It’s called Portus Ganda. The old port area of Ghent, where the rivers Leie and Scheldt come together.
In the 7th century, Saint Amandus built an abbey near this spot. It was one of the great abbeys of Europe, until the Spanish tore it down to build a fortress.
Until a few years ago, Portus Ganda was a run-down neighbourhood, but the city has transformed it into a lively waterfront district with restored quaysides and moorings for small boats.
The city has also constructed a wooden deck projecting into the water like a ship with rows of benches where you can admire the view. Locals call the spot “the bows of the Titanic”.
Look out for the tiny blue summer bar called Kiosko at the end of Hagelandkaai. The perfect spot in Ghent for a summer drink.
Derek Blyth’s hidden secret of the day: Derek Blyth is the author of the bestselling “The 500 Hidden Secrets of Belgium”. He picks out one of his favourite hidden secrets for The Brussels Times every day.
