Welcome to Flanders

Bezoekerscentrum Sint-Baafskathedraal_© Piet De Kersgieter
Visitors admire The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb by the Van Eyck brothers in St. Bavo’s Cathedral in Ghent. The scene radiates awe and reverence.
© Piet De Kersgieter
Flanders. A region packed with history, heritage and arts. The cradle of cycling and the breeding ground for an unparalleled culinary culture. A region in the heart of Europe, with an inexhaustible wealth of natural beauty interspersed with historic castles and gardens. A place full of stories that stretch back centuries, thanks to our pioneering craftsmanship. Welcome to Flanders, where you will be welcomed with open arms.
Map highlighting Belgium, showing Brussels' travel times to London, Amsterdam, Paris, Cologne, and New York with icons. Flanders in yellow.

In the heart of Europe

Flanders, Belgium’s northern region, is located in the heart of Europe. It’s known for its chocolate, fries and beer, and has been praised worldwide for its impressive heritage and the progressive craftsmanship of its master painters and their descendants.

Flanders may be modest in size, but that's exactly why it's wonderful to discover by bicycle, for example. Discover the gems of heritage in their green, natural regions. Flanders is also perfect for exploring cities such as Antwerp, Bruges, Brussels, Ghent, Leuven and Mechelen. A multitude of arts, heritage, gastronomy and other highlights at just a stone's throw from each other.

Discover all the wonderful things Flanders has to offer

Plan your trip to Flanders

Are you planning a romantic weekend or perhaps an active holiday trip? We are delighted to get you off to a good start with these suggested travel itineraries. 
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Plus, with our AI travel guide, you can design your ideal trip in just a few clicks. Whether you opt for traditional or hidden gems: you will always receive a unique programme to match your personal needs and pace. 

Try the travel guide
Flanders Finest Hiking - Muziekbos wandelroute (116)
Two hikers walk along a forest path covered with autumn leaves among tall trees.
The selfie tile features a NaviLens code on the ground. From a few metres away, point your smartphone at the ground to locate the code. Does the app indicate that you are about 1 metre away? You may already be in the right spot, as the distance from your smartphone to the ground is also included. Stand on the footprints. Your position feels like a capital T: a horizontal line in front of your feet, with a vertical line between them. The point of interest is now behind you.

Selfie for All

Everyone deserves a great selfie, but taking one isn’t always easy. That is why you’ll find ‘Selfie for All’ tiles at various lovely locations across Flanders. These tactile tiles are designed to help blind and visually impaired visitors. They show you where to stand and exactly how to position your smartphone. That way, you can take the perfect selfie. Plenty of likes on social media guaranteed!

Try it for yourself

Custom made itineraries

More itineraries
IEPER_Vestingen Ieper_© Westtoer
The fortifications of Ypres have surrounded the Belgian city since the early Middle Ages. Aerial view of a medieval city with a river and dense greenery surrounding it. Red-roofed buildings and church spires dominate the landscape under a clear blue sky.
Westtoer

48 hours in Ypres

Visit the In Flanders Fields Museum, experience the Last Post at the Menin Gate and enjoy the hospitality of Ypres, in the heart of the Westhoek.
Boat tour on a canal between historic brick buildings and towers, with pedestrians watching from a riverside walkway.
©Pieter D'Hoop - www.pdsign.be
2 days
Bruges

48 hours in Bruges, a medieval romance

Bruges is the unofficial capital, medieval of romance, the entire city centre is listed as a UNESCO heritage site, the Flemish Primitives, 500 years of history.
Antwerp's Grote Markt features historic guildhalls and a statue in the foreground. People stroll on the cobblestone square under a blue sky.
2 days
Antwerp

48 hours in Antwerp, a grandiose experience

Time speeds by when you’re in Antwerp. There is so much to experience here, from Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens’s artistic legacy, the Railway Cathedral...
brussels-Kunstberg-toerists-2_© Piet De Kersgieter
Man with backpack reads on a hill overlooking a historic city and a tall church tower in the distance.
© Piet De Kersgieter

Things to do in Flanders this autumn?

