Castles and gardens outside the city walls

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 Belt

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

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

Visit Bruges Jan Dhondt

Castles along the River Scheldt

Few regions can boast such a density of castle estates as Flanders. They are easy to reach from the Flemish cities by following the region’s innumerable hiking trails and cycling routes run along or through the castle estates of Flanders.

A prime example of this is Ghent’s Castle of the Counts: a stately base camp for exploring the Scheldt Valley and discovering the unique network of castles along the River Scheldt between Ghent and Antwerp.

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.