The Flemish Region is the Dutch-speaking northern part of Belgium, home to Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp, Leuven, Mechelen, Hasselt, Ypres and the North Sea coast.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Flemish Region.
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1
Belfry of Bruges (Belfort)
13th-century market tower with a 366-step climb to a carillon and panoramic view over Bruges.
Tip: Book a timed ticket online to skip the longest queues · Arrive at opening or after 16:00 for fewer people on the stairs · Wear flat shoes; the spiral stair is narrow and worn · Check the carillon concert schedule if music is a priority · Store large bags before climbing; space is tight
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2
Markt and Historic Centre of Bruges (UNESCO)
Medieval market square ringed by guild houses, the heart of the UNESCO-listed historic centre.
Tip: Visit before 9:00 or after 18:00 to avoid day-trippers. · Photograph the gables from the north-east corner in morning light. · Eat one street away from the square for lower prices. · Cobbles are uneven, so wear sturdy shoes. · Combine with the Burg and Rozenhoedkaai on one walking loop.
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3
Groeningemuseum
Museum of Flemish Primitives with works by Jan van Eyck, Hans Memling and Gerard David.
Tip: Visit on a weekday morning for the quietest galleries · Buy a Musea Brugge combi ticket if seeing several museums · Take the audio guide to get context on the van Eyck panels · Remember the museum is closed on Mondays · Check museabrugge.be for free-entry categories for under-18s
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4
Basilica of the Holy Blood
Romanesque chapel and upper basilica housing a relic of the Holy Blood, with a small treasury museum.
Tip: Check seasonal hours; the basilica closes around midday · Visit on a Friday to see the relic venerated · Dress modestly as this is an active place of worship · Combine with the Burg square and town hall next door · Expect a small fee for the treasury museum
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5
Begijnhof (Beguinage) of Bruges
Tranquil walled beguinage with whitewashed houses and a lawn of daffodils in spring; part of UNESCO's Flemish Beguinages.
Tip: Visit in March or early April for the daffodils · Keep voices low; nuns still live on site · Arrive early morning or late afternoon to avoid tour groups · Do not walk on the lawn · Combine with the Minnewater park walk
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6
Gravensteen (Castle of the Counts)
12th-century moated castle of the Counts of Flanders with torture-chamber exhibits and rooftop views.
Tip: Go on a weekday morning to avoid peak crowds · Use the included audio guide for context · Wear grippy shoes; stairs and ramparts are uneven · Allow time for the Patershol district afterward · Check the website for discounted combination tickets
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7
Graslei and Korenlei
Two facing quays of guild houses on the River Leie, Ghent's most photographed view.
Tip: Photograph from Sint-Michielsbrug for the classic view · Come at sunset or early morning for the best light · Take a short canal cruise from the nearby jetties · Watch the water edge; there are no railings in places · Expect crowds on summer evenings and weekends
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8
St Bavo's Cathedral and the Ghent Altarpiece
Gothic cathedral holding Van Eyck's 1432 Adoration of the Mystic Lamb.
Tip: Visit on a weekday morning for the shortest queues. · Use the audio guide to understand the panel iconography. · Check sintbaafskathedraal.be for altarpiece viewing hours before arriving. · Photography of the altarpiece is not allowed. · Dress modestly and keep quiet, as services take place here.
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9
Museum of Fine Arts Ghent (MSK)
Fine arts museum in Citadel Park with Bosch, Rubens and Flemish Primitives.
Tip: Closed Mondays, so plan for Tuesday to Sunday. · Visit on a weekday afternoon to avoid school groups. · Free entry for visitors under 19. · Check msk.be for temporary exhibitions and supplements. · Combine with a walk through Citadel Park.
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10
MAS - Museum aan de Stroom
Red-sandstone port-city museum; the free rooftop gives a 360-degree view of Antwerp.
Tip: The rooftop terrace is free, even without a museum ticket. · Go in late afternoon for sunset views, or at opening for fewer people. · Closed Mondays. · Visitors under 19 enter free. · Tram 7 or 24 to Droogdok is the easiest approach.
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Landmarks
Belfry of Bruges (Belfort)
13th-century market tower with a 366-step climb to a carillon and panoramic view over Bruges.
Markt and Historic Centre of Bruges (UNESCO)
Medieval market square ringed by guild houses, the heart of the UNESCO-listed historic centre.
Gravensteen (Castle of the Counts)
12th-century moated castle of the Counts of Flanders with torture-chamber exhibits and rooftop views.
Graslei and Korenlei
Two facing quays of guild houses on the River Leie, Ghent's most photographed view.
Antwerp Central Station (Antwerpen-Centraal)
1905 railway cathedral with a 75 m dome and four-level terminal, often ranked among the world's most beautiful stations.
