Ghent, in northwest Belgium, has a temperate maritime climate with mild summers, cool winters, and rainfall spread throughout the year. The city enjoys moderate seasonal changes, with summer highs around 23–24°C and winter lows near 2°C. Frequent clouds, breezes, and a stable temperature range make Ghent pleasant for travel in most seasons.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Ghent’s climate is heavily influenced by the Atlantic, resulting in moderate temperatures and regular rainfall year-round. Summers (June–August) are warm and comfortable, with average highs of 23–24°C and lows of 13–14°C. July is the warmest and sunniest month, offering up to 210 hours of sunshine and long daylight (over 16 hours in June). Rain is possible in any season, but August is often the wettest summer month, averaging 80 mm of precipitation. Humidity remains high, giving a lush feel to the city’s parks and gardens.
Winters (December–February) are cool and damp, with average highs of 7–8°C and lows near 2°C. Snow is rare and short-lived, while rain and overcast skies are common. December is the darkest month, with just 50 hours of sunshine and about 8 hours of daylight. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional, with spring bringing blooming gardens and mild weather (highs of 14–19°C in April–May) and autumn offering colourful foliage and temperatures cooling from 20°C in September to 10°C in November. April is the driest month, averaging 56 mm of rain, while wind speeds peak in winter and drop to their lowest in summer. Ghent receives about 811 mm of precipitation annually, and the city’s weather is known for its variability – pack layers and an umbrella for any visit.
| Average climate data for Ghent, Belgium | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 6 | 6 | 10 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 18 | 14 | 9 | 8 | 22 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 2 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 1 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 21 | 15 | 20 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 221 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 8 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 12 |
The best time to visit Ghent is from late April to early October, especially in May–June and September. These months offer mild to warm temperatures, longer daylight, and lively outdoor events. Spring and early autumn are ideal for sightseeing with fewer crowds, blooming gardens, and comfortable weather for exploring the city’s historic streets and canals.
The least favourable time to visit Ghent is from November to February, when days are short, temperatures are cool (7–8°C), and rain and clouds are frequent. While the city is festive during the Christmas season, outdoor activities are limited and some attractions may have reduced hours in winter.
Ghent’s average annual temperature ranges from 7–8°C in winter to 23–24°C in summer. July is the warmest month, while January is the coldest, with lows near 2°C.
Ghent receives about 811 mm of precipitation annually. Rain falls year-round, with August and December being the wettest months and April the driest. Showers are usually light but frequent.
Ghent enjoys moderate sunshine, with July being the sunniest month (up to 7 hours/day). Winter months are much cloudier, with only 1–2 hours of sunshine daily.
Late spring to early autumn (May–September) is best for outdoor activities, with mild to warm temperatures, long days, and more sunshine. Summer is busiest and most comfortable for walking, cycling, and canal tours.
Ghent is not a winter sports destination. The city rarely sees snow, and temperatures are too mild for reliable ice or snow-based activities. For winter sports, head to the Ardennes region.
Swimming outdoors is only comfortable in July and August, when water temperatures in lakes or pools are warmest. The North Sea coast is about an hour away, but the water is cool even in summer.
Pack layers for spring and autumn, light clothing and rain gear for summer, and insulated, waterproof clothing for winter. An umbrella is useful year-round due to frequent showers.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (22.1 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (6 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 13.7 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (15 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is February (0.9 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 8 °C.
The month with the most days of rain is January (21 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (14.9 days). Over the whole year there are 220.7 days of rain on average.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 16 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 8 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
