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Welcome to East Flanders
This province situated in the north part of Belgium, is not very well known, unlike its western neighbor. The east Flanders is surrounded by Holland to the north, by West Flanders to the west, by the hills of Hainaut to the south, by Flemish Brabant to the east and by the river Scheldt to the north-east.
Choose your accommodation model for West Flanders
East Flanders (Oost-Vlaanderen in Flemish)
The province has no access to the sea, but has a great architectural wealth, the former province of the Scheldt was French until 1815, when the Netherlands were created. The biggest city and capital of the region, Gent, is considered as the "spiritual capital" of Flanders, as already in the Middle Age it was the city of the counts of Flanders.
Thinks to do or to see in east Flanders
The beer, an cultural product
There are 25 brands of beer of the province just for East Flanders, which means that this product is deeply rooted in the Belgian culture as it was also registered as intangible (cultural) heritage at UNESCO on November 30, 2016.
The 16 must-see places
Gent, the spiritual capital of Flanders, is of course in first place, but you also have the possibility to discover places off the traditional paths, places of exception sometimes even quite unexpected.
The Greenways of East Flanders
For years now, the region has been constantly developing new pedestrian itineraries and extending the section of the cycle track. With more than 380 trails, this is an ideal region for ecological tourism in Belgium.
Top 15 most places to visit
Besides the capital, find out 15 other towns in East Flanders of special interest. Our list will help you create a specific itinerary, to enrich the trip and enhance the photo souvenir.
The 8 main sights to see in Gent
Spiritual capital of Flanders, plenty to see and do: The castle of the Counts of Flanders, a boat trip, the cathedral of St. Bavo, the belfry, the Patershol district, the museum of design, the street art in Werregarenstraat and tasting cuberdons.
The 10 most beautiful castles
The visit of a castle gives you a unique feeling every time you go for a walk. Check out our list of favorites and pick the ideal castle to be included on your next trip to East Flanders!
Where to start ? not so easy...
Taste the beers from 12 great breweries in the region
Founded in 1864 in Lokeren, then installed at the current address in Belsele. During the war the production stopped for a few years until the family took over the production in 1978. Naw the brewery produces 8 types of beer.
Visiting program on demande
Balthazar De Landtsheer opened the first brewery in the early 19th century with a flourishing activity, but brewing stopped for bottling. In 1997, the brewery was renamed Brasserie Malheur with 4 Traditional beers, 3 Cuvée Brut + 2 Novice.
No tour program
An idea matured since 1988, the 1st stone in late 1999, the big leap in summer 2004, since then the workshop is modernized and 4 beers are produced, Sint Canarius triple, Potteloereke brown, Père Canard Brown Ale and the Vierge de Gottem blonde.
Visit on demande
Founded in 1791 by Evarist Boosteels, the 7th generation still control the production, although after 225 years, the factory was acquired by a brewery group in 2016. By 2020 the Monte Cristo will be one of the brewery's three brands.
Visiting program on demande
The Gouden Arend brewery was founded by Gustaff De Ryck on 1886 and named on 1920. It is a family brewery run by the granddaughter. The firm has a production of 7 beers + 1 Christmas beer and 4 brands: De Ryck, Arens, Clément and Steenuilke.
No tour program
Based in the village of Essche-Saint-Liévin since 1897, it is a family business that is now in its fifth generation of brewing. The company produces 5 varieties of Pater Lieven, 4 of Buffalo, the Lamoral Degmont a triple and the Lavinus a traditional blonde.
Visit on demande
Founded in 1901, Alphosius Cnudde purchased the factory Meheus and turned it in brewery in 1919, celebrating its 100 years in 2019. They produce two kinds of beer, a brown and a Kriek (cherry) and a Pure Kriek coming soon.
Visiting program on demande
The Den Appel brewery was taken over by Léon Huyghe in 1906 and named in 1920. The Délirium Tremens brand was launched on 26th December 1985 and relaunches the production which in addition to contract brewing distributes at least 14 brands.
No tour program
Founded by Joos Roman, Belgium's oldest brewery is now in its 14th generation of brewing. It produces and commercializes 2 beers in the Adriaen Brouwer variety, the Gentse Strop, the Mater Witbier, 4 Ename beers, the Seefbier, and 5 other brands.
Visit on demande
The Valère Latte brewery existed since 1818 and was sold in 1898 to René Contreras. Today, it is still held by the descendants. The production evolves with updated recipes, the last one, named the 1818, was made for the 200 years anniversary.
Visiting program on demande
Visiting program on demande
Founded by the Liefmans family in 1679, the brewery changed ownership many times, now it is owned by Duvel Moortgat group, who kept the name to the artisanal brewery. Prior to 2007, the brewery had 10 kinds of beer, today only 4 are produced.
