Looking for a cultural, city, green or beach destination for your next trip, or all in one? Then Flanders (Belgium) is the place to be! Check out the new website of HI Hostels Belgium – Flanders for hostels and promotions.
Taste culture & history in our City Hostels
Flanders has a rich history and culture is present on every street corner of the 6 Art Cities of Flanders: Antwerp, Bruges, Brussels, Ghent, Leuven & Mechelen. Since Flanders is also a gourmets paradise, we present you some of the local delicacies of these cities.
Antwerp - Antwerpse Handjes
One of the most known products of this city, are its biscuits, the Antwerpse Handjes, literally "Antwerp Hands". They are usually made from a short pastry with almonds or milk chocolate, and symbolise the Antwerp trademark and folklore.
Bruges - Belgian chocolate
Bruges counts no less than 55 chocolate shops and a chocolate museum. Make sure to stop by the infamous Master Shock-o-Latier, Dominique Persoone's chocolate shop, The Chocolate Line.
Ghent – Ghent Waterzooi
Waterzooi is a classic stew of Flanders. Its name is Dutch, "zooien" meaning "to boil". The original form is made of fish, either freshwater or sea, though today chicken waterzooi is more common. It is said to have been the favourite dish of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor who was born in Ghent.
Brussels – Brussels waffles
In Belgium, most waffles are served warm by street vendors and dusted with confectioner's sugar though in tourist areas they might be topped with whipped cream, soft fruit or chocolate spread. They were introduced to America by restaurateur Maurice Vermersch, who sold his Brussels waffles under the name "Bel-Gem Waffles" at New York's 1964 World's Fair.
Leuven – Belgian Beer
Belgium is a beer-lover's paradise, with an unparalleled reputation for its specialty beers since the Middle Ages. Leuven is Belgium’s reigning brewing capital and the headquarters of Inbev, the second largest brewery in the world, famous for Stella Artois beers. Centuries of Flemish tradition and craftsmanship lie behind Leuven’s premium brews.
Mechelen - Cuckoo
Mechelen is a charming renaissance city and for many tourists an undiscovered Flemish gem. The culinary speciality is Mechelse koekoek, a firm-fleshed chicken - the Mechelen cuckoo - served with fresh vegetables, Mechelen beer sauce and roasted potatoes.
Get a breath of fresh air in our Beach Hostels
The coast's 65 kilometre long stretch of sandy coastline has 13 resorts, each with its own character and unique atmosphere. The sandy beaches are ideal for children and sunbathers. The Flemish coast offers a wide range of sport and recreation facilities : you can hire a bicycle or a buggy, or go sailing or fishing. The wide beach is ideal for ball games, horse riding and beach surfing. And there is more: take a stroll along the beach promenades, great shopping in fancy stores and great food and local specialties are offered in a wide variety of restaurants.
Enjoy nature in our Green Hostels
Flanders is a region that can provide you with a great, all-round cycling or hiking holiday. The castles, museums, medieval churches, picturesque villages and artistic towns will enthral culture lovers. Outdoorsy-types can enjoy the complete tranquillity of the Flemish countryside with national parks, woods, rolling hills, canals and rivers.
