Ghent Travel Guide

On By saar.decosterIn Ghent

Two years, one master, endless canals. Ghent became my classroom, my café-hopping playground, and my little home away from home. From sunrise coffees at WAY to evening walks along Korenmarkt, this city taught me that every corner has a story — and every story shapes you.

Where To Stay

I lived here, so this is personal advice.

  • City Centre – Around Korenmarkt
    The best area to stay in Ghent. Historic buildings, canals, and lively terraces everywhere. Everything is walkable and the atmosphere in the evening by the water is magical.
  • Around Coupure
    A beautiful and quiet canal area with tree-lined streets and historic houses. Peaceful but still close to the city center.
  • Around Ghent Zuid
    A convenient neighborhood with shops, restaurants, and great tram connections. Close to the center but a bit less touristy.
  • Around Ghent-Sint-Pieters Station
    Perfect if you’re arriving by train or planning day trips to cities like Bruges or Brussels. The historic center is about 10 minutes away by tram.
  • Overpoort Area
    Ghent’s student nightlife street. Cheap drinks, packed bars, and a lively party atmosphere every night.

💡 Tip: Try to stay near the water — Ghent feels different at night when the lights reflect on the canals.

Getting Around

  • 🚆 Train to Gent-Sint-Pieters station.
  • 🚲 Bikes everywhere.
  • 🚶‍♀️ City centre is compact and walkable.
  • 💸 Parks, street art, and canal spots are free, budget-friendly activities.

Things To Do

  • Gravensteen – A medieval castle in the heart of the city, feels like a fairytale.
  • Sint-Baafskathedraal – Huge and impressive interior, even if you’re not a church person.
  • Graffitistraat – Ever-changing street art, raw and creative.
  • Museum voor Schone Kunsten – For slow afternoons, great art collection.
  • Wintercircus – Renovated iconic building hosting cultural events.
  • Plantentuin Universiteit Gent – Quiet botanical garden escape.
  • Coyendanspark – Perfect sunset hangout.
  • Blaarmeersen – Summer swimming, tanning; free areas like Strandlaan.
  • Tweedehands boekenmarkt – Browse secondhand books on a relaxed Sunday.
  • Viernulvier – Arts centre with exhibitions and concerts.
  • Sphinx Cinema – Indie films plus cozy café.

Coffee & Brunch

  • Alice – Cozy brunch & breakfast spot with classic Belgian breakfast, brunch buffet on Sundays, coffee & cakes.
  • Full Circle Coffee – Specialty coffee bar with house‑roasted beans and plant‑based options
  • Eet- en koffiehuis Cozette – Charming local coffee & brunch café with relaxed vibes, good brunch plates and cozy atmosphere
  • HUSET – Warm, stylish café and lunch spot with quality drinks and friendly service
  • WAY Coffee – Popular coffee stop with excellent espresso and lattes
  • Mokabon – Classic Ghent coffeehouse with good espresso and a cozy, authentic vibe.
  • Peaberry Coffeebar – A cozy, vegan‑friendly specialty coffee bar in the heart of Gent near Saint Bavo’s Cathedral
  • Goya Coffee – Light‑filled coffee bar with good cappuccinos and a relaxed atmosphere.
  • Barista – Highly rated coffeehouse with excellent brews and desserts (great for coffee lovers).
  • Koffeine – Cozy coffee bar with solid espresso, cakes, and a relaxed local vibe.
  • Take Five Espressobar – Popular espresso bar with great coffee and a chill atmosphere.
  • Wild Child – Small specialty coffee spot with creative vibes and quality brews.
  • Kultur Bakery – Bakery with excellent pastries and coffee — perfect for breakfast or a light brunch
  • Smørbrød – Scandinavian-style lunch plates.
  • Gust – Popular restaurant with quality daytime fare — great for breakfast/brunch or lunch
  • Jacqueline – Stylish café/restaurant known for brunch and breakfast dishes in a relaxed setting
  • Pain Perdu – One of Ghent’s top brunch spots with sweet & savory breakfast plates, pancakes, and artisanal coffee
  • Souplounge – Cozy lunch spot focused on soups and healthy bowls, great for a relaxed midday meal

Food – Grouped by Cuisine

Belgian/ local

  • Pakhuis – Classic Belgian brasserie in a historic building, known for fresh seafood (including oysters), Belgian‑style dishes and quality meats in a stylish setting

🍔 Burgers & Comfort

  • Jilles Beer & Burgers – Creative burgers and comfort food with quality ingredients; popular and slightly pricier than average burger spots
  • De Frietketel – One of Gent’s best‑rated spots for classic Belgian fries and snacks, often recommended by locals
  • Kastart – Student‑classic pasta & spaghetti bar with generous portions and budget‑friendly prices
  • Chapeluur – Great late‑night bites and diner option in the city center, perfect for casual meals after drinks

🌱 Vegan / Vegetarian

  • Le Botaniste – Highly rated vegan & plant‑based restaurant with healthy bowls and seasonal dishes
  • Sociaal Eethuis Karoot – Well‑liked vegan restaurant with flavorful plant‑based meals
  • Avalon – Small, cozy spot with vegetarian and plant‑forward menu items
  • Dolfijn – Cozy spot known for its vegetarian lasagne and hearty homemade meals in a relaxed setting

