Top Things to do in Flanders
10 Things to do in Flanders That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Flanders, Belgium including Historic Centre of Brugge, Menin Gate Memorial, Antwerpen-Centraal, Gravensteen, The Markt, Graslei and Korenlei, Town Hall (Stadhuis), Groot Begijnhof, Atlantikwall Raversyde, Ghent City Center.
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. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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
5. 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!
6. 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!)
7. Town Hall (Stadhuis)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,299 reviews
Reviewed By GeryF17 - Leuven, Belgium
This is one of my favourite spots in Leuven.You can enjoy the splendid architecture, the hundreds magnificent statues decorating the walls of the building in the soft lights of the Winter garden,that gets constructed every year during December and stays on until.the beginning of January. I had the pleasure to enter the building 5 years ago while attending a wedding ceremony.
8. 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.
9. Atlantikwall Raversyde
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,054 reviews
In accordance with the instructions of the National Security Council, you must book your visit in advance. You can do so by means of the online ticket system. See www.raversyde.be Raversyde has developed a circulation plan for both its sites, making sure visitors virtually always go in one direction and do not cross the path of other visitors. At the ANNO 1465 site, you can enter two of the four cottages; you can look inside through the windows of the other two. The rest of the museum is fully accessible save for a few minor elements. The audio guides are currently unavailable. At the Atlantikwall site, we have developed a completely new route avoiding any covered and narrow spaces. You cannot enter most of the bunkers. You can look inside several bunkers and large photo panels showing the interior of the closed spaces have been installed. Additional information panels have been installed to replace the audio guides, which are not handed out. Dogs are not allowed
Reviewed By account2018 - Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The combined ticket with ANNO 1465 (only €8 with the free Coast discount card) made excellent value. I was there for over 4 hours over both sites, excluding lunch. The WWII battery is very well presented, both gunnery and daily life, with detailed displays and dressed rooms. The newly WW1 section has a lot less to play with, and while some touches are lovely (the horizon of shipwrecks expand in the audio guide), it feels a bit thin. If you wonder where items 15-19 on the WW2 battery are, they are in the tunnel from the WW1 battery, which they assume you will visit first. park well inland and walk round ANNO 1465 to get there.
10. Ghent City Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,371 reviews
Reviewed By minervao2019
Amazingly beautiful small city, great Christmas Market, very scenic, great food and bars and a very short train ride from Brussels. Take a taxi into town if you are than 2 people. It’s a rather long walk specially if cold and rainy. It’s only 8E versus 3E for the tram pp. If you have an extra day and have to make a choice between Ghent and Brugge I recommend you choose Ghent.
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