Belgium experts: Ghent or Antwerp???
 

We have 3 days in our itinerary (me and a friend) wich did not decide what Belgium city visit.

First of all: we have 28 years old and we are looking for a place with nice architecture, nice walking, things to do and good nightlife. We will stay in hostels.

The options are:

_Antwerp (with a day trip to Brugges)
_Ghent (with a day trip to Brugges)

Belgium experts, what do you suggest???

I said expert but I was referring to anyone who went to Antwerp and Ghent.

I can't believe that nobody can choose between this two cities.

One thing I forgot to tell you: I will be travelling for 2 to 5 September

I can't choose between those two cities because I don't know Gent very well, but know Antwerp well since I live nearby. Both cities will have what you are looking for, but I don't know Gent enough to be able to compare the two.

definitely choose Antwerp. I travelled all around Belgium, and found Antwerp to be one of my favorite cities in Europe.

I've spent many many days in both cities and could not say which one to chose - both are fantastic. You could, on your way to Brugge from Antwerp stop off in Gent for a few hours just to get a feel for it - is more Bruges-like in terms of canals and integrity of oldness in the town center. Antwerp is much bigger and basically newer but with more prestigious museums and an interesting port aspect. Gent however has one of Europe's classic Amsterdam-like RedLight districts in its old sailors' quarter.
Perhaps for a day trip Gent is easier to absorb than huge Antwerp. Both are fantastic cities!

Sorry if this is consider topping but is another suggestion there for me :-) ???

Hey Hernan,

Now that I read you want some good nightlife, forget about my suggestion in your other thread to sleep in Brugge, as there is very little nightlife. Sleep in Ghent or in Antwerp!
And check out http://www.use-it.be for very useful information for both cities!

I'm 27, from Ghent and speak Spanish (if I'm not wrong, you're a Spanish speaker yourself...), so perhaps I could get some practice when meeting you and your friend one night. I'm not 100% sure yet that I'll be in town on the dates you're visiting, but if you want to get in touch, leave me your email address, ok!

Tal vez hasta pronto!

Agree with PalQ. Ghent is more Bruges-like in its medieval qualities. Antwerp is more cosmopolitan in that it has great shopping, restaurants and night life. Since you plan on seeing Bruges, I would couple it with Antwerp for a great experience of Belgium. Be sure to hit Ghent on the next trip.

stardust:

we decided to do this itinerary:
2/8 - day: antwerp, night: antwerp
3/8 - day: ghent, night: antwerp
4/8 - day: brugge, night: antwerp

we would like to make new friends so I give you my mail: [email protected]

write me and we can meet there. we'll be travelling round europe for 34 days and staying in youth hostels

hernanc2002

And yes stardus, we're spanish speakers, we're from Argentina.

Así que podés practicar un poco castellano que de seguro te va a encantar, ja ja!!

Un abrazo...


Hernán.-

hernanc-that sounds like a good compromise and I totally agree with Stardust-if you're looking for nightlife in Brugges, you're looking at the wrong city!

And you'll see what I mean about Ghent-it has great nightlife, in addition to its many lovely attractions.

Herman, you may be interested in the Antwerp beach; looks amazing, and if the current warm weather continues should be fun. Unfortunately the website doesn't seem to be in English; www.strandwerpen.be but you can always check with the tourist office on Grote Markt when you arrive. There's also a summer bar on the Schelde river; Zomerbar.
Have a great time!

Tulips,

Hernan made a mistake, he'll be in Belgium beginning of September. By then the Zomerbar won't be open anymore. www.strantwerpen.be (t instead of d!) stays open till the 15th of September. I went to both yesterday and loved them. The Strantwerpen bar is a bit more posh, the Zomerbar is more relaxed.

I was in Antwerp about 4 months ago and I think it has the elaborately-nice architecture and good nightlife that you are looking for. Haven't been to Ghent to make any comments.

I'll check out the web www.strantwerpen.com. I don't know if I'll have too much time to do this because we planified an entire day in Antwerp but, who knows...

Thanks for the data Tulips!!! and for the correction stardust!!!!!!!!