Shopping in Gent: Best Streets, Malls & Markets 2026

Gent's pedestrianized city center is a shopper's paradise, offering a relaxed environment to browse. The Veldstraat stands as the city's undisputed prime shopping artery, teeming with international high-street brands like Zara, H&M, and Urban Outfitters, alongside Belgian staples. It's a bustling street, often filled with locals and tourists alike, making it a lively spot for mainstream fashion and accessories. Parallel to Veldstraat, the Langemunt offers a similar vibe with slightly fewer crowds, housing popular chains and a few local clothing stores.

For a more upscale experience, head towards the Mageleinstraat and Kortedagsteeg. These streets are home to more exclusive fashion boutiques and a selection of premium brands, providing a slightly more refined atmosphere. The Korenmarkt area, while primarily known for its historic buildings and cafés, also features a scattering of souvenir shops and smaller boutiques catering to tourists. Most shops in these areas operate from around 10 AM to 6 PM on weekdays and Saturdays, with many closing on Sundays. Keep an eye out for 'koopzondagen' (shopping Sundays), which occur a few times a year, when most shops open their doors.

While Gent prides itself on its street-level shopping, the city also offers convenient indoor options for those looking for a consolidated retail experience or a refuge from the rain. The primary shopping mall is Gent Zuid, situated just outside the historic center. This multi-level complex houses a range of popular fashion brands, electronics stores, and a large Albert Heijn supermarket, making it a practical stop for various needs. It's a modern, accessible space, popular with locals and offers ample parking.

For a more classic department store feel, although not a traditional standalone one, the Galeria Inno in the Veldstraat offers a comprehensive selection of beauty products, fashion, home goods, and accessories across multiple floors. It's a well-established retailer with a slightly more upscale appeal than the general high-street shops. While Gent doesn't have numerous large-scale malls like some bigger cities, these options provide a good balance of convenience and variety. Remember that shopping malls generally adhere to more consistent opening hours, including some extended evenings, but Sundays generally remain closed unless it's a special shopping Sunday.

Gent truly shines when it comes to independent boutiques and concept stores, reflecting its creative and artistic soul. These establishments often offer unique, curated selections of fashion, homeware, gifts, and design items, making them perfect for finding something truly special. Head to the quarter around the Nationalestraat and Hoornstraat for a cluster of such shops. Here, you'll find places like Établissement 26, a carefully curated concept store featuring clothing, accessories, and interior design pieces from smaller, independent brands.

The Serpentstraat and precincts around the Patershol district are also rich with these hidden gems, offering everything from ethical fashion to handmade jewelry and quirky home decor. These areas exude a more local, bohemian vibe, and browsing here is an experience in itself. Many of these stores are run by passionate owners who are happy to share the story behind their products. While prices might be a bit higher than mass-produced items, you're paying for originality, quality, and often, ethical production. They typically open from 10 AM or 11 AM and close around 6 PM, with many closed on Sundays and sometimes even Mondays.

For those who love sustainable fashion and unearthing unique treasures, Gent's vintage and second-hand scene is a goldmine. The streets around the Vrijdagmarkt and the Oudburg are particularly fruitful for vintage hunting. Episode, a well-known chain, has a large presence here, offering a vast array of quality vintage clothing, shoes, and accessories from various eras, catering to a broad range of styles. It's popular with students and fashion-conscious individuals, providing a lively atmosphere.

Beyond Episode, numerous smaller, independent vintage shops are tucked away in the side streets, each with its own character and specializations. Think of stores like THINK TWICE, which has several locations and is known for its constantly rotating stock of affordable second-hand fashion. These boutiques often carry high-quality, pre-loved garments at a fraction of their original price, making them a sustainable and wallet-friendly option. Hunting for vintage here can be a rewarding adventure, and you might just find that perfect, one-of-a-kind piece. Most vintage shops operate during standard retail hours, typically closed on Sundays, but often have extended hours on Thursdays for late shopping.

Gent's rich history of craftsmanship is beautifully showcased in its artisan markets and specialty shops. For unique, handmade souvenirs and genuine Belgian crafts, these are the places to explore. The Groentenmarkt, while famous for its historic buildings and eateries, also hosts a daily market (though not always full-scale) where you can often find local produce and small artisan stalls, especially around popular tourist times.

However, for a truly dedicated artisan experience, keep an eye out for special weekend markets that pop up throughout the year, particularly around the Patershol district or the Sint-Jacobs square. These markets are fantastic opportunities to buy direct from local artists and craftspeople, offering everything from handmade jewelry and ceramics to textile art and illustrations. The prices vary depending on the intricacy and materials of the craft, but you're purchasing directly from the maker. These events usually have a very local, friendly vibe and are less tourist-heavy than the main shopping streets. Information about these pop-up markets can often be found on local event listings online or by asking at your accommodation.

No visit to Gent is complete without indulging in its culinary delights, and the city's food markets are the perfect place to start. The Great Butchers' Hall (Groot Vleeshuis) on the Groentenmarkt is a must-visit. While no longer a working butcher's hall, it now serves as a covered market and tasting space dedicated to regional East Flemish products, particularly Ghent's famous Ganda Ham. You can sample and purchase a wide array of local cheeses, cold cuts, traditional breads, and craft beers. It has a very historic, yet modern gourmet vibe, popular with both locals and tourists.

For fresh produce and local specialties, the Friday market on Vrijdagmarkt is a long-standing tradition. Here, you'll find stalls selling fruits, vegetables, flowers, and a variety of artisanal food items. It’s a bustling, authentic local experience that takes place every Friday morning. Additionally, the Sunday market at Oude Beestenmarkt offers an even broader scope, combining a flea market with fresh produce and street food vendors, making it a vibrant destination for a leisurely Sunday morning. These markets offer an authentic taste of local life and culinary traditions. Prices are generally fair, and the quality is excellent.

Gent is a university city with a deep appreciation for culture and knowledge, and this is reflected in its charming bookstores. For bibliophiles, browsing the literary offerings here is a rewarding experience. The most prominent and widely recognized is The Drifters, an independent bookstore that offers a thoughtfully curated selection of English-language and Dutch-language fiction, non-fiction, and children's books, alongside stylish stationery and gifts. It's a cozy and inviting space, perfect for losing an hour or two.

Another beloved institution is De Slegte, a well-known chain in Belgium for second-hand books, comics, and sheet music. It's an excellent place to hunt for rare finds or simply browse for an interesting read at a reduced price. These stores embody a more intellectual and local vibe, attracting students, academics, and avid readers. You'll find them scattered around the university quarter and the city center. Opening hours are generally standard retail hours, with closures on Sundays, though some may offer extended events or readings in the evenings. These spots are particularly wonderful if you're looking for a quiet souvenir or a companion for your train journeys.

Understanding Gent's shopping hours is key to a successful retail excursion. Generally, most shops in the city center are open Monday through Saturday from approximately 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Many smaller independent stores, especially, will often close on Mondays or might open a little later. Crucially, most shops in Gent are closed on Sundays, with the notable exception of designated ‘koopzondagen’ (shopping Sundays), which occur several times a year - usually the first Sunday of a new month or during special events. It’s always best to check local event calendars for these dates if Sunday shopping is a priority for you.

For non-EU residents, tax-free shopping is available in Belgium. To qualify for a VAT refund, you must spend a minimum of €50.01 (including VAT) at a single store on the same day. Look for stores displaying the 'Tax Free' logo. You'll need to request a tax-free form from the retailer, fill it out, and then have it stamped by customs at your final point of departure from the EU. The refund can be processed at designated counters at airports or through partner services like Global Blue. Remember to keep your receipts and purchase items with you for customs inspection. Exploring Gent's shops, perhaps even with a new companion from urlaubspartner.net, becomes even more enjoyable with these practical tips in mind.