwerp for its diversity and great shopping and dining.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Ghent and Antwerp are two of the Belgium “Big Four” cities – which also include Bruges and Brussels. While Bruges is generally considered the main touristic highlight, Ghent and Antwerp also have a lot to offer (perhaps more) and are much less overrun by tourists. Antwerp and Ghent have populations of roughly 500K and 250K.<\/p>\n\n\n\n