Top Things to do in Flanders
10 Things to do Good for Kids in Flanders That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Flanders, Belgium including Historic Centre of Brugge, Last Post ceremony, For Freedom Museum, Menin Gate Memorial, Antwerpen-Centraal, Gravensteen, The Markt, Graslei and Korenlei, St Michael's Bridge, Groot Begijnhof.
Restaurants in Flanders
1. Historic Centre of Brugge
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 17,556 reviews
The historic center of Bruges has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000 thanks to its status as one of the commercial and cultural capitals of Europe and its enduring Gothic architecture. The Belgian city center is cited as a great example of a medieval historic settlement, even while it has evolved over the years.
Reviewed By Bubbles73uk - Weedon Bec, United Kingdom
I was just one day in Bruges and it was really really marvellous & so appealing. "The Venice of the North" is famous for its myriad canals, bridges & picturesque town square. Bruges is full of historic medieval buildings, old-style bars & cafes & speciality shops, soaring towers, historic churches, old whitewashed almshouses, chocolate & lace, quaint cobbled streets & the UNESCO World Heritage centre. If you have the opportunity to spend at least one day over there don’t waste it.
2. Last Post ceremony
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,613 reviews
Reviewed By IainS768 - Bethesda, United Kingdom
Everything that has been written about this Ceremony is true,if you can possibly make the journey to Ieper then you must experience this very moving tribute carried out at 8.00pm every night. I had the honour of laying a Wreath recently and this experience ranks as one of the most emotional moments in my life and one that I was honoured to have taken part in. We owe a debt of gratitude to the thousands of people who gave their life’s so willingly in the name of freedom.
3. For Freedom Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 271 reviews
Our Mission No inhabitant of the "Zwinstreek" and West Zeeland Flanders was spared repression and hardship between 1940 and 1944. This dark period in our history is the museum’s main theme. It is precisely this phase of our local past that we want to pass on to our children and grandchildren, in the hope that such war violence will not be repeated. Young people need to know that freedom has a price, a price our ancestors paid with hard currency. We must cherish freedom. This important message of peace and tolerance is given daily in the For Freedom Museum.
Reviewed By margotv310
One of the best WWII museums we ever visited! Very extended collection of military relics, beautiful real life stories, great audioguide and friendly staff. 100% recommended!
4. Menin Gate Memorial
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,861 reviews
Ypres (now Ieper) is a town in the Province of West Flanders. The Memorial is situated at the eastern side of the town on the road to Menin (Menen) and Courtrai (Kortrijk). The YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL now bears the names of more than 54,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield with sculpture by Sir William Reid-Dick, was unveiled by Lord Plumer on 24 July 1927. Each night at 8 pm the traffic is stopped at the Menin Gate while members of the local Fire Brigade sound the Last Post in the roadway under the Memorial's arches.
Reviewed By naggedman - Newbury, United Kingdom
Anyone can apply to lay a wreath at one of the 8pm ceremonies that have run every night for 90 years at this extraordinary memorial, thanks to the dedication of the Town's volunteers, including the buglers who play Last Post and a version of Reveille. On this evening there were children and youths from about ten schools, alongside the Royal Artillery Association standard bearer, here to present the standard to the Town in recognition of its extraordinary efforts to remember the fallen. Arrive early if you want a close to the arch front row position.
5. Antwerpen-Centraal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,287 reviews
Leopold II had this unusual rail station built as a neo-Baroque monument to the railway age in 1905.
Reviewed By HenkSpring - Antwerp, Belgium
Although an operating railway station the out and inside are worth a visit for its monumental grandeur. A late 19th. century with beautiful facade and a majestic interior. Look at the marble floors in the main hall, all made out of Belgian marble. Look up inside to the dome. A must do is have a coffee in the cafetaria (or foyer), when you walk in from the front go up the stairs and take a right. Beautifull interior, like a time capsule. The level ground platforms have an impressive glasshouselike ceiling. In the late 20th. century extensive works were carried out such as a tunnel underneath and a shopping centre in excavated levels without disturbing the main historical structure.
6. Gravensteen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,013 reviews
The only surviving "castle of the count."
Reviewed By Spud479 - London, United Kingdom
We visited on a red hot day and the castle was cool in more ways than one way lol For 12 Euros we collected the audio tour and chose the English tour, a Belgian comedian called Wouter Deprez gave a wonderfully funny version of this horrible history, he got the tone just right and We found ourselves laughing out loud on several occasions ???????? This is great value for money and a must see when in Ghent
7. The Markt
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,056 reviews
Reviewed By cvtmuench - Mesa, United States
Bruges is such a charming city: cobblestone streets, 17th century buildings, beautiful scenery along the canals, Christmas market, and hundreds of Catholic Churches. Mass at the Basilica of the Holy Blood and veneration of the relic, the only Michelangelo sculpture in Belgium (the Madonna and Child), and the tomb of Charles the Bold. Love Flanders!
8. Graslei and Korenlei
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,358 reviews
Reviewed By N3899ACrolandb - Ferndown, United Kingdom
Just a short stroll from central St.Michaels Bridge along each side of the quay,the range of picturesque and architectural styles are most pleasing to the eye;take along with you a descriptive guidebook,( available from the Tourist Office),and you will find interesting details of the purpose and history of the various buildings (alternatively,take the half hour informative boat trip there- currently a modest €7!)
9. St Michael's Bridge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,600 reviews
Reviewed By TUMBO10 - Essex, United Kingdom
Best views from here and is a key location to find the Christmas Markets in Ghent It is located close to many attractions as Gravensteen, The Belfry aswell Worth going to
10. Groot Begijnhof
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,134 reviews
Reviewed By Vizoog - Belgium, null
If you are visiting the Grand-Beguinage (UNESCO world heritage site, now owned by the university) nearby you can find an hidden gem. ‘De Grote Spui’, a medieval river lock complex established in 1365 BC From the backyard of Bistro ‘The Spuye’ you have a spectacular view of the system consisting of four arches with wooden lock gates. How to get there: Take Volmolenlaan in the direction of the Ring road (Tervuursevest). You will find a tunnel for pedestrians and cyclists, where the road crosses the river Dyle. Here is the entrance of the University Sports Facilities (Universitair Sportcentrum). The place is popular among both students and locals.
