In this article, I am taking you to discover a magnificent city, located in the Flemish part of Belgium: Ghent (Gent in Dutch). By the way, the city is renowned for being one of the most beautiful in the country, and I would certainly not be the one to disagree. It is often compared to Bruges (a city I also wrote an article about on the blog), but unlike the latter, which has a reputation as a “museum city,” Ghent strikes me as a more vibrant, trendier, and also very youthful city, as it welcomes many students. I must admit that if you are passing through the region, it is truly a must-visit stop on your trip. The city is lively, and I hope you will fall under its charm just as we did.
The first time I discovered Ghent was in 2012 during a tour of Belgium that I took with my parents and brother at the time. I returned nearly 10 years later in March 2022 with my favorite photographer for an extended 3-day weekend, which allowed me to explore the Flemish city a bit more in depth! We then returned in October 2024 for a food tour to discover several gourmet hotspots in the city.
Table of Contents
Practical Information for Ghent
How to get to Ghent from Paris?
It is very simple to get to Ghent from Paris. You just need to take an Eurostar (formerly Thalys) train to Brussels (about 1h25), to the Brussels-Midi station (or Brussel-Zuid station in Dutch) and then take a regional train to Ghent (there are trains leaving from Brussels-Midi every half hour or so, it is quite simple and convenient). You can buy SNCB tickets on this site (count €9.30 for a one-way trip, and it takes 30 minutes to travel from Brussels to Ghent). So, basically, you will be in Ghent in about 2 to 2.5 hours when leaving from Paris, which I find very fast. Furthermore, this trip can ideally be combined with a weekend visiting Brussels, to appreciate the contrasts between the capital and Ghent.
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The Ghent CityCard
This CityCard gives you access to all the city’s museums and several attractions as well (I have indicated in the article the visits and activities we did with the card). Finally, it also gives you unlimited access to public transport in Ghent. This is very convenient because, even though the city center is very easy to walk around, some places (like the Fine Arts Museum, for example) are a bit further from the center. If you come during the warmer months, the card also allows you to rent a bike for a day.
A quick summary of what you get access to with the card:
- free access to all museums, monuments, and attractions in Ghent
- 1 guided boat tour
- free and unlimited access to the city’s public transport
- 1 day of bike rental
CityCard Gent
48h card for €42 or 72h for €48
Link to the tourist office website to learn more and buy the card
What to see, what to do in Ghent?
As with Bruges, I recommend you wander on foot through the city’s alleyways; it is the most pleasant way to enjoy the beauties of this human-sized city. Otherwise, you can also discover the city by bike, apparently the preferred means of transport for the locals. The city is also very rich in museums and sites to visit, so if you like cultural discoveries, you will be well served.
Also worth seeing: the City Pavilion, a large modern open construction, in the form of a canopy, designed by the Ghent architectural firm Robbrecht & Daem – Marie-José Van Hee.
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Take a Free Tour in Ghent with Civitatis
Civitatis is a platform specialized in the online distribution of activities, excursions, and guided tours for major tourist destinations around the world. The tip is that they organize “Free Tours” (free guided tours) in several major cities worldwide, which have no fixed price. At the end of the tour, each person is free to give the guide an amount in cash based on their level of satisfaction. Discover the history and hidden secrets of one of the prettiest cities in Belgium with this free walking tour in Ghent, accompanied by an expert English-speaking guide. There is also a second free tour to discover the mysteries and legends of Ghent.
Free tour in Ghent by Civitatis
Duration: 2h
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Visit the Ghent Belfry
I really advise you to climb to the very top of the city’s great Belfry (95 meters high), where you will have a stunning view of the city (no worries for those who are not athletic, an elevator on the 1st floor allows you to reach the top effortlessly). The Belfry is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the dragon installed at its peak (whose ancient versions you can see during your visit) is the symbol of the city.
The Belfry dates from the 14th century and is one of the iconic “Three Towers” of Ghent’s historic center, along with the steeples of Saint-Bavon Cathedral and Saint-Nicholas Church. It symbolizes the independence, power, and prosperity of the city. In short, an essential visit to discover Ghent and have an aerial view of the Flemish city. During the visit, you can also admire the bells and the carillon that still rings regularly. The current drum that rings the bells dates from the 17th century and can operate no fewer than 40 bells!
