Ghent Hotels

Ghent is a beautiful historical town in Belgium that manages to maintain a provincial air even though it is a thriving cosmopolitan city. Built in the Middle Ages, Ghent boasts many extraordinary historical structures such as the breathtaking Saint Nicholas' Church, a stunning example of Flemish-Gothic architecture. Do not pass up a visit to St. Bavo's Cathedral, a Roman-Baroque structure that houses an incredible collection of centuries-old art. Het Gravensteen is a fascinating castle, complete with a torture chamber,built right after the Crusades by Count Philip of Alsace. There are a number of museums to explore, including the Municipal Museum for Contemporary Art and the Museum of Folklore. You can stroll through several historic walking areas, such asKraanlei and St. Michael's Bridge, or you can take the GhentHistory Tourto see all of Old TownGhent. If you want to sample some excellent Belgian beers, take a tour of the Dulle Griet or the Gruut Stadsbrouwerij. Shoppers will truly love the Vrijdagmarkton Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, where they can peruse the wares and sample delicious foods at this flourishing street market that has been a local tradition for over 700 years.

When To Go

Since the climate is very stable, the temperatures tend to transition gradually as the seasons change, and Ghent rarely experiences extreme temperatures or sudden changes in weather. Ghent is a particularly pleasant area to visit any time of year, but spring and summer are probably the best times for travellers. Spring weather is very mild, with highs from 15-20°C (59-68°F). The flowers bloom in May, covering the city with glorious blossoms. Summer highs are around 25°C (77°F), and it is very sunny and dry from June through August. Autumn cools down to around 15-18°C (59-64°F) during the day, and the winter lows can drop to around 1°C (34°F). Rainfall is heavier from October through March, peaking in November and December when Ghent can have up to 7-10 cm (2.8-3.9 in) of precipitation.

• Comfortable stable climate

• Summer highs 25°C (77°F); winter lows 1°C (34°F)

• Dry April-September

Getting There

If you are flying to Ghent, you will arrive at the Brussels Airport, which is 40 minutes away by car and a half hour by train. Belgium has an extensive railway system, which makes it the most popular transportation option for any distance. If you prefer driving, you can access Ghent via two major highways. If you are coming from Brussels, Liege, Bruges or Ostend you will take E40, and if you are coming from Antwerp, Kortrijk or Lille you will take E17. Belgium has a very dense modern highway system, so hiring a car is a good option for seeing the vicinity as well. Otherwise, you can use Ghent's excellent metro bus or tram system to get around town cheaply. Single tickets are €1.60, while a 10-trip pass is € 9.00.

• Train from Brussels

• Drive via E40 and E17

• Excellent public transit system

Ghent General Information

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