Bruges: classical beauty with a contemporary spirit

Bruges enchants. With its medieval façades, quiet canals and cobbled streets, the city feels like a living painting. Yet behind that historic surface lies a surprisingly modern energy.

In small-scale ateliers and galleries, Bruges’ makers keep traditional crafts alive while giving them a fresh, contemporary expression. Here, craftsmanship and design meet in quiet harmony. The culinary scene is evolving too — from refined gastronomy to inventive bistros using seasonal local ingredients, Bruges serves flavour with style.

As evening falls, the city glows in golden light. Wander the alleyways or settle in on an intimate terrace. Bruges is the perfect balance of past and present — a place for those who seek beauty with depth and flair.

 

Coastal calm: Knokke, De Haan, and the Zwin

The West Flemish coast moves at its own pace. In Knokke-Heist, stylish boutiques and art galleries sit effortlessly beside modern architecture and wide, sandy beaches — a place where refinement and relaxation go hand in hand.

Prefer a slower rhythm? De Haan, with its Belle Époque charm, invites you to stroll along tree-lined avenues and quiet dunes, where time seems to slow.

For nature lovers, the Zwin Nature Park is a haven of peace and wonder. On this border between land and sea, light, landscape, and life shift constantly — with flamingos, salt marshes, tidal flats, and an endless horizon as your backdrop.

 

A region for food lovers

West Flanders takes pride in its regional products — from artisanal cheeses and local beers to hand-churned butter and briny oysters. You can taste the love for the land in both simplicity and sophistication.

Browse the market in Veurne or Poperinge, enjoy lunch at a hidden bistronomic gem, or visit a local winery in the rolling countryside. Here, food is never just nourishment — it’s part of the story.

Favourite stops along the way:

• Veurne Market (Saturday morning)
  A charming market on one of the most beautiful squares in Flanders, full of artisanal produce and local flair.

• Bistro 't Hommelhof – Watou
  A pioneer of Flemish bistronomy where hops and terroir take centre stage (chef Stefaan Couttenye is a key figure in the genre).

• Wijngoed Monteberg – Dranouter
  Flemish wine on the southern slopes of the Rodeberg, with a tasting terrace and views over the Heuvelland.

• De Oesterput – Blankenberge
  For generations, the go-to place for fresh oysters and seafood, straight from their own saltwater basins.

• Brouwerij De Plukker – Poperinge
  Organic and independent. The only hop farm brewery in Belgium, where everything is done on-site.

 

Peaceful stays with meaning

West Flanders is for those who value quiet, quality, and thoughtful design. No mass tourism — just space, nature, and well-considered places to stay.

Nice2stay offers carefully selected accommodations across the region — always with a focus on architecture, comfort, and location. Properties that reflect their surroundings and suit travellers looking for something authentic and refined.