Visited in 2022
Belfry of Ghent / Belfort van Gent
Sint-Baafsplein 9000 Gent
Open Monday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Rates: €10 adult / €4.50 between 19 and 25 years old / €1.60 between 13 and 18 years old / free under 13
Free with the CityCard Gent
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Visit Saint-Bavon Cathedral and see the Mystic Lamb
Another essential monument to visit, which is also free: Saint-Bavon Cathedral, located just behind the Belfry. Built in the Brabantine Gothic style, it dates from the years 1462-1534 and was erected on the remains of an earlier 10th-century church and a 12th-century Romanesque church. It has a rich history, as evidenced by its collection of art objects: the Baroque marble high altar, the Rococo pulpit in marble and oak, a painting by Rubens, the Calvary triptych by Justus of Ghent, the mausoleums of the Ghent bishops, etc.
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See the famous painting by Van Eyck, the Mystic Lamb
And then, obviously, the main attraction of the cathedral is the famous polyptych painted on wood, “Adoration of the Mystic Lamb” by the Van Eyck brothers, completed in 1432 and considered one of the masterpieces of Flemish Primitives painting and a treasure of world heritage. In total, the 18 panels of the altarpiece depict biblical scenes with a certain magic and include portraits of Joos Vijd, the patron who commissioned the paintings, and his wife, Elisabeth Borluut. Since 1986, it has been presented in the former baptistery of Saint-Bavon Cathedral in Ghent, which was converted into a vault following repeated thefts.
However, this visit, unlike the rest of the cathedral, is not freely accessible, and you will have to pay to admire this masterpiece, in particular to contribute to its very recent restoration and also to its presentation using an immersive 3D setup that is quite well done, I must admit.
The visit is divided into two parts: a virtual tour (optional, you can just pay to see the painting) with a 3D headset that plunges us into the era when the painting was made and tells us its tumultuous history, and then the admiration of the work itself, which has been recently restored. I am not necessarily a big fan of this type of 3D device, but I admit that here I found it very interesting. You arrive in front of the painting fully aware of the luck we have to be able to admire this magnificent polyptych, and knowing almost everything about its history, which is worthy of a film full of plot twists.
Visited in 2022
Saint Bavo’s Cathedral
Sint-Baafsplein, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Ticket to visit the Mystic Lamb (fixed-time reservation recommended): €16 including the Augmented Reality tour and only €12.50 to see the painting
Discount with the CityCard: €10 off when purchasing a ticket to visit the Mystic Lamb / please note that advance online reservation is mandatory
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Visiting Gravensteen (Castle of the Counts)
This castle is the pride of Ghent, as only one army has ever successfully captured it: students protesting the rising price of beer in 1949. It is also just about the only medieval fortress in Flanders with an almost intact defense system. Its history dates back to the Roman era, but it was in the Middle Ages that the Counts of Flanders installed a keep surrounded by a stone curtain wall featuring 24 towers. With its military architecture, the imposing building clearly embodied the power of the Counts of Flanders.
I recommend visiting this site because its architecture is impressive, and the tour also allows you to walk along the castle ramparts and enjoy a beautiful view of the city and surroundings. However, I was very doubtful about the audio guide provided at the castle for the self-guided tour. The comedic tone—actually, let’s say “quite low-brow”—chosen for this visit, added to the rather difficult-to-understand accent of the actor serving as the guide (Flemish comedian Wouter Deprez), unfortunately made me abandon the audio guide very quickly. The latter, more than teaching me anything, saddened me to the highest degree with comments conveying truly stale clichés about the Middle Ages. In short, this is certainly just my point of view, but I was not seduced by this audio-guided tour.
Visited in 2022
Gravensteen (Castle of the Counts)
Open Monday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Rates: €12 adult / €7 reduced / €2 for 19 and under / free for 12 and under
Free with the CityCard Gent
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Visiting the MSK (Museum of Fine Arts Ghent)
This vast museum located on the edge of CitadelPark is definitely worth a visit. It is housed in a building by the architect Van Rysselberghe, which offers beautiful light for the artworks, and it presents a very interesting classical collection that it brings into dialogue with contemporary works at the heart of its thematic route (a route sometimes a bit difficult to understand, I must admit). The permanent collection offers a great diversity of objects, paintings, tapestries, sketches, as well as drawings and sculptures, and spans from the Middle Ages to the 20th century.