🌍 International / Other

  • Mosquito Coast – Global cuisine, great food, cozy atmosphere. A reliable dinner spot.
  • Taco Santo Uno – Mexican comfort food. Casual, flavorful, easy.
  • Pane e Vino – Italian classics, low budget. Simple and satisfying.
  • Bocca – Italian dishes in a stylish setting, with takeaway options available. Perfect for eating by the water.
  • My Tannour – Syrian street food. Fresh, fast, and full of flavor.
  • Yalla Yalla Gent – Lebanese/Middle Eastern spot with colorful plates, great for sharing. Casual but vibrant.
  • KRAZ – Breton & Norman‑inspired crêperie and cider bar serving savory buckwheat galettes and sweet crêpes
  • Ghent Marriott Restaurant – American steakhouse focusing on premium USDA steaks and grilled specialties with a view of the Lys river.
  • Steamy Windows – Modern dumpling bar.

🍰 Sweet Spots

  • Madam Bakster – Vegan bakery & café with sweets, pastries, cakes and great coffe
  • Juli’s House – Cake paradise.
  • Chocoladebar Mayana – Chocolate lovers’ dream.

Drinks

✨ My Personal Faves

These are the spots I genuinely went to a lot — the ones that feel like my Ghent.

  • Hot Club Gent – Always fun. Jazz, candlelight, packed tables, chaotic in the best way. It feels alive.
  • Jan van Gent – Chill café right by the canal. Daytime drinks in the sun just hit differently here. It was next to my dorm.
  • Bar Bidon – By the water. Perfect for sunset drinks.
  • Omgekeerde Wereld – Alternative crowd. I spent quite some time here.
  • Elmo (by the water) – Sitting outside here on a sunny day just feels right.
  • Marimain – Cozy spot with a relaxed atmosphere, a lovely terrace when the sun is out, and a social vibe.
  • Charlatan – Party spot, sticky floors, loud music, student chaos. A rite of passage.

🌿 Alternative / Artsy / Bookish

  • Le Bal Infernal – Used book café, cosy and slightly magical.
  • Rokko – Feminist & queer book café. Safe, thoughtful, creative space.
  • Bookz & Booze – Books and drinks combined. What more do you need?
  • Kapitein Cravate – Alternative bar energy. A bit chaotic, very character.
  • Afsnis – More tucked away, slower vibe.
  • De Geus – Casual, local-feel café. No pretenses.

🍷 Cozy & Intimate

  • Bar Ventura – Cozy, intimate, easy evenings.
  • Win – Cute wine bar.
  • Café Congé – Small, intimate, soft atmosphere.
  • Café Backdoor – Relaxed drinks, easy conversations.
  • Café De Redding – Proper local hangout energy.
  • Café ChopinChopin – Wine vibes, chill evenings.
  • Paard van Troje – Classic Ghent café feeling.
  • Het Spijker – Traditional Ghent style. Classic Flemish energy by the water.

🍸 Trendy / Social

  • Bar Lume – Stylish cocktails.
  • Barrazza – Good for catching up over drinks.
  • Baraoke – Karaoke nights. Slight chaos. Very fun.

Going Out

  • Charlatan – Iconic student nightlife.
  • Overpoort – Student party hub (favorite: ’t Kofschip).
  • Oude Beestenmarkt – Slightly older crowd, more relaxed.
  • Vlasmarkt – Mostly cozy cafés and bars, often open later (around 2–3 AM). A slightly older crowd than Overpoort, more intimate vibe but still fun for late-night drinks.
  • Gentse Feesten – Ten days of city-wide chaos, music, theater, dancing.
  • Pop-ups & festivals, for example in Keizerpark – Smaller, alternative, summer vibes.

🚆 Daytrips from Ghent

Ghent is perfectly placed to explore other Belgian gems — quick trips that make for full-day adventures.

  • Brugge – Around 25–30 minutes by train. Canals, cobblestone streets, chocolate shops, and medieval charm. A fairytale city that’s worth getting lost in.
  • Brussels – Around 30–40 minutes by train. Politics, vintage markets, rooftop cafés, and my hometown feels. Great for wandering, shopping, or catching a museum.
  • Oostende – Around 40 minutes by train. The Belgian coast with fresh sea air, sandy beaches, seafood by the pier, and a relaxed seaside vibe. Perfect for a sunny afternoon or sunset stroll.
  • Antwerp – Around 50–60 minutes by train. Fashion, art, and trendy cafés. Perfect if you want a slightly more urban, design-focused day out.
  • Leuven – Around 1h by train. Lively student city with beautiful architecture, cozy bars, and a relaxed vibe. Perfect for a casual day trip with good food and drinks.

Reflection

Ghent is layered: medieval streets, canals, student chaos, alternative cafés.

Feminist book cafés, chocolate bars, jazz clubs, castles — all in one city.

Drink a coffee at Way Coffee Roasters, stroll along the canals, stop for a drink or a pasta at Bocca by the water, then wander over to Korenmarkt to watch the city come alive. Sip, walk, get lost in the streets, and end the night at Charlatan — this is my Ghent, messy, vibrant, and utterly unforgettable 🤍

Want my complete Ghent Google Map plus a ready-to-use 1-day itinerary? All my favorite cafés, restaurants, bars, and must-see spots in one place — explore the city like a local for just €4. Grab it here!

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