Located in the very heart of Ghent, Graslei has easily become one of our favorite places in the city. It’s picturesque, iconic and overall just beautiful.
We found a chill spot by the water and took in the views. The area was really lively, from boats gliding past on the water to locals and visitors just lounging by the quay. We would definitely recommend grabbing some food, and enjoy the amazing views of the medieval buildings surrounding the river 🚣♀️⛪️
We grabbed some food and drinks at the local Albert Heijn right next to the spot, but since it’s in the city center, you’ll have plenty of other places to choose from as well 😌
It was honestly the perfect place for us to chill. Whether you’re riding solo or like us with a few friends, you’re surrounded by history, gorgeous architecture, and the best vibes that are perfect to feel the true spirit of Ghent.
Whilst there we were sharing snacks, sipping coffee by the riverside, and just watching the world go by. A picnic at Graslei 100% guarantees you a blend of charm, culture, and relaxation 🧺🌿
On your way there, grab a matcha or bubble tea from some amazing spots! We’ve linked some we think are the best here, if you need inspiration 🙌
In our opinion Graslei isn’t the quietest spot since it’s right in the city center, but it’s perfect if you’re here for the true Ghent vibes. And don’t worry, our next four spots are much more peaceful if that’s what you’re looking for 🤩
Ratings:
Getting There: ★★★★★
Finding a Quiet Spot: ★★☆☆☆
Wind/Sun Exposure: ★★★★☆
Location:
Just a short stroll away from Chent-Sint-Pieters station, Our next top has to be Citadelpark. To us this feels like stepping into a gorgeous green escape that happens to be located right in the center of the city.
As picnic lovers this place is just perfect, whether it is covered in the golden autumn leaves 🍂 or in the heart of summer the vibes are unmatched. An absolutely stunning location.
We were met with such a peaceful and warm atmosphere, with plenty of space for us to lay out our picnics blankets, blast our speakers, vibe & relax.
And for all our fellow aesthetics instagrammers 🙈 We discovered a small waterfall hidden amongst the rocks, which is just perfectly picturesque🤳 Let’s just say… our camera roll was full of photos when we got home 📸😅
Overall it was a perfect daytime picnic location to relax & explore. And for our parents out there the play parks make it lovely to have a day out with the kiddos!. It's a magical place to enjoy and explore in Ghent ✨
Ratings:
Getting There: ★★★★★
Finding a Quiet Spot: ★★★★★
Wind/Sun Exposure: ★★★★☆
Location:
Paul de Smet de Naeyer Park is located in one of Ghent's most peaceful and high-standard residential neighborhoods 🏠 We found it quiet, peaceful and was surrounded by beautiful homes with a cozy vibe.
It was an amazing place for us relax & simply enjoy the nature around us. It truly gave us the space to disconnect and clear our minds for a moment, making it the perfect spot for a calm and cozy picnic 🧘♀️
For those who are studying like us at HOGENT or Ugent, the Schoonmeersen campus is only a quick five minute bike ride away 🚲 So it makes it the ideal spot for us to have a cute lunchtime picnic 🧺🥗
It's not a touristy park or a big attraction but that's exactly why we found it special 🍀 Paul de Smet de Naeyer Park is simple and a lovely reminder that you don't need to go far to feel a bit of peace ⭐️
Ratings:
Getting There: ★★★☆☆
Finding a Quiet Spot: ★★★★★
Wind/Sun Exposure: ★★★★☆
Location:
If you're looking for a picnic spot that combines nature and history, we think St. Peter's Abbey Vineyard is such a hidden gem 💎 It's got this calm vibe that we loved and is surrounded by so much nice greenery 🌳
The abbey building is right behind which is open to visit, so obviously we had to take a little look around, so its just perfect if you're into history or architecture.
Read more about the history of the St. Peter’s Abbey Vineyard.
The vineyard itself is quite small but still so beautiful, with rows of vines and lots of quiet corners to sit and relax 🧘♀️To us it's one of those places where you can just chill & eat.
We layered up and took in the views without crowds around which was lovely.
Its simple, quiet, and super photogenic, definitely another one we would rank as one of Ghent's more underrated picnic spots 🧺
Ratings:
Getting There: ★★★★☆
Finding a Quiet Spot: ★★★★☆
Wind/Sun Exposure: ★★★★☆
Location:
If Citadelpark is Ghent's big escape, then Muinkpark is definitely its charming little cousin 🫶
This location was tucked away near plenty of bars and food spots🍷✨ which we were very happy with. This small park has such a peaceful, neighborly vibe that made it ideal for a quick picnic or in our case an evening chill.
There's an adorable pond with ducks swimming at the center that added to the calm atmosphere 🦆, there was also a play area for kids, not for us anymore though 💔🤣, but contributes to making it a sweet spot for families to unwind.
Unlike some of Ghent's larger parks, Muinkpark has good lighting, which was inviting whilst also making us feel safer especially as we were there much later in the day. So we would recommend this spot if you're planning a sunset picnic or an after-dinner hangout 🤍
Calling our Ghent students 👩🎓 it's very close to Artevelde University, so it's deffo an easy go-to for students looking to grab food nearby and relax outdoors.
Overall it's small but certainly peaceful, and conveniently located ✅
Muinkpark may not have been the biggest green space we visited in Ghent, but it's definitely another underrated spot to unwind, grabbing our final 5th place ranking❣️
Ratings:
Getting There: ★★★☆☆
Finding a Quiet Spot: ★★★★☆
Wind/Sun Exposure: ★★★★☆
Location: