Best Things to Do in Flanders (2026 Guide)

Flanders is the part of Belgium most visitors experience — its medieval Flemish cities (Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp, Mechelen) concentrate some of the finest Gothic architecture, early Flemish painting, and brewing tradition in Europe. The best things to do in Flanders span the Gruuthuse Museum and Groeningemuseum in Bruges, the Ghent Altarpiece in Sint-Baafs Cathedral (Jan van Eyck’s 15th-century masterpiece, recently restored), the fashion and diamond district of Antwerp, and the World War I memorial landscape of the Ypres Salient. Flanders is compact — all major cities are within 90 minutes of each other by train — and rewards multi-city itineraries.

Best time to visit

April to October is ideal for outdoor sightseeing. Bruges is at peak beauty in spring (canals, tulips, blossom) and autumn (golden light, fewer tourists). Christmas markets in Bruges and Ghent (November-December) are among Belgium’s finest. The Ghent Festival (Gentse Feesten, mid-July) is ten days of free outdoor music and theatre that transforms the city into a giant street party. Summer weekends in Bruges can be overwhelming with day-trippers; stay overnight to experience the city after the crowds leave.

Getting around

Belgium’s rail network (SNCB/NMBS) is excellent and cheap: Bruges to Brussels is 1 hour, Ghent to Brussels 30 minutes, Antwerp to Brussels 40 minutes. Bruges is best explored on foot or by bike; the city is almost entirely flat. Ghent’s historic centre is walkable; the Ghent city bike (Blue-Bike) network is very good. Antwerp has trams and metros. Driving in Bruges is actively discouraged (the car-free historic centre requires a permit).

What to eat and drink

Flanders is one of Europe’s great eating regions. Belgian fries (the real thing: double-fried in beef fat, served with mayo) are available at every frituur. Moules-frites (mussels with fries) is the Belgian national dish. Waffles come in two forms — Brussels (light, crispy, yeasted) and Liège (dense, sweet, with pearl sugar baked in) — and are not remotely like their tourist-trap imitations. Belgian chocolate: Neuhaus, Pierre Marcolini, and Dominique Persoone’s Chocolate Line in Bruges are the serious names. Beer is a religion: Bruges has De Halve Maan brewery (Brugse Zot and Straffe Hendrik), Ghent has Gruut beer brewed with herbs not hops, and Antwerp has De Koninck (the working man’s classic).

Cities to explore

Bruges — The best-preserved medieval city in Northern Europe: Markt square, Belfry tower (climb for city views), canal boat tours, the Basilica of the Holy Blood, and Groeningemuseum (Flemish Primitives collection). Stay overnight to see it without day-trippers.

Ghent — A university city with three medieval towers visible from the Korenlei waterfront, Gravensteen Castle (moated, 12th-century), and the Mystic Lamb — van Eyck’s Ghent Altarpiece in Sint-Baafs Cathedral (completed 1432, one of the most important paintings in history). Better-preserved and less touristy than Bruges.

Antwerp — Belgium’s fashion and diamond capital. The fashion district around Nationalestraat, the Antwerp Six fashion house legacy (Dries Van Noten), the MAS (Museum aan de Stroom), and Rubens House. Central Station is one of Europe’s most beautiful railway stations.

Mechelen — Often overlooked: a compact Flemish city between Brussels and Antwerp with a stunning cathedral (Saint Rumbold’s, currently being restored), a De Wit tapestry restoration workshop, and the excellent Lamot cultural centre. Almost no tourists.

Ypres (Ieper) — The World War I centre of Flanders: the Menin Gate (Last Post ceremony every evening at 8pm since 1928), In Flanders Fields Museum, and the surrounding Ypres Salient battlefields and cemeteries.