Ypres (Ieper) is a city in the West Flanders province of Belgium. Although there are a variety of places to visit in Ypres, Belgium. The city is best known for the World War I sites. It was a major battle centre in the country during the First World War.
Many of the best things to do in Ypres town revolve around the Battles of Ypres between German and Allied Forces. The battles have left back ruins that have now become Ypres tourist attractions. These include army headquarters, bunkers, trenches, battle sites, ruined buildings, shelled lands, and more. There are also quite many things to do near Ypres concerning the war.
However, there is much more to explore when you travel to Ypres. It is a historic town that dates back to the 1st century BCE and beyond. During the Middle Ages, it became a major trade centre known for its Cloth Market. You will come across some of the monuments during Ypres sightseeing that still continue the tradition. This entire market site is included among UNESCO World Heritage sites.
You will also come across other historical monuments built during the Middle Ages. The most prominent among these is the St. Martin’s Cathedral. It is one of the most magnificent things to see in Ypres.
Aside from history, Ypres travel is also includes exploring culture. The city is home to several art museums and galleries. These house ancient, modern, and contemporary artworks. You can also see a collection of royal treasures belonging to Kings and Queens of Belgium when you visit Ypres.
While you are exploring the history and culture, you can also take some time to enjoy the regional cuisines and beverages. There are also many places to visit near Ieper for entertainment. You can go to the amusement parks for games and thrill rides. Or you can explore the wilderness nearby for hiking.
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Top 14 Tourist Places to Visit in Ypres, Belgium
1. Menin Gate (Menenpoort)
This memorial monument is dedicated to the British and Commonwealth soldiers who died in the battle of Ypres Salient during the First World War. The structure is quite imposing. It takes inspiration from old Greek and Italian architecture and is among the most magnificent things to see in Ypres, Belgium.
Although built in 1927, the history of this gate dates back to the 17th century. It served as the gateway to the town of Menen. Hence, the name. You should take a few minutes to admire this monument when you visit Ypres, Belgium.
2. In Flanders Fields Museum
This museum focuses entirely on WWI. The museum is part of the Cloth Hall building, which itself was damaged during the war. It is one of the best places to visit in Ypres if you are interested in military and warfare history.
Rather than glorifying war, the museum shows the harshness of battle. The museum tells the story of the invasion of Belgium and the tragedies that followed.
It is among the best things to do in Ypres, Belgium as it gives you an experiential insight into history. You will need at least an hour to tour this museum.
3. Cloth Hall Ypres (Lakenhalle)
The Cloth Hall used to be among the largest commercial buildings in Europe during medieval times. It was the city’s main market as well as the centre of the region’s cloth industry.
The structure dates back to the 13th century and was built several times over the years. As a result, it bears hallmarks of different ages. Owing to its history and architecture, the Cloth Hall is among the most important Ypres attractions. You will need an hour or so to explore this historical structure.
4. St Martin’s Cathedral (Sint-Maartenskerk)
Dating back to 1230, this church is among the oldest buildings you will come across during Ypres travel. The church was extended during different centuries and was damaged during the First World War.
The structure carries designs, features, stories, and scars from numerous events. There are few other Ypres tourist attractions that have seen as much. The cathedral is also renowned for its architecture and opulent interiors.
The tower of the cathedral is still among the tallest structures in the country. The cathedral is included among the top things to do in Ieper for several reasons. You will need at least an hour to explore the cathedral.
5. Hooge Crater Museum
The Chateau of Hooge served as the headquarters of the British forces. Many of them died when it was bombed by German forces on the 31st of October in 1914. The place is now converted into a museum dedicated to these soldiers and the incidents of the war.
It is among the best historical places to visit near Ypres owing to the events of the war. You will get to see many artifacts and learn about the stories of many soldiers. It takes about an hour to tour this museum.
6. Hooge Crater Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery
This cemetery is the final resting place and pays tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives in the Ypres Salient during WWI. You can visit the cemetery and the museum together. It is important among things to do around Ypres. Take a few minutes to pay your respects to the fallen soldiers.
I suggest you should book a Full-Day Tour of Ypres to See Hooge Crater Cemetery and other attractions.
7. Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917
This museum focuses on the Battle of Passchendaele of 1917. It was the third battle of Ypres and cost the lives of more than 500,000 soldiers. This happened only in a span of 100 days for merely 8 km of land.
The museum focuses on the events and stories of the battle. The exhibits include artifacts from the battle, uniforms, memorabilia, documents, photographs, and more. You will need about 2 hours from Ypres sightseeing to tour the museum.
