Why Honeymoon in Ghent
Ghent feels lived in. Locals cycle past the guild houses on their way to work and students fill cafés on the squares. The city center is largely car-free, which makes it pleasant to walk and bike.
It is also an excellent place to eat. Ghent has a reputation for creative, vegetable-forward cooking, with a city-backed campaign for meat-free Thursdays. Yet it still does classic Flemish dishes very well.
The art and history are first-rate. Beyond the Ghent Altarpiece, there are fine museums, a medieval castle and the belfry, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Evenings along the Graslei, with the old facades lit up and drinks on the quay, are among the best moments in Belgium.
When to Go
April through June and September are the most comfortable months, with mild temperatures and long evenings on the waterfront terraces.
July brings the Gentse Feesten, a free ten-day festival of music, theater and street performances. It is huge fun if you like a party, but hotels fill and prices rise. Avoid it if you want a quiet stay.
August is warm and pleasant, though some locals head off on vacation.
December brings a Christmas market near Saint Bavo's and festive lights. Winter months are cold and gray, with short days, but museums and cozy restaurants make for a relaxed off-season trip. Rain can come at any time of year.
Where to Stay
Stay in the historic center, within walking distance of the Graslei, Saint Bavo's and the Gravensteen. You can walk to dinner and back along the canals at night.
1898 The Post occupies the former main post office on the Korenmarkt, with dark, moody rooms and a cocktail bar in a grand historic building. Pillows Grand Hotel Reylof combines an 18th century mansion with a modern wing, a garden and a spa, a short walk from the center.
Patershol, the old quarter behind the castle, has small hotels and apartments on quiet cobbled lanes, close to many of the best restaurants. Avoid staying near Gent-Sint-Pieters station unless convenience is your priority, since it is a tram ride from the center.
Romantic Things to Do
See the Ghent Altarpiece, also called the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, in Saint Bavo's Cathedral. Completed in 1432, it is a masterpiece of early Flemish painting. Book a timed ticket in advance.
Stand on Saint Michael's Bridge at sunset for the classic view of three towers lined up: Saint Nicholas' Church, the Belfry and Saint Bavo's.
Take a canal boat tour along the Leie and the Lieve for a look at the city from the water.
Explore the Gravensteen, a 12th century castle with ramparts you can climb for rooftop views.
Wander through Patershol for dinner. Nearby, look for the graffiti-covered Werregarenstraat, an alley where street art is allowed.
In the evening, buy a drink and sit on the edge of the Graslei with locals.
Getting There and Around
From Brussels Airport, trains reach Ghent in about an hour, sometimes with a change in Brussels. From central Brussels, trains take about 30 minutes. Bruges is about 20 to 25 minutes away by train.
Ghent's main station, Gent-Sint-Pieters, is south of the center. Tram 1 runs from the station to the historic core in about 10 minutes. Gent-Dampoort station is closer to the center but only some trains stop there.
Walk or cycle in town. The center is compact, largely car-free and full of bike lanes, though cobbles and tram tracks call for care. Bikes can be rented near the station and in the center.
A car is not needed and parking is expensive.
Food and Drink
Gentse waterzooi, a creamy stew traditionally made with fish and now usually with chicken, is the city's signature dish. Stoverij, beef braised in dark beer, comes with fries and mayonnaise.
For sweets, look for cuberdons, cone-shaped purple candies with a raspberry-flavored syrup center, sold from carts near the Groentenmarkt. Pick up a jar of mustard at Tierenteyn, a historic shop where it is ladled from wooden barrels.
Ghent's restaurants range from rustic taverns to modern tasting menus with a focus on vegetables. The city's bars pour excellent Belgian beer; Dulle Griet on the Vrijdagmarkt is famous for its huge selection and quirky traditions.
Book ahead on weekends, especially in Patershol.
Honeymoon Tips
Book your Ghent Altarpiece ticket online. The visit includes an augmented reality tour of the cathedral's history and can sell out on busy days.
Check the dates of the Gentse Feesten if you are traveling in July. Plan around it or embrace it, but do not be surprised by it.
Combine Ghent with Bruges. Many couples stay two nights in each, using the short train ride to move between them.
Watch out for bikes and trams when walking. Cyclists move fast and have priority in many lanes.
Museums often close one day a week, typically Monday, so plan accordingly. Save that day for a canal tour, a long lunch in Patershol or a slow walk around the Graslei.
