Weekend getaway in Ghent: how to make the most out of 48 hours in the city

Are you visiting Ghent for the first time? Then start in the historic centre. Around the Graslei and Korenlei, Korenmarkt, the Belfry, and the Saint Bavo's Cathedral, you'll find much of the Ghent you probably know from photos. The distances are small, so there is no need to rush from sight to sight here.

After the historic centre, Patershol is a good choice if you like narrow streets, historic facades, and plenty of dining options. Especially later in the day, it has a cozy atmosphere and it is still right in the heart of Ghent.

Do you want to escape the busiest areas? Walk towards the Prinsenhof, just behind the Gravensteen. You're still in historic Ghent, but it feels a lot calmer. In this neighborhood, look for the bronze statue 'Het Breistertje'. Near the Donkere Poort, you'll also find a commemorative plaque that remembers the victims of the witch hunts in Ghent.

Around Saint Jacobs discover another side of the city. Think vintage, cafes, and a more alternative vibe. And do you want to trade historic facades for water and a more contemporary environment? Then head towards the Old Docks, about 15 minutes from the city center.

Also for shopping you don't automatically have to stay in the same street all afternoon. For the well-known retail chains, you can head towards Veldstraat and Langemunt. If you prefer smaller shops and specialty stores, other parts of the city are more interesting. Around Kouter and SoGo, you'll find a different mix of shops and dining options, while around Saint Jacobs, you'll come across more vintage and quirky addresses. Do you mainly want to discover local shops and special places? In our shopping guide for Ghent, we've listed the nicest shopping areas for you.

Time for a break in between? Stop by Aura, one of the many cozy coffee bars in Ghent, for a pastry and choose from their wide range of matcha drinks. This way, you combine an afternoon of shopping with a fun coffee stop.

Prefer being active? With the bicycle you can easily see more than just the historic center during a weekend. Particularly if you also want to explore neighborhoods outside the inner city, it is a handy way to get around. Do you want to dedicate a larger part of your day to it? Then check out our tips to discover Ghent by bike.

In good weather, Ghent is a city you mainly want to explore on foot or by bike. For example, start in the historic center and walk via the Graslei and Korenlei towards the Patershol and Prinsenhof. If you still have time and energy afterwards to see a completely different side of Ghent, take the bike to the Old Docks. This way, you combine well-known places with quieter neighborhoods, without your day consisting of disjointed attractions.

Is it raining? Make your route a bit more compact. Around the Kouter, Veldstraat and the historic center, you can shop, have coffee, lunch, and easily combine a cultural stop. For example, choose one museum or monument you want to visit beforehand and fill in the moments before and after with addresses that are within walking distance. This way, you don't have to trudge through the whole city with every rain shower.

For even more inspiration, our colleagues collect their favorite addresses in Ghent when it rains.

The season also makes a difference. In spring and summer, a larger part of Ghent takes place outside. In autumn, coffee, culture, shopping, and extensive dining are easy to combine. In December, the historic center gets a completely different atmosphere due to the winter activities.

So check which events are taking place during your weekend before you leave. A major event can not only change your planning but also the atmosphere and crowd in certain parts of Ghent. Think, for example, of the Ghent Festivities or the Ghent Winter Festivities.

Use your first day mainly to get to know the city. Start in the historic center and then walk further to one or two neighborhoods that appeal to you. Stop along the way for coffee or lunch and perhaps choose one attraction that you really want to visit. For the evening, you don't necessarily have to return to the Korenmarkt: feel free to linger in the neighborhood you discovered that afternoon.

Use your second day for what you wanted more of after day one. Have you developed a taste for culture? Visit a museum. Is the sun shining? Rent a bike. Would you rather shop, have an extensive lunch, or discover another neighborhood? Keep your day free for that.

So you don't need to know your entire weekend plan before arrival. Our tip: fixate on a few things you really want to do and leave the rest open. A street, coffee bar, shop, or terrace you come across along the way can ultimately be just as enjoyable as something that was in your planning for weeks.

A good base makes a short weekend a lot easier. At Van der Valk Hotel Ghent, you can easily park and from there by bike, taxi, or public transport to the center of Ghent.

A good weekend in Ghent doesn't have to be planned from early morning to late evening. Choose in advance what you really don't want to miss, determine which neighborhoods suit you, and allow space for spontaneous discoveries along the way. That's exactly what makes Ghent a perfect city for.

Posted October 2026 - read here our other blogs