No tour program
A family brewery founded in 1860 and producing the Witkap Pater Abbey beers. It continues to brew the first lager, the Stag Lager, and to produce the Amborix, a brown and 2 seasonal beers, the Slanghmuylder's Paasbier and the Slanghmuylder's Kerstbier.
Visit on demande
Top 10 most attractive castles in West Flanders
Aertrycke (Castle of) : Located in a park of 55ha with pond, in the locality of Wynendaele. It was a pleasure castle of Baron Auguste de Maere d'Aertrycke, from the 19th century, today it is used as a congress center and as a restaurant.
Baudries (Castle of): A beautiful castle built between 1780 and 1899 by Barons de Spangen and his family which takes the neoclassical style upon finishing the work. The castle and the park are private property, rarely open to visitors.
Breivelde (Domain of) : This is a castle of 18th century with 2 round towers in facade and a 4,5ha park with an arboretum situated in the commune of Grotenberge. The park in the english way is embellished of 10 basins, 1 waterfall and a fountain, it is open to public.
Gravensteen (Flemish Counts' castle) : This is the most beautiful one in the province, built in 1180 and bought by the city of Gent in 1885 which restored it in its initial size. It is now an important monument of the city open to the public.
Herzele (castle of): It is a ruin of a moated castle of the 13th century of which remains a huge round tower and part of the wall. It is a protected monument from 1957 and the partial renovation of it was started in 1975.
Axelwalle (Château d'): It is a medieval castle with double moat of the 16th century, rebuilt in 1978 and the approaches reorganized. It is located north of the municipality of Heurne, and has been declared architectural patrimony since September 14, 2009.
Blauwendael (castle of) : It is a Flemish neo-renaissance building of the 18th century, with turrets and gables, located in the village of Waasmunster. The garden, open to the public, is in an english style with ponds, an orangery and stables.
Cortewalle (castle of) : it is a Flemish moated castle of the 15th century, one of the oldest of the region, located in the village of Beveren. It was built of white sandstone in a Flemish Renaissance style. You can visit it on request, but the park is always open to the public.
Laarne (or Laerne castle) : on the Scheldt, just outside Gent, it was built to protect the city's outskirts. It has the dual mark of a medieval fortress and an 18th century stately residence. It is open to the public.
Ooidonk (castle of) : the current castle was built in 16th in the pure renaissance style on the ruins of the one of 12th, intended to fortify the Lys. Historical monument open to the public from april to mid september but the garden in the french style open all year long.
8 essential places to discover in East Flanders
The Verbeke Foundation
This private initiative dedicated to contemporary art is one of the biggest and most significant in Europe, spread over some 15 hectares. The foundation has opened to the public in June 2007. It aims to become a place where culture, nature and ecology are closely connected.
The real Manneken
Pis The original one dates back to 1459, much older than the star of Brussels! Explore Grammont (Geraardsbergen in Flemish) and enjoy visiting this fascinating city and take the time to taste a maton pie, a speciality of this region that you can also find in Lierde.
The garden of St. Peter
St. Peter's Abbey in Gent is a verdant oasis of fruit trees, lavander and vineyards. You can also find some beehives and the ruins of a medieval infirmary discovered in 1970. The garden and the ground floor of St. Peter's Abbey are open to the public for free.
The Filliers distillery
Since 1880, the family Filliers has been distilling spirits for 5 generations. The company is located in the village of Deinze. It produces homemade jenever based on an old family recipe and various modern spirits. You can visit the factory and learn the rudiments of the artisanal fabrication of this beverage.
The Tour of Flanders
Feel like a cyclist in this famous race and take on the challenge of the Grammont Wall and the Bosberg. You can also compare your time with others in the "Ronde van Vlaanderen". By renting a chip at the race office in Audenarde you can record your performance in these events.
The vredenfeesten
Every first weekend of September in Sint Niklaas you can watch more than 99 hot-air balloons take off from the Grote Markt, sometimes with live entertainment, a flea market and a commemorative celebration of the city' s liberation in the Second World War.
The Muziekbos wood
Located in Ronse, the mysterious forest reaches peak season in April and May, but you can take a walk all year long by following one of two signposted paths. It's also possible to explore the Celtic origins of the wood, the St Hermes crypt or the textile museum!
The towpaths
Long stretches of towpaths and dykes, which are not accessible to cars, transform the regions along the Schelde, the Dender and the Rupel into paradise for hikers and bikers. Moreover, all along the routes, there are ferries to transport passers-by quickly and free of charge from one bank to another.
