Free East Flanders Travel Guide & Mobile App

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East Flanders
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Explore East Flanders for Ghent's medieval towers, Scheldt waterways, cycling hills, historic market towns and food-rich Flemish culture.

East Flanders, in northern Belgium, is a province of waterways, market towns, university culture and historic cities. Its best-known centre is Ghent, where the rivers Scheldt and Leie meet amid medieval towers, canal-side streets and former industrial districts. Beyond the provincial capital, the landscape changes repeatedly: the flat polders and waterways of the Meetjesland lie to the north-west, the Waasland spreads towards the Scheldt and the Dutch border, while the southern Vlaamse Ardennen rise into wooded ridges, meadows and cycling country.
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Ghent provides the region's most concentrated historical experience. The Gravensteen, a remarkably substantial medieval castle, stands close to the former harbour quarter of Graslei and Korenlei. Nearby, Saint Bavo's Cathedral preserves the celebrated Ghent Altarpiece, while the Belfry and Saint Nicholas' Church form part of the city's famous medieval skyline. Yet Ghent is not simply a preserved historic centre: its museums, design scene, student population and repurposed industrial buildings give the city a contemporary character that sits alongside its Gothic and Renaissance inheritance.
East Flanders has a deeper network of smaller destinations. Oudenaarde is closely associated with the historic production of Flemish tapestries and has an elaborate sixteenth-century town hall; Dendermonde occupies a strategic position near the confluence of the Dender and Scheldt; and Aalst combines a busy regional centre with a distinctive carnival tradition. Sint-Niklaas, the principal city of the Waasland, is known for its unusually broad market square, while Eeklo and the surrounding Meetjesland offer access to quieter cycling routes, villages and rural waterways.
The province's natural character is shaped by rivers rather than mountains. The Scheldt forms a long east-west corridor, with floodplains, reedbeds and meadows especially apparent around the Kalkense Meersen and the Scheldt villages. The Leie valley, particularly around Deinze and Sint-Martens-Latem, has attracted artists and estate owners for generations. South of the Scheldt, the slopes around Geraardsbergen, Ronse and Oudenaarde provide a very different experience, with narrow lanes, steep cobbled climbs and broad views across agricultural country.
Food and drink reflect both Flemish and Belgian traditions: beer cafés, pralines, bread, local cheeses and substantial regional cooking are widespread, while Ghent adds a notably international restaurant scene. Cycling is central to the province's identity, from leisurely towpath rides beside the Scheldt to demanding routes through the Vlaamse Ardennen. A well-planned visit can therefore combine major medieval monuments with museums, village markets, river walks and landscapes that feel markedly rural only a short distance from the cities.

When is the best time to visit East Flanders?

Best: June–August · 21–23°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January665
February755
March1065
April1360
May1870
June (best)2180
July (best)2385
August (best)2385
September1975
October1470
November1075
December780

Getting to and around East Flanders

How to get there

Ghent is the principal gateway and is readily reached by train from Brussels, Antwerp, Bruges and other Belgian cities. Brussels Airport, outside East Flanders, is the main international air gateway, with onward rail connections towards Ghent and other provincial towns. Antwerp International Airport is another possible, though smaller, gateway outside the province. East Flanders is also accessible by road via Belgium's motorway network, while international visitors arriving by rail can usually connect through Brussels or Antwerp. Local stations serve Aalst, Dendermonde, Sint-Niklaas, Lokeren, Oudenaarde, Eeklo, Deinze and other towns.

Transportation

Trains connect the principal towns, but services are less comprehensive in rural parts of the province. Ghent has an extensive tram and bus network, while buses are useful for some smaller destinations and villages. A car gives greater flexibility for the Meetjesland, Waasland and Vlaamse Ardennen, especially when combining scattered walking routes or heritage sites. Cycling is well supported by towpaths, signed routes and quiet country roads, although the southern hills include demanding climbs and cobbled sections. Check current public transport information before travelling, particularly at weekends and during large events.

Top city travel guides in East Flanders

The cities of East Flanders, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Destinations in East Flanders

Resorts, valleys and scenic spots worth a trip of their own.

