So you are about to travel to Ghent, and looking for 6 Secret Tips in Ghent?
We are excited to share with you 6 hidden gems to get know this hipsters paradise off the beaten path! Ghent is one of the hippest places in Europe, becoming a more and more popular spot for travelers looking for a city-break away from Paris or London.
In cooperation with Backstay Hostel we created this travel guide to Gent. Here we share 5 local secrets. Get to know Ghent one coffee and local beer at a time! Unfortunately Backstay Hostel closed its doors. But no worries, cool hostels remain in the city.
For the best hostels in Ghent, we recommend the following hostels:
You can find all top hostels in Ghent Belgium here. We also have other Belgium guides, like ones on the best hostels in Antwerp and Bruges.
Leaving for the Netherlands? Make sure you check out the 5 Local Tips for Amsterdam and 5 Secret Tips for Rotterdam.
5 BEST and Cool things to do in Ghent, Belgium
- the most vibrant coffee place for brunch & lunch
- Art-lover? We show you the most artsy part of Ghent
- A Kitsch-Shop to get lost: from vintage posters to postcards – a cute shop for most likely everything
- The hipster café in Ghent to get your daily caffeine fix (and to get work done if you are a digital nomad)
- the epicenter of nightlife in Ghent – see the city by night with these things to do in Ghent
- Extra Tip: We updated this guide and included a fab vibrant place to get your hair done, get a coffee and enjoy live music! This place is super, super local!
1. Most vibrant Coffee bar: “Simon Says”
Let’s start the day like the locals do! The “Simon Says” serves breakfast, light lunches, cakes and pastries along with your tea or coffee. They just work with local suppliers and wherever they can, they do only work with organic products – you will taste it!
This trendy café is located near the ‘Patersho’, the medieval heart of the city, and one of the city’s most desirable neighbourhoods.
2. Unique street art: “Graffiti Street”
If you are into street art, you will love this narrow street! This street is called “Graffiti Street” as artists are free to decorate the street as they please. Isn’t this a great idea to give street artists their space? It’s likely that you come here twice during your stay and it already changed.
On the facebook page Facebook.com/graffitistraatjegent they publish their graffiti over the time e.g. the one from Nelson Mandela below.
3. Original gift shop: “The Fallen Angels”
Located next to the Design Museum in Gent, The Fallen Angels is a place to browse through old advertising, posters, signs, tins, toys and way more kitsch! We love these kind of places especially as you can find here really unique things with a vintage vibe.
Check out their Facebook page at facebook.com/thefallenangelsgent where they show you their kitsch!
4. Hipster Café: BIDON Coffee & Bike Shop
Homemade lemonade and ice tea, delicious coffee and food, and last but not least, a bike shop.
The BIDON Café & bike shops combines both and is a trendy fashionable spot to get your daily caffeine fix. Many freelancers, and digital nomads come here as a co-working space, and many times there are different events happening directly inside the café.
Last but not least, check out the photo below – this could be you enjoying a latte macchiato in the sun!
5. Best nightlife downtown: “Charlatan”
Party time! Ghent is a student town, and as you can imagine, the nightlife knows no limits. The “Charlatan” is the epicenter of the Ghent nightlife scene. There are free performances on Thursday and Sundays, so check out their website Charlatan.be to see if there is something you fancy.
If you are into a fun and crazy night out, then this is definitely your place to be. Party with locals, Erasmus students, and don’t stop dancing until the wee hours.
6. EXTRA TIP: Wasbar
Usually we would not send you to a Launderette, but this one is different: It is also a stylish bar, hair dresser, and spot for live concerts and jazz-performances!
The ambient is so super local, and cosy, you have to come here if you are into this kind of travel-style! Check out their facebook page for updates here: facebook.com/WASBAR.BE
