Cheap flights to Ghent from £42

Ghent overview

A flight to Ghent will transport you to a city steeped in history: In addition to serving as the birthplace of Charles V, one of the most notable monarchs in European history and former Holy Emperor of the Roman Empire, Ghent is where the Treaty of Ghent was signed to conclude the War of 1812. This Belgian city, located in the province of Flanders, is home to majestic castles that have been standing since the 15th century. 

Ghent was once the largest cloth producer in Europe and the largest medieval city after Paris, but today these beautiful stone backdrops provide a quaint setting for one of Belgium’s most underrated cities. Ghent normally takes a backseat to Bruges and Brussels, but visitors will find plenty to do here throughout their stay: Ghent hosts a milieu of marvellous festivals over the course of the calendar year, including the Gentse-Feesten each July and the International Film Festival of Flanders every October. Even if there’s no party scheduled for the dates coinciding with your holiday, the countless museums, cafes and cultural events are sure to make your visit to Ghent one you’ll never forget.

Ghent climate

You’re bound to encounter mild conditions in this Belgian city: Seasons tend to ease into each other with the transitional periods of autumn and spring acting as temperate buffers for Ghent’s cold winters and warm summers. November-January temperatures rarely dip below freezing and hover closely to 4 degrees Celsius, while June-August highs only reach up to 22 degrees Celsius on the hottest days.

Getting around Ghent

Travellers can explore the city on foot, by taxi or by renting a bicycle or Vespa. There is also a well organised and comprehensive network of trams and buses.

Getting from the Airport to the City

Visitors can’t get a direct flight to Ghent, as the city doesn’t have an airport, so the best option is to fly to Brussels Airport (BRU). From here travellers can either get a direct train or bus to the centre of Ghent.

What is good to know if travelling to Ghent?

• Though Ghent’s stunning churches and castles are perfect for picture taking during the day, don’t miss a night-time stroll past St. Bavo’s cathedral, the Castle of the Counts and St. Michael’s Bridge. These must-see sights are beautifully lit, and you’ll avoid traffic and crowds when you go after sunset. 
• Gentes Feesten, or Ghent Fests, has party animals visiting in droves to check out the biggest party the city holds each year. Ghent Fests consists of four separate festivals which take place in July: The Blue Note Festival, the International Street Festival, the International Puppet Festival and the 10 Days Of Dance Festival have the streets of the historical downtown district buzzing.
• Make sure you sample mastel, while you’re in Ghent. This doughnut-shaped bread is also referred to as Saint Hubert’s bread, because the tradition is for bakers to bring baskets of the bread to church on the saint’s feast day for the pastries to be blessed. 
• Fashion savvy foreigners visit Ghent to learn about the history of clothing – the city was the former cloth-producing capital of Europe. The Design Museum showcases wares ranging from 17th century garments to psychedelic sofas from the 70s. For those who can’t get enough of Flemish fashion, consider taking a day trip to Antwerp: Antwerp is home to the Antwerp Design Academy and fashion institute, and the designs cultivated by the creative genius of students studying there have rocked the fashion runways of Europe for decades. 
• Belfort, a UNESCO-protected belfry, houses a collection of 54 bells whose rings have been heard echoing throughout the city since the 14th century. A hefty walk up the stairs to the top of Belfort provides the ambitious climber with breath-taking views of the city.