Belgium Belfry of Ghent

The Belfry of Ghent (Het Belfort van Gent) is one of the defining landmarks of Ghent’s historic skyline. The medieval bell tower stands between St Bavo’s Cathedral and St Nicholas’ Church and is part of the UNESCO-listed Belfries of Belgium and France. Its most recognizable detail is the gilded dragon at the top, which has watched over the city since 1377.

Blue hour is particularly beautiful here: the illuminated stonework and golden clock faces contrast perfectly against the deep blue evening sky, bringing out details that are much less noticeable during the day.

While wide-angle views work well for capturing Ghent’s famous skyline, I particularly like photographing the Belfry with a telephoto lens. From the surrounding streets, you can use the historic buildings to frame the tower and compress the different layers of architecture.

For this shot, blue hour was key. Wait until the architectural lights are switched on, but there is still enough natural light in the sky. This gives you the combination of warm artificial light and a rich blue background without the sky becoming completely black.

A focal length somewhere around 100–200 mm is ideal for isolating the tower and its details. Watch your highlights around the illuminated clock faces, as they can easily become overexposed.

Belfort van Gent sits on Sint-Baafsplein in the heart of Ghent's historic center. The old town is compact and largely pedestrianized, so the easiest way to scout different compositions is to walk the surrounding streets.

For photography, plan to arrive 30–45 minutes before sunset. This gives you enough time to scout your telephoto composition before the short blue-hour window begins. You can also visit the tower during the day, with a viewpoint over Ghent from the top; there is a lift from the first floor.

If you arrive by car, note that the historic center is within Ghent's low-emission zone, so check the current access requirements before driving into the city and register your vehicle.