Ghent City Guide: The Best Things to Do, Eat & See
Updated: 2 days ago
Ghent Belgie
Ghent is one of my favourite cities in Belgium for a weekend away. It’s compact enough to explore largely on foot, yet packed with excellent restaurants, speciality coffee, vintage shops, independent boutiques and design.
From the iconic Graslei and Korenlei to the medieval Belfry and Gravensteen Castle, Ghent combines historic charm with a creative, contemporary side. Stop for coffee at places such as Barista or Full Circle, discover some of the city’s independent shops and finish the day with dinner at one of Ghent’s many excellent restaurants.
In this Ghent city guide, I’m sharing the places I’ve discovered over several visits to the city, alongside my tips on where to stay and the sights you really shouldn’t miss.
Still looking for somewhere to stay? Check current prices and availability for hotels in Ghent.
Ghent at a glance
Ghent is ideal for a two- or three-day city break. If it’s your first visit, the historic centre and Patershol are two of the best areas to explore. Walk along Graslei and Korenlei, visit Gravensteen Castle and St Bavo’s Cathedral, but make sure you also leave enough time for the city’s coffee shops, restaurants and independent boutiques.
Ideal for: 2–3 days
Best areas to explore: historic centre & Patershol
Don’t miss: Graslei & Korenlei, Gravensteen Castle and St Bavo’s Cathedral
For foodies: speciality coffee, independent restaurants & Belgian classics
Where to stay: the historic centre for atmosphere; the station area for easy transport connections
Where to stay in Ghent
For a first city break in Ghent, the historic centre is an obvious choice if you want to explore most places on foot. I’ve also stayed at Hotel Chamade, close to Gent-Sint-Pieters station. It’s a particularly convenient option if you’re arriving by train and prefer a slightly quieter base outside the busiest part of the historic centre. Travelling with friends or family? Friday Ghent is a lovely holiday home in the city centre that sleeps up to eight people.
Hotel Chamade – boutique hotel near Gent-Sint-Pieters
During my latest city break in Ghent, I stayed at Hotel Chamade, a small boutique hotel just a few minutes’ walk from Gent-Sint-Pieters railway station. I particularly loved the calm atmosphere, warm interiors and our spacious room. The leisurely breakfast is definitely worth staying for, too. The location is ideal if you’re travelling to Ghent by train: you can walk straight to the hotel from the station and then take a short tram ride into the historic centre.
Read about my stay at Hotel Chamade
What better way to celebrate the weekend than at Guesthouse Friday, a charming house in the heart of Ghent, Belgium. This beautifully restored town house is available for up to 8 people and with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms this is the ultimate stay for your girls’ weekend away.
Best coffee shops in Ghent
Ghent has a surprisingly good coffee scene, with speciality coffee shops and small independent cafés dotted throughout the city. These are some of my favourite places for coffee, whether you’re after a quick espresso or want to linger over breakfast.
Barista – Barista has two locations in Ghent, and for good reason. Coffee takes centre stage here, alongside homemade vegan-friendly cakes and organic bread.
Clouds in my Coffee / Clouds9000 – A B&B, coffee and breakfast bar and gallery all rolled into one. You can even spend the night in a renovated chapel.
Full Circle Coffee Bar and Roaster - 100% plant-based specialty coffee bar and roastery. For the oat milk fan.
Take Five Espressobar - A hipster espressobar for your coffee, tea, breakfast, brunch or lunch routine.
Café Labath – A lovely spot for slow mornings and speciality coffee in Ghent.
Koffeine – A cosy coffee shop serving coffee, breakfast and lunch made with local products. Try the banana bread or a cinnamon bun.
Madam Bakster – One for anyone with a sweet tooth. This bakery focuses on plant-based treats that are low in gluten and free from refined sugar.
Nana – A zero-waste speciality coffee shop where overripe bananas are transformed into banana bread and other sweet treats.
Mokabon – One of Ghent’s oldest coffee bars. Dating back to 1937, this tiny and wonderfully traditional coffee shop remains popular with locals. There are only a handful of tables, so you may need a little luck to find a seat.
Simon Says – An alternative yet welcoming coffee shop on the edge of Patershol. A good place for breakfast, a light lunch or an afternoon coffee and slice of cake.
Vandekerckhovebar – This family coffee story dates back to 1854. Today it combines a coffee roastery with a coffee bar in the heart of Ghent.
WAY Speciality Coffee Roasters – Shop, café, bakehouse and roastery in one. I really like the coffee at WAY.
Breakfast & lunch in Ghent
Looking for a lovely place for breakfast, brunch or lunch in Ghent? The city is full of great spots, from small breakfast cafés and speciality coffee shops to hidden courtyards where you can settle in for a long lunch. Whether you fancy Eggs Benedict, a good coffee with something sweet or a leisurely lunch, these are some of my favourite places to try during a weekend in Ghent.
Alix Table & Jardin D'Amis - Lunch or Brunch in a fairytale garden and stay over for the night at the B&B. This is a secret place in the heart of Ghent.
The Cobbler Gent - A favourite hotel cocktail bar inside the 1989 The Post Hotel. We went for coffee and cake but you should really visit this stylish and traditional cocktailbar.
Cozette - Enjoy breakfast, brunch, lunch, coffee & cake. Or go for an aperitif with a bite on weekend nights. At Cozette, you'll find the most delicious, recognizable and simple dishes, a nice coffee or a homemade cake. Make sure you'll visit this place.
