Ghent Essentials

Ghent Essentials & Tourist Information

Currency	Euro
Journey Time	Aprox 2H 50 mins via Eurostar
Time Zone	GMT = +1 hour
Language	Flemish
Voltage	220 V (European two-pin plugs)

Ghent Tourist Attractions
One of the most pleasurable and popular ways of seeing the historic attractions of Ghent is to take a relaxing canal boat cruise. Enjoy an unforgettable adventure passing age old medieval buildings and under the maze of ancient bridges for an entirely different perspective on the city and its highlights. A 35 minute cruise leaves every half an hour and costs €6 per person. If the kids seem a little bored with the history and culture of Ghent take them along to a museum with a difference. Illuseum is a museum dedicated to the mysteries of science and exhibitions of optical illusions. Children can learn, be amazed and have fun with dozens of hands on experiments to try that the whole family will enjoy. Entrance costs €7 each. 

Flemish Phrases For Tourists  

Hello	Goeiendag		Do you speak English?	Spreekt U Engels?
Goodbye	Dag		Excuse me	Pardon
Good Evening	Goedenavond		How much is it?	Hoeveel is het?
Yes	Ja		Where is...?	Waar is …?
No	Nee		What time is it?	Hoe laat is het?
Please	Alstublieft		Bank	de bank
Thank you very much	Dank U		Currency Exchange	het wisselkantoor
How are you?	Hoe gaat het met U?		Hotel	een hotel

Ghent Opening Hours
Shop opening times in Ghent are from 9.30am - 6.30pm Mondays to Saturdays. Virtually all stores are closed in the city on Sunday with the exception of small convenience stores, florists and bakeries and the weekend market. Banks and post offices are likely to operate from 9am until 5pm on weekdays.  

Tipping & Etiquette in Ghent
All service charges will be clearly marked and included on all restaurant and hotel bills so no further tipping is necessary. However many people prefer to reward waiters or hotel staff individually for excellent service and this is always much appreciated. For taxi journeys, simply round up the fare by a couple of Euros.

Ghent Food & Drink
An evening dining out in Ghent offers a rich variety of local and foreign cuisine and the opportunity to sample some of its more traditional cooking. Waterzooi is its most recognisable dish - a stew of chicken or fish with cream and green vegetables. Flemish beef stew is another hearty meal similar to Beef Bourgignon and don't miss up the opportunity to sample some of the varied pates of pork, duck and wild boar. Waffles are always a popular daytime snack and come in every shape and form with sweet and savoury toppings and Ghent regional beer is highly prized throughout Europe and often extremely strong in alcohol content. Check out Flanders red ale and the many brews of lager such as Celis White.

Ghent Useful Numbers
• Calling the UK from Ghent – 0044 + area code minus zero + number
• Police – 112
• Ambulance – 112
• Fire – 112

Disabled Access in Ghent
Although improving steadily, disabled access in Ghent is in general limited compared to other major cities in Europe. There are many narrow and uneven pavements with rampless kerbs yet the Belgians themselves are very aware of visitors with special needs and are usually very quick to help anyone in need. Some local buses are adapted for reduced mobility passengers and wheelchairs and there is a relatively wide range of disabled hotel accommodation. Most major museums have ramp access, disabled toilets and lifts.

Belgium Embassies
• GB Embassy - Rue d'Arlon 85 Aarlenstraat 1040 Brussels Tel: +32 (0)2 287 6211
• Belgian Embassy - 17 Grosvenor Crescent London SW1X 7EE Tel: 020 7470 3700