Are you thinking about visiting Ghent, Belgium? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Ghent worth visiting?
This city is a good place to visit for one to three days. Ghent is a historic city with world class architecture and impressive canals. The city is filled with sights such as the The Fortress of Gravensteen, which dates back to the 1200s. While it's often overlooked for nearby Bruges, the city offers a less crowded historic center with cathedrals and large plazas. There's also world class shopping and a young student population that gives it a lot of energy. We first visited in 2022 and have returned several times. During our time here, we fell in love with its historical old town and the fascinating Gravensteen.
Ghent, Belgium
Reasons to Visit Ghent
Nightlife
With its young student population, you'll find plenty of lively bars and clubs around town. There are many places where you can party or dance into the early hours of the morning and some of the best places are around Oude Beestenmarkt, De Overpoort, and De Vlasmarkt. There's also the famous Ghent Festival every July.
Museums
The city has many different sights that are concentrated in a compact area. Make sure you check out the Cathedral of St. Bavo, The Fortress of Gravensteen, and The Belfry. The audio tour at Gravensteen really brings the history to life and makes for an enjoyable activity.
Food
The food scene is diverse and international, but there are also many local dishes and flavors that you should try. Pas de Rouge is a local cheese and mastel is a local bread. Ganda ham is also a popular meat that is dried and salted. In additional to traditional restaurants, you'll find almost any international cuisine that you could want.
Historical Sights
The medieval old town follows along the canal and offers great architecture and a unique atmosphere.
Shopping
The city has the largest pedestrian shopping area in Belgium, making it a great place to explore on foot. The city has several different shopping areas which each have their own style and personality. You'll find everything from major European brands to local boutiques and street markets.
Authenticity
Ghent has an authentic vibe where you can experience local culture, cuisine, and activities without the large tourist crowds of other popular destinations.
Is Ghent worth visiting in the Summer?
The high season for travel in Ghent is the summer, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is somewhat touristy, so in the high season it's usually busier.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during summer with average temperatures around 17°C (63°F).
You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable city, especially in the nice weather. During this season it's fun to experience the famous sights and museums, the historic old town, and the nightlife scene.
Summer Weather in Ghent
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 17°C (63°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| August | 18°C (64°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| September | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
Is Ghent worth visiting in the Autumn?
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 12°C (54°F).
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Ghent, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This destination is somewhat busy with tourists, but in the shoulder season you'll find less crowds and better deals.
Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. Soaking up that old town charm in the autumn is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. This is a great time of year to admire the wonderful scenery, admire the historic sights, and browse the museums.
Autumn Weather in Ghent
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 12°C (54°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| November | 7°C (45°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) |
| December | 5°C (40°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Is Ghent worth visiting in the Winter?
Winter is the low season for travel in Ghent. This destination is fairly touristy, but in the low season you can find fewer crowds and better deals.
The weather in Ghent can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 3°C (38°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
You'll like that you can take public transit easily in the winter, too. You can get around quickly while avoiding bad weather if needed. You'll find plenty to do during winter, as you'll be able to spend time at the museums, sample the delicious cuisine, and browse around the old town. Also, you'll be able to grab some drinks at a bar.
Winter Weather in Ghent
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 3°C (38°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| February | 3°C (38°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| March | 6°C (42°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
Is Ghent worth visiting in the Spring?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Ghent. This destination is somewhat busy with tourists, but in the shoulder season you'll find less crowds and better deals.
The weather in Ghent can be quite cold during spring, and averages around 8°C (47°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
The city this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. Soaking up that old town charm in the spring is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. During this season it's fun to experience shopping, the museums and landmarks, and the beautiful scenery. Also, you can experience the historic old town and the nightlife.
Spring Weather in Ghent
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 8°C (47°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| June | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Ghent
Not As Family-Friendly
While there are some family activities, it's not as child-friendly as other destinations.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Ghent might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Ghent here or see if Ghent is expensive here.
Related
What is Ghent most famous for?
Ghent is most famous for its medieval buildings, large squares, and weekly markets. The city is very popular for its nightlife. It is also known for its great museums, food, historical sights, and shopping. It is often described as historic, under-rated, youthful, high energy, and cultural.
What is the most famous sight in Ghent?
The most popular sight in Ghent is The Fortress of Gravensteen. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Ghent on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The Fortress of Gravensteen and other attractions here.
How touristy is Ghent? Is it a popular city to visit?
Ghent is more popular with local tourists than with international visitors. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Ride The Unexpected Guided Tour Ghent by Urban Offroad E-Scooter: $103
- Ghent Small-Group Tasting Tour with local guide: $64
- Ghent Private Off The Beaten Path Tour with local guide: $190
- Ghent Sightseeing and Chocolate Tasting Tour: $75
- Taste of Private Chocolate Walking Tour: $216
- Ghent Bike Tour Off-the-beaten-track: $52
- Ghent Private Highlights Tour with local guide: $114
- Bicycle tour in historic Ghent: $49
How long should I spend in Ghent?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Ghent is one to three days. Since Ghent has a variety of activities such as nightlife, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Ghent? and Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Ghent?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.