Relaxing

Yes, there is still a nature area to visit in the city: a beautiful green spot is the area ‘The Bourgoyen’. I love to go there for a run or a summer walk in order to have some healthy exercise and to enjoy the beauty that nature still has to offer. You can enjoy the wildlife this region has to offer around a big lake: goose, ducks, plants and a series of birds.

Once in a while you meet a dog running loose. Unfortunately I’m not so keen on them but if I encounter one it definitely helps to bring my running speed to the next level.

This green area is of course the hotspot for bird spotters and photographers but also a place for romantic couples or young families with children to relax and spend their Sunday afternoons. After a refreshing energy walk you can cool down with a refreshment in the bar where you can read some background info about the Bourgoyen and its fauna & flora history.

The beauty of Ghent partly lies in the old houses along the water. I believe the charm of the city is centralized around the Graslei. Every single time I pass by walking I need to stop for a little moment and admire the romantic sight. So glad I’m living here! Perhaps sounds a bit corny but believe me, you’ll know how it feels once you have experienced it!

In summer time, this is the place to be for students to have a drink or for the working crowd to watch the evening sun while enjoying an ice cream and check out the people passing by.

In winter time it is simply beautiful to see the lights of the many restaurants and bars enlightning the water, it really brings the city center alive. This central meeting point is the perfect operating base for all the different activities Ghent has to offer: shopping, eating, drinking, museums.

So please, take a moment to enjoy this beautiful view in Ghent. Having it seen for so many times, I am still not tired of it!

If you want to chill down a bit, away from the city-noise you can go to ‘het Muinkpark’. I think it’s one of the most beautiful little parks in Ghent. I like it especially because of its magnificent old trees.

In the middle of the park there is a pond with ducks. Watch out! Don’t sit down on the lawn near the pond unless you want your pants to be covered with some nasty duck-droppings.

This park used to be part of an old Zoo in the 19th century. It’s the only part that still remains. The Zoo had to close in 1905 because of money problems. The names of neighbouring streets are linked to the history of this location. They all carry names of animals like “Zebra-straat”, “Olifant-straat” and so on. 

The little béguinage Onze Lieve Vrouw Ter Hoyen or ‘klein begijnhof’ in Dutch is a place full of history. The present houses date from the 17th and 18th century but the foundations go back from the 13th century when béguinages were rising all over Western Europe.

Ghent has two béguinages, there is one in the north of the city as well.This is said to be the best kept one. It’s always very quiet and peaceful here. Something I dislike is the fact that you are not allowed to sit on the lawn. I guess it’s to avoid waste and noisy pick-nicking students.

The houses are inhabited by regular families now. Sometimes there are classical concerts in the big chapel.

Ghent has two locations where graffiti is allowed: the ‘Keizersviaduct’ (near ‘het Keizerspark’ (Check the Keizerpark article) and the graffiti alley in the ‘Werregarenstraat’. Last one forms the corridor between the Hoogpoort and the Onderstraat. 

Every time I cross this venue, art works have changed. Although some works are maybe from less quality, there are always some nice pieces to behold. If you’re in the neighbourhood, you should definitely pass by!

But I also like this place for another reason. If you walk through the alley, you’ll see – a bit unexpected – a nice garden. And guess what, it’s open for public! The building where the garden belongs to, ‘het Hof van Ryhove’, dates already from mid 12th century. Over the centuries it has had several functions, going from a dungeon for catholic bishops during the Calvinistic regime to even a house of pleasure! Nowadays it houses several public services of Ghent.

The garden contains several tables and benches and is pretty cozy. If you’re in need of a quiet place to relax, to read a book or even to study, I must say this is one fine spot!