Things to do in Flanders this autumn?

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.

Looking for inspiration for the autumn break or a city trip in Flanders? Design Museum Ghent is reopening its doors and we will commemorate World War I at In Flanders Fields. You can also admire exhibitions by the Flemish Masters and discover the Antwerp Six at MoMu Fashion Museum Antwerp. You will find the best excursions in Flanders here. And we'll give you our Flanders’ Finest cycling tips for free too!

Flemish Masters: four exhibitions to look forward to

Discover four major exhibitions by our Flemish Masters this autumn. MSK Ghent presents the first Jenny Montigny retrospective in more than 100 years. Snijders&Rockox House tells the story of Jan and Catharina van Hemessen, a father-daughter duo who helped shape the Antwerp Renaissance. Bozar puts the recognisable yet undervalued painter Jean Brusselmans centre stage with a major retrospective. Museum Hof Van Busleyden, in turn, explores the roots of our Burgundian lifestyle. How did food, celebrations and social rituals shape our culture? Discover it here.

COR00458 De Begonia's Jenny Montigny MSK Gent_© Martin Corlazzoli

Tip for a nice autumn day: A touch of culture on a beautiful autumn day? Discover art, heritage and history in the open air. Our magnificent open-air museums welcome you with open arms.

Belgian beer festivals bring heritage to life

Heritage comes in all sizes, colours and forms. Sometimes it is even liquid. In Belgium, you can discover no fewer than 3,000 unique beers. Our unequalled beer culture even features on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. Why is that? You can experience it for yourself at one of the sizzling autumn festivals, such as Billie’s Craft Beer Fest, Modeste Beer Festival or the Christmas Beer Festival. Fancy more? Belgian Beer World at the Brussels Stock Exchange immerses you completely in our special heritage.

Belgian Beer World - De Beurs Brussel_© www.alexandrelaurent.be

Modern taproom with rows of beer taps, digital screens and tall clerestory windows in a spacious hall.

Cycling tip: Discover our liquid heritage by bike. These Flanders’ Finest Beer Cycling Routes lead you past (micro)breweries, cafés, home breweries, museums and hop fields.

Design Museum Ghent reopens its doors

In the heart of Ghent, a sleeping giant awakens. Design Museum Ghent reopens its doors after years of renovation works. The largest design museum in the country now displays its fabulous collection in a brand-new museum wing that serves as a grand ‘reception room’. Its façade is also very impressive: it is made of innovative bricks composed of recycled municipal waste. Come and discover it all during the opening weekend of 3 and 4 October, featuring no fewer than four exhibitions and all kinds of activities in and around the museum. In the week that follows, Design Fest Ghent will take place across various venues in the city.

Design Museum Gent

City trip tip: Ghent offers endless excitement. Spend two days exploring this vibrant city.

In Flanders Fields, a place of remembrance

Every evening, buglers raise their instruments under the arches of the Menin Gate in Ypres. The Last Post is a short ceremony which is held every day to commemorate the victims of the First World War. Such is the way of Flanders Fields. On 11 November, that feeling becomes even stronger. It is the day we commemorate the Armistice. There is an extensive commemoration programme that day in Ypres. Do you enjoy exploring the past? In Flanders Fields Museum tells many stories, while Passchendaele Museum focuses on the breathtaking Battle of Passchendaele. But you can also easily recognise the past here in the landscape, which is dotted with military cemeteries and monuments. Twenty-seven of which are recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This means In Flanders Fields remains an eternal witness to the First World War.

Autumn tree with orange leaves by a stone wall and steps in a park, with a golden evening sky in the background.

Cycling tip: The Flanders’ Finest Peace Cycle Route takes you past moving memorial sites in a soothing green landscape.

Discover the Antwerp Six at MoMu

Antwerp is the home turf of Peter Paul Rubens, sparkling diamonds and … fashion. The city owes its fashionable reputation in part to the Antwerp Six: Dirk Bikkembergs, Ann Demeulemeester, Walter Van Beirendonck, Dries Van Noten, Dirk Van Saene and Marina Yee. In 1986, this group of young designers turned the fashion world upside down and put Antwerp on the map. The Fashion Museum celebrates the Antwerp Six designers with a major exhibition. You can also admire an impressive collection of Belgian fashion in this museum. And there is also plenty to see outside. On Nationalestraat, you can stroll through the heart of the contemporary fashion scene.

MoMu Antwerpen, photo Stany Dederen

Cycling tip: Discover a great many cultural highlights by bike. The Antwerp highlights route shows the way!

Belgian chocolate, an iconic delicacy

Mmmm, Belgian chocolate! The whole world knows Belgium for this culinary treat, which we owe to the tradition, craftsmanship and love of our chocolatiers. You can experience it first-hand in the Royal Galleries of Saint-Hubert in Brussels, where the praline was once invented; you can still visit top-level chocolatiers here today. Or discover the centuries-old story of black gold at Chocolate Nation in Antwerp or at Choco Story in Brussels. Prefer to explore on your own? The Chocolate Trail in Kortrijk is a fascinating guided tour full of tasty highlights and surprises.

Chocolates by Gauthier - Mechelen 1_© Milo Profi

Hands fill a chocolate mould with melted chocolate using a spatula, next to a large chocolate kettle.

Cycling tip: Does your chocolate adventure end in Kortrijk? From here, the Flanders’ Finest Flax Lys Cycle Route takes you through the region’s rich flax and textile past.

Accessible travel in Flanders

Flanders has lots to offer this autumn, and these experiences are for everyone. Young or not so young? Are you travelling with a disability or do you have specific care needs? Flanders welcomes you all! Do you have any questions about the accessibility of Flanders’ heritage, nature experiences, cycle routes or our easily accessible food and drink culture? The above pages will help you on your way. Click here for more practical information about accessible travel in Flanders.