Visit Flanders in 5 days to discover the beauty of Brussels, the capital of Europe, Bruges and Gent with their canals and medieval charm, and Antwerp, the diamond capital.
Some time ago, I chose to visit Flanders in 5 days, stopping in the main cities of this small region in the north of Belgium. My choice was to stay in Brussels, a city that impressed me a lot, positively, and then dedicate individual days to visiting Bruges, Gent and Antwerp. Three pearls of this country, three cities to discover.
From the Belforts, the bell towers that delineate the skyline of the cities with their different architectural styles, to the beguinages, once residences of the beguines and today places full of atmosphere and an essential stop for anyone who chooses to visit Flanders. And then, there are the Art Nouveau palaces and historic centres and squares. Whether Bruges, Brussels, Ghent, Leuven, Mechelen or Antwerp, all the cities of Flanders have found a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Bruges
Bruges is the perfect city if you want to visit a fairytale location. It is the best preserved example of a medieval city centre with its old stone bridges and arches, bell towers and brick houses that you will find all along the canals flowing around this city, nicknamed as the most romantic in Flanders.
Lose yourself in the most characteristic corners, enter the various shops selling typical items such as lace and, of course, try all the chocolate shops! You will always find excellent chocolate to taste! Climb the Belfort, the 83-metre-high bell tower, leaning slightly to the east, built between the 13th and 15th centuries, which offers an extraordinary panorama of the picturesque city. Visit one of the many breweries present to discover how typical Belgian beer is brewed!
Ghent
When you visit Flanders, you can’t miss Gent. It has been called the hidden treasure of Europe. To reach the historical centre, from the train station, just hop on tram number 1 and in a few minutes you will be in front of the Castle of the Counts of Flanders, one of the symbols of the city.
To fully enjoy Ghent, I recommend stopping for a drink or a bite to eat in one of the many places along the Graslei and the Korenlei, the two quays on the banks of the river Leie, which flows through the city. Just a boat ride along the river is the best way to admire the fascinating medieval architecture from a different and truly impressive perspective.
Visit Flanders in 5 days: Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp
Antwerp
Antwerp was the real surprise of my trip. I had excellent reviews of Bruges and Gent but I knew little or nothing of Antwerp, except that I was very intrigued by the idea of visiting it. Expectation very well repaid. Compared to Gent and Bruges, which have more of a ‘village’ dimension, this is a real city, much bigger, with lots of traffic and crowds. The train station is really one of the most beautiful in the world and is an attraction in itself.
The world capital of diamonds (80% of rough diamonds from all over the world are processed in Antwerp), it is a lively city, where you can move from the characteristic old town centre, similar to all the towns in Flanders, to a more modern area full of shops for shopping. A stop at Diamond Land, one of the most famous diamond workshops, and the Rubenhuis, the home of the painter Rubens, is a must. I also recommend the MAS – Museum an de Stroom, which is the most important museum in Antwerp.
It is definitely possible to visit Flanders in five days, I spent two full days in Brussels, and then a full day in Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp. What are you waiting for?
