This is intended to help participants of CITCON Europe 2019 to organise their travel to Ghent.
I got several requests on Twitter to recommend accommodations in Ghent. Living myself in Ghent, and never having to book a hotel in Ghent, it was a bit difficult to come up with a list. The best thing I could imagine of was to go to the local bookstore and grab a copy of the Lonely Planet and Guide du Routard for Belgium.
Train timetables are available on belgiantrain.be.
Note: When looking up railway stations on the site of belgiantrain.be, although the site is in English, you have to use the Dutch or French railway station names. Except for Brussels Airport :/ Sorry for that.
For those arriving by plane at Brussels Airport.
Brussels Airport has a railway station with connections to the main Belgian cities of which Ghent. The train station is located directly under the departures and arrivals halls, at level -1.
Every hour there are 2 direct lines to Gent Sint-Pieters (the main railway station of Ghent) at (duration 55m):
- ##:03
- ##:25
There is another line with a change in Brussels South (Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel Zuid) at ##:30 (duration 1h05).
For those arriving by Eurostar, Thalys or ICE from London, Paris or Cologne at Brussels South (Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel Zuid).
Every hour there are 4 direct lines to Gent Sint-Pieters at (duration 30m):
- ##:07
- ##:28
- ##:36
- ##:53
For those arriving by Thalys from the Netherlands at Antwerp Central (Antwerpen-Centraal).
Every hour there are 3 direct lines to Gent Sint-Pieters at (duration 1h):
- ##:06
- ##:37
- ##:51
There is a direct line from Lille Flandres to Gent Sint-Pieters once every hour at ##:08 (duration 1h16).
Timetables are available via b-europe.com.
Explanations on how to get to Ghent by car can be found on VisitGent or see Google Maps ;)
Take into account Ghent has a circulation plan (links to a big PDF). You cannot cross the city by car.
The venue has a underground car park. The entrance is Gustaaf Callierlaan 231. Tariff is 1 EUR per hour.
Parking the car on the street is an option, but not free. The venue is located in the orange zone. Tariffs are:
- 1h: 1.50 EUR
- 2h: 3.00 EUR
- 3h: 4.50 EUR
- 24h: 6.00 EUR
If you don't want to pay for parking, there are a number of free Park & Rides on the edge of Ghent.
The city centre of Ghent is car-free and tailor-made for pedestrians and cyclists. Getting around in the city centre by a car is very difficult and not advised.
With bus and tram you can reach any part of the city quickly and easily (even on weekend evenings) and taxis are also readily available.
Or you use a bike like half of the residents of Ghent.
Public transportation is handled by De Lijn.
Every 6 min, there is a direct tram line 1 from Gent-Sint-Pieters on platform 2 to Korenmarkt
Every 13 min, there is a direct tram line 4 from Korenmarkt to nearby the venue Zebrastraat. De trip takes you approximately 17 min.
Note: Korenmarkt is about the heart of the city.
There are possibilities to rent a bike at:
- Blue-Bike
- main railway station Gent-Sint-Pieters
- secondary railway station Gent-Dampoort
- De Fietsambassade
- under the City Pavilion
- main railway station Gent-Sint-Pieters
- secondary railway station Gent-Dampoort
- Gentlewheels: electrical and conventional folding bikes
More information about this can be found on Visit Ghent.
Taxi prices are fixed by the city:
- 8.5 EUR startprice includes the first 3 km
- 2.3 EUR/km from 4 km till 40 km
- 1.9 EUR/km from 41 till 80 km
- 1.6 EUR/km from 81 km
- 40 EUR waitprice/hour including 5 min waittime for free
- 2.5 EUR night surcharge per ride between 10PM and 6AM
Taxi hubs are available at:
- main railway station Gent-Sint-Pieters
- secondary railway station Gent-Dampoort
- Gent Zuid - Woodrow Wilsonplein
- Gent Zuid - Graaf van Vlaanderenplein
- the Townhall near the Belfry - Belfortstraat
- Drabstraat
- Henegouwenstraat
- Kammerstraat near Sint-Jacobs Church
- Koophandelsplein near the Courthouse and the shopping street Veldstraat
- Pakhuisstraat near Graslei, Korenmarkt and Sint-Michielsbrug
- Vlasmarkt near Sint-Jacobs Church
- Zuidstationstraat in between Gent Zuid and Sint-Annaplein
Ghent/Flanders/Belgium has some food specialities.
