14 Wonderful Tourist Attractions to See and Things to Do in Ypres (Ieper), Belgium

September 9, 2023 Mustafa Natalwala 2420 Views

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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Table of Contents

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

Mid-Range and Budget Hotels

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