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.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Belgian pralines and chocolate
Handmade pralines from chocolatiers in Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp, packed in boxes by weight.
Price: €10-40 per box (approx $12-46)
Where: Chocolatiers in Bruges (Simon Stevinplein, Eiermarkt) and Antwerp
Speculoos biscuits and spread
Spiced caramelised biscuits and the spread made from them, typical gifts.
Price: €2-6 per pack/jar (approx $2.3-6.9)
Where: Supermarkets and bakeries across Flanders
Belgian craft and Trappist beer
Local beers from Trappist and abbey breweries, sold with branded glasses.
Price: €2-8 per bottle (approx $2.3-9.2)
Where: Beer shops such as 2be Bruges and specialist shops in Ghent and Antwerp
Hasseltse jenever
Juniper spirit from Hasselt with a protected regional heritage, sold in stone bottles.
Price: €12-35 per bottle (approx $14-40)
Where: Nationaal Jenevermuseum shop and liquor stores in Hasselt
Bruges lace
Handmade bobbin lace items, from collars to table linens; machine-made lace is also sold.
Price: €10-150 (approx $12-172)
Where: 't Apostelientje and Kantcentrum, Bruges
Antwerp diamond jewellery
Certified diamonds and settings from shops near Antwerpen-Centraal.
Price: €300-5000 (approx $345-5750)
Where: Diamond District, Antwerp (Pelikaanstraat, Hoveniersstraat)
Gentse neuzekes (cuberdons)
Cone-shaped raspberry-flavoured candies with a soft centre, unique to Ghent.
Price: €3-8 per bag (approx $3.45-9.2)
Where: Temmerman, Kraanlei, Ghent and stalls around Korenmarkt
Tierenteyn-Verlent mustard
Strong, handmade Ghent mustard sold from a barrel in recycled jars.
Price: €3-8 per jar (approx $3.45-9.2)
Where: Tierenteyn-Verlent, Groentenmarkt, Ghent
Geraardsbergen mattentaart
Small pastry made with curd cheese, a regional speciality from East Flanders.
Price: €1.5-4 each (approx $1.72-4.6)
Where: Bakeries in Geraardsbergen
Comic books and Tintin souvenirs
Belgium's comic tradition (Tintin, Suske en Wiske, Lucky Luke) is available in English and Dutch editions.
Price: €10-30 (approx $12-34)
Where: Comic bookshops in Antwerp, Ghent and Brussels
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Meir
Antwerp's main pedestrian shopping street, running from Antwerpen-Centraal toward the Groenplaats, lined with chain stores, the Stadsfeestzaal gallery and historic facades.
Where: Antwerp
Hours: Shops typically Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM or 7PM; many open Sunday afternoons in the centre
Nationalestraat and Kammenstraat fashion district
Antwerp's fashion quarter, home of the Modemuseum (MoMu), the Modepaleis and many independent labels.
Where: Antwerp
Hours: Boutiques typically Tue-Sat 11AM-6PM, some closed Monday
Antwerp Diamond District
The square mile around Pelikaanstraat and Hoveniersstraat next to Antwerpen-Centraal where much of the world's rough diamonds are traded; retail shops offer certified stones.
Where: Antwerp
Hours: Shops typically Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM (Jewish Sabbath observed by many dealers: closed Saturday)
Antwerp Sunday bird market (Vogelenmarkt)
A long-running Sunday market on and around Theaterplein with stalls of pet supplies, plants, vintage goods and food.
Where: Antwerp
Hours: Sundays, typically 8AM-1PM
Veldstraat
Ghent's main shopping street, a pedestrian axis from Korenmarkt toward the Kouter, mixing chains and independent shops.
Where: Ghent
Hours: Shops typically Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM, some open Sunday afternoon
Vrijdagmarkt Ghent (Friday market)
A traditional weekly food and goods market on Ghent's historic Friday Market square, near the Dulle Griet bar and the Toreken tower.
Where: Ghent
Hours: Friday, typically 7AM-1PM
Kouter Sunday flower and antique market
A square in central Ghent known for its flower market (Sunday and Saturday) and a Sunday antiques market.
Where: Ghent
Hours: Sunday mornings, typically 8AM-1PM
Steenstraat Bruges
Bruges' main pedestrian shopping street connecting the Markt with 't Zand, with chain stores and local specialists.
Where: Bruges
Hours: Shops typically Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM, some open Sunday
Saturday market at 't Zand, Bruges
A Saturday market on the square next to the Concertgebouw, popular with locals for produce and clothing.
Where: Bruges
Hours: Saturday, typically 8AM-1PM
Wednesday market on the Markt, Bruges
A weekly market held on Bruges' main square around the Belfry and provincial court.
Where: Bruges
Hours: Wednesday, typically 7AM-1PM
Naamsestraat and Leuven centre
Leuven's central shopping axis, lined with university buildings, bookstores and cafes.
Where: Leuven
Hours: Shops typically Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM
Bruul Mechelen
Mechelen's main pedestrian street with a mix of chains and independent shops and short walks to the Grote Markt.
Where: Mechelen
Hours: Shops typically Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM, Saturday market on Bruul and Grote Markt
Hoogstraat and Hasselt centre
Hasselt is known as Belgium's fashion city in Limburg; Hoogstraat and nearby Demerstraat have boutiques and Hasselt's jenever shops.
Where: Hasselt
Hours: Shops typically Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM
Korte Steenstraat Kortrijk
The heart of Kortrijk's shopping district in West Flanders, near the Grote Markt and Broel Towers.
Where: Kortrijk
Hours: Shops typically Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM
Maasmechelen Village
Belgium's largest outlet village near Genk in Limburg, offering international brands in a village-style setting.
Where: Maasmechelen
Hours: Typically daily 10AM-7PM (varies by season)
Adolf Buylstraat Ostend
Ostend's main shopping street, running from the station area toward the seafront.
Where: Ostend
Hours: Shops typically Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM, Sunday on tourist days
Lippenslaan Knokke-Zoute
Knokke's premium shopping promenade with designer boutiques, art galleries and jewellery stores.
Where: Knokke-Heist
Hours: Shops typically 10AM-6PM, daily in season