Castles and gardens outside the city walls

Kasteel Gaasbeek
Opulent palaces, imposing fortresses, historic castles and mansions. Flanders is a treasure trove of heritage. The cities brim with history and stories; these places of historic interest often extend out into their green surroundings: along Flanders' waterways, overlooking green landscapes. What is more, many castles boast beautiful gardens to wander around.

Get out and explore regal city palaces, castles and estates, both in the city and in the countryside. Any visit is unique and will capture the imagination!

Brussels and its Green Surroundings

During your stay in Brussels, step into the footsteps of Count Egmont and Everard t’Serclaes. These two historic figures lead you on a treasure trail of stories, from the iconic Grand-Place to the majestic castles nestled in the lush green outskirts in Flemish Brabant. Explore the area either on foot or by bike, and enjoy a perfect blend of nature and heritage. Highlights include Gaasbeek Castle, Bouchout Castle in Meise Botanical Garden, and Beersel Castle.

Explore the Most Stunning Castles around Brussels
Toerisme Vlaanderen - Brabantse Wouden - Kasteel van Beersel - Bjorn Snelders - 3
Aerial view of a medieval castle surrounded by a moat. The castle is set in lush greenery with distant wind turbines and houses under a golden sunset.
Bjorn Snelders

Bruges & the Bruges Hinterland

Bruges is a magnificent spectacle. The iconic tops of the cathedral and belfry, the historic canals and cobbled streets, the whitewashed façades and the opulent city palaces. The grandeur the city exudes today was built in part by the noble families of the past. They helped shape both the city and the city’s hinterland.

Discover the splendour and grandeur of Bruges and the Bruges hinterland
Huis Perez de Malvenda in Brugge (c) Visit Bruges Jan Dhondt
House of Perez de Malvenda in Bruges
Visit Bruges Jan Dhondt

Antwerp & its green surroundings

Antwerp welcomes you in one of the world’s most beautiful train stations and breathes art: From Peter Paul Rubens to the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA) and the Port House by Zaha Hadid. This city blends grandeur with vibrant urban life. Where nobles and wealthy merchants once built their summer residences, you now stroll through parks and gardens rich in art, history and nature. Along the banks of the Scheldt, you’ll discover fortresses and castle estates that once protected this flourishing region. They are connected to one another, yet each has its own story. 

Let yourself be carried away by Antwerp’s rich castle heritage
Rivierenhof (c) veggiewayfarer (3)
Rivierenhof (c) veggiewayfarer (3)
Veggiewayfarer

Castles of the Scheldt: even more to discover


Few regions boast such a dense concentration of castle estates as Flanders. They are easily reached via walking and cycling routes from the cities. Start at the Castle of the Counts in Ghent and follow the unique network of the Castles of the Scheldt, between Ghent and Antwerp. Along the way, you’ll pass Laarne Castle, the Lakenhallen in Ghent, and Het Steen in Antwerp, among others. Each one is an iconic site brimming with history and atmosphere. Perfect for exploring the Scheldt Valley! 

Discover the Castles of the Scheldt
Medieval stone castle with circular towers and battlements, reflected in a surrounding moat under a clear blue sky. The scene feels historic and serene.
Castle of the Counts

Brochure: Visit the most beautiful castles in Flanders

When you visit the Flemish countryside, you simply can’t miss the numerous castle domains. These estates, many of which are centuries old, have an abundance of stories to tell: about venerable families, historic places and flourishing communities. In this brochure you will find a great deal of inspiration for your next visit to one of Flanders’ castle domains. It also provides information about hiking and cycling routes in the vicinity. 

Also interesting

Kasteel Huizingen (c) Toerisme Vlaams-Brabant - Lander Loeckx (2)
A couple enjoys a serene pedal boat ride on a lake, surrounded by lush greenery. A grand castle stands in the background, exuding a tranquil, picturesque ambiance.
Toerisme Vlaams-Brabant - Lander Loeckx

Castles of Brabant

Discover the intriguing stories and rich heritage behind the walls of the historic castles in the former Duchy of Brabant.
Kanaal Dessel - Turnhout - Schoten
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.
A picturesque canal in Bruges with medieval buildings and a tall tower in the background. A boat with tourists navigates the water under a cloudy sky.
©Pieter D'Hoop - www.pdsign.be

48 hours in Bruges, a medieval romance

2 days
Bruges
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.