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Flanders

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Flanders is the northern part of Belgium; its inhabitants are called Flemings and they speak Dutch. Flanders is home to some amazing cities that are brimming with gorgeous architecture, medieval squares, museums, and outdoor cafes. All Flemish cities are just a short train ride apart. Following is a simple guide to some of the more popular cities in Flanders:
 
Bruges
 
Bruges, a city built on a canal, boasts cobblestone streets, lush green landscapes, and quiet boat rides along the canal. The city center is closed off to all cars, which helps keep the culture and beauty of Bruges fresh. Town authorities have done their best to keep the city's image medieval, and they have done a great job; Bruges is often called the Venice of the North or City of Romance. 
 
Although Bruges is small enough to rush through in one day, to fully appreciate it, you'll want to stay overnight in one of the city's quaint hotels. Along with historical and artistic sites, there are plenty of boutiques, chocolate shops, and restaurants to be discovered.
 
Things to see:
  • The canal by boat: The canal and many other waterways wind their way throughout Bruges, and boat is a popular venue for touring the city. Tours are available each day from mid March through mid November.
  • The Belfry: The tower of the Belfry is a popular tourist attraction in which visitors can climb 366 stairs for a breathtaking view of the city of Bruges. The tower houses a clock mechanism and a carillon of 47 bells.
Ghent
 
Ghent is one of the largest cities in Belgium. Like Bruges, part of the city center is closed to cars, and much of the city's medieval architecture remains intact. Ghent hosts the Flanders International Film Festival each year, and is also considered to be the flower city of Belgium. Its azaleas and begonias are sold worldwide. Every five years, the city of Ghent holds an extremely popular and successful flower show. Ghent also has a harbor and a university, The Belgian State University. Each year in July the Ghent Celebrations are held, during which the inhabitants party for ten days with singing, dancing, theater performances, drinking, and concerts.
 
The city of Ghent boasts 18 museums, 100 churches, over 400 historical buildings, and an opera house. 
 
Things to see:
  • The Mystic Lamb: The most visited site in Ghent, St. Bavo's Cathedral houses the altarpiece on which The Mystic Lamb is painted. This famous painting is considered to be one of the most influential paintings of the Middle Ages, and is an artistic masterpiece in Belgium.
  • Gravensteen Castle: The Gravensteen Castle, also known as the Castle of the Counts, was built in 1180 by the count of Flanders, Philip of Alsace. A crypt, a dungeon, and an exhibition of historical weapons and armor are all to be discovered within the castle.
Antwerp
 
Antwerp, the second largest city in Belgium, is one of the three primary centers of the diamond industry, along with New York City and South Africa. It is also an important Belgian city in terms of economy, with a large seaport responsible for a high level of cargo shipping and oil refineries. Antwerp is recognized as an important city for fashion design; many successful designers have come from Antwerp's Belgian Royal Academy of Fine Arts. The city is also well known for its zoo, which is one of the oldest and most famous zoos in the world. The Antwerp Zoo is located in the center of the city, near the train station, and houses over 4,000 animals. 
 
Things to see:
  • Rubenshuis: Rubneshuis, the house of famous painter Peter Paul Rubens, now serves as a museum and many of Rubens' famous works can be viewed there. Two of his most famous works are on display there: Adam and Eve in Paradise was painted in 1600 and is located in the Studio section of the museum. Rubens' self-portrait was painted when he was around 50 years of age and is located in the dining room.
  • Steen Castle: Once located in the center of Antwerp, the remains of this castle are now the National Maritime Museum. Steen is the Dutch word for stone, and the castle was named Steen because it was one of the first buildings in Antwerp that was constructed with stones. This castle was used as a prison for hundreds of years, but it has been a museum since 1862. It has been renovated several times.



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