Specialities of Ghent:
- Gentse Waterzooi: a stew dish of chicken and potatoes.
- Cuperdons: a candy made with Arabic gum candy crust with a soft raspberry-flavoured inside filling. In Dutch it is called "neuzekes" or little noses.
Specialities of Flanders:
- Flamish Carbonade: a stew of beef (or porc) with beer (obviously) that takes hours to prepare. In Dutch it is called "stoverij".
- Mastel: looks like a bagel made of flour, milk, butter, sugar and cinnamon. Difficult to find. It used to be available in all bakeries. The best way to eat them is ironed (with a toaster) with butter and brown sugar inside.
- Jenever: a juniper-based liquor. The English like to call it Dutch gin, as gin is a derived from jenever. I prefer the young or old version. Over time lots of flavours have been produced: apple, citroen, chocolat, ... Flemish or Dutch coffee is just coffee with jenever.
Specialities of Belgium:
Where to have Waterzooi?
- 't Vosken at St-Baafsplein in between the Belfry and Sint-Baafs Cathedral.
- Fait Divers at Korenmarkt. I once eaten Waterzooi there, 10 years ago. It was really good. But I see the reviews online are not that great. In addition, Korenmarkt is a tourist trap.
Other places for eating:
- Mediterranean food: Villa Bardon at Sluizeken - very small menu card, fresh food, Maarten goes every morning to the market to buy his ingredients, say you have been advised by Els and Thierry, our daughters are very good friends.
- Thai food: Le Baan Thai at Pattershol: Pattershol is the place to be for fancy restaurants and to wander around
- Maroccan food: Mogador at Mageleinstraat: very good couscous, you have to try the pasterie as starter
- Sushis: Tokyo Sushi at Botermarkt
Where to have Flamish Carbonade?
- De Abt. They make it with Orval beer. The story says Orval finds his origins at this place. They also serve aged Orval, which is difficult to find.
- Probably 't Vosken serves this too. As they serve all the typical regional dishes.
Where to drink beer?
- Café de Trollenkelder at Sint-Jacobs
- Bierkaffee Trappistenhuis at Brabantdam close to Sint-Annaplein
- Waterhuis aan de Bierkant at Groentenmarkt, sometimes called Bierhuis aan de Waterkant
- Café Galgenhuis: smallest cafe/bar of Ghent
- De Dulle Griet at Vrijdagsmarkt: for some beers you have to give a shoe as a pledge for the glass, otherwise people tend to steel the glass.
Where to drink Jenever?
- Dreupelkot at Groentenmarkt next to Waterhuis aan de Bierkant
Where to find Cuperdons?
- Groot Vleeshuis or Butcher's Hall at Groentenmarkt: you find all the regional products here and it is also a restaurant.
- On Groentenmarkt there are two stalls.
- Confisserie Temmerman at Kraanlei: a small authentic candy store having not the usual cone-shaped cuperdons. The woman has all the regional sweets: candy and cookies.
Where to find Mastels?
- Bakery Himschoot at Groentenmarkt. They also have the cuperdons.
- Julie's House at Kraanlei: fantastic place to have breakfast. In the weekend you have to reserve. They serve the ironed mastel with brown sugar.
Where to find Waffles?
Lot's of places where you can buy them on the street.
- Etablissement Max at Goudenleeuwplein next to the City Pavilion: the place to be, at 4PM they are full.
Where to find Chocolates?
- Fou de Chocolat at Kouter: little shop next to the Delhaize where you can buy all flavours of chocolate (lots of dark).
- Notenboetiek Salon Magelein at Mageleinstraat: the other store of Fou de Chocolat selling all sorts of nuts in combination with chocolat. You find here mendiants and coffee beans coated with dark chocolat.
Where to find Pralines?
- Chocolaterie Van Hoorebeke at Sint-Baafsplein
- Chocolaterie Van Hecke at Koestraat
- Daskalides at Henegauwenstraat: a Ghent family from Greek origin.
- Neuhaus at Koestraat: inventor of pralines, rather expensive.
The site of the The Lonely Planet references lots of hotels in Ghent of different categories.
The congress organisation service of the city of Ghent gave me these additional links:
- Overnight stay on Visit Ghent - The Tourism service of the city of Ghent
- The Guild of Ghent's B&B
- The "white pages" of Ghent Hotels (powered by booking.com)
Hotel Flandria, Barrestraat 3
Budget Hotel
shared/private bathroom incl. breakfast from 58/70.
Near historic city centre.
Hidden in a little street surrounded by canals and stunning cathedrals.
It is located in the heart of Ghent, a few steps away from the most important attractions and the best places to taste the famous Belgian beer and enjoy the beautiful lights of the city.
It is one of the few hotels in Ghent city centre in a quiet neighbourhood and, at the same time, it is close to the vibrant spots of the city.
source: The Lonely Planet
Big Sleep, Hagelandkaai 38
B&B
single/double from 65/90 EUR.
Near Portus Ganda.
The three guestrooms of this friendly B&B in an attractive 1890s townhouse have high ceilings and private showers but shared toilets. The house is decorated with souvenirs of its owners' world travels, but perhaps its most notable features are that it is smoker friendly and has an attractive heated outdoor pool (summer months only). Handy for Gent-Dampoort station.
source: The Lonely Planet
Onderland, Rabotstraat 62
single/double incl. breakfast from 65/78 EUR.
A bit far away from the venue. A bit off the city centre.
In this 19th-century building with a fairly sleek facade you will find on the ground floor a very large suite (ideal for families) with a high ceiling, lots of wood and shutters. At the rear of the house two more modern attic rooms (for two people; the stairs are a bit steep). Nice inner garden (with the rabbit as mascot) where you can have breakfast in the summer. Very nice atmosphere.
source: Le Guide du Routard
Atlas B&B, Rabotstraat 40
B&B
single/double incl. breakfast from 74/84 EUR.
A bit far away from the venue. A bit off the city centre.
This 1863 townhouse has attractive belle époque, art deco and art nouveau touches, a comfortable communal lounge area featuring maps, globes and an honesty bar, and four distinctive guest rooms themed by continent.
source: The Lonely Planet
Alphabed, Jan Palfijnstraat 26
B&B
incl. breakfast from 85 EUR.
In between the Sint-Baafs Cathedral and Portus Ganda.
The exterior looks like that of all other houses in this inconspicuous, cobblestone street, but the inside is completely different: very modern vibrant colors, old tile floor ... Three (totally different) rooms, one in 70s style. That room has a balcony that opens onto the courtyard (and you have a nice view of the cathedral). Very sympathetic reception.
source: Le Guide du Routard
Baeten's B&B, Burgstraat 11
B&B
single/double incl. breakfast from 80/95 EUR.
Close to The Castle of Counts.
Behind a flea market (full of stuff from the 1950s) operated by Stefan. There are two quiet and tidy rooms in the back house. The cheaper room is slightly better, but the other room has a bathroom with an old-fashioned bathtub.
source: Le Guide du Routard
Aanaajaanaa, Hoogpoort 25
B&B
single/double incl. breakfast from 90/110. Discount possible for stays longer than 5 days.
No payment cards. Bikes at your disposal.
A B&B with a rich history (cellar from the 13th century, inn in the 16th, then a printing company for 150 years and finally a parsonage). A 100% ecological address. Comfortable rooms, airy and colorful. The peculiar name means "come, go" in Hindi. At the weekend you can sometimes suffer from noise from the nightclub across the street.
source: Le Guide du Routard
The Boatel, Voorhoutkaai 44
2-star hotel on a boat.
single/double incl. breakfast from 92/126 EUR
At Portus Ganda.