I suggest you should book a Half-Day Tour to Ypres Battlefields to see Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 and other attractions.
8. Passchendaele Canadian Memorial
This memorial pays tribute to the Canadian Corps for their role in the Second Battle of Passchendaele during WWI. It is located at Crest Farm. This was the location recaptured by the 4th Canadian Division. This is yet another one of the places to visit around Ypres that gives you great insight into the events of WWI.
9. Yorkshire Trench and Dug Out
The village of Boezinge was another important battleground between Allied and German forces during World War One. This is the trench system that was discovered by an archeologist and has been turned into an open-air museum.
You will get to see the actual ground where the battle was fought and the conditions faced by the soldiers. This is a walking experience of history and one of the best things to do near Ypres town. You will need 2 hours for this tour.
10. Bellewaerde Park & Bellewaerde Aquapark
These amusement parks are the best places to visit in Ypres for fun and entertainment. The Aquapark has all sorts of slides, rides, pools, and games for water activities. It also has a themed obstacle course designed like a fort and a jungle. It has all the top things to do in Ypres town for families.
The Bellewaerde Park on the other hand is an amusement park focused on thrill rides. You can enjoy rollercoasters, rides, obstacle courses, rafting, and more. There are a lot of fun activities to enjoy here and you can easily spend a few hours at any of these parks.
I suggest you should get your Entry Ticket to Bellewarde Park and Bellewarde Aquapark in advance.
11. Kazematten Brewery
This historic brewery is housed in an 18th-century structure that was used to house ammunition during WWI. These bunkers were also behind the foundation of a morale-boosting newspaper called the Wiper Times.
Now you can have a sip of The Wiper Times Beer at this bunker at Kazematten Brewery. It is a historic as well as refreshing attraction that you can enjoy when you visit Ypres.
12. Merghelynck Museum
This museum is housed inside the old house of Frans Merghelynck, the treasurer of Empress Maria Theresia. The exhibits of this museum include many artifacts from the personal collection of Merghelynck.
It also has some of the most wonderful things to see in Ypres from the Royal Collection of Empress Maria, King Louis XV, and King Louis XVI. You will need about an hour to tour this museum.
13. Grote Markt
This market is the historical as well as the modern heart of the city. It is housed in a 70-meter-tall belfry that you can spot throughout Ypres sightseeing. The structure is greatly admired for its architecture.
You should visit this Ypres attraction twice. Once on a Saturday, when it hosts the market, and once to admire the structure with artistic features. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to tour the place on each visit.
14. Yper Museum
This museum is housed in the Cloth Hall. It is dedicated to the history and culture of the city. In one place you can browse through 11 centuries of the city’s history. It is among the top things to do in Ypres town if you want to know the city.
The museum also has a large model of medieval Ypres. You will get to learn about important events, people, and buildings in the city. The museum also tells you how the city has evolved over the ages. You will need at least an hour from Ypres travel to explore this museum.
If you are looking for more tourist attractions in Ypres, check out the sections below. We have compiled a complete list of places and activities that you can explore in the city and around it.
Things to do in Ypres, Belgium
Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Ypres, Belgium
- In Flanders Fields Museum
- Menin Gate
- Cloth Hall
- Tyne Cot Cemetery
- Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917
- Hooge Crater Museum
- Sanctuary Wood Museum
- Yper Museum
- Talbot House
- St. Martin’s Cathedral
- St. Sixtus Abbey
- Merghelinck Museum
- St. George’s Memorial Church
- Langemark Cemetery
- Hooge Crater Cemetery
- Poperinge Hop Museum
- The Canadian Hill 62 Memorial
- Kemmel Command Bunker
- Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery
- Lettenberg
- National Tabaks Museum
- Passchendaele Canadian Memorial
- Yorkshire Trench and Dug Out
- Musee de la Rubanerie Cominoise
- The Lovie
- Vestingroute