Best attractions in East Flanders

East Flanders offers a varied concentration of urban heritage, museums and river landscapes. Ghent is the principal attraction centre, with the Gravensteen, Saint Bavo's Cathedral, the Ghent Altarpiece and museums covering fine art, design, city history and industrial heritage. The provincial capital's former docks and canal-side quarters also reward exploration beyond the main monuments. In Oudenaarde, tapestry collections and civic architecture explain the town's historic craft economy, while the Gallo-Roman Museum at Velzeke presents the region's ancient past. Dendermonde and Aalst provide further historic centres and lively local traditions, and Sint-Niklaas is a useful base for the Waasland. Outdoors, the Kalkense Meersen wetlands and Scheldt floodplains suit walking and cycling, while the Leie valley around Deinze and Sint-Martens-Latem has long attracted artists and landscape visitors. Southern East Flanders is the province's main hill country, with cycling routes, walking trails and panoramic farmland around Oudenaarde, Ronse and Geraardsbergen. The result is a destination where major city culture, small-town heritage and accessible countryside can be combined without requiring a single style of travel.

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Best landmarks in East Flanders

Ghent's medieval skyline is East Flanders' defining architectural landmark: the Belfry, Saint Nicholas' Church and Saint Bavo's Cathedral form a powerful sequence of towers above the historic centre, while the Gravensteen remains one of the most recognisable castles in Belgium. The Graslei and Korenlei quays preserve a dense row of historic guild and merchant houses beside the Leie. Oudenaarde's town hall, an ornate early sixteenth-century building, expresses the wealth generated by the town's textile and tapestry trade, and its former cloth-centre identity remains central to local heritage. Dendermonde's Grote Markt and belfry represent the civic importance of the Scheldt-Dender town, while Aalst's belfry is another visible reminder of medieval urban government. In the south, the Muur van Geraardsbergen is a celebrated steep cobbled road and cycling landmark, notable for both its physical severity and its place in Flemish cycling culture. The Scheldt floodplains and wooded ridges of the Vlaamse Ardennen provide natural landmarks that contrast with the province's urban towers.

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Explore East Flanders on the map

Plan your trip on one map. See where the top cities, national parks and sights are, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in East Flanders

Dining in East Flanders ranges from busy urban restaurants in Ghent to traditional cafés, bakeries and brasseries in market towns and villages. Belgian classics such as chips, mussels when in season, waffles, chocolate and beers are widely available, while Ghent is particularly well suited to international dining and contemporary vegetarian cooking. Gentse waterzooi, a creamy stew associated with Ghent and traditionally prepared with fish or chicken, remains a notable local reference, alongside mustard, pralines and regional baked goods. The province's rural areas support farm shops, seasonal produce and straightforward dishes served in inns or cafés, while the Scheldt and Leie corridors provide opportunities for riverside dining. In Oudenaarde and the Vlaamse Ardennen, local beer culture is closely tied to cycling and country excursions. Menus vary considerably by town and season, so reservations are useful for sought-after restaurants in Ghent and for smaller rural establishments with limited sittings.

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Best bars in East Flanders

Ghent has East Flanders' broadest evening scene, shaped by its university population, historic centre and concentration of music venues, cafés and restaurants. Traditional brown cafés, Belgian beer bars and late-opening city-centre venues sit alongside cocktail bars and spaces for live performance, although arrangements and opening patterns change. The Oude Beestenmarkt and surrounding central streets are associated with student and evening activity, while the former industrial waterfronts host occasional cultural events rather than a single permanent nightlife district. Aalst, Sint-Niklaas, Dendermonde and Oudenaarde offer smaller selections of pubs, cafés and music venues, often focused on local social life rather than all-night clubbing. In rural East Flanders, evenings generally centre on village pubs, restaurants and seasonal festivities. Visitors should use public transport or a designated driver when moving between small towns, as late connections are more limited outside Ghent.

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Best nightclubs in East Flanders

Ghent has East Flanders' broadest evening scene, shaped by its university population, historic centre and concentration of music venues, cafés and restaurants. Traditional brown cafés, Belgian beer bars and late-opening city-centre venues sit alongside cocktail bars and spaces for live performance, although arrangements and opening patterns change. The Oude Beestenmarkt and surrounding central streets are associated with student and evening activity, while the former industrial waterfronts host occasional cultural events rather than a single permanent nightlife district. Aalst, Sint-Niklaas, Dendermonde and Oudenaarde offer smaller selections of pubs, cafés and music venues, often focused on local social life rather than all-night clubbing. In rural East Flanders, evenings generally centre on village pubs, restaurants and seasonal festivities. Visitors should use public transport or a designated driver when moving between small towns, as late connections are more limited outside Ghent.

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Best shops in East Flanders

Ghent offers East Flanders' widest shopping choice, combining pedestrianised central streets, independent design shops, bookshops, fashion retailers, food specialists and established high-street brands. Its historic centre is particularly useful for Belgian chocolate, beer, lace-inspired goods and contemporary craft, although visitors should distinguish locally made products from generic souvenirs. Market squares and weekly markets in towns such as Aalst, Dendermonde, Oudenaarde and Sint-Niklaas provide everyday produce, flowers, clothing and regional food rather than a single uniform tourist market. Oudenaarde is a good place to look for tapestry-related heritage and locally produced goods, while rural areas around the Vlaamse Ardennen and Meetjesland have farm shops selling seasonal produce, cheese, bread and drinks. Sint-Niklaas functions as the main retail centre of the Waasland, with a larger urban shopping offer than the surrounding villages. Independent galleries, antique dealers and craft studios are most rewarding when explored as part of a town visit rather than treated as a fixed shopping trail.

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East Flanders essentials

Currency and Payment
East Flanders uses the euro (€), like the rest of Belgium. Debit and credit cards, including contactless payments, are widely accepted in hotels, museums, restaurants and shops, especially in Ghent and other larger towns. Some smaller cafés, market traders and rural businesses may prefer cash or have a minimum card payment, so carrying a modest amount of euros is sensible. Belgian banknotes and coins are standard nationwide, and exchange rates should be checked through a bank or card provider rather than assumed at the point of purchase.
Safety
East Flanders is generally straightforward for visitors, but ordinary precautions remain appropriate in busy railway stations, nightlife areas and crowded events. Keep valuables secure when cycling or leaving luggage in transit areas, and use marked cycle parking where available. Riverbanks, floodplains and country lanes require care after heavy rain, while cyclists should expect traffic, uneven surfaces and occasional steep or cobbled roads in the Vlaamse Ardennen. Belgian drivers and cyclists share many roads, so use lights, obey signs and take particular care at junctions.
Emergency Situations
For an urgent police, fire or ambulance response in East Flanders, call 112, the Belgian emergency number; police can also be reached directly on 101. Give the exact location, preferably including a street name, town and nearby landmark, and state whether an interpreter is needed. On river or outdoor routes, describe the recognised path, crossing or cycling junction if possible. Pharmacies display an on-duty rota outside normal hours, and the Belgian health service can direct visitors to appropriate medical assistance when an immediate emergency is not involved.
Do's and Don'ts
Greet shopkeepers and hosts courteously, queue patiently and keep voices moderate on public transport. In churches and historic religious buildings, dress respectfully and follow photography restrictions. Use cycle lanes where provided, signal clearly and do not block paths or towpaths when stopping. In rural areas, remain on permitted routes, close gates and avoid disturbing crops or livestock. Tipping is not compulsory in Belgium, as service is normally included, though rounding up or leaving a little extra for notably good service is acceptable. At busy festivals, follow local crowd-management instructions.
Local Tips
The province is easiest to understand through its river corridors: combine Ghent with the Scheldt, explore the Leie around Deinze and Sint-Martens-Latem, or follow routes through the Dender towns. The flat north and west suit relaxed cycling, whereas Oudenaarde, Geraardsbergen and the surrounding Vlaamse Ardennen demand more planning. Many museums and municipal attractions close on a regular weekday, so check arrangements before setting out. Regional markets and events can alter parking and public transport, particularly in Ghent, Aalst and Dendermonde.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHallo[ha-lo]
GoodbyeTot ziens[tot zeens]
YesJa[ya]
NoNee[nay]
Please/You're welcomeAlstublieft[al-stu-bleeft]
Thank youDank u[dank oo]
Excuse me/SorryExcuseer[ex-ku-seer]
How are you?Hoe gaat het?[hoo gaat het]
Fine. And you?Goed. En jij?[hoot. en yay]
Do you speak English?Spreekt u Engels?[spreekt oo en-gels]
I don't understandIk begrijp het niet[ik be-graif het neet]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseIk zou graag de menukaart willen zien, alstublieft[ik zow grahkh de me-nu-kart wil-len zeen, al-stu-bleeft]
I don't eat meatIk eet geen vlees[ik eet ghen vles]
Cheers!Proost![prohst]
I would like to pay, pleaseIk zou graag willen betalen, alstublieft[ik zow grahkh wil-len be-ta-len, al-stu-bleeft]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![help]
Go away!Ga weg![ga vek]
Call the Police!Bel de politie![bel de po-li-tie]
Call a doctor!Bel een dokter![bel een dok-ter]
I'm lostIk ben verdwaald[ik ben ver-dwaald]
I'm illIk ben ziek[ik ben zeek]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Ik wil graag kopen...[ik vil grahkh ko-pen]
I'm just lookingIk kijk gewoon rond[ik kayk ge-woon ront]
How much is it?Hoeveel kost het?[hoo-veel kost het]
That's too expensiveDat is te duur[dat is te dur]
Can you lower the price?Kunt u de prijs verlagen?[kunt oo de prijs ver-la-ghen]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Hoe laat is het?[hoo laat is het]
It's one o'clockHet is één uur[het is een oor]
Half past (10)Half tien[half teen]
MorningOchtend[okh-tend]
AfternoonMiddag[mid-dahg]
EveningAvond[a-vond]
YesterdayGisteren[gis-te-ren]
TodayVandaag[van-dahg]
TomorrowMorgen[mor-ghen]
11[een]
22[twee]
33[drie]
44[vier]
55[vijf]
66[zes]
77[zeven]
88[acht]
99[negen]
1010[tien]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Waar is een/de...?[vaar is een/de]
What's the address?Wat is het adres?[vat is het a-dres]
Can you show me (on the map)?Kunt u me (op de kaart) laten zien?[kunt oo me (op de kaart) la-ten zeen]
When's the next (bus)?Wanneer is de volgende (bus)?[van-neer is de vol-gen-de (bus)]
A ticket (to ....)Een ticket (naar ...)[een ti-ket (naar ...)]

