If your ideal city trip includes coffee and bookshops in Ghent, this city should be high on your list.
This Belgian city combines medieval streets with a surprisingly modern cultural scene. You walk along canals, cross small bridges, turn a corner and suddenly you are inside one of the best bookshops in Ghent. Everything is close. Nothing feels rushed.
What makes Ghent stand out is the range. The bookshops in Ghent are not limited to second-hand nostalgia. You will find large multi-floor stores, carefully curated independents, art and design specialists, concept spaces and strong English-language sections almost everywhere. For international visitors, it’s perfect.
Coffee in Ghent follows the same logic. Traditional cafés exist next to specialty roasteries. You can move from dark wood interiors to minimalist counters within minutes.
Ghent is compact, creative and easy to explore. Books and coffee simply fit into its rhythm.
Why Coffee and Bookshops in Ghent Are Worth Exploring
One of the best things about browsing bookshops in Ghent is how naturally they connect. You do not need a strict plan. You start at one shop and the next is a short walk away.
The selection is wide. Literary fiction, contemporary non-fiction, philosophy, art, architecture, design. English books are widely available, which makes the city especially attractive if you are visiting from abroad.
Some stores focus on curation. Others reward patience and serious browsing. And on Sundays, the riverside book market adds another layer to the experience.
Ghent does not overwhelm you. It gives you space to discover.
The Best Bookshops in Ghent
Paard van Troje
Paard van Troje is one of the strongest independent bookshops in Ghent. The space feels open and carefully arranged, with an excellent mix of Dutch and English titles. From literary fiction to contemporary non-fiction, the curation feels thoughtful without being narrow.
If you want a clear overview of what modern book culture in Ghent looks like, start here.
Limerick
Limerick combines new books with second-hand shelves in a way that feels organic. It is not overly styled, which makes browsing easy and relaxed.
The English section is solid, and the mix between recent releases and older editions keeps things interesting. It is one of those bookshops in Ghent where time moves quickly without you noticing.
Copyright
Copyright focuses on art, design and architecture. Large-format books, strong visual impact, international publishers. The shop feels contemporary and precise.
If you are interested in visual culture, this is one of the most distinctive bookshops in Ghent.
De Slegte
De Slegte is huge. Multiple floors, densely packed shelves, serious browsing potential. It carries both new and second-hand books, and the English-language section is substantial.
If you enjoy the search, this is the place. Among all bookshops in Ghent, De Slegte offers the most space to dig and discover. It shows how varied coffee and bookshops in Ghent can be within just a few streets.
The Other Shop
The Other Shop blends books with carefully selected design objects and souvenirs. It feels modern but not superficial.
It is a good reminder that bookshops in Ghent are not only about literature. They are part of a broader creative scene.
The Sunday Book Market in Ghent
Every Sunday, a book market stretches along the river. Tables are stacked with paperbacks, older editions, prints and unexpected finds.
The atmosphere is informal and local. You will find mostly Dutch titles, but English books appear regularly if you look closely. The selection changes week to week, which makes it worth returning.
If you are searching for second-hand books in Ghent, this is one of the most atmospheric ways to do it. Go early for the best finds.
The Best Coffee in Ghent
Good coffee in Ghent is easy to find. The city offers everything from long-standing classics to specialty-focused newcomers.
Le Bal Infernal
Le Bal Infernal is both a café and a book café, which makes it a natural meeting point between literature and coffee culture in Ghent. Low light, close tables and shelves of books create an intimate atmosphere.
It feels lived-in rather than staged.
Mokabon
Mokabon is one of the classic coffee institutions in Ghent. Dark wood, traditional interior, steady rhythm. It has been part of the city for decades.
If you want to experience old-school coffee in Ghent, this is the place.
WAY Coffee
WAY Coffee represents the modern side of coffee in Ghent. Bright, minimal and focused. It is not only a café but also a roastery, which explains the serious attention to quality.
If specialty coffee matters to you, WAY is essential.
Peaberry
Peaberry keeps things simple and consistent. Good coffee, relaxed crowd, no unnecessary extras.
clouds in my coffee
A softer, brunch-friendly spot with a slightly playful atmosphere. Easy to combine with a walk through the city center.
Take Five Espresso
Compact and direct. A local favorite that focuses on quality without overcomplicating things.
Café Stek
Contemporary and calm. Café Stek feels modern without being loud, making it a reliable stop during a day in the city.
Ghent is underrated, but it’s a true gem
Ghent is historic, but it never feels heavy.
You can spend an entire day moving between bookshops and cafés without leaving the city center. The distances are short. The variety is strong. English books are widely available. Second-hand and new releases exist side by side.
There is creative energy here, but it is not forced. The bookshops in Ghent feel independent and confident. The coffee scene feels established and evolving at the same time.
If your idea of travel includes browsing shelves, discovering unexpected titles and stopping for good coffee in between, Ghent makes it easy.
If you’re interested in more cities where books shape the atmosphere, you’ll also find similar guides to other literary destinations on the blog and my instagram account @prettybookplaces.