Points of interest

In Flanders Fields ©In Flanders Fields Museum

In Flanders Fields Museum

Last Post

Last Post ceremony

Ypres

Ypres Tourism

27 wwi memorial sites in flanders fields recognised as unesco world heritage.

Copper Tree Media

Infopoint Ypres

Grote Markt 34 8900  Ieper Belgium +32 57 23 92 20 Send me an e-mail Website

Discover also

In Flanders Fields - Poppies

Flanders Fields

Ostend

Share this page on

cemetery fallen soldiers in World War I Flanders Belgium

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Once a bustling centre of industry ranking alongside Bruges and Ghent, it's now impossible to reference Ypres (Ieper in Dutch) without acknowledging the huge role it played in WWI. After its almost total annihilation, the town was rebuilt to its former specifications – a monumental task – to serve as a memorial to those who lost their lives here in the Great War. Its restored Lakenhalle is one of Belgium's most spectacular buildings.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

In Flanders Fields Museum

In Flanders Fields Museum

No museum gives a more balanced yet moving and user-friendly introduction to WWI history. It’s a multisensory experience combining soundscapes, videos,…

The Last Post

The Last Post

Every night at 8pm, traffic through the Menin Gate is halted while buglers sound the Last Post in remembrance of the WWI dead, a moving tradition started…

Menin Gate

A block east of Grote Markt, the famous Menin Gate is a huge stone gateway straddling the main road at the city moat. It's inscribed with the names of 54…

Ramparts CWGC Cemetery

Ramparts CWGC Cemetery

One of Ypres' most attractive military graveyards, this Commonwealth War Graves Commission site is found 1km south of the Grote Markt.

Flanders Fields Museum, Ypres, Belgium

Dominating the Grote Markt, the enormous reconstructed Lakenhalle is one of Belgium’s most impressive buildings. Its 70m-high belfry has the vague…

Ramparts

Ypres is unusual in that it has retained extensive sections of its city fortifications. Designed by French military engineer Sébastien Le Prestre de…

Merghelynck Museum

Merghelynck Museum

Unrelated to WWI, this museum faithfully reproduces a French manor house dating from 1774 and is filled with period antiques and artworks. The catch: it's…

St-Maarten en St-Niklasskerk

St-Maarten en St-Niklasskerk

Directly behind the Lakenhalle, this vast church was a cathedral until 1797 and was almost totally destroyed in WWI. Reconstruction has beautifully…

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Ypres

Purchase our award-winning guidebooks.

Get to the heart of Ypres with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.

Plan Your Trip to Ieper (Ypres): Best of Ieper (Ypres) Tourism

Ypres town square

Essential Ieper (Ypres)

tourist information ieper

Trending in the forums

Gary C

Ieper (Ypres) Is Great For

Archaeology tours.

tourist information ieper

Art & history

tourist information ieper

Historical Tours

tourist information ieper

Eat & drink

tourist information ieper

Cultural Tours

tourist information ieper

  • Albion Hotel
  • Ariane hotel
  • Novotel Ieper Centrum
  • Flanders Lodge
  • Peace Village
  • A L' Envers
  • Restaurant Captain Cook
  • In 't Klein Stadhuis
  • Yathida Noodle House
  • De Ruyffelaer
  • Bellewaerde Park
  • In Flanders Fields Museum
  • Last Post ceremony
  • Bellewaerde Aquapark
  • In Flanders Fields and Passchendaele Half Day Morning Tour
  • In Flanders Fields and Passchendaele Grand Tour
  • From IEPER Private 4-hour Tour of the Ypres Battlefield
  • From Ypres, The Christmas Truce to Passchendaele Ypres Based WW1 private tour
  • Ypres Battlefields Private Full Day Tour

PlanetWare.com

12 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Ypres

Written by Jess Lee Updated Dec 22, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Ypres (in Flemish "Ieper") is associated with some of the most bitter battles of the First World War, when the countryside around town became the site of major trench warfare, and the town itself was almost completely destroyed. Today, the cemeteries and preserved battlefields of this era are a major pilgrimage site.

Ypres itself was founded in the 10th century, and during the Middle Ages was one of Belgium's most important towns (together with Ghent and Bruges ) thanks to its prosperous cloth making.

Ypres managed to retain most of its ancient buildings and evidence of former splendor until the First World War, when Ypres stood in the line of fire and was subject to continuous bombardment by artillery. It has since been rebuilt according to the original plans, and the architecture of the central town is the main sightseeing attraction away from the museums and military sites.

Discover the best places to visit in this historic city with our list of the top attractions and things to do in Ypres.

