The capital of Eastern Flanders, Ghent is a port city situated at the confluence of the rivers Lys and Scheldt. Many years ago it was one of the most prosperous cities in Europe, though today it is a medium-sized town with a large university community – a kind of Flemish cultural center. While many say Bruges is like an open-air museum, with its well-maintained historic downtown, included on Belgium’s list of world heritage sites, Ghent is said to be, above all, a vibrant city full of life, primarily because of the large student community. And it is this spirit that can be experienced all year round, including at Christmas.
At Christmas, the streets around Saint Nicholas’ Church fill up with stalls selling food, drink, clothes, and crafts. This is a must-see area when visiting Ghent, with the Christmas market having little to compare it with the Saint Catherine’s square market in Brussels. Yet, while it might be smaller, it is still well worth visiting. Despite being in the shadow of its more famous neighbors, Bruges and Brussels, Ghent is – on the whole – a truly special city. Especially in December!

During December, there is no shortage of Christmas markets throughout the Belgian capital, so much so that it is not always clear which one to visit. The most interesting market is not in the Grand Place (in truth, there is no Christmas market in the Grand Place – there is a light and sound show, but not an official market). Instead, you should direct your attention to Saint Catherine’s square – which is home to one of the best Christmas markets in Brussels.
Once you arrive at the square, take your time to browse the market. At the weekend there will be lots of people on the streets, but don’t let this get you down. After all, Christmas is a party! At the market there are stalls selling cheerful lanterns, colorful wreaths, and slippers for the cold weather; but the most popular stalls are those selling food. And you better believe there is a real feast on offer: with cheese, chocolate, crepes, and waffles (or gaufres to give them their French name) and, obviously, the renowned winter mulled wine. So, try a bit of everything.
Wander around, take in the scents and flavors of Christmas, warm yourself with mulled wine, and enjoy the atmosphere. Especially because during the Festive Season Brussels lets down its hair and turns into an irreverent and fun travel destination.