Experience autumn in Flanders with exhibitions by the Flemish Masters, Belgian beer festivals, Design Museum Ghent and World War I commemorative events.

Upcoming events

Arts and heritage

More about Arts and heritage
Nieuwpoort, Vigor Boucquet, Oordeel van Cambyses_© Dominique provost
Our Lady's Church Nieuwpoort. Vigor Boucquet, Judgment of Cambyses.
©2018 D.Provost,_c__Dominique_provost

Flemish Masters in Situ

Van Eyck. Rubens. The Flemish surrealists and expressionists. In Flanders, old and modern masters are at home. It is here where they lived and worked.
A chaotic, crowded scene of a mythical battle between angels and demons, filled with vibrant colors and intricate, fantastical creatures in motion.
©Google Art Project

Flemish Masters

Discover the life stories of Flemish Primitives, Flemish Masters and iconic artists up to the interwar period at inspiring heritage sites in Flanders.
campagne thumb
© Photo Marc Wallican & AI-generated figure by d-artagnan.be

Castles and gardens outside the city walls

Flanders is a treasure trove of heritage. The cities brim with history and stories, and even in the surrounding countryside, there is much to discover about the

In Flanders Fields

More about In Flanders Fields

Culinary treats and Belgian Beer

goesting_box

GOESTING

Ambassadors of GOESTING is the collective of culinary ambassadors putting Flanders on the world's culinary map.
Belgian Beer Weekend - Brussels Grand' Place (Grote Markt)Q 20_© Milo Profi
Bartender pours beer samples for two tourists at an outdoor stand, with ornate historic building in the background.
Milo Profi

Our Belgian beer culture

From iconic Trappist and geuze beers to innovative microbrewers: discover Belgian beer culture, rich in craftsmanship, heritage and taste.
A white bowl filled with golden, crispy French fries, lightly salted, on a paper lining. Beside it, a small dish of creamy mayonnaise.

Fries

Crispy, golden fries: they’re our national pride. Did you know that Belgium has more dan 4.600 fries stands?
A pastry chef in a white uniform and hat intently decorates chocolates with a blue piping bag on a white counter in a cozy, bustling shop.

Belgian chocolate

Belgian chocolate is famous and appreciated the world over for its excellent quality and flavor. Discover the multiple aspects of Belgian Chocolate.
culinair Flanders

Cycling

More about Cycling
Kanaal Dessel - Turnhout - Schoten_© Kris Jacobs
Two people are cycling along the canal in Dessel, Turnhout, and Schoten on a sunny day.
Kris Jacobs

Flanders' Finest Cycle Routes

Discover Flanders’ many assets on these amazing cycle routes: surprising landscapes, heritage, art, gastronomy and much more besides.

Discover nature in Flanders

More about nature in Flanders
ToerismeVlaanderen-COF-HR-061_© MEDIALIFE.BE
A woman ventures into Flemish nature among fields full of flowers.
MEDIALIFE.BE

Micro-adventures in the Zwin Region

Explore the Zwin Region, a unique Landscape Park on the Flemish coast. Experience unforgettable micro-adventures from birdwatching and dew walks to packrafting.
Micro-avonturen Hageland
Walking among the blossoms

Micro-adventures in the Hageland

Escape to the Hageland: rolling hills, adventurous walking and cycling routes, an oasis of calm and delicious local specialities await you!
Landschapspark Maasvallei_© Jean Paul Bardelot 2024 (30)
Two people kayak through the bends of the meandering Meuse in Meuse Valley River Park.
Jean Paul Bardelot 2024

Micro-adventures in Meuse Valley River Park

Explore Meuse Valley River Park, a unique Landscape Park along the banks of the Meuse river. From raft camping to water fun, experience unforgettable.
Micro-avonturen Leiestreek
A group of people sit on chairs painting landscapes outdoors. They face a serene lake, surrounded by trees and greenery under a partly cloudy sky.

Micro-adventures in the Lys Region

Discover the Lys Region where water, art, creative hotspots, top chefs, speciality beers, areas of natural beauty come together to create one vibrant experience
nature in Flanders