What to do and see in Flanders, Flanders: The Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day

October 9, 2021 Sheron Bogner

Discover the best top things to do in Flanders, Belgium including Last Post ceremony, For Freedom Museum, Menin Gate Memorial, Antwerpen-Centraal, Cathedral of Our Lady, Basilica of the Holy Blood, Belfort, Gravensteen, St. Bavo's Cathedral (Sint-Baafskathedraal), Town Hall (Stadhuis).
Restaurants in Flanders

1. Last Post ceremony

Menin Gate, Ieper (Ypres) Belgium http://www.lastpost.be/
Excellent
87%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,613 reviews

Last Post ceremony

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.

2. For Freedom Museum

Ramskapellestraat 91 - 93, Knokke-Heist 8301 Belgium +32 50 68 71 30 [email protected] http://www.forfreedommuseum.be/
Excellent
80%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 271 reviews

For Freedom Museum

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!

3. Menin Gate Memorial

Menenstraat Poort gebouw, Ieper (Ypres) 8900 Belgium +32 57 23 92 20 http://www.lastpost.be/en/home
Excellent
88%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4,861 reviews

Menin Gate Memorial

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.

4. Antwerpen-Centraal

Koningin Astridplein 27, Antwerp 2018 Belgium +32 2 528 28 28 http://www.belgianrail.be/en/stations-and-train/search-a-station/6/antwerpen-centraal.aspx
Excellent
68%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 8,287 reviews

Antwerpen-Centraal

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.

5. Cathedral of Our Lady

Groenplaats 21, Antwerp 2000 Belgium +32 3 213 99 51 [email protected] http://www.dekathedraal.be/
Excellent
62%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,480 reviews

Cathedral of Our Lady

Reviewed By Roangori - Antwerp, Belgium

Impressive cathedral, interesting walking around with a guide, for free, getting to know how Antwerp was and still us an important city, harbour.. my goal visiting is admiring Peter Paul Rubens masterpieces

6. Basilica of the Holy Blood

Burg 13, Bruges 8000 Belgium +32 50 33 67 92 [email protected] http://www.holyblood.com/
Excellent
57%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5,027 reviews

Basilica of the Holy Blood

This chapel contains a phial that reputedly contains Christ's blood brought back from the Crusades.

Reviewed By aline901 - Beirut, Lebanon

This is a beautiful Basilica that comprises two level churches. It is snugly located in a corner of Burg Square, the Basilica of the Holy Blood consists of a Romanesque lower chapel and a Gothic upper chapel The lower level church, a dark Romanesque structure, is so beautiful and has amazing statues of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. The upper level church, connected by staircase, is amazing with modern and gothic style, houses the Relic of the Holy Blood. We were so lucky to visit on a Sunday morning when they held a mass and the Relic was on display afterwards for visitors to see it and get the blessings.

7. Belfort

Markt 7, Bruges 8000 Belgium +32 50 44 87 43 http://bezoekers.brugge.be/en/belfort-belfry
Excellent
53%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7,834 reviews

Belfort

The most important of Bruges' towers stands 83 metres tall. It houses, amongst other things, a carillon with 47 melodious bells. In the reception area, waiting visitors can discover all kinds of interesting information about the history and working of this unique world-heritage protected belfry. Those who take on the challenge of climbing the tower can pause for a breather on the way up in the old treasury, where the city's charters, seal and public funds were kept during the Middle Ages, and also at the level of the impressive clock or in the carillonneur's chamber. Finally, after a tiring 366 steps, your efforts will be rewarded with a breath-taking and unforgettable panoramic view of Bruges and her surroundings.

Reviewed By colinb977 - Peterborough, United Kingdom

272feet (83m) 366 steps to the top, but well worth the effort,because the view is marvellous, There are a couple of landings on the way up with interesting items to see, while you catch your breath. At the top the carilllion chimed while we were there, Get there at opening time 09.30hrs because when we got down loads of people were queueing,

8. Gravensteen

Sint-Veerleplein 11, Ghent 9000 Belgium +32 9 225 93 06 http://gravensteen.stad.gent
Excellent
47%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5,013 reviews

Gravensteen

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

9. St. Bavo's Cathedral (Sint-Baafskathedraal)

Sint-Baafsplein Casco Historico de la Ciudad, Ghent 9000 Belgium +32 9 225 16 26 http://www.sintbaafskathedraal.be/
Excellent
60%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,171 reviews

St. Bavo's Cathedral (Sint-Baafskathedraal)

Reviewed By john_tabac - Southampton, United Kingdom

St Bavo’s Cathedral was a 12th century Romanesque church which dedicated to St John the Baptist. During the 15th and 16th centuries, was converted into the imposing Gothic St Bavo’s Cathedral. It has a rich history and it is also filled with art treasures. From the baroque high altar in white, black and red flamed marble, the Rococo pulpit in oak, gilded wood and marble, a masterpiece by Rubens, the Calvary Triptych by Justus van Gent, the Gothic sanctuary lamp, the opulent tombs of the Bishops of Ghent – and the world-famous Mystic Lamb. St Bavo’s Cathedral is still used for worship and although it has a sign that cameras are not allowed inside, everybody take pictures and security staff didn't say anything. Only in Mystic Lamb they don't allow pictures.

10. Town Hall (Stadhuis)

Great Market Square 9, Leuven Belgium +32 490 56 33 66 http://www.leuven.be/vrije-tijd/toerisme/bezienswaardigheden/monumenten/stadhuis.jsp
Excellent
70%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,299 reviews

Town Hall (Stadhuis)

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.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.