History of East Flanders

Prehistoric and Roman Settlement

East Flanders has been occupied since prehistoric times, with archaeological evidence of farming communities and later Roman activity across the Scheldt and Dender basins. The Gallo-Roman Museum at Velzeke, near Zottegem, interprets an important settlement in the southern part of the province, where Roman roads, trade and military administration influenced local life. Roman occupation did not erase existing communities, but it connected the region to wider networks extending across northern Gaul. Archaeological collections and reconstructed routes help explain why the river valleys and gently elevated southern lands remained attractive for settlement over many centuries.

The Medieval Growth of Ghent

Ghent grew during the early and central Middle Ages around the confluence of the Scheldt and Leie, with religious foundations and a strategically placed stronghold supporting its development. By the later Middle Ages it had become one of the major textile and commercial cities of northern Europe. Wealth from woollen cloth financed churches, civic buildings and powerful guilds, while the Gravensteen expressed the authority of the Counts of Flanders. Ghent's dense medieval centre, canals and towers still reflect the political and economic importance it achieved during this period.

Towns, Guilds and the County of Flanders

Across East Flanders, medieval towns developed around river crossings, markets, religious institutions and textile production. Dendermonde occupied a strategically important position at the meeting of the Dender and Scheldt, while Oudenaarde became prominent for cloth and later tapestry. Aalst, Sint-Niklaas and smaller market centres were connected through regional trade. Urban autonomy was expressed through guild organisation and civic privileges, although local communities remained within the wider political framework of the County of Flanders and, successively, larger Burgundian and Habsburg territories.

Tapestry and Renaissance Oudenaarde

From the sixteenth century, Oudenaarde became a leading European centre for tapestry production. Workshops produced richly woven wall hangings for courts, churches and wealthy households, using designs influenced by Renaissance art and international trade. The industry depended on skilled labour, imported materials and export networks, and its success helped fund the town's impressive civic architecture. The later decline of large-scale tapestry production did not remove its cultural importance: museums, surviving works and the town hall continue to document an industry that linked a relatively small East Flemish town to the wider European art market.

