Tips for a day out in Ghent
Breakfast or brunch
Vega, healthy, savoury or sweet: scattered all over the city you will find pleasant cafés where you can have a quick or elaborate breakfast or brunch. For a healthy start, go to O’yo, where you will enjoy pure dishes that will give you energy for your day trip. Or for a relaxed breakfast go to Clouds in my Coffee in the multicultural Dampoort neighbourhood. Do you eat gluten- and/or lactose-free? Then start your day with a delicious breakfast at the trendy, vegan breakfast bar Gust. Have too much to do? Have a coffee to go and croissant from a local bakery and start your day immediately.
Take a pleasant city walk
Do you have lots of energy for a fun-filled day? Then take a historic city walk through the city centre and stroll past centuries-old monuments such as St Bavo's Cathedral, the Belfry or the imposing St Nicholas Church on Korenmarkt. Or unwind in the centrally located green Citadelpark.
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Eat at the tastiest local lunch cafés
No doubt you will get hungry again during your city trip. Settle down at one of the numerous charming lunch cafés in Ghent. Every neighbourhood has its own culinary hotspots, so you never have to travel far for a delicious lunch or a cup of coffee. With a wide range of organic, Burgundian, vegetarian and worldly dishes, there is something for everyone wanting to taste something new.
Bad-weather activities
Is the weather bad? Visit one or more of Ghent's leading museums. From contemporary artworks at SMAK to sculpture from the Middle Ages. And diverse themes such as psychiatry, Ghent's industrial past and design. There is something for everyone.
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Indoor shopping centre
Those wanting to go shopping when the weather is bad, can visit the indoor shopping centre 'De Post', located in an old post office building on Korenmarkt. Want to discover more great shopping streets? Visit the trendy districts of Linkeroever and Rond Sint-Jacobs for unique boutiques with vintage, design and fashion. Or go shopping in the lively shopping streets of East District with shops for young and old.
Dinning out at the best restaurants
Then enjoy a culinary evening in one of Ghent's many restaurants. Discover a trendy food market, sample world cuisine or dine in a top-class restaurant.
Things to do in the evening
End your day trip with a romantic, illuminated evening walk through the historic city centre. Via the route Het Gentse Lichtplan, you will discover Ghent's magical evening landscape illuminated in a sustainable and aesthetic way.
Still looking for a nightcap? Ghent is a real student city and has a vibrant nightlife. Visit the city brewery Gruut and enjoy locally brewed special beer. Not a beer lover? Ghent also offers modern cocktail or wine bars. Be surprised by quirky cocktails at the Limonada cocktail bar or end the day with a good glass of wine in the Marriott hotel's stylish bar. Looking for another hotel for a weekend getaway?
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Take the train for a day out in Ghent
When taking a day trip to Ghent, you can choose to travel by train. You have two options when travelling to Ghent: Intercity Brussels and Eurostar.
With Intercity Brussels
With Intercity Brussels, you will travel from Amsterdam Centraal to Ghent in 3.08 hours. The lowest single fare in second class for this route is € 32. Book your ticket at least 3 days in advance to take advantage of the low price of the Early Bird rate. The availability is limited.
With Eurostar
With Eurostar, you will travel from Amsterdam Centraal to Ghent in 2.17 hours. The lowest one-way price in second class for this route is € 37 ..
Book from the station nearby. The journey then has a fixed maximum price of € 9 in second class and € 15 in first class. Moreover, you only have to check in once and receive travel information on the entire route. The sooner you book, the cheaper the train tickets. You can book Eurostar 7 months in advance.
Day out Ghent
Restaurants in Ghent
If you are ready for a bite to eat, these tips will help you know where to find the best restaurants in Ghent.
The 8 best museums in Ghent
Are you interested in art, industry, history or science? Ghent has museums in each field.
Shops in Ghent
A day of shopping in Ghent never gets boring, so it's smart to know where the best places to be are.
Walking tours Ghent
If you want to celebrate life, go to Ghent. Centuries-old guild houses adorn the historic city centre.
Weekend getaway Ghent
Ghent is a great destination for a weekend getaway close to home. In the city centre, you can stroll through narrow alleyways and across charming squares.
Tips Ghent
These 10 tips will make sure you have the best city trip to Ghent and not miss a thing.
Take the train to a castle
Feel like an emperor, king or knight for a day... Visit a castle or palace across the border.
Hotels in Ghent
Spend the night in the centre of Ghent and choose a boutique hotel, a luxury spa hotel or a friendly hostel.
Train to Belgian coast
Want to take the train to a pleasant seaside town? It's definitely worth the visit!