Things to do in Flanders

Explore Flemish-Brabant

East of Brussels lies the leafy province of Flemish-Brabant, which is less frequently visited but boasts all of the charm and picturesque scenery that Flanders is known for.

Located just 15 miles from Brussels, you will find the picturesque city of Leuven which is home to what locals call ‘The Longest Bar in the World': almost 40 bars and cafés located in the city’s Oude Market, and the perfect place to get a drink!

This isn’t the only reason why Leuven calls itself Belgium’s beer capital, as it’s also home to the world’s biggest brewery, AB In-Bev, where Stella Artois and Leffe are brewed. Don't feel like these are your only options though, as the city and its surrounding area is home to a plethora of smaller artisan craft brewers.

One of the city’s highlights is its UNESCO World Heritage Grand Beguinage, a stunning architectural complex that can't be missed. To simply get away from it all, take a walk in the nearby Heverlee Woods which are a guaranteed hit for all ages.

For something more undiscovered, the province of Limburg boasts charming retreats like Tongeren, where you will find antiques markets and Gallo-Roman museum, and Hasselt, which wows tourists with its Jenever museum and incredible dining options. 

Cities in Flanders

East Flanders is home to some of Belgium's largest cities, where you are sure to find plenty of things to do. Ghent is a popular choice due to its collection of early Flemish art, the striking 12th century Gravensteen Castle, a rock ‘n roll foodie scene, and a huge array of cycle lanes across the city.

In the north of Flanders, the diamond city of Antwerp attracts families from all over who come to experience its world-class zoo. As well as being one of the oldest animal parks in the world, it contains a huge reef aquarium, a brand new savannah exhibit, and everything from lions and tigers to penguins and seals.

Sandwiched between Antwerp and Brussels, Mechelen is a great place to stay in order to explore the region. The city boasts a toy museum, the Technopolis science museum, and the fabulous Planckendael animal park, so there is lots to do here before you decide to head further afield.

Beer and cycling routes

The age-old hop landscape around Poperinge gives it away: the Westhoek is home to the world’s best breweries and, hence the world’s best beers. Once a well-kept secret, these days the Westhoek’s name is known the world over, so much so that is has become a mecca for beer lovers from all four corners of the globe.

In West Flanders (and especially in the Westhoek) 95% of all hops are grown in Belgium. Many breweries from the Westhoek therefore use some or all hops of Belgian origin. The imposing hop fields are beautiful to cycle along, be sure to try 1 of the 4 beer cycle routes! Along the way, information boards in the form of a beer bottle provide you with the necessary information about the places of interest. 

There are 4 beer cycle routes in the Westhoek; 

Poperinge Vleteren 33,7 km 
Vleteren - Alveringem Lo-Reninge 34 km
Poperinge - (Vleteren) Ypres 46,5 or 38 km 
Diksmuide - Lo-Reninge  Alveringem 44,9 km

Please download the information here.