Visited in 2022
Museum voor Schone Kunsten Gent (Museum of Fine Arts Ghent)
Fernand Scribedreef 1, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Open every day except Monday
Rates: €12 adult / €6 for locals / €2 between 19 and 25 years old / free for under 18s
Free with the CityCard Gent
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Visiting S.M.A.K., the Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art in Ghent
Unfortunately, we didn’t really have time to visit this museum created in 1999, just after visiting the Museum of Fine Arts (because it is located right opposite, so it’s easy to do both visits in succession). However, we briefly went inside, and it looked very interesting. Until May 8, 2022, you could see an exhibition on pop art there. The permanent collection includes important works by national and international artists from the Cobra, pop art, minimalism, conceptual art, and arte povera movements.
S.M.A.K., Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art
Jan Hoetplein 1, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Free with the CityCard Gent
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Taking a walk in CitadelPark
If you want some greenery, you can go for a walk in CitadelPark, built in 1875 on the site of an old citadel (hence its name). This municipal park is located on a ridge between the Scheldt and the Lys rivers, and you can take advantage of the botanical wealth of this park thanks to the signs that have been gracing all the extraordinary trees since 2005.
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Visiting the Industrial Museum
We discovered this museum a bit by chance during one of our walks, and we were delighted by the visit. It offers several exhibitions across 5 floors that immerse us in the industrial past of the city. Indeed, we often forget, but Ghent was a flourishing industrial city in the past and still harbors a rich industrial heritage. At the end of the 18th century, Ghent was notably an important textile center, and the museum is housed in a former cotton spinning mill.
It is also a super interactive museum with many places to handle objects or products, as well as demonstrations (notably on the “printing” floor where we left with a print from an old photo of Ghent, kindly given by the printer) and workshops. I also take this opportunity to point out that on the 5th floor of the museum, you can also discover a very beautiful view of the city center of Ghent.
Visited in 2022
Industrie Museum (Industrial Museum)
Minnemeers 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Open every day except Wednesday
Rates: €8 full price / free for under 18s
Free with the CityCard Gent
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Visiting Ghent, street-art version
If you are a fan of street-art, you must go see the Werregarenstraatje (also nicknamed the graffiti alley) where amateur and confirmed artists perform all day before our eyes. The alley therefore constantly changes appearance and scenery. It was originally created as a temporary project for the 1995 Ghent Festival and has continued for years as a place of perpetual creation.
Aside from this street, you can also find quite a few street-art works all over the city, and I have put below the link to the street-art route “Sorry, not sorry,” offered by the tourist office, which we tried to do in small parts during our stay. This map gives an overview of the murals and street art works that can be admired in Ghent.
Street-art route in Ghent
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Taking a boat trip
Ghent is a city where water is omnipresent because it is at the confluence of the Lys and the Scheldt. As a result, you will find several boat tour operators (including Boat in Gent) that offer a boat trip on the two rivers. We took advantage of our CityCard to take a short boat trip at the end of the day and discover the city from another point of view.
It’s really a trip I recommend enjoying if you have taken the CityCard. The schedules of the different operators are quite limited outside of high season, but in the end, we managed to find a trip outside of the indicated hours (indeed, if the weather is nice and there are people, the companies tend to extend their hours). As they are all gathered in the same area, don’t hesitate to take a look to see if there are still boats running.
Tested in 2022 and 2024
Boat trip
Free with the CityCard Gent
Link to the page where you can find all the companies that offer this service
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Taking a tour of the Wintercircus
In the 19th century, this place was a permanent circus, very popular and offering entertainment during the winter season. It mainly showcased animals, including elephants. In the 1920s, entertainment shifted toward cinema and theater, which led to the decline of the circus and the company’s bankruptcy. The site, renovated over a year starting in November 2023 with local builders and materials, opened its doors in September 2024 and now offers various spaces (including coworking) as well as bars, a restaurant, and a coffee shop (which I mention a little further down in my selection of gourmet addresses). You will also find a concert hall and a desire to showcase emerging artists.
