Ieper and surroudings
Visit the historic city
Did you know that Ypres was once as powerful in the ancient county of Flanders as Bruges and Ghent? The Cloth Hall and the Hall Tower bear witness to Ypres’ prosperity during the 1200s and 1300s. At that time, Ypres was an important trading center for the cloth industry.
The Cloth Hall, which recently underwent exterior restoration, is now home to the In Flanders Fields Museum, well worth a visit. With its 132-meter-long facade facing the Grote Markt,, the Cloth Hall is one of the largest civic buildings from the Gothic period. Towering above it is the Belfry, or the Hall Tower. The building is a stunning illustration of the power and self-confidence of the medieval city dweller. During World War I, the Cloth Hall was almost completely destroyed.
The Menin Gate remains a major thoroughfare leading into the city center. Every evening at 8 p.m. sharp since 1928, buglers have played the Last Post here. It is a moment of remembrance through which Ypres honors the fallen of World War I in the Ypres Salient every day.
Ypres and the landscape of the Ypres Salient bear the scars of the horrors of World War I. November 11 is commemorated here with great solemnity as Remembrance Day, notably during the Poppy Parade, the procession from St. George’s Memorial Church to the Menin Gate. The poppies became the symbol of the front in “In Flanders Fields.”
Tourism in the Westhoek
The Westhoek is a triangular region nestled between the North Sea, France, and the Houtland. It is a piece of unspoiled Flanders characterized by authenticity. The Albion Hotel in Ypres is located right in the heart of the Westhoek. It’s the perfect base for exploring the green, flat landscape with its charming villages — on foot, by bike, or by car. A holiday in the Westhoek means peace and nature, but it’s also a culinary journey of discovery. Step into a local pub and sample one of the many regional beers or ask for the one and only Picon. Cheers!
Cycling in the Westhoek
The Westhoek cycling network offers over 1,100 kilometers of cycling fun. Plan your own cycling route using the junction points. Discover the online route planner here. Prefer a ready-made route? Tourism Westhoek offers numerous signposted cycling routes to explore the region’s most beautiful spots. Are you interested in the history of World War I? Then you’re sure to find an interesting route among Tourism Westhoek’s selection of WWI cycling routes.
Hiking in the Westhoek
Is hiking your thing? Then we have good news for you, because the seven hiking networks in the Westhoek offer endless kilometers of hiking fun. Plan your own route, take a nature walk, explore the Westhoek Trails and city walking routes… Don’t forget your hiking boots!
Commemoration tourism
When you say Ypres, you’re talking about World War I
The Yser River halted the German army’s advance in 1914. It marked the beginning of years of trench warfare that resulted in unimaginable destruction. Ypres and the surrounding villages were reduced to rubble between 1914 and 1918. The entire region is dotted with monuments and cemeteries that serve as reminders of this terrible time.
Ypres—and by extension the entire Westhoek region—is inextricably linked to World War I. In the city center, the Menin Gate with its daily Last Post ceremony, the In Flanders Fields Museum, and the Hooge Crater Museum tell the story of the war. The Ypres Salient offers fascinating insights into the impact of the war’s devastation on the landscape.
Interested in a Battlefield Tour? These entrepreneurs can definitely help you:
Bruges
The West Flemish capital of Bruges makes for a wonderful getaway. Bruges, often called the Venice of the North, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and definitely worth a visit. The large numbers of tourists from all over the world are proof of that. Join them in exploring the many museums, unique historic buildings, and charming cafés and restaurants set against a beautiful medieval backdrop. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the city center or go on a boat tour along the canals. They offer a unique perspective on this popular tourist destination.
Enjoy some fresh air on the Belgian coast
The Belgian coast is undoubtedly the most popular tourist region in Belgium. Enjoy the fresh sea air on the beach or take a stroll along the pier. A day at the seaside is always a success.
Some great seaside resorts include Nieuwpoort (about 45 km) with its renovated promenade along the channel and the largest marina in Northern Europe, Ostend (about 50 km)—the queen of seaside resorts—or De Panne (about 40 km) with the Plopsaland amusement park.
Would you like to book a tour? Would you like more information about a tourist attraction? Don’t hesitate to ask us or get in touch. We know our city and region very well and would be happy to share our insider tips with you.