{{filter.label}}
Holidays in Flanders
Flanders (or Flandern in Dutch) is a region in the northern part of Belgium, known for its rich cultural heritage, beautiful landscapes, and vibrant cities. The region is primarily Dutch-speaking, with a deep historical influence from the arts, architecture, and commerce. It is divided into five provinces: Antwerp, East Flanders, Flemish Brabant, West Flanders, and Limburg.
Capital: The capital of Flanders is Brussels, though it is a bilingual city with both Dutch and French spoken. Brussels is also the capital of Belgium and the European Union, though administratively, it is separate from the Flanders region.
History: Flanders has a rich history that dates back to the medieval period. It was an important center for trade, art, and culture. Cities like Bruges, Ghent, and Antwerp were major commercial hubs in the Middle Ages and continue to have a significant cultural influence today.
Bruges: Known as the "Venice of the North," Bruges is famous for its medieval architecture, canals, and cobbled streets. Visit the Belfry of Bruges, Markt Square, and the Basilica of the Holy Blood.
Ghent: Another beautiful city, Ghent boasts a medieval castle, the Gravensteen, and the Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, home to the famous Adoration of the Mystic Lamb painting.
Antwerp: Famous for its fashion scene, diamond district, and historical sites like Cathedral of Our Lady and Rubenshuis (the home and studio of the famous painter Peter Paul Rubens).
Cycling:
Flanders is a cycling paradise, with a dense network of bike paths. You can bike through scenic countryside, historic towns, or even follow the Flemish Ardennes, a region famous for its challenging cycling routes, often used in the Tour of Flanders race.
Art and Museums:
Visit the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp, which holds works from renowned artists like Rubens and Van Dyck.
Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) in Antwerp, focusing on contemporary art and history.
The Groeningemuseum in Bruges, known for its collection of Flemish Primitive paintings.
Enjoy Flanders’ Food and Drink:
Flanders is famous for its beer culture. There are many breweries where you can taste Belgian beers, like Trappist beer, Lambic, or the popular Duvel.
The region is also known for Belgian waffles, frites (fries), and chocolate. Try some authentic moules-frites (mussels with fries) in coastal towns.
Festivals:
Gentse Feesten (Ghent Festival): A large arts and music festival held in Ghent in July.
Tomorrowland: One of the biggest electronic music festivals in the world, held in Boom, just outside of Antwerp.
Carnival of Aalst: A UNESCO recognized carnival with vibrant parades, masks, and music.
Visit the Coast:
The Belgian Coast stretches along the North Sea and is dotted with beaches, resorts, and charming towns like Oostende. It's a great spot for beach walks, cycling along the coast, or even enjoying the local seafood.
WWI Sites and Memorials:
Flanders is rich in World War I history, with many battlefields, memorials, and cemeteries, particularly in the area around Ypres. The In Flanders Fields Museum and the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres are significant sites to visit.
Nature and Hiking:
Visit Hoge Kempen National Park in Limburg for hiking and wildlife spotting. The region is also known for its polluted bogs and wetlands that are unique to the landscape.
The Flemish Ardennes offers lovely hilltops, forests, and charming villages ideal for hiking and exploration.
Flanders is a region that combines modern life with a deep historical and cultural heritage. Whether you're into history, nature, art, or food, there's something for every type of traveler!
Capital: The capital of Flanders is Brussels, though it is a bilingual city with both Dutch and French spoken. Brussels is also the capital of Belgium and the European Union, though administratively, it is separate from the Flanders region.
History: Flanders has a rich history that dates back to the medieval period. It was an important center for trade, art, and culture. Cities like Bruges, Ghent, and Antwerp were major commercial hubs in the Middle Ages and continue to have a significant cultural influence today.
Bruges: Known as the "Venice of the North," Bruges is famous for its medieval architecture, canals, and cobbled streets. Visit the Belfry of Bruges, Markt Square, and the Basilica of the Holy Blood.
Ghent: Another beautiful city, Ghent boasts a medieval castle, the Gravensteen, and the Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, home to the famous Adoration of the Mystic Lamb painting.
Antwerp: Famous for its fashion scene, diamond district, and historical sites like Cathedral of Our Lady and Rubenshuis (the home and studio of the famous painter Peter Paul Rubens).
Cycling:
Flanders is a cycling paradise, with a dense network of bike paths. You can bike through scenic countryside, historic towns, or even follow the Flemish Ardennes, a region famous for its challenging cycling routes, often used in the Tour of Flanders race.
Art and Museums:
Visit the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Antwerp, which holds works from renowned artists like Rubens and Van Dyck.
Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) in Antwerp, focusing on contemporary art and history.
The Groeningemuseum in Bruges, known for its collection of Flemish Primitive paintings.
Enjoy Flanders’ Food and Drink:
Flanders is famous for its beer culture. There are many breweries where you can taste Belgian beers, like Trappist beer, Lambic, or the popular Duvel.
The region is also known for Belgian waffles, frites (fries), and chocolate. Try some authentic moules-frites (mussels with fries) in coastal towns.
Festivals:
Gentse Feesten (Ghent Festival): A large arts and music festival held in Ghent in July.
Tomorrowland: One of the biggest electronic music festivals in the world, held in Boom, just outside of Antwerp.
Carnival of Aalst: A UNESCO recognized carnival with vibrant parades, masks, and music.
Visit the Coast:
The Belgian Coast stretches along the North Sea and is dotted with beaches, resorts, and charming towns like Oostende. It's a great spot for beach walks, cycling along the coast, or even enjoying the local seafood.
WWI Sites and Memorials:
Flanders is rich in World War I history, with many battlefields, memorials, and cemeteries, particularly in the area around Ypres. The In Flanders Fields Museum and the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres are significant sites to visit.
Nature and Hiking:
Visit Hoge Kempen National Park in Limburg for hiking and wildlife spotting. The region is also known for its polluted bogs and wetlands that are unique to the landscape.
The Flemish Ardennes offers lovely hilltops, forests, and charming villages ideal for hiking and exploration.
Flanders is a region that combines modern life with a deep historical and cultural heritage. Whether you're into history, nature, art, or food, there's something for every type of traveler!
5 regions in Holidays in Flanders. Show all
Click to show the map