Wintercircus
Lammerstraat 13, 9000 Ghent
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Visiting Ghent by evening light
Ghent is particularly well-lit in the evening (until midnight) and the tourist office offers a free map (in paper version at the office or in digital version to download online) which proposes routes through the city to discover illuminated monuments. For your information, the standard walk from the Kouter to the Opera takes about 2 hours.
I recommend sticking to the “basic walk” because we tested a bit of the “other illuminations” path and I must admit it wasn’t very well lit (perhaps because we were there in March…). But otherwise, in the historic center, I have to say that with the lighting, the city takes on an even more magical and romantic aspect. And you can also hire a guide to discover the mysteries of the city at night... “][/su_tooltip]
Photos taken in 2022
My favorite gourmet spots in Ghent
As usual, you will find below my selection of gourmet addresses in Ghent (chocolatiers, coffee shops, boutiques, and several restaurants) that we had the opportunity to test during our stay with the favorite photographer. These addresses often offer the chance to discover local products and some regional specialties to taste if you come to Flanders. And you should know that the city of Ghent invests heavily and truly highlights local craftsmanship and makers. If you want to discover more about Belgian gastronomy, do not hesitate to also take a look at my article on this subject.
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Where to buy local specialties?
Confiserie Temmerman Gent
In this family-run shop (which is a chocolatier, candy store, and also sells tea), which has existed since 1904, you can buy real cuberdons that are made on-site. These are typical Ghent sweets in the shape of a nose or a face that are hard and contain syrup (made with raspberry and violet). Their limited shelf life prevents their exportation, so they are only found in Ghent! I therefore recommend that you taste them fresh on the spot to appreciate the creaminess of this famous local candy.
Tested in 2024
Temmerman Gent
Kraanlei 79, 9000 Ghent
Price: a bag of cuberdons €10
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Moutarderie Tierenteyn – Verlent
The city of Ghent is also famous for its mustard. And I am giving you the address of the mustard shop, whose origin dates back to 1860, where you will find the traditional Ghent version. Here, the mustard is made on-site in the establishment’s basement, and 600 liters of mustard are produced per week. The products are presented in jars made by a local ceramist. We loved this tangy product and regretted not bringing more back with the favorite photographer. Indeed, the specificity of this mustard, prepared mainly with mustard seeds, water, salt, and vinegar, is that it has a very nice little spicy taste.
Tested in 2024
Tierenteyn – Verlent
Groentenmarkt 3, 9000 Ghent
Price of a small jar of mustard: €3.75
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Where to buy good chocolates in Ghent?
Chocolatier Deduytschaever
We discovered this chocolatier somewhat by chance while passing by on the last day of our stay in 2022, just before going to pick up our luggage at the hotel. We bought a small box to bring back a chocolate souvenir from Ghent, and I must say that we did not regret it (only that we didn’t buy a larger one in reality). The chocolates from this house, whose first shop opened in 2020, are truly delicious. I especially recommend their praline if you like it; it is made with Piedmont hazelnuts that are roasted and caramelized. Do not hesitate to stop by.
In March 2024, the chocolatier opened a 2nd address in the city’s street-art street, which I mentioned a little higher up in the article. In this shop, the cocoa beans (5 types, which come from different regions of the world) are roasted on-site. You will also find other treats in this place like chocolate pastries, granolas, and biscuits.
Tested in 2022 and 2024
Chocolatier Deduytschaever
Mageleinstraat 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Holy Cow
This small chocolate workshop makes its own chocolate. The owners, a couple, started in India in Kerala with the idea of helping farmers who produce cocoa. They have their own fermentation “factory” on-site in India and work with about 200 small cocoa producers. The chocolate is then shipped to Belgium. In their shop/workshop in Ghent, they offer vegan, additive-free chocolates from fair and sustainable trade (eco-friendly packaging) with respect for seasonality.
