Flanders attractions

Famous for one of the world’s largest collections of work by Flemish baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp(KMSKA) showcases art by Flemish masters such as van Dyck and Jordaens. The acclaimed gallery, which opened in 1890, exhibits 15th-century masterpieces beside more-modern works by Titian, Modigliani, and Rodin. Please note: The Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp is currently closed for renovation. The reopening is scheduled for 2020.However, most of the art can still be viewed at different venues throughout the city.

One of Belgium’s top outlet shopping destinations, Maasmechelen Village is home to over 100 boutiques and restaurants, with designer duds trading at 30 to 60% off list price. Individual buildings mimic local architectural styles, creating a characterful open-air feel that’s miles away from the traditional covered mall.

Belgium is famed for itsfrites (fries), and the Frietmuseum in Bruges pays homage to this quintessential—and delicious—national dish. Founded in 2008, it claims to be the world’s only museum dedicated to potato fries and offers visitors the chance to learn about the history of the ever-popular snack.

With roots dating back to 1765, the Bourgogne des Flandres Brewery is a Bruges icon. Though it left the city after World War II, new doors swung open in 2015, bringing its famous red ale back to the canal-lined streets of Bruges’ Old Town. Visitors out for a pint, a picturesque beer garden, and a Belgian beer education need look no further.

Tucked behind Antwerp’s grandiose railway station, Antwerp Zoo (Dierentuin is one of the oldest zoos in the world. Creative enclosures—which include a hieroglyphic-covered Egyptian temple for the elephants—harbor more than 5,000 animals across 950 species, while the zoo runs several conservation programs.

The Hooge Crater Museum, outside of Ypres, is known for its life-sized representations of battle scenes that help visitors better understand the history of World War I, especially in Flanders. The scenes include German bunkers, British trenches, and full-scale horses with cavalry troops on their backs. Other displays include an extensive collection of weapons, uniforms, photographs, and other military artifacts.

Radically transformed by the opening of the Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp in 1987, the former industrial zone of Het Zuid is now fashionable, replete with independent boutiques, cozy cafés, and craft-beer breweries. Its location a short walk along the river from Grand Market Place makes it easily accessible from central Antwerp.

Reigning supreme over Antwerp’s medieval Grote Markt, the photogenic Brabo Fountain—which was created by famous Flemish sculptor Jef Lambeux—depicts a man holding a severed hand, from the base of which water spurts. The fountain relates to Antwerp’s origin story, where a Roman soldier cut off the hand of a Russian giant who once guarded the city gates.

Plopsa Indoor Hasselt is a theme park with a wide range of rides, play areas, and water attractions for kids of all ages. As many of the facilities are indoors, the park is a popular place to hang out on a rainy day.

The Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp is a treasure trove of art and history, with work by baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens and other renowned artists such as Otto van Veen and Jacob de Backer. This impressive Gothic structure is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visitors flock here to see its paintings, stained-glass windows, and impressive belfry.

No trip to Belgium would be complete with a taste or two of Belgian chocolate. In Ghent, one of the finest places to sample this local treat is Chocolaterie Van Hoorebeke. This family business has earned a reputation for its artisan chocolates including truffles, chocolate bars, and pralines, and has an inviting storefront for savoring and shopping.

In the heart of Ghent, Vrijdagmarkt is both the name of this historic square and the weekly Friday market, where you can shop for food such as bread and cheese, plus souvenirs from clothing to shoes to books. (There’s a smaller version on Saturdays.) Known as a market primarily for locals, Vrijdagmarkt is an ideal place for people-watching in one of the many cafés that line the square.

With its maze of cobbled streets and squares, striking old buildings, and network of scenic canals, the UNESCO-listed Historic Centre of Bruges is undeniably picturesque. A boat trip down the romantic canals of Bruges should be at the top of your bucket list for visiting Belgium. There’s no better way to experience this beautiful city than from the water’s edge.

Part of Ghent University, the botanical garden is both a research garden and a peaceful attraction for nature-loving visitors and residents alike. Here you'll find over 10,000 different types of plants, including many rare species from around the world.

In the heart of Ghent, the Stadhuis (or Town Hall) is among the city's most remarkable architectural attractions. It's notable for having two distinct sides: flamboyant Gothic (on the older Hoogpoort side of the building) and Renaissance (on the slightly newer Botermarkt side).

