A day spent in Flanders Fields wouldn’t be complete without ending it in Ypres (Ieper) for the Last Post. Ypres is a small, traditional town in West Belgium, and is arguably the heart of Flanders Fields.
We visited Ypres strictly to witness the Last Post ceremony, however, we’re so surprised with how cute the town itself was too. I guess we should have imagined it would be that way…we love Belgian towns. The stair-like tops to buildings, pubs with great beer, and Belgian waffles sold off the streets.. who wouldn’t love them? Here are 10 exciting things to do in Ypres Belgium in a day.
Traveler’s Tip… When visiting Ypres, park on one of the side streets just outside the city near Menin Gate. Parking is free there, and you get to experience walking through the gate on your way into town!
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10 Things To Do In Ypres Belgium
1. See The Menin Gate
The Last Post Ceremony occurs just outside the main square of Ypres, at the Menin Gate. This gate really sets the historic vibe to the town. Simply driving or walking through the gate you can feel the weight of the war with names of fallen soldiers engraved on the walls.
2. Witness The Last Post
Every evening since 1928 the Last Post is sounded to commemorate the soldier’s lives taken in the First World War under the Menin Gate. The ceremony begins at 20:00, though we recommend getting there around 19:30 to secure a spot in the front to really see what’s going on. If you can’t get there early, do at least try in stand under the gate to really feel the Last Post sounding. And please, remember this isn’t just a tourist attraction, it’s a way of remembering the soldiers who gave their lives in the war.
3. Visit The In Flanders Fields Museum
Flanders Fields as a whole is such a moving place to visit. It’s where the frontline of the First World War for Belgium was and is full of so much history. The In Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres is home to exhibitions, personal stories, and artifacts from the war. Even if you don’t go inside the museum, seeing the building itself is lovely.
Traveler’s Tip… If you have a car, we recommend driving through Flanders Fields to really see the war front face to face. You can visit the museum or visitor’s center to understand what it is you’re really seeing while exploring the countryside.
READ MORE | The Dodengang Trench of Death
4. Grab A Traditional Belgium Waffle
One of our all-time favorite parts of Belgium is Belgian waffles. They are absolutely to. die. for… especially when you can find them on the street. When we got to Ypres, we were starving and wanted to grab a quick bite so badly. We smelt waffles in the air (that’s normal, right?!) and followed the scent to the sweetest lady serving them on the side of the road. Holla!! Your trip will not be complete in any Belgium city without finding some street waffles!
Traveler’s Tip… always have some cash on you, so you can buy waffles every dang chance you get! This place was on the road between the Menin Gate and the town center.
5. Wander The Side Streets
We’re firm believers in wandering outside the main tourist attractions to really get a feel and understanding of a place. And it’s no different in small towns verse big ones. The really awesome thing about doing this in Ypres is that all the roads lead to the town center, so you’ll get some really pretty views of the buildings down the streets of both the cathedral and the In Flanders Fields Museum.
6. Enjoy A Belgian Beer In The Center
We typically don’t recommend eating/drinking in the center of cities, as typically this is where prices are jacked up for all the tourism. However, that wasn’t the case in Ypres. After we finished eating a not so great meal down one of the side streets, we walked by a restaurant right in the center, and noticed the prices were actually cheaper than the place we ate! Eat/drink in the center and enjoy all the gorgeous buildings around!
Things To Do Near Ypres, Belgium
1. Sanctuary Wood
Just outside of Ypres (Ieper) is Sanctuary Wood, a place of World War One Trenches. Though the name sounds like a nice place, we’ve read that it was anything but that. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the chance to visit this place, though we can only imagine how moving it would be to visit.
2. The Dodengang Trench Of Death
Visiting the Dodengang Trench of Death was one of the most unreal experiences we’ve had to date. It’s a place where you can honestly feel the war and the horrific experiences the soldiers stationed at the trench had.
READ MORE | Dodengang Trench of Death
3. Visit The Tyne Cot Cemetery
The Tyne Cot Cemetery is one of the largest Commonwealth Cemeteries in the world. It’s the resting place of nearly 12,000 soldiers and has a memorial hosting nearly 35,000 names of missing soldiers from the First World War.
READ MORE | Tyne Cot Cemetery
4. Sait Sixtus Abbey
Saint Sixtus Abbey is home to the Westvleteren Trappist Beer. Trappist Beers are beers made by the monks at an abbey, and this is said to be the best Trappist beer in Belgium. Grab a beer and a snack at the brewery.. their homemade cheese and bread is real good too!
Where To Stay When Visting Ypres, Belgium
You can obviously stay in Ypres itself, though it may be a nicer place to just use as a day trip. The closest bigger cities are Bruges and Ghent. Bruges is a huge hotspot for people visiting Belgium, but our all-time favorite city in Belgium is Ghent.
So we definitely recommend staying in Ghent! It’s only about an hour drive away from Ypres (Ieper), making it close enough for a short day trip into Flanders Fields!
Recommended Gear For Visiting Ypres And Flanders Fields
Travel Bag
We always travel with this backpack. It’s comfy, waterproof, and had padding to keep your camera and belongings safe while throwing it in and out of the car visiting places like this!
Camera Set Up
All photos in this post were taken with this camera using mainly this lens, and occasionally this one. You can check out a full list of our camera gear here.
Water Bottle
It’s actually safe to drink the water in Belgium, so just filling this water bottle each time you leave your accommodation will save you some cash! And the best part is, this bottle keeps liquids cold for 24 hours and hot for 6 hours – so your water will stay cold all day, or you could fill it with hot coffee or tea to go!