1. WWI Battlefields

2. visit the in flanders fields museum, 3. come to menin gate for the last post, 4. admire the architecture of the grote markt, 5. visit sint-maartenskathedraal, 6. hooge crater memorial museum, 7. st. george's memorial church, 8. walk along the fortifications of rijselpoort, 9. tyne cot cemetery, 10. german war cemetery, 11. pay your respects at the memorials around kemmelberg, 12. the merghelynck and stedelijk museums, where to stay in ypres for sightseeing, map of attractions & things to do in ypres.

Battlefields

The area all around Ypres was, in the four years of 1914 to 1918, the scene of some of the bloodiest battles of the First World War. The dead are buried in 170 war cemeteries, and their graves are still visited by relatives.

From Ypres, Route 14-18 is signposted to the most important battle zones. An unmarked 63-kilometer tour through the battlefields begins at the Menin Gate.

Take road N345 and N332 heading northeast through one of the most hotly contested areas, past several British cemeteries and trench warfare battlefields for nine kilometers to view the major sites along the way to the village of Zonnebeke.

Completely destroyed after the war, it now has an attractive church with a freestanding belfry dating from 1921.

In Flanders Fields Museum

Ypres' huge Lakenhalle (cloth hall) takes over one side of the central Grote Markt square. The large hall on the first floor is open to visitors and houses the In Flanders Fields Museum , dedicated to chronicling the heavy fighting of the First World War in and around Ypres.

Multi-media exhibits tell the personal stories from the soldiers who fought here, and displays include uniforms and equipment of all the armies, some architectural remains of the Lakenhalle, and pictures of old Ypres. There is also a regular program of temporary exhibitions.

It is also possible to climb the 231 steps up to the top of the cloth hall's belfry for views across the town and the surrounding battlefields.

The original cloth hall building was begun around 1260 and completed in 1304 but it was completely destroyed in the First World War. The new structure is one of the finest and largest secular buildings in Europe.

The extent of the hall in which the cloth was stored, checked, and sold, is indicative of the power wielded by the guilds within the town. Above the entrance door is the statue of the patron saint Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-van-Thuyne; in the niches are statues of count Baldwin and Mary of Constantinople together with King Albert I and Queen Elizabeth.

On the east wing of the cloth hall, a town hall was added in 1619 in the style of the Spanish Renaissance, which has also been reconstructed. It bears the coat of arms of the Spanish King Philip II

Address: Grote Markt, central Ypres

Official site: https://www.inflandersfields.be/

Menin Gate

From the east end of the Grote Markt it is just a short distance to the Menin Gate, built by the architect Sir Reginald Blomfield on the site of the medieval town gate, through which the British soldiers marched to the front.

The Menin Gate is the starting point for any battlefield tour and today, the gate serves as a memorial to the First World War with the names of the 54,896 British soldiers who were killed or missing in action inscribed under its arches.

Every evening at 8pm since 1928, The Last Post is sounded here.

Address: Menenstraat, central Ypres

Grote Markt

One of the most distinctive architectural elements to the Grote Markt is the 70-meter-high-square belfry which projects from the center of the Lakenhalle and is visible from the surrounding countryside.

Its carillon of 49 bells plays from June to October at 9pm. From the tower, which is a UNESCO site, there is a superb view over the plain of Flanders.

Opposite the Lakenhalle to the south, on the corner of Boomgaardstraat, stands the Nieuw Vleeshuis (meat hall), dating back to 1277, where meat was sold on Saturdays until 1947.

At the north end of the Grote Markt on the left is the Kasselrijgebouw (Old Town Hall) with the Seven Deadly Sins represented in the gables.

Address: Grote Markt, central Bruges

Sint-Maartenskathedraal

Behind the Cloth Hall to the north stands Sint-Maartenskathedraal. The church was originally built in the 13th century, and its south entrance and tower added in the 15th century, but having been completely destroyed during the war, the church was totally rebuilt in 1922.

Its large-scale proportions are reminiscent of the monumental French cathedrals, with the tower more than 100 meters high.

Inside, you can view some art treasures that survived the bombardment of the war. In particular, the church is home to a brass font (dating to around 1600) and the picture of Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-van Thuyne, which is traditionally believed to have miraculous powers.

Also inside the church are the tombs of Bishop Jansenius, the founder of Jansenism; Georgius Chamberlain, sixth bishop of Ypres; and Count Robrecht of Bethune.

The church's glass paintings are a present from Great Britain to commemorate the war losses.

Address: Sint-Maartensplein, central Ypres

Hooge Crater Cemetery

This private museum, inside a chapel that was built here in 1927, is five kilometers east of central Ypres. The museum is set on the front line battlefield site, where, in July 1915, British troops set off a mine explosion in an attempt to destroy the advantageous observation point German troops had. The explosion created what became known as the Hooge Crater (which has long since been filled in).

