Daybreak is filled with expectation. You feel like anything is possible. Have you ever explored Ghent in the early hours? It’s really worthwhile to see the city awaken. Want to experience a Ghent morning with lots of culture? The tips from influencer Sarah De Gheselle will help you enjoy an inspiring morning in Ghent.

Are you an early bird? If so, then you know what the early hours of the day have in store. Peace and quiet, the first rays of sunshine, fellow morning persons who greet each other casually. In Ghent, the morning is also full of atmosphere, so make sure you’ve experienced it before returning home. You can borrow some ideas from Sarah De Gheselle, an adventurous influencer who planned the perfect city break in Ghent.  

Mad about culture

Sarah De Gheselle (°1987) grew up in Zomergem, a green village not far from Ghent, but now lives in the coastal town of De Panne. For many years, she worked as a teacher, until her creative spirit made her choose a different path. After all, you cannot do everything at once in life. Sarah has a passion for travelling and photography, which turned out to be a perfect combination. Her blog, which shows her followers all corners of the world, has become a source of inspiration for people with a strong desire to expand their horizons. She is not just a blogger, but also runs the holiday home on the Belgian coast, and has a thriving business in content creation, social media and blog promotion. She also works as a content creator in the travel and hospitality industry.  

Sarah used the hop-on hop-off water tram to roam through the city

Sarah’s perfect Ghent morning

It was Sarah’s father who taught her that on a trip, no matter how adventurous, it’s always a good idea to look for a little luxury. Because it will lift the experience to a higher level. That’s why Sarah opted for an overnight stay in Ghent at Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof: a four-star experience in a monumental town house in the city centre. After a wonderful night’s sleep, she had a nutritious breakfast, because she learned from her father that’s also important. With the CityCard Gent Sarah then set out to explore the city with the ‘hop-on hop-off’ water tram. This relaxing form of transport took her to the Bijloke site, where she paid a visit to the Ghent City Museum (STAM). Originally a hospital, the Bijloke site is now the home base of several cultural organisations in the city. It’s the perfect place for an introduction to Ghent. In the Ghent City Museum, Sarah discovered the city’s story: its age-old history, its vision for the future and its DNA. Also on the programme: a morning walk through the historic centre, some leisurely window shopping and a heart-warming take-away coffee at WAY Coffee Roasters. The morning was concluded at STAMcafé on the Bijloke site, where you can have a delicious lunch on weekdays and a copious brunch at the weekend. Daydreaming is allowed.         

Waking up in Ghent

Fancy a cultural morning in Ghent, just like Sarah? Then prepare your own plan for the perfect morning with the above tips. Do you want to make the most of your morning? Then book an overnight stay in of Ghent’s hotels, B&B’s or hostels.