The Most Beautiful City in Belgium

The best bookstores in Ghent are only one of many reasons this Belgian city deserves more attention. Walk its streets and you’ll feel it — that quiet kind of magic. Ornate façades, golden light on the canals, tiny cafés where voices soften, and books everywhere you look.

You’ll find a full list of the best bookstores in Ghent further down this page.

Ghent isn’t big, but it’s brilliant — a city that feels both calm and creative. Perfect for anyone who loves to travel, read and simply enjoy life.

1. The Old Town – Romance Between Water and History

Ghent’s historic centre is a dream of gabled houses, bridges and cobbled lanes. Time seems to slow here. Along the Graslei and Korenlei the colourful façades reflect in the water — a view you’ll never forget.
Whether you’re taking photos, sketching or just looking, Ghent is a stage made for beauty.

Tip: Come at sunset — the city glows like a painting.

2. Paard van Troje – A Classic with Soul

The bookstore Paard van Troje is a paradise for readers. Modern, open, yet charmingly old-school — just like Ghent itself.
Besides a smartly curated selection, there’s a café that serves an excellent cappuccino with a view of the lively street outside.

Atmosphere: Elegant, quiet, inspiring — the perfect spot for book lovers.

3. Le Bal Infernal – The Quirky Book Café

If you like things with character, you’ll love Le Bal Infernal. Old sofas, candlelight, books stacked to the ceiling — it’s a place made for long afternoons with coffee and curiosity.
Students, artists and travellers mix here. It’s creative, a bit chaotic and absolutely full of soul.

Tip: Go when it rains — the light inside feels otherworldly.

4. De Slegte – Among the Best Bookstores in Ghent

De Slegte is a temple of modern book design. Spacious, bright and beautifully organised, it offers both new and second-hand titles chosen with care.
It’s the kind of place where you don’t just browse, you discover.

Vibe: Timeless and stylish — a literary loft in the heart of the city.

5. Architecture, Art & Culture – The Soul of Ghent

Ghent feels like an open-air museum, only more alive. The Gothic St Bavo’s Cathedral, the medieval Castle of the Counts, the reflections on the River Leie — every corner tells a story.
Add small galleries, street art, design markets and a creative scene that rivals Brussels, and you have a city built on imagination.

Extra: The Museum of Fine Arts and STAM are must-visits for culture lovers.

6. Café Culture & Cuisine – Between Coffee, Waffles and Joy

Ghent’s café scene is pure delight. The coffee is crafted, the waffles are golden, and the vibe is effortlessly cool.
Here are a few favourites:

• Wild Child – creative, young, full of energy
• Whey Coffee Roasters – sleek, urban, serious about quality
• Kaffein (Lange Kruisstraat 6) – small, local, authentic
• Barista – cozy, friendly, with perfect pastries

And don’t miss the Holy Food Market, a culinary playground inside a former chapel where architecture and flavour meet.

Highlight: A fresh Belgian waffle — crisp on the outside, soft in the middle, pure happiness.

7. Pillows Hotel – Sleep Among Books

The Pillows Hotel Ghent is made for readers and aesthetes. Elegant, calm and home to a library that invites you to linger.
It blends Belgian warmth with understated luxury — a place you’ll never want to leave.

Recommended for: Design lovers, dreamers and anyone who believes books belong everywhere.

Why Ghent Is Belgium’s Cultural Heart

Ghent isn’t loud, it’s alive. It doesn’t try to impress, yet it quietly does.
It’s a city for people who notice beauty in the details — in stories, in buildings, in the smell of coffee.
Take time to explore the best bookstores in Ghent and you’ll discover the literary soul of Belgium. Once you’ve been here, you’ll always want to come back.

See more book-filled journeys on Instagram @prettybookplaces.
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