Early winter · Weather & things to do
Ghent in December
Ghent cools off: highs slip to 43°F (6°C), from 50°F in November, with lows of 35°F (1°C) and about 3.1 in (79 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 42/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 43°F (6°C)
- Avg low
- 35°F (1°C)
- Rain
- 3.1 in (79 mm)
- Humidity
- 94%
- Cloud cover
- 83%
- Daylight
- ~7 h 42 min
- Comfort score
- 42/100 · Tough
What December feels like
Afternoons only reach about 43°F (6°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Lows average 35°F (1°C).
Some rain is likely, about 3.1 in (79 mm) in the month, so pack for a shower or two.
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 83%.
Only about 7 h 42 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are May & June and August & September.
- Shortest days of the year, about 7 h 42 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 54/100 in November to 42/100.
- Our Amsterdam to Bruges by Rail route recommends Apr – Jun, Sep, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 43°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Ghent in December
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Gravensteen
12th-century castle of the Counts of Flanders in the city center.
Belfry of Ghent
14th-century belfry with a lift to the top.
Amadeus
All-you-can-eat spare ribs in a candlelit old house by the Plotersgracht; a long-running Ghent standby.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 43°F.
Patershol
Old neighborhood of narrow lanes and restaurants near the castle.
Gruut Brewery
City brewery making herb-spiced beer, with a taproom.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Nearby in December
- Bruges in December~24 mi · highs 44°F, 3.1 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Brussels in December~31 mi · highs 43°F, 3.1 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Amsterdam in December~104 mi · highs 44°F, 3.2 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Reims in December~125 mi · highs 42°F, 3.1 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Ghent in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Ghent?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 42/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are May & June and August & September. Expect highs of 43°F (6°C) and 3.1 in (79 mm) of rain. Our Amsterdam to Bruges by Rail route recommends Apr – Jun, Sep, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Ghent in December?
Average highs are 43°F (6°C) and average lows 35°F (1°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Ghent in December?
Some: about 3.1 in (79 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 30.6 in (778 mm).
What should I pack for Ghent in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 43°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Planning Ghent in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.