Discover Ghent
Welcome to Ghent (known as Gent in Dutch), one of the major cities in the compact country which is Belgium. Located approximately 45 minutes from Brussels Airport Zaventem by train, Ghent is located in the middle of Flanders, the Dutch speaking part of Belgium. Our second and third official languages are French and German, however English is mastered at a high level by most people living in Ghent. Ghent is a youthful, student-dominated city powered by its world-class university, thriving tech sector, and lower-than-average median age.
The Venue: Oude Vismijn
The Oude Vismijn (Old Fish Market) is one of Ghent’s oldest market sites, featuring a striking 17th-century Baroque portal topped by Neptune that was restored and transformed into a state-of-the-art event space. It is situated in the heart of the historic centre, right opposite the medieval Gravensteen castle.
A Historic City with Modern Energy
Ghent's heritage is defined by its rise as a medieval wool trading giant, where opulent guildhalls and the formidable Castle of the Counts showcased its immense commercial wealth. Today, this rich past thrives as a vibrant modern city, framed by preserved Gothic architecture and the famous Three Towers along the historic Leie river.
A Taste of Ghent
Ghent's culinary scene effortlessly balances hearty Flemish classics—like Gentse Stoverij (a rich, slow-cooked beef stew made with local abbey beer) and savory Gentse Waterzooi—with a vibrant modern food culture. As the official "Veggie Capital of Europe," the city offers an exceptional range of world-class plant-based dining. Belgium’s legendary brewing tradition comes alive in Ghent’s ancient pub scene, where you can sample iconic abbey dubbels, tart local sour ales, or the famed Gruut—a historic beer brewed with a secret blend of spices instead of traditional hops.
What to Expect from the Weather
In mid-September, Ghent enjoys mild late-summer weather with average daytime highs around 19–20°C (66–68°F) and cooler evenings dropping to roughly 11–12°C (52–54°F). While conditions are generally comfortable for exploring, the city experiences occasional light showers and breeze, so light layers and a small umbrella or rain jacket are recommended.
Organising institute
The conference is organised by Flanders Maritime Laboratory (FML), featuring three state-of-the-art physical installations (two shallow water towing tanks and one Coastal & Ocean basin). FML features contributions by Flanders Hydraulics, Ghent University and KU Leuven.
Reaching Ghent
Ghent is approximately 45 minutes away from Brussels Airport, Belgium's national airport in Zaventem. The airport has its own railway station, Brussels-Airport-Zaventem, which offers a direct connection to Ghent. The railway station is situated beneath the airport and can be reached via the lifts and escalators in the arrivals hall.
The shuttle bus is also an easy way to reach Ghent. It runs about ten times back and forth between Brussels Airport and the Gent-Sint-Pieters Railway Station. There, you can take tram line 1 or 3 to the historic centre.
Ghent is easy to reach by train. The city is only around 35 minutes away from Brussels South Railway Station (Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid), Belgium’s largest international rail hub, with frequent direct connections throughout the day.
Upon arrival at Gent-Sint-Pieters Railway Station, you can easily continue your journey to the historic city centre by tram. Tram lines 1 and 3 provide a direct connection and will take you into the heart of Ghent in just a few minutes.
Ghent is easy to reach by car. The rebellious art city is only 45 minutes away from Bruges and Brussels (both at 53 km) and a little less than an hour away from Antwerp (60 km).
Two European motorways (E17 and E40) intersect in Ghent. If you arrive from the E17, take the exit “Gent Centrum”.