- Kasteeldomein Zonnebeke
- Museumhuis Lucien de Gheus
- Lettenberg Bunkers
- The Messines Ridge Memorial to the Missing
- Liverpool Scottish Memorial
- Biscuiterie James Destrooper Museum
- Kasteel du Parc
- Kasteel van Zonnebeke
- Tobacco Museum
- Kasteel Couthof
- Elzenwalle Kasteel
- Kasteel de Warrande
- Old Timer Museum
- St. Jansgodshuis Church
- St. Jacobskerk Church
- The Old Cheese Factory Museum
Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Ypres, Belgium
- Polygon Wood Nature Preserve
- Wandelverhaal
- Dikkebusvijver Lake
- Zillebekevijver Lake
- Gasthuisbossen
- Hellegatbos Nature Preserve
- Leperlee Canal
- Provinciedomein Kemmelberg
- Scherpeberg Nature Preserve
- Baneberg
- Rode Berg
- Palingbeek Wandelroute
- Galgebossen Nature Preserve
Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Ypres, Belgium
- Bellewaerde Theme Park
- Bellewaerde Aqua Park
- Kemmelberg
- Westvleteren Brewery
- Ice Mountain Adventure Park
- Boomerang
- De Zonnegloed Animal Sanctuary
- Bengal Rapid River
- Plugstreet 14-18 Experience
- Pool of Peace
- Outside Adventure Park
- Winjgoed Monteberg Winery
- Island of Ireland Peace Park
- Cordoba Cable Car
- De Oude Kaasmakerij
- Welsh National Memorial Park
- Passchendaele Memorial Gardens
- Burggraaf Frimount Park
- Village on Pilotis
Shopping in Ypres, Belgium
- Cloth Hall
- Grote Market
- Ieper Market Square
- Boterstraat
- Meensestraat
- Rijselstraat
Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure in Ypres, Belgium
- Cable Car Ride
- Hiking
- Boating
- Cycling
Sightseeing in Ypres, Belgium
- The Brooding Soldier Sculpture
- Lille Gate
- Kosmos Rodeberg
- Coming World Remember Me Sculpture
- St. Julien Canadian Memorial
- Provinciedomein Palingbeek
- R.E. Grave Memorial Park
Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Ypres, Belgium
- Kazemaaten Brewery
- De Ruffelaer Ieper
- De Voerman
- De Steenen Haene
- Frituur de Leet
- MarktCafe Les Halles
- Au Miroir
- Old Tom
- L’Auberge
- Hill 60
- De Palingbeek
- Bacon
- De Vier Koningen
- Capella
- Hostellerie Saint Nicholas
- Cyper
- De Fonderie
- De Oude Kaasmakerji
- Decouverte
- De Krikke
Where to Stay in Ypres?
Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range, and Budget Hotels in Ypres. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Ypres.
Luxurious Hotels
- Novotel Ieper Centrum
- Albion Hotel
- Flanders Lodge
- Main Street Boutique Hotel
- Hotel New Regina
- Cocoon
- Bed and Breakfast saBBajon
- B&B Wellness Yoake
- Juliette’s B&B
- Vijverhuis
Mid-Range and Budget Hotels
- Kasteelhof ‘t Hooghe
- Ambrosia Hotel
- Hotel O Ieper
- Alliance Hotel Ieper Centrum
- Hotel Old Tom
- Gasthof ‘t Zweerd
- B&B Het Kapittel
- Surmont
- B&B Laurus
Custom Tours Package in Ypres
How to Reach Ypres, Belgium?
By Air
The closest airport to visit Ypres is the Ostend–Bruges airport. It sits about 45 km away from the city. You can also use the airports of Lille, Antwerp and Brussels. These cities offer road connectivity to reach Ypres.
By Road
You can get direct trains for Ypres travel from several cities in Belgium. This includes major cities like Brussels and Antwerp. You can also get connecting international trains to visit Ypres from Lille, Amsterdam, and Dusseldorf. The bus network also offers great connectivity within Belgium. You can get direct rides from several cities and towns to reach Ypres.
If you are planning to get to Ypres by road, you should head for routes A16, E40, N8, E17, E403, or N37. These routes will help you get to the city.
By Water
There are no direct water routes to visit Ypres.
Image Reference
- Menin Gate (Menenpoort) – Don Barrett / Flickr
- In Flanders Fields Museum – Wouter van der Maden / PixaBay
- Cloth Hall Ypres (Lakenhalle) – Ruben Holthuijsen / Flickr
- St Martin’s Cathedral (Sint-Maartenskerk) – Jez / Flickr
- Hooge Crater Museum – Paul Easton / Flickr
- Hooge Crater Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery – Wernervc / Wikimedia Commons
- Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 – Michael Day / Flickr
- Passchendaele Canadian Memorial – LimoWreck / Wikimedia Commons
- Yorkshire Trench and Dug Out – Andrew Nash / Flickr
- Bellewaerde Park & Bellewaerde Aquapark – nl:Rickie97 / Wikimedia Commons
- Kazematten Brewery – Bernt Rostad / Flickr
- Merghelynck Museum – Karmakolle / Wikimedia Commons
- Grote Markt – Andrew Nash / Flickr
- Yper Museum – VladCOBHC / Wikimedia Commons
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