Religious Conflict and Political Change

The sixteenth century brought religious conflict, iconoclasm and political upheaval to the towns and villages of East Flanders. The region passed through the disturbances of the Dutch Revolt and later came under Spanish Habsburg authority, while Catholic institutions were rebuilt and reorganised. Ghent's changing political fortunes reflected wider tensions between urban privileges, central government and religious allegiance. Churches, former convent sites and civic buildings across the province preserve traces of these transformations, although many medieval interiors were altered or lost during periods of conflict and later reform.

Industrialisation and the Textile Economy

The nineteenth century transformed East Flanders through mechanised textile production, expanding commerce and new transport links. Ghent became a major industrial centre, with cotton mills, warehouses, canals and working-class districts reshaping the city beyond its medieval core. Railways improved connections between Ghent, Aalst, Sint-Niklaas, Oudenaarde and surrounding towns, while the Scheldt remained vital for freight. Industrial growth brought employment and urban expansion but also difficult working and living conditions. Today, restored mills, museums and former docklands reveal how decisively manufacturing influenced the province.

The First World War and Reconstruction

East Flanders was occupied during the First World War, and towns, transport networks and industries were affected by military administration, shortages and disruption. The province was not the principal site of the Western Front, but its position behind the front made it important for movement, supply and civilian life. The interwar years brought rebuilding and further modernisation, while the Second World War again imposed occupation and material hardship. Memorials, cemeteries and local archives provide reminders of how international conflicts altered everyday life in Flemish communities.

Post-war Renewal and a Contemporary Province

After 1945, East Flanders moved from a predominantly industrial economy towards a more varied combination of services, education, logistics, technology, culture and tourism. Ghent's university and cultural institutions became major forces in this transition, while former industrial sites were adapted for housing, events and creative work. Smaller towns retained manufacturing, agriculture and regional administrative roles, and the Scheldt landscape gained greater attention for flood management, biodiversity and recreation. The contemporary province therefore combines a substantial urban centre with enduring rural economies and a growing interest in heritage and landscape conservation.

East Flanders in Photos

Browse through our photo collection highlighting the charm and character of the destination.

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The closest regions to East Flanders, if you have time for more than one.

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to East Flanders

Discover East Flanders with Evendo, a 100% free app-based travel guide offering detailed info on attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more, all in one place.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
  • High-quality images and comprehensive descriptions
  • Local tips and maps for easy navigation
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Explore East Flanders like never before with Evendo, your all-in-one travel guide app. Find attractions, book hotels, discover local tips, and enjoy seamless travel planning—all for free!

  • Contact details for seamless planning
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  • 'Near Me' feature to find nearby attractions
  • Curated local advice for insider experiences
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Imagine wandering through the picturesque streets of Ghent, discovering the medieval charm of the Gravensteen Castle, or indulging in mouth-watering Belgian cuisine at the renowned De Graslei. With Evendo, your journey through East Flanders becomes an unforgettable experience. Our app provides comprehensive information on the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities in East Flanders. Each location comes with rich descriptions, stunning images, local tips, maps, and contact details, making it easier than ever to plan and organize your trip.

From the historical wonders of St. Bavo's Cathedral to the vibrant nightlife at Overpoortstraat, Evendo ensures you don't miss out on anything. Craving a gastronomic adventure? Explore top-rated eateries like Pakhuis and 't Klokhuys. The app also lets you book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly, eliminating the hassle of searching multiple platforms.

Evendo goes beyond mere listings. It offers detailed histories of East Flanders, essential travel tips, and curated local advice to ensure you experience the region like a true insider. The 'Near Me' feature helps you find nearby attractions and amenities effortlessly, while the user-friendly navigation guarantees a smooth experience both within the app and throughout your journey.

Download Evendo now and unlock the magic of East Flanders. Best of all, it's completely free—with no in-app purchases or hidden costs! And remember, Evendo covers over 7,000 destinations worldwide, so your next adventure is just a tap away.

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