This canal boat has been rebuilt as a hotel and is located at only a minute’s walk from the centre of town with all its historical monuments, museums and shops.
Equipped with 5 charming and cosy rooms of which 3 are standard rooms and 2 luxurious. Each room is decorated in a unique and surprisingly different style with view over the river. Every morning a delicious continental breakfast is served.
Not recommended by any travel guide. I've added this one because I'm intruiged ever since I live here since nine years and passing by each day.
Simon Says, Sluizeken 8
Guesthouse
incl. breakfast from 130 EUR.
Top Pick by Lonely Planet.
Near Patershol.
Get in quick to snap one of Simon and Christopher's two fashionably styled guest rooms located above their well-patronised, chilled-out coffee shop in a fabulous part of town.
You can't miss it: it's the brightly coloured art nouveau house on the corner.
Cheery hosts, excellent breakfast and strong organic coffee.
source: The Lonely Planet
B&B Engelen aan de Waterkant, Ter Platen 30
B&B
from 110 EUR.
Top Pick by Lonely Planet.
Close to the venue.
Owned by an interior designer, this B&B – set in a 1900 townhouse overlooking a tree-lined canal – has a special atmosphere and two 'angel' rooms.
source: The Lonely Planet
Ibis Gent Centrum Sint-Baafs Kathedraal Hotel, Limburgstraat 2
Hotel
from 113 EUR.
In between the Sint-Baafs Cathedral and the Belfry. Near the City Pavilion.
Not your usual Ibis. The outside architecture is well adapted to the historical center.
Not recommended by any travel guide. Just my addition.
Ghent River Hotel, Waaistraat 5
Hotel
from 115 EUR.
Bereikbaar via het water! Deze oude katoenspinnerij, later opslagplaats, is nu een degelijk hotel. 77 kamers, uitstekend comfort.
source: Le Guide du Routard
Hotel Harmony, Kraanlei 37
Hotel
from 144 EUR.
Bicycle rental.
Patershol is located behind the hotel.
Nice modern hotel that has remained cozy and simple and that pays attention to ecology. The most expensive rooms have jacuzi and a terrace, even overlooking the canal. There is even a rooftop swimming pool. Delicious breakfast buffet.
source: Le Guide du Routard
B&B Hotel Verhaegen, Oude Houtlei 110
B&B
double/suite 210/264 EUR.
Not too far from the shopping street Veldstraat.
This sumptuous 1770s urban palace retains original sections of 18th-century Chinese wallpaper, a dining room with romantic Austrian-era murals, a dazzling salon and a neatly manicured parterre garden. The five guest rooms combine well-placed modernist and retro touches. The lavish ‘Paola’s Room’ is named for the young Italian princess who stayed here long before becoming Belgium’s (now former) queen.
source: The Lonely Planet
1898 The Post, Graslei 16
Hotel
incl. breakfast from 235 EUR.
In the middle of the historic city centre. At beautyfull Graslei. The other side of the Korenlei.
Housed in Ghent's spectacular twin-turreted former post office. The property's common areas, guestrooms and suites are dark and moody in a wonderful way, with elements of great design at every turn (though note the standard rooms are compact for the price). The hotel also offers fine dining and an ultra-atmospheric bar.
source: The Lonely Planet
Ghent Marriott, Korenlei 10
Hotel
incl. breakfast from 224 EUR.
In the middle of the historic city centre. At beautyfull Korenlei. The otherside of the Graslei.
On the inside Ghent's Marriott is a standard international business/tourist hotel with stylish (if somewhat generic), comfortable, modern rooms and a glass and steel atrium. On the outside its handsome facade incorporates four mediaval stone housefronts. Canal-view rooms (50 EUR extra) have wistful waterfront panoramas. Look online for some good deals.
source: The Lonely Planet