Flanders
Culture, enjoyment and joie of life in the heart of Europe
This small but beautiful region in northern Belgium is a place steeped in history, cultural heritage and art, the cradle of cycling and the breeding ground for an incomparable culinary culture.
Flanders is a living space in the heart of Europe, full of natural beauty and dotted with historic castles and gardens. A region with centuries-old stories and groundbreaking modern achievements. Known for its chocolates, waffles, chips and beer, it is praised worldwide for its impressive world heritage and the advanced craftsmanship of its master painters and their descendants.
Flanders may be modest in size, but that is precisely why it is wonderfully suited to travelling by train or bicycle. Its cultural heritage gems can also be experienced in its green, natural regions. Above all, Flanders is perfect for a voyage of discovery through art cities such as Antwerp, Bruges, Brussels, Ghent, Leuven and Mechelen. Numerous cultural, culinary and artistic highlights are located here, just a stone's throw away from each other.
A trip to Flanders is always a journey of great enjoyment. Visitors experience world-class gastronomy and art and culture that is second to none. The historic cities of Antwerp, Bruges, Brussels and Ghent, etc., but also the North Sea coast and the amazing nature welcome you!
Highlights in overview
Flanders is a paradise for gourmets: French fries, waffles and chocolate are a must. The beer culture is recognised by UNESCO – from Trappist beers to microbreweries.
GOESTING describes the Flemish love of good food: a network of top chefs, chocolatiers and brewers share culinary stories and moments of pleasure. Young chefs work with local ingredients and zero waste ideas.
Flanders' nature, from the North Sea sandy coast and the Zwin bird sanctuary to heaths, national parks and forests to the UNESCO-protected Sonian Forest, is waiting to be explored – with activities in more than 500 nature reserves, micro-adventures in regions such as Hageland, Ardennes, Leie, Westhoek, Maas Valley & Scheldt Valley, in the form of hiking, cycling and canoeing in natural gems.
Flanders offers 15,000 km of cycle paths through rolling countryside, art cities and nature. The Flanders' Finest routes take you past cathedrals, castles, restaurants and beer gardens. There are nine iconic routes for cycling holidays, fully signposted, with GPX or junction network. In Limburg, for example, you cycle through water, trees and heathland.
Flanders wants to make travelling easier for everyone: information is available on accessible accommodation, restaurants and tourist attractions, as well as transport planning (train, bus, tram, flexible service) and local assistance. A-Labels indicate the accessibility of buildings/I-Centres. Parking spaces for EU disability cards vary locally.
Flanders promotes sustainable tourism with a multi-year plan focusing on six key areas: inclusion, transport, information, sustainable offerings and events, quality of life and CO₂ reduction. By 2030, for example, the aim is to achieve more Green Key certifications, lower emissions in accommodation and reduced energy consumption.
Discover Flanders' cities
Home to art, culture and leisure
