At the end of November 2008, the National Geographic Traveler magazine declared Ghent to be the third most authentic destination in the world. The magazine, known for its attractive photography and in-depth travel journalism, compared Ghent with 109 other destinations.

The city’s high place on the list does not mean that Ghent is only an authentic, real-life city full of beautifully preserved buildings, monuments and art treasures. Ghent is not just a life-sized museum. National Geographic Traveler magazine praises the Arteveld city for its “brilliant mix of a wonderful past and a contemporary, vibrant city”.

Ghent is preceded only by Austria’s Wachau Valley and the area around the Rideau Canal in Ontario, Canada. Ghent is, however, the highest ranking city on the list. This is praise indeed as Ghent has done better than such prestigious destinations as Lyon, York, Dublin, Istanbul, Cape Town and Munich.