Situated near the Belgian village of Vladslo, the Vladslo German War Cemetery is the burial place of 35,644 German soldiers killed during World War One. Founded in 1918, this tree-framed and deeply atmospheric cemetery is a stop on many WWI battlefield tours; serving as a reminder of Germany’s losses during the conflict.

One of Bruges’ top family-friendly attractions, Boudewijn Theme Park and Dolfinarium is known for its dolphin, seal, and sea lion shows. In addition to marine mammals performing tricks, the park also has 20 outdoor attractions, including a roller coaster and pirate ship, as well as 10 indoor attractions suitable for a rainy day.

Located in the old town center, the Ghent Market Hall is a modern building with twin-gabled roofs that serves many functions throughout the year, from a concert venue to hosting a Christmas market. It’s a convenient place for visitors with its public restrooms and bike rental office; in addition, a public piano attracts amateur musicians to this contemporary gathering place in Ghent.

Immerse yourself in the art and science of Belgian beer manufacturing at Antwerp’s De Koninck brewery. Take a stroll over the pedestrian bridge that looks down over the brewing hall—and don’t forget to taste some of the finished product.

Visit Beelwarde, on the outskirts of Ypres, to experience an amusement park with a twist. Along with rides for visitors of all ages, the park is home to all sorts of animals, and it doubles as a natural parkland for visitors who want to hike, picnic, or just stretch out and relax.

Opened in 1987 in the now-fashionable Zuid neighborhood, the Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp (M HKA)contributed to the rejuvenation of the formerly dilapidated district. Transformed into a cutting-edge gallery by architect Michel Grandsard, the museum exhibits more than 4,750 multimedia works by some of Flanders’ foremost contemporary artists.

Situated in old Bruges— a city renowned for its lace—the Lace Center (Kantcentrum is a small museum dedicated to the history and techniques of lacemaking. True to its theme, the center is housed in a 19th-century building that was one of Bruges’ original lace schools.

Situated in the Belgian seaside resort town of De Panne, Plopsaland is a sprawling amusement park. Visit to experience a variety of rides, from merry-go-rounds for little ones to non-inverting roller coasters for the more adventurous.

One of the oldest cafés in Ghent, dating back to the 15th century, Café Den Turk is both a historic landmark and an attractive place to relax over a drink and a sandwich; it’s especially known for its selection of draft beers. There are outdoor tables for people-watching and a low-lit interior for warming up on chilly days, with photographs on display that offer a glimpse of the city during different eras.

Housed in a former waterside warehouse in the hipster district of Zuid, Antwerp’s FoMu (FotoMuseum) has earned its status as one of the most important photography collections in Europe. Its clean, white lines are perfect for presenting a rotating exhibition of cameras, equipment, and photos by internationally renowned photographers, which changes every four months.

In the midst of Antwerp’s Diamond District is Diamondland, one of the city’s largest showrooms and home to an exclusive collection of diamond jewelry. Here visitors can learn more about the process involved in creating diamonds, and travelers planning on proposing can browse hundreds of diamond engagement rings.

Situated in the resort town of Blankenberge, SEA LIFE® is an indoor/outdoor aquarium featuring a variety of oceanic exhibits, an outdoor section with play areas for kids, and a seal-rescue center. Here visitors can learn about marine life through feedings, talks, and interactive experiences at the on-site touch tank.

A massive water park featuring attractions for visitors young and old, Plopsaqua is conveniently located in the popular summer getaway of De Panne—between the beach and the railway station. Don a suit and explore the waterslides, pools, and other features, many of which are suitable for toddlers or those who prefer not to swim.

Yser Tower is a memorial honoring the Flemish soldiers who died during World War I. It is one of the tallest peace monuments in Europe and houses a museum and a chapel. The ruins of the first tower, destroyed during World War II, remain, while the monument today was built in 1965 and is 275 feet (84 meters) tall. The inscription “Never again war” is written on the tower in four languages.

Thanks to its location on the North Sea, Ostend, Belgium has a rich maritime heritage—and few attractions represent that history better than the Mercator (Zeilschip Mercator). A grand, three-masted ship that set sail on 41 expeditions and played a role in World War II, the Mercator is now permanently moored as a beautifully preserved, floating museum.