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Belgium · East Flanders

Ghent travel guide

A lively student city with a castle and a world-famous altarpiece

Graslei and Korenlei in Ghent. Photo: Michielverbeek, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

0h 45mflight from London
BRUnearest main airport
18° in Julwarmest month
3° in Jancoolest month

Ghent has as many medieval buildings as Bruges but feels livelier and more local, with a big student population, canal-side bars and a medieval castle in the middle of town.

St Bavo's Cathedral holds the Ghent Altarpiece by the van Eyck brothers, one of the most important paintings in Europe.

Good forCity breaksArtFoodNightlife

What Ghent is known for

  • The Ghent Altarpiece

    A 1432 masterpiece.

  • Gravensteen

    A castle in the city.

  • Vegetarian food

    One of Europe's veggie capitals.

  • Ghent Festivities

    Ten days of music in July.

Top things to do in Ghent

  1. 1

    St Bavo's Cathedral

    See the Ghent Altarpiece.

    Find tours and tickets
  2. 2

    Gravensteen

    A medieval castle with views.

    Find tours and tickets
  3. 3

    Graslei and Korenlei

    Canal-side guildhalls and bars.

    Find tours and tickets
  4. 4

    A canal boat trip

    Tours leave from the centre.

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See all tours and tickets in Ghent

Where to stay in Ghent

Find a hotel in Ghent

Best time to visit Ghent

Best value: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. April to September; July for the Ghent Festivities.

  • Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
  • PeakBusiest, highest prices
  • QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
2.9 C3°J3.4 C3°F6 C6°M9.6 C10°A13.1 C13°M16.3 C16°J18.2 C18°J17.8 C18°A14.9 C15°S11.2 C11°O7 C7°N3.7 C4°D
Bar height is the average temperature in Ghent, °C, 2001–2025 (NASA POWER).

Getting there and around

About 0h 45m from London to BRU, and flights from most UK airports. How long is the flight from your airport?

Walk or take the tram from the station.

Airport transfer to Ghent

Find flights to Ghent (BRU)

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Good to know

  • Book Altarpiece tickets online.
  • Thursday is veggie day in many restaurants.
  • Try cuberdons, cone-shaped sweets.
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Ghent FAQ

Ghent or Bruges?

Bruges is prettier, Ghent is livelier.

How far is Ghent from Brussels?

About 30 minutes by train.

More places in Belgium

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