Ghent — Portus Ganda

About This Anchorage

Ghent (Gent) is Belgium's second-largest city and one of the great medieval port cities of northern Europe — a UNESCO heritage city of Flemish Gothic churches, canal houses, and the extraordinary Ghent Altarpiece (van Eyck, 1432, considered the greatest painting of the Northern Renaissance). Portus Ganda marina sits directly in the medieval city centre at the junction of the Leie river and the Lieve canal — within 5 minutes walk of the Gravensteen (Count's Castle, 1180), the Graslei and Korenlei guild houses, and the Sint-Baafskathedraal (home of the Ghent Altarpiece). Arriving by water to Ghent via the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal (from the Western Scheldt) or the Ghent-Ostend Canal (from Bruges/coast) is the most dramatic approach to any Belgian city — the medieval spires of Sint-Niklaas, Sint-Baafs, and the Belfry tower rise above the flat polder landscape as you approach. The Ghent Feesten (Gentse Feesten) festival in July is one of Europe's largest free street festivals — the marina is packed in festival week.

Hazards

• !Commercial barge traffic on Ghent-Terneuzen Canal — large push-tow convoys; give way; do not impede commercial vessels
• !Ghent Feesten (Gentse Feesten festival, July): marina packs out; book weeks in advance; expect noise and crowds
• !Air draught: some inner Ghent bridges are as low as 3.5m — check air draught carefully before planning route through city
• !Ghent-Terneuzen Canal approach: large sea-going vessels use this canal to Ghent's international port — do not approach their berths
• !Lock Merelbeke (south of city): the main lock on the upper Leie approach — call VHF 10 for schedule

Skipper's Tips

• →The Ghent Altarpiece (Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, van Eyck, 1432) is in Sint-Baafskathedraal — one of the most important paintings in Western art; recently restored and newly displayed; book timed entry ticket in advance
• →Ghent's food scene is exceptional: Ghent is Europe's most 'vegan-friendly' city, but also home to traditional Flemish cuisine — waterzooi (local fish or chicken stew) at 't Klokhuys restaurant is a must
• →Arrive via the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal for the most dramatic approach: the sea lock at Terneuzen gives access from the Western Scheldt; call Terneuzen sea lock on VHF 11
• →City bicycles from Portus Ganda (Blue-Bike system) — the entire historic city is flat and easily explored by bike; Gravensteen, Vrijdagmarkt, SMAK contemporary art museum all within 1km
• →Ghent Light Festival (every 3 years in January) transforms the medieval architecture with light installations — plan a winter visit if timing coincides

Nearby Anchorages