Het Steen
Medieval waterfront fortress on the Scheldt, one of Antwerp's oldest buildings, with a riverside promenade.
Grote Markt and St Rumbold's Cathedral
Square with the unfinished 97 m tower of St Rumbold's, climbable for a view and home to a carillon school.
Leuven Town Hall (Stadhuis)
Late-Gothic civic palace with 236 statues on its facade, facing the Gothic St Peter's Church.
Belgian Coast Tram (Kusttram)
World's longest tram line (about 68 km) running along the entire Flemish coast from De Panne to Knokke-Heist.
Museums
Groeningemuseum
Museum of Flemish Primitives with works by Jan van Eyck, Hans Memling and Gerard David.
Museum of Fine Arts Ghent (MSK)
Fine arts museum in Citadel Park with Bosch, Rubens and Flemish Primitives.
MAS - Museum aan de Stroom
Red-sandstone port-city museum; the free rooftop gives a 360-degree view of Antwerp.
Rubenshuis
Peter Paul Rubens's restored home and studio with an Italian-style garden.
Plantin-Moretus Museum
UNESCO-listed Renaissance printing house with the world's oldest surviving printing presses.
M - Museum Leuven
Museum combining medieval and contemporary art with a Mediterranean-style garden.
In Flanders Fields Museum
WWI museum inside the rebuilt Cloth Hall, using a personal bracelet to follow individual stories of the Ypres Salient.
Tour of Flanders Centre
Cycling museum for the Tour of Flanders with rentable routes in the Flemish Ardennes.
Hasselt Jenever Museum
Museum in a 19th-century distillery tracing Hasselt's jenever tradition, with tasting.
Nature
Hoge Kempen National Park
Flanders's only national park, with heath, pine forest, a treetop walk and extensive cycling and hiking trails.
Bokrijk Open-Air Museum
Open-air museum with relocated historic Flemish farms, villages and demonstrations set in a large park.
Cultural
Basilica of the Holy Blood
Romanesque chapel and upper basilica housing a relic of the Holy Blood, with a small treasury museum.
Begijnhof (Beguinage) of Bruges
Tranquil walled beguinage with whitewashed houses and a lawn of daffodils in spring; part of UNESCO's Flemish Beguinages.
St Bavo's Cathedral and the Ghent Altarpiece
Gothic cathedral holding Van Eyck's 1432 Adoration of the Mystic Lamb.
Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp
Belgium's largest Gothic church, with four altarpieces by Rubens including The Descent from the Cross.
Menin Gate Memorial and Last Post
Memorial to over 54,000 missing Commonwealth soldiers; the Last Post is sounded every evening at 20:00.
Tyne Cot Cemetery and Memorial
Largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the world, with nearly 12,000 graves and a visitor centre.
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Most museums open around 10:00-17:00 and close one weekday (usually Monday); churches may close at midday.
- Fees
- Major attractions cost approx EUR 12-16 (approx USD 14-18); many city squares, memorials and cemeteries are free.
- Best Times
- April-June and September for mild weather; Christmas markets in Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp in December.
- Booking
- Book timed tickets for the Belfry of Bruges, the Ghent Altarpiece and Gravensteen online; museum passes (Musea Brugge, Gent City Card, Antwerp City Card) save money. Exchange rate used: 1 EUR = 1.15 USD.
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Take the train between cities: Brussels to Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp are each 30-60 minutes.
Buy the Gent City Card (48/72 h) to cover most major sites plus public transport.
Check museum closing days; most close Monday.
Attend the Menin Gate Last Post at 20:00 daily in Ypres.
Frequently asked questions
How many days are needed to see the main sights of Flanders?
Three to five days cover Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp comfortably, with Mechelen, Leuven or Ypres as day trips by train. Bruges and Ghent are each worth a full day.
Is a city card worth buying?
The Gent City Card (48 or 72 hours) covers most major sites and public transport in Ghent and pays off when visiting three or more paid attractions. Bruges and Antwerp also sell city cards that bundle museums.
Which day do Flemish museums close?
Most museums, including the Gravensteen in Ghent and the Groeninge Museum in Bruges, close on Mondays or have reduced hours, so check opening times before planning a visit.
Can the main towns be reached without a car?
Yes. Belgian Railways (SNCB) runs frequent trains from Brussels to Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp, Mechelen and Leuven in 30 to 70 minutes, and each town centre is walkable.
What is the Last Post ceremony in Ypres?
Buglers sound the Last Post at the Menin Gate every evening at 20:00 to honour the Commonwealth soldiers who died in the Ypres Salient. Arrive 30 minutes early for a place.