Het Moment - Enjoy the moment for breakfast, coffee, cake or dinner. Sit inside in a beautiful historic building or check out the garden in the summer.
Luv L'oeuf - For the Luv of Oeuf. Are you egg-cited? This is the place to be for waffles, bloody Mary's and your Eggs Benedict.
Stek Gent - for coffee, plants and brunch. Stack them high in this little urban jungle ;)
Best restaurants in Ghent: my favourite places
From contemporary Belgian cooking to small international restaurants, Ghent has plenty of excellent places to eat. These are some of my favourite restaurants for lunch, dinner and a relaxed evening out.
For ramen and cocktails, I like Golden Gai; for seasonal cooking, Lepelblad is a good choice; and for an easy-going neighbourhood restaurant, put De Superette on your list.
Clouds in my Coffee / Clouds9000 - This place is a Bed & Breakfast where you sleep in a renovated chapel, a coffee and breakfast bar and a gallery all in one. Take me to the clouds above.
CRU Gent - A fresh produce market with 10 crafts stands. For the foodies.
De Suprette - An easy going neighborhood restaurant for wood-fired pizza and bakery. Be sure to check the opening days and hours.
Golden Gai - Saturday Night fun with ramen and cocktails. Japenese inspired with everything being home made from noodle to soda. For the hipsters ;)
Lepelblad - Lepelblad serves creative, fresh, seasonal, healthy and original food from local producers. The best quality ingredients. Look at the pictures.
Jus Gent - A small and cozy restaurant serving French, Belgian cuisine. The two sympathetic owners are running the place. We had a lovely evening here with the girls.
Kruidtuin - This European Belgian cuisine restaurant can be found in a stately mansion and has a minimalist interior. Look at the mouthwatering dishes.
Best shops in Ghent
Ghent is a brilliant city for shopping, particularly if you love Belgian fashion, vintage, pre-loved clothing and independent boutiques.
Some of my favourite shopping areas are around Kouter, Brabantdam and Kortedagsteeg, although there are plenty of interesting addresses outside the historic centre too.
A few favourites include Les Soeurs and Bellerose for Belgian fashion, Katastrof for pre-loved clothing and Atlas & Zanzibar for travel books and maps.
Love shopping? Read my complete guide to the best shops in Ghent
Winebars Ghent
A good glass of wine is always part of a weekend away for me. And Ghent has plenty of lovely wine bars to discover. From natural and organic wines to small plates made for sharing, these are my favourite spots for a glass of wine in the late afternoon or to start your evening in Ghent.
Edelrot
Edelrot is a cosy wine bar in the centre of Ghent and a great spot for natural wine lovers. It’s all about interesting wines without too much fuss. Alongside a changing selection of natural wines, you’ll also find craft beers, ciders and small dishes to share. A lovely place to end the afternoon with a good glass of wine and something tasty on the side.
ONA Winebar
ONA is a relaxed wine bar in Ghent where you can enjoy a good glass of wine alongside a few bites. There’s a changing selection of around 30 wines by the glass, mainly organic and sourced from smaller wine producers. We had a lovely glass of Chardonnay wine, paired with a cheese plate. ONA has two locations in Ghent: Nederkouter and Belfortstraat.
Art Galleries & Museums in Ghent
Ghent isn’t just about historic buildings, great restaurants and independent shops – the city also has an interesting art and design scene. From contemporary art and photography to small independent galleries, there’s plenty to discover. You’ll often stumble across unexpected creative spaces while wandering around the city. These are some of my favourite museums and galleries to visit during a weekend in Ghent.
Atelier Ecru Gallery - Art Gallery and showroom for contemporary, brutalist & modern design and furniture.
Design Museum Gent - Crazy about design? Visit the International Design collection in a beautiful 18th century building. The museum has a new wing and reopened in october 2026.
Museum Dhondt-Dhaenens - Close to Ghent in a village called Deurle, you'll find this Modern Art Museum with a private collection of mainly Flemish artists.
SMAK Gent - A small Contemporary Art museum and is a real must for for all contemporary art lovers. Conveniently located near the train station.
Frequently asked questions about visiting Ghent
Is Ghent worth visiting for a city break?
Yes. Ghent is ideal for a city break if you want to combine history and culture with excellent restaurants, speciality coffee and independent shops. The historic centre is compact, so many of the main sights and places to eat and drink are within walking distance.
How many days do you need in Ghent?
For a first visit, two to three days in Ghent is ideal. A weekend gives you enough time to see the main sights while still leaving time for restaurants, shopping and exploring some of the city’s different neighbourhoods.
What should you not miss in Ghent?
Graslei and Korenlei, Gravensteen Castle, St Bavo’s Cathedral and the historic centre are among Ghent’s best-known sights. I’d also recommend wandering through Patershol and leaving enough time to discover the smaller streets, coffee shops and independent boutiques along the way.
What is the best area to stay in Ghent?
For a first city break, the historic centre is a good choice because many of Ghent’s sights, restaurants and shops are within walking distance. If you’re travelling by train, the area around Gent-Sint-Pieters is particularly convenient. I stayed here at Hotel Chamade.
Is Ghent good for a weekend away?
Yes. Ghent’s compact size makes it particularly well suited to a weekend break. You can combine the main historic sights with good food, speciality coffee, museums and shopping without spending too much time travelling across the city.
More city breaks in Belgium
Want to discover more Belgian cities? Explore my other city guides for personal recommendations on independent shops, coffee spots, restaurants, boutique hotels and interesting places to discover.
Explore Belgium Travel Guides
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