Not many people fully know the travel opportunities in Flanders. Yet this region of Belgium truly offers many possibilities for discovery, especially for short trips. In this mini guide, we want to provide you with all the information and advice suitable for visiting Belgium and, in particular, this part of its territory.
Travel Itinerary: Flanders in All Its Beauty
A trip to Flanders certainly has a lot to offer. Starting from the capital, Brussels, also known as the seat of many European institutions, you will move on to other important Belgian cities to discover their history and beauty.
Flanders is one of the three regions of Belgium, and it is the one that faces the Atlantic Ocean, giving the places a particularly international feel (also, for example, due to the border with the French city of Lille). The climate is quite mild precisely because of the ocean's presence, perhaps a bit rainy but still favorable for travel throughout the year, including winter.
So let's understand in this mini guide which cities you absolutely must visit during your trip to Flanders. Not just beer and chocolate, but a true road trip itinerary in search of artistic, cultural, and uniquely charming experiences. Here are all the tips you will need.
Brussels Capital, History and Curiosities About the City
You can arrive either from Brussels National Airport or Brussels Charleroi Airport, but the idea is the same: you have to go there. Here, in fact, you will find some of the most important European seats of power (there are entire neighborhoods dedicated to them), as well as a series of urban landscapes full of charm.
An example is the Cinquantenaire Park, as well as the Grand Place, a square known for representing Gothic architecture throughout Europe. A must-see stop is the Manneken Pis, a statue of a little boy that is a symbol of the city.
You should also definitely visit the city's museums, such as the Museum of Fine Arts, which houses, for example, the famous “Death of Marat.”
Bruges, The City Where Van Eyck Died
West Flanders, on the other hand, has Bruges as its capital, an art city whose historic center is among UNESCO's World Heritage sites.
Iconic is definitely the Place Markt, the market square, which is “enclosed” by 17th-century houses and the town hall, which also contains a tower of truly unique beauty. It is called the Belfry Tower, absolutely worth visiting because it houses a beautiful carillon of 47 bells. An example of the so-called Brabantine Gothic.
Other attractions in Bruges include the Beguinage, the ancient homes that housed the beguines, Catholic women separated from the Roman church. Also, Burg Square, with its square layout, where the city's administrative activities take place. Finally, a boat ride along Bruges' canals is a must to explore the city from a different perspective.
Here also died a great artist, Van Eyck, known for his paintings with brilliant reds. We mention Van Eyck to introduce you to the next stop on this trip, a place with an artistic heritage that deserves more than one tour.
Art and Culture in Antwerp During Your Trip to Flanders
The trip to Flanders continues towards Antwerp, one of Belgium's most beloved cities and frequently recommended in travel guides. This is because it is known as one of the richest places in art and culture in all of Belgium, as well as for its diamond industry and typographic printing.
In particular, it should be remembered that this fairytale place is part of a Flanders itinerary also because its important commercial center and its city merchants effectively financed art, especially that of Rubens, the famous artist. And it is also for this reason that several of his masterpieces are still present in the city's museums, as well as in the artist's own house museum.
That said, it must also be said that Antwerp has many attractions that make it a key point in our Flanders itinerary. Anyone visiting must definitely see the Central Station: it is called the “Railway Cathedral” to emphasize its wonder and solemnity, and that says it all. In 2014, it was named the most beautiful station in the world.
You should also absolutely see Antwerp Cathedral, the Grote Markt and the town hall or Stadhuis, the church is your choice! After choosing your destination, just book your round-trip flights to Flanders or any other country you want to visit.