The collection includes an extensive range of uniforms, weaponry, and equipment from all the armies involved in the battles, as well as dioramas that depict life for the troops in the trenches and bunkers, and photographs from the battlefront.

The Hooge Crater Military Cemetery for Commonwealth soldiers is next door to the museum.

Address: Ypres-Menin Road, Hooge

Official site: https://www.hoogecrater.com/en/

St. George's Memorial Church

North of the cathedral, opposite the Ypres Schouwburg theater on the corner of Vandenpeerboomplein, is St. George's Memorial Church.

The Anglican Church commissioned Sir Reginald Blomfield to build this church in 1927 to commemorate the soldiers of the British Commonwealth who were killed in battle in Flanders during the First World War.

The entire interior of the church, together with the statue of St. George and the plaque with the famous poem In Flanders Field , was funded by Great Britain and the Commonwealth.

Address: Elverdingsestraat, central Ypres

Rijselpoort Gate

The Rijselstraat ends at the Rijselpoort (also known as the Lilletor, and in English as the Lille Gate), a massive fortified gate from the Burgundian period. This is the only one of Ypres' original city gates that has survived with its rooms intact.

During the First World War, the British general staff had its headquarters in the casemates. Near here, the gate ruins of the old ramparts can still be seen.

For tourists interested in Ypres history, a walk along the fortifications is a must. Not far from the gate, just inside the ramparts, is an interesting attraction - the 16th-century 'Houten Huis', a painstakingly restored example of one of 90 traditional wooden houses in the area.

Address: Rijselstraat, central Ypres

Tyne Cot Cemetery

Near the hamlet of Nieuwe-Molden, about 12 kilometers northeast of Ypres, is the largest British war cemetery in Flanders. Tyne Cot Cemetery was laid out by Sir Reginald Blomfield with almost 12,000 war graves and a memorial to 35,000 soldiers missing after August 16, 1917.

The location affords one of the best views of the former battlefields.

From the Tyne Cot Cemetery, a narrow road leads to the N313. A short distance south of the junction, at the crossing with the road to Langemark, a memorial commemorates the 2,000 Canadians who died in the first German gas attack in 1915.

German War Cemetery

About three kilometers from the Canadian monument, the pretty village of Langemark was much contested in the war and has a huge German war cemetery (almost 45,000 graves).

At Langemark, in 1914, thousands of young, inexperienced recruits, mostly students and schoolboys, lost their lives; a fact which was exploited by the propaganda machine of the Third Reich and even today can be seen as being symbolic of the spontaneous willingness of youth to make sacrifices.

From Langemark, return towards Ypres, past the British cemetery of Cementhouse, to Boezinge with a view of the silhouette of Ypres.

Lone Tree Crater, Wijtschate

At De Klijte (10 kilometers from Dikkebus), turn left to arrive at the village of Kemmel; two kilometers southwest of here rises Kemmelberg, the easternmost spur of an upland range in West Flanders that was much contested during World War I.

There is a panoramic view over Ypres and the plain of Flanders from the top. A large French communal cemetery (about 5,300 graves) with a memorial crowned by the Gallic cockerel lies on its western slope.

In Mesen, five kilometers beyond Kemmel, are several war cemeteries. The elevated ground north, between Mesen and Wijtschate, was taken by the British in 1917 by massive mine blasting. One of the largest mine craters of that battle, Lone Tree Crater, is now a small lake and is preserved as a memorial, known as the Pool of Peace. From here, you can continue on the N365 north, back towards Ypres.

Some five kilometers beyond Wijtschate, a small road turning off to the right leads to the village of Zillebeke and to Hill 60, four kilometers south east. It was an important artillery observation post and the center of heavy fighting, now crowned by two British memorials.

The Merghelynck Museum is housed in the old home, dating back to 1774, of Frans Merghelynck, who was once the treasurer for Empress Maria Theresia. Part of the splendid Louis XV and Louis XVI interior survived the First World War and is definitely worth a look.

Diagonally opposite the Merghelynck Museum is the 13th-century Steenhuis, now a post office, the only stone building left standing in Ypres.

At the south end of the Rijselstraat, a narrow street leads off to the right to the Stedelijk Museum, which functioned as a hospital for the poor in the 13th century and now documents the town's history in a series of exhibits.

Mid-Range Hotels :

  • A lovely mid-range accommodation is Main Street Boutique Hotel , a quaint place with eclectic décor that merges the homey feel of a farmhouse with modern polish. The hosts serve an incredible breakfast spread using local organic foods, and rooms are non-smoking, air-conditioned, and have free Wi-Fi. It is conveniently located just a few blocks from the major tourