Flanders Travelers Recommend

One of Belgium's most popular tourist attractions, the medieval city of Bruges is compact enough that even travelers without a lot of time can cover a lot of ground. Here's how to make the most of one day in Bruges. 

Morning: Medieval Bruges

Spend this morning familiarizing yourself with Bruges, beginning in its medieval town center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Start in the Markt, the main square that’s home to landmarks such as the Belfort belfry and the Provinciaal Hof. From here, head over to Burg Square with its Gothic City Hall (Stadhuis) and the 12th-century Basilica of the Holy Blood. Then make your way over to the Beguinage, one of the city's most popular attractions, which served as an abode for Beguines, Christian laypeople who lived semimonastically from the 13th through 16th century. Today this beautiful white complex houses a fascinating history museum and a number of traditional crafts workshops.

Afternoon: Beer and Chocolate

Head back towards the city center for lunch (if the weather is nice, there are plenty of terraces to dine on at the Markt). Just make sure to save some room for an afternoon of beer and chocolate, which, along with fries and waffles, are Belgium’s best-known culinary treats. Start with a visit to Choco-Story, the city's chocolate museum, where you can learn about the history of chocolate making and sample plenty of sweet delights; you can even sign up to learn how to make chocolate yourself. From here, head over to the Bruges Beer Experience, an interactive beer museum with its own 16-tap bar.

Night: Dinner and Drinks

Though Bruges is a quieter town and not particularly known for its nightlife, there are plenty of lovely restaurants serving up hearty Flemish and international fare as well as pubs galore. Your best option is to grab dinner and then head out to one of the many brasseries and bars to sip popular Belgian brews such as tripels, lambics, and dubbels. Finish your time in Bruge with a stroll through the old city, which looks particularly enchanting when it’s softly illuminated at night.

With many of World War I’s violent battles being fought around Ypres, the Flanders region of north Belgium is home to some of Europe’s most important historic sites of the Great War. Among the 185 WWI military cemeteries, here are a number of the most important battle sites in Flanders.

First Battle of Ypres

The First Battle of Ypres raged from October 19 to November 22, 1914, on the Ypres Salient, and saw Allied forces locked in combat with German soldiers along the Western Front—from Arras in France to Nieuport on the Belgian shores. During the battle, both sides struggled to beat the other to reach the coastline north of their rivals, and the fight spilled over into the Battle of the Yser.

Battle of Passchendaele

Also known as the Third Battle of Ypres, the Battle of Passchendaele spanned from July to November 1917. During the fight, Allied soldiers clashed with German Empire forces over control of the high ground to the south and east of the Belgian city of Ypres. Passchendaele itself lies on a ridge just to the east of Ypres—ground that had proved pivotal in the German 4th Army’s rail supply chain.

Battle of Messines

From early to mid-June 1917, General Sir Herbert Plumer of the British Second Army led his forces in what was to become known as the Battle of Messines. The goal was to forge German generals to move soldiers from Arras and Aigne to Flanders Fields, and in doing so, relieve beleaguered French forces on the Aisne front.

Battle of Lys

The Battle of Lys—otherwise recorded as the Lys Offensive or the Fourth Battle of Ypres—took place from April 7 to April 29, 1918. German forces orchestrated the battle with the aim of pushing back British forces to the shoreline and capturing Ypres once and for all.

While it’s common for visitors to only spend a day—or even just a few hours—in Bruges, it’s worth basing yourself in the city for a little longer if possible. With three days in Bruges, you’ll have enough time to get a feel for the city’s sights and flavors and still have plenty of time to get out of town to learn about the surrounding region’s World War I history. Here’s how.

Day 1: Historic Highlights

Spend your first day hitting up Bruges’ major sites, starting with its star attraction: the medieval city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site full of Gothic Flemish buildings. At the heart of the old city, set amongst numerous canals and cobblestoned lanes, are two main squares: the Markt, home to the neo-Gothic Provincial Palace, and Burg Square, with its Gothic City Hall (Stadhuis) completed in 1420 as well as the 12th-century Basilica of the Holy Blood. Then make your way toward the Church of Our Lady (Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk), even just to take a quick photo of its 400-foot (122-meter) spire, the tallest structure in the city. From here, it’s a quick walk to the Beguinage, originally built to house Beguines (semimonastic laypeople); today it features a history museum and crafts workshops. Finish your day off at the Lake of Love (Minnewater), a verdant lakeside park popular with couples on romantic strolls.

Day 2: Beer, Chocolate, and Art

Spend your second day exploring two of Belgium's most celebrated exports: chocolate and beer. Join a small-group tour focusing on one or both to see the highlights with a guide, or head out on your own to visit Choco-Story, where you can learn about the chocolate manufacture process, taste locally crafted chocolates, and sign up for a workshop to learn how to make chocolate yourself. From here, make your way over to the Lace Center (Kantcentrum) to learn all about the traditional craft of lace-making and even see a live demonstration. Afterward, choose one of the city’s popular beer-themed attractions: the Bruges Beer Experience, an interactive and family-friendly museum with its own 16-tap bar, or the Halve Maan Brewery, a working brewery dating back to the 16th century that offers regular tours. Alternatively, if you're more into art than beer, the Groeningemuseum is among the finest art museums in the country, with an exceptional collection of pieces from the likes of Jan van Eyck and Hieronymus Bosch.

Day 3: The Fields of Flanders

Travelers with an interest in World War I history will be familiar with the Battle of Flanders, five battles that took place in the area from 1914 to 1918. Monuments and memorials are spread across the region, particularly in Mesen and Ypres. Some of the former battlefields have been transformed into natural areas with interpretive signs detailing the events that took place in the area; the Ypres Salient is particularly worth visiting. Those wanting to deepen their understanding of the sites may opt to hire a private local guide or join a small-group battlefields tour from Bruges.

While many people only spend a few hours or a day in Bruges, two days will give you the chance to properly get a feel for the charming old city and its numerous historic and cultural attractions. Here’s how to make the most of your time.

Day 1: Historic Bruges

**Morning:**Spend your first morning in Bruges in the heart of the medieval city center. Begin with the main square (Markt), which houses numerous cafés and attractions such as the Belfort (belfry) and the Provinciaal Hof. A 2-minute walk away, Burg Square is also worth visiting, even just to gawk at the Gothic City Hall (Stadhuis).

**Afternoon:**After lunch, head over to the Lake of Love (Minnewater), with its romance-inspiring gardens and waterways and elegant resident swans. From here, it's a quick jaunt south to the Beguinage, a medieval complex with traditional whitewashed Flemish architecture, a few craft workshops, and a history museum focused on the semimonastic Beguines of medieval Flanders.

**Night:**As night falls, head back to the Markt area for dinner, where you’ll find plenty of charming restaurants and pubs to choose from. If the weather is nice, try to nab a spot on a brasserie terrace for some top-notch people watching, or take an evening stroll through the narrow medieval streets of the old city.

Day 2: Made in Belgium

**Morning:**Spend your second day learning about Belgian products, notably lace, chocolate, and beer. Start with a morning visit to Choco-Story, a chocolate museum with displays about the history and manufacture of chocolate. Tastings are part of the experience, and optional workshops are available for those who want to deepen their knowledge.

**Afternoon:**In the afternoon, head over to the Lace Center (Kantcentrum), housed in the former Apostline Sisters' lace school. Here you can learn all about lace-making and even see live demonstrations. Next, make your way to the Bruges Beer Experience, which offers an educational, interactive glimpse into the history and manufacture of beer.

**Night:**After the Beer Experience, you can stick around for a beer or two or head back to town for dinner. Beyond bars and restaurants, Bruges doesn’t have much in terms of nightlife, though the city does have a handful of nightclubs along with special evening events, particularly in the summer months. Any time of year, an evening stroll through the illuminated medieval center is a lovely way to top off your time in Bruges.

Each of Flanders’ cities is worthy of an individual trip, but with only a few days to spare, it’s still possible to cram in the main highlights. Here are some ideas for how to spend 3 days in Flanders. 

Day 1: Brussels & Antwerp

Start the day in the Belgian capital (and de facto capital of the European Union), Brussels, where you’ll have time to stroll the historic Grand Place overlooked by the imposing Gothic Town Hall and check off key sights like the Triumphal Arch, the Belgian Parliament and St Michael’s Cathedral. With just half a day, you’ll barely scratch the surface of the cosmopolitan capital before it’s on to fashion-forward Antwerp, Belgium’s second largest city. Ardent fashionistas will want to make a beeline for the Mode Museum, but don’t miss out on the views from the MAS Museum; the Rubenshaus, the former studio of Antwerp’s most famous artist; and the Cathedral of Our Lady, home to four Rubens masterpieces.

Day 2: Ghent & Bruges

The show-stopping towns of Ghent and Bruges showcase Belgium at its most undeniably picturesque and their flower-lined medieval squares and towering cathedrals could be lifted straight from a postcard. Check off highlights like the St Bavo Cathedral, St Nicolas Church and the Castle of the Counts of Flanders in Ghent, then journey to Bruges for a scenic boat cruise along the canal ways and a tour of the famous Beguinage.

Day 3: Ypres & Flanders’ Fields

The fields of red poppies that sprung up along one of the most notorious Salients of WWI made the battlefields of Flanders famous around the world, and you can’t visit Flanders without paying your respects to the fallen soldiers at one of the poignant memorials. Visit the world’s largest German and Commonwealth war cemeteries, Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Cemetery and Vladso German Cemetery; walk along the remains of the western front at the ‘Trenches of Death’; fill in the gaps in your knowledge at the In Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres; then catch the 8pm Last Post ceremony. 

Flanders—the Dutch-speaking region of northern Belgium—is a hub of striking medieval architecture, as well as beautifully preserved cities and romantic waterways. Here are the essential medieval landmarks to seek out in the Flemish cities of Bruges, Ghent, and Ypres.

Bruges

The streets and canals of Bruges, a bustling commercial center during the medieval era, still follow the plan that was laid out in the Middle Ages. Surviving gates and ramparts hint at the fortification wall that used to ring the city. Within its historical center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the medieval Market Square (Markt) has been used as a marketplace since the 10th century. Spot the 12th-century belfry, easily distinguished by its soaring tower, and one of the city’s last remaining timber-fronted houses at 7 Genthof. The Burg, another of Bruges’ busy squares, is home to the Basilica of the Holy Blood (Basiliek van het Heilig Bloed), which dates to the 12th century and features an elaborately sculpted facade.

Ghent

The original wooden structure of St. Bavo’s Cathedral (Sint-Baafskathedraal), one of Ghent’s medieval highlights, has since been replaced and modernized, but venture inside to view the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb (also known as the Ghent Altarpiece), a 15th-century masterpiece by brothers Hubert and Jan van Eyck. Begun in the 13th century, St. Nicholas’ Church (Sint-Niklaaskerk) is one of the city’s oldest and most recognizable structures. The UNESCO-listed Ghent Belfry, which soars to 299 feet (91 meters), is the loftiest in Belgium. Other medieval highlights include the Castle of the Counts (Gravensteen) and the Graslei, the city’s historical port.

Ypres

Ypres was also a busy commercial city in the medieval era, particularly renowned for its textiles. The enormous Cloth Hall (Lakenhalle) was built in the 13th century and painstakingly restored after the ravages of World War I. Other reconstructed medieval landmarks can be found across the city, from the Het Steen medieval stone house to the centuries-old Butcher’s House.

Two days in Antwerp allow you to go beyond the historic center and important museums to explore the neighborhoods responsible for the city’s cosmopolitan reputation, such as trendy Zuid, home of cutting-edge galleries and chic boutiques. Here’s how to get the most out of two days in Belgium’s second-largest city.

Day 1: Artistic Antwerp

**Morning:**Rise early, jump aboard a hop-on hop-off bus, and head straight to the Rubens House (Rubenshuis) to enter the world of Peter Paul Rubens, Antwerp’s most illustrious son. Explore opulently furnished rooms filled with antique furniture and Rubens masterpieces before heading over to the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.

**Afternoon:**Tick off more sights in less time on a bike tour. Options for exploring the cycle-friendly city are plentiful: Visit the De Koninck city brewery for beer tasting or the district of Burie, famous for its Belgian chocolate. Another option is to combine a bike tour of the historic center with a cruise on the River Scheldt. 

**Night:**Spend the evening getting acquainted with Belgium’s culinary scene, which is most famous for its beer, waffles, and chocolate. Stray from the beaten path and discover local haunts on a beer-tasting tour, or get the inside scoop on the best Antwerp eateries during a food tour that also focuses on the city’s history. 

Day 2: Get Out of the Old Town

**Morning:**Dedicate your second day in Antwerp to exploring districts outside of the historic center. Zoom along the banks of the River Scheldt on a Segway tour that reveals both top attractions and hidden gems and includes stops at Green Square (Groenplaats) and the Diamond District, considered the diamond capital of the world. 

**Afternoon:**Take a few hours to explore Zuid, a former industrial district that now proves Antwerp is Belgium’s capital of cool. Indulge a love of modern art at FOMU photography museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp, where you’ll also find an art-house cinema and rooftop restaurant, before relaxing in a quirky café. 

**Night:**Once the sun has set, head to the bustling Grand Market Place (Grote Markt), which comes alive at night. Admire illuminated buildings such as the Cathedral of Our Lady and the ornate Antwerp Town Hall before enjoying Belgian delicacies such as french fries and craft beer at one of the restaurants surrounding the square. 

As the capital of the Flemish-speaking Oost-Vlaanderen (East Flanders) province in northern Belgium, Ghent is an important inland port and a buzzing university city. It’s also a medieval masterpiece, right up there with its neighbor Bruges for its spectacular Flemish Gothic architecture. 

Day One: Explore the City

Take a day to enjoy the buzzing streets of Ghent; discover the medieval splendors of Graslei and Korenlei; see the Adoration of the Mystic Lamb in the landmark St Bavo’s Cathedral; and climb to the top of the Belfry for views across the city rooftops. Come evening, head north of the River Leie to fashionable Patershol for a gourmet supper.

Day Two: Remember the Dead

Pay your respects to the fallen of World War I with a tour of the battlefields of Flanders; walk in the trenches that marked the Western Front, see the countless rows of tombstones at Tyne Cot Cemetery and journey to Ypres, around which much of the fiercest fighting raged. Remember the dead at the sobering In Flanders Fields Museum, grab supper in Ypres’ main square and attend the heart-rending Last Post Ceremony, held in the Menin Gate Memorial at 8pm nightly. 

Day Three: Art and Design

Kick-start a day of culture in the superb Design Museum Ghent, then hop on a tram for the 10-minute journey south to Citadelpark for its brace of top-rate art museums (Flemish and contemporary). Pop into STAM, Ghent’s newest – and most entertaining – museum, to learn all about the city’s long journey from medieval to modern, and round off the evening at one of the many open-air restaurants along the quaysides of Graslei and Korenlei.  

Three days in Antwerp gives you ample time to enjoy the city’s highlights and still take in another European city. Whether you want to focus on Antwerp’s art scene or cross the border to Amsterdam, here’s how to make the most of three days in Belgium’s second city. 

Day 1: History and Heritage of Antwerp

Devote day one to orienting yourself in the historic center of Antwerp, which is characterized by grand, baroque buildings and centered around Grand Market Square (Grote Markt). Jump aboard a hop-on hop-off bus for an overview of top Antwerp attractions, which include the Rubens House (Rubenshuis) and the De Koninck Brewery. An Antwerp City Card grants you free entry to both and includes unlimited use of public transport. Then, head to the Diamond District, home to one of the world’s largest diamond showrooms. 

In the afternoon, go farther afield on a bike tour and indulge your sweet tooth with some of Belgium’s famous chocolate. Evenings in Antwerp are made for relaxing with Belgian beer and crispy french fries, which are typically covered in mayonnaise and ketchup. Get the inside scoop on Antwerp’s best eateries during an evening food tour. 

Day 2: Crossing the Borders of Europe

Belgium is nestled between France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, making it an ideal launchpad for exploring the rest of Europe. You can opt to take the train independently or use a private transfer service, which comes with the freedom to customize your sightseeing itinerary. Choose to explore the Amsterdam Canal Ring, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the windmills of Zaanse Schans on a day trip to the Netherlands, or tour more of Belgium during a visit to the administrative capital of Brussels and the medieval town of Bruges, hailed as one of the prettiest places in Europe. Trips to Brussels take around half a day, making them the ideal choice for visitors with limited time. 

Day 3: The Capital of Cool

Spend your final day exploring the neighborhoods that contribute to Antwerp’s reputation as the capital of cool. A great way to do this is on a Segway tour, which provides safe and speedy travel between dispersed sights. Zoom along the banks of the Scheldt River, stopping to photograph the ultramodern Courts of Law, and end in the trendy neighborhood of Zuid, home to some of Antwerp’s most prestigious art museums; enjoy 50% off admission with an Antwerp City Card. Dedicate an hour to exploring the Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp, where you’ll also find a rooftop restaurant and an art-house cinema. Toast your final evening in Antwerp with a pint of Belgian beer on a beer tour, which provides local insight into some of the city’s best nightlife venues. 

Antwerp’s small size and close proximity to several European countries make it easy to explore in just a day. Whether you want to wander the historic Old Town, browse jewelry shops for dazzling diamonds, or indulge in Belgian chocolate and beer, here’s how to get the most out of 24 hours in Belgium’s capital of cool. 

Morning: City Sightseeing

Orient yourself in the historic center of the city on a hop-on hop-off bus tour, which gives you the freedom to disembark at attractions of your choice. Jump off at Grand Market Place (Grote Markt van Antwerpen), a triangular-shaped marketplace surrounded by grand, 16th-century buildings. Head inside the Cathedral of Our Lady (Onze Lieve Vrouwekathedraal), home to two famous paintings by Flemish baroque master Peter Paul Rubens. Pose for a photograph beside the Brabo Fountain, which represents the legend of Antwerp’s conception, and admire the candy-striped facade of Butcher’s Hall (Vleeshuis), a former meat market turned music history museum.

Afternoon: Be Dazzled by Diamonds

Begin by admiring the interior and exterior of Central Station, a transit hub so grand that it’s nicknamed the Railway Cathedral by locals. From here, board the dedicated diamond bus and spend the afternoon exploring Antwerp’s Diamond District, through which 84% of the world’s uncut diamonds pass every year. Soak up the multicultural atmosphere created by Indian, Lebanese, Russian, and Chinese gem dealers, and take a guided tour of Diamondland, the largest diamond showroom in Antwerp. Guided tours offer a glimpse into the workshop, where you’ll see craftspeople polishing gems and creating diamond jewelry.   

Night: Make a Toast to Belgian Beer

No visit to Belgium would be complete without sampling some of the country’s world-famous beer. Kick-start your evening in Antwerp on a beer-tasting tour led by a local, during which you’ll visit several bars and taste distinctive beer types. You can also add a stop at the De Koninck Brewery to the start of your tour to get the inside scoop on how Belgian beers are brewed and manufactured. For dinner, be sure to sample local classics such as crispy french fries smothered in mayonnaise and fluffy waffles drizzled with Belgian chocolate. 

Some of the fiercest fighting of World War I took place in the trenches of Flanders, Belgium. With other WWI sites such as Passchendaele and Tyne Cot Cemetery nearby, Ghent is an ideal base from which to explore the region. Here are some key WWI landmarks to visit from Ghent.

Highlights

• Visit Gravenstafel, Passchendaele, and Ypres; stop at the Messines (New Zealand) Ridge Memorial; and see where soldiers served on the Western Front in Belgium during the Great War.

• Take a battlefield tour of the Trench of Death at Diksmuide and gain insight into the horrors of trench warfare.

• Stand in honor of the fallen soldiers of the Ypres Salient during the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres.

• Pay your respects at the war graves of Passchendaele, Polygon Wood, or Tyne Cot.

• Discover open craters and reinforced bunkers on the preserved battlefield of Hill 60.

With some 130 breweries making more than 600 styles of beer, diminutive Belgium has become a beer heavyweight. The Flanders region has been brewing specialty beers in Belgium since the Middle Ages. Here are the best bets for beer enthusiasts to explore the brewing scene.

Must-Try Brews

Flemish brewing traditions differ from those in the French-speaking south of Belgium. The region, particularly Bruges, has a long tradition of gruit ales —beers made with herbs and spices to stall oxidation instead of hops. While lambics might be Belgium’s most famous sour beers, it’s Flanders red and Flanders brown ales that are indigenous to this northern region. Many of Belgium’s most famous and historic breweries can be found in Flanders; sample Hoegaarden, Brugse Zot, Stella Artois, and Leffe right from the source. Belgium is home to six of the world’s 11 Trappist breweries, so don’t leave without sampling some Trappist beer made by monks.

Must-Do Experiences

• Sample from a wide selection of Belgian beers at a local beer café in Brussels or Antwerp.

• Educate your taste buds with a tasting tour through Ghent with a local beer connoisseur.

• Explore Belgium’s beer-making heritage and beer culture at the interactive Bruges Beer Experience.

• Tour a brewery where some of the country’s most famous beers are produced.