Tested in 2024
Holy Cow
Lange Kruisstraat 7, 9000 Ghent
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Joost Arijs
In 2011, Joost Arijs opened his own pastry/chocolate shop in Ghent and in 2013, his shop was voted “best pastry shop in Belgium” by the gourmet guide Gault & Millau. In 2019, the young chef was also named “Best Chocolatier of Flanders”. His address presents chocolates and pastries like precious jewels. And right next to this first address, the chef opened his bakery in December 2022 which focuses on breads and viennoiseries. In both addresses, everything is homemade, and it is truly a treat, both for the eyes and the taste buds.
Pâtisserie and Chocolaterie Joost Arijs
Vlaanderenstraat 24, 9000 Ghent
Bakery Joost Arijs : Vlaanderenstraat 28, 9000 Ghent
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My selection of vegan and vegetarian addresses in Ghent
The vegan shop Knol & Kool
This shop sells products for vegan cooking (some are organic certified and others not). But it is not just a shop, and on-site there is also a restaurant and a cafe where you can sit down to enjoy vegetarian and vegan products. We tasted a nice fermented drink made in Ghent.
Tested in 2024
Knol & Kool
Heilige-Geeststraat 30, 9000 Ghent
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My selection of coffee shops in Ghent
Way Coffee Roasters
This Ghent coffee shop brand and roaster makes its own coffee and has several addresses in the city. Also, don’t miss their pastries which are homemade and vegan.
Tested in 2024
Way Coffee Roasters
Tested address : Brusselsesteenweg 4, 9050 Ghent
Price: espresso €3 / latte €4.70 / filter coffee between €3.50 and €4.50 / cappuccino €4 / 250g coffee between €9 and €20.50
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Bakker Klaas
This bakery and coffee shop brand has several locations in Ghent, including one in the Wintercircus (which I mentioned earlier). You can enjoy organic, local products as well as specialty coffees there. It was also an opportunity for us to try a typically Gent-style pastry, the “gestreken mastel” or “ironed mastelle”, a small brioche-style round bun flavored with cinnamon. The traditional “ironed” version is split in half, spread with butter and brown sugar between the two halves, wrapped in two sheets of aluminum foil, and pressed with an iron. The biscuit then takes on its flat shape, while the sugar caramelizes. For a long time, this treat was only offered during the Patershol neighborhood festivities in August (where it originates), but you can now find them all year round.
Tested in 2024
Bakker Klaas
Wintercircus / Lammerstraat 13, 9000 Ghent
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My selection of restaurants in Ghent
Have a traditional dinner at Mémé Gusta
This restaurant located on Burgstraat in Ghent offers generous traditional Flemish cuisine that will delight big eaters (we really struggled to finish our plates). It was an opportunity for us to test some of the region’s specialties, such as carbonade (a beef stew) or eel in green sauce (a very particular dish, but one to discover if you are a fish lover).
The setting of the address, in a cozy and vintage atmosphere, is very trendy and attracts a young crowd. However, be aware that the place is a bit noisy and lively, just to warn you.
To taste: the vegetable tempura from the garden with homemade tartare (€9); Mémé Gusta’s stew (the famous Flemish carbonade, a surprising dish for us because it was a bit sweet / €22); eel in green sauce (€34); homemade shrimp croquettes (€16 for 2 large croquettes), a classic of Belgian gastronomy; for drinks, don’t hesitate to try one of the Belgian beers on the restaurant’s menu (we tested the Omer and the Saint-Bernardus).
Tested in 2022
Mémé Gusta
Burgstraat 19, 9000 Gent
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A traditional chip shop in Ghent: Friterie Tartaar
This traditional chip shop makes as many things as possible in-house and offers fries and snacks. The fries are actually cooked twice, the Belgian way, and from what I understand, that is very important for the taste of the fries. You should also know that there is seasonality for potatoes and they are better between September and January. The address also offers quite a few vegetarian options (especially with vegetarian sauces). The restaurant is also known for its wide selection of different homemade sauces (about twenty) and its bestseller is its famous tartar sauce, a must-try! There is also a selection of local beers.
Tested in 2024
Frituur Tartaar
Heilige-Geeststraat 3, 9000 Ghent
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Taste the meatballs or Flemish meatballs: Balls & Glory
This brand, which also has a location in Antwerp, offers 50 flavors of meatballs that are all homemade. There are also options for vegetarians. The classic meatballs are balls made from pork (which comes from the brand’s own farm) and veal. We even had the chance to participate in a workshop where we were able to make meatballs ourselves. It was an opportunity to learn some manufacturing secrets, such as the importance of having fat in the meat, so that the meatballs are not dry. One of the traditional Flemish recipes is also made with mustard and endives.
Tested in 2024
Balls & Glory
Jakobijnenstraat 6, 9000 Ghent
Price: starters between €3.50 and €9 / dishes between €15.50 and €19.50 / Ball the Way assortment for 2 people €29.50 / Belgian beers between €4 and €5.50
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Have a gastronomic lunch at Kruidtuin
A big favorite for this address located not far from the Citadelpark and therefore the ideal spot for a lunch after or before a visit to the city’s fine arts museums that I told you about earlier. Here we find perfectly mastered contemporary cuisine with fresh and local products (even the bread is homemade and it is delicious) around a set menu that changes regularly (3 courses for €30 and 4 courses for €37 at lunch). And it’s really very good value for money when you see the quality of what is served on the plate. Also note, the place offers a beautiful selection of wines including some very interesting natural wines.
As for the decor, the restaurant overlooks a small garden at the back which gives it a lot of charm, and at the entrance is the open kitchen where the cooks work. In fact, they are the ones who come to serve you the dishes, giving you explanations about what you are going to eat.
Good to know: the menu can also be adapted for vegetarians.
Tested in 2022
Kruidtuin
Kortrijksesteenweg 27, 9000 Ghent
For info, the lunch menu changes every week on Tuesday and the evening menu changes quickly depending on the offer of the restaurant’s organic suppliers and farmers
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My selection of bars in Ghent
Bar Bassie
This Ghent hotspot, located right at the top of the Wintercircus (which I mentioned a little earlier), offers a stunning view from its rooftop terrace. It’s the ideal place to have a cocktail and a bite to eat in a trendy and cosmopolitan setting. Be aware that the address is only open at the end of the day and in the evening.
Tested in 2024
Bar Bassie
Wintercircus / Lammerstraat 13, 9000 Ghent
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Where to taste Ghent beers?
Hal 16 with the Dok Brewing Company Brewery
This hotspot for foodies is housed in a former warehouse in the heart of an industrial site that was in operation until 2005, near the port, and whose buildings are now protected. It offers a food-court with several gastronomic concepts gathered around the Dok Brewing Company brewery. We find the microbrewery’s beers, freshly brewed on site and just out of the barrel. The brewery, which was created in 2018, is the result of the merger of 3 former breweries. Since the beginning of the adventure, it has brewed 280 different beers (including 3 that are always on the menu) and these are neither pasteurized nor filtered. The brewery also regularly offers ephemeral beers, which are never remade, as well as non-alcoholic beers, but the latter are made in another brewery in Ghent, because they have to be pasteurized. For beer lovers, also know that the place offers exciting “beer tours“.
Alongside this, the place offers a very high-quality barbecue concept with the smoky and grilled flavors of RØK (price between €11 and €20) and also the BØEF hamburgers. We really liked this spot, first for the atmosphere and the decor of the place, but what’s more, we really ate very well there. It’s simple but super well done, exactly what we like with the favorite photographer!
Good to know: the two catering brands offer very good options for vegetarians (vegetarian plate at RØK for €14).
Tested in 2022 and 2024
Hal 16
Dok Noord 4b 9000 Gent
My good accommodation addresses in Ghent
As usual, you will find below my selection of good accommodation addresses in Ghent that we had the opportunity to test during our stays in 2022 and 2024 with the favorite photographer. I have also gathered all my favorite addresses, my detailed reviews and options for all budgets in my complete guide on my best hotels in Ghent.
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A design and trendy hotel in Ghent? At the Yalo Urban Boutique Hotel Ghent
We fell in love with this boutique hotel ideally located in the city center of Ghent and with a very trendy and lively design and atmosphere. The address therefore houses super comfortable rooms, but also a restaurant and a bar very popular with the city’s inhabitants, because the weekend of our arrival, the place was full on Friday and Saturday evening.
We weren’t able to test this aspect of the hotel, but it certainly looked appealing! On the flip side, the downside is that the hotel is a lively spot, with quite loud music playing until around 12:30 AM on weekends. Since we are night owls, it didn’t bother us, but it’s worth knowing if you prefer to head to bed early.
As for the room, I really loved the design and the green tones of ours. It overlooked the inside of the hotel and the glass roof (which is why it was a little noisy at night with the music). The bedding was top-notch, and we also really appreciated the turntable and records provided in the room, which allowed us to truly enjoy the sound quality of that type of player. Finally, the room is super functional and practical—you feel right at home.
The breakfast is served under the beautiful glass roof that also houses the restaurant and bar, and it was a very enjoyable moment during our stay at Yalo Hotel. Partly because the setting is stunning, but also because the breakfast is high quality with great products—we would have happily chilled there much longer in the morning…
Tested in 2022
Yalo Urban Boutique Hotel Ghent ☆☆☆☆
Brabantdam 33, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Room price for one night: from €150
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A luxury hotel in Ghent? Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof
This magnificent hotel is housed in a building constructed in 1724, which was once a baron’s residence. After the Second World War, the site changed hands, and later served as offices for an insurance company. For 15 years now, the building has been a hotel, and about 5-6 years ago, it underwent renovations to become the current Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof. A 4-star establishment where modern design blends into an elegant Louis XIV-style interior.
Our room was located in the new building at the back of the complex, and we had a very nice, perfectly quiet space with a large balcony. The establishment also has a spa accessible to hotel guests, located in the former carriage house. Finally, 2 restaurants (which, unfortunately, we didn’t really test) complete the offering: Olivier Le Petit Bistro and the hotel’s gourmet restaurant (with a 14/20 rating in Gault & Millau) LOF restaurant (both a tribute to the baron’s name, Olivier de Reylof), managed by chef Paul de Groote, whom we had the chance to meet.
Tested in 2024
Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof ☆☆☆☆
Hoogstraat 36, 9000 Ghent
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Practical questions
The journey is very fast and takes less than 2.5 hours. The simplest option is to take the Eurostar (formerly Thalys) from Paris Gare du Nord to Brussels-Midi (about 1h25), then change to a local train (IC) towards Gent-Sint-Pieters (about 30 minutes). It’s the ideal way for a car-free weekend.
Yes, it’s a really great deal if you plan to visit multiple monuments. The CityCard Gent includes access to almost all museums (like the Belfry or the Gravensteen Castle), an essential boat trip, bike rental, and all public transport (tram/bus). It pays for itself very quickly over 48h or 72h.
You shouldn’t leave without trying the Cuberdons (small purple raspberry-flavored cones), Tierenteyn-Verlent mustard (quite strong!), or local chocolates from chocolatiers like Deduytschaever. As for drinks, local beers like those from the Dok Brewing Company brewery are a must.
Although one day is enough to see the historic center, the ideal is to plan a full weekend (2 to 3 days). This leaves you time to take a boat trip, visit the Gravensteen Castle, enjoy local gastronomy, and discover street art without rushing.
It all depends on the vibe you’re looking for! Bruges is very romantic and ‘postcard-like’, but can be saturated with tourists. Ghent is more authentic, lively, and youthful thanks to its students, while being historically magnificent. For a weekend mixing cultural visits, shopping, and gourmet outings, my preference is clearly for Ghent.
Thanks to VisitGent and VisitFlanders for organizing these two stays in Ghent in 2022 and 2024.
I hope that with all this, I’ve made you want to discover Ghent and Flanders, and if you also have your favorite spots and tips for this destination, don’t hesitate to share them in the comments below!
Find all my articles on Belgium (Flanders and Wallonia) below:
⇒ All my articles on Belgium
⇒ All my articles on Flanders
GENERAL INFO ON BELGIUM
⇒ Brussels the capital
⇒ Belgian gastronomy
⇒ Bed and breakfasts in Belgium
MY ARTICLES ON FLANDERS
⇒ Bruges
⇒ Ghent
⇒ Leuven
⇒ The Belgian Coast and Ostend
MY ARTICLES ON WALLONIA
⇒ The Gaume Province
Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez and Mademoiselle Bon Plan Photos are not royalty-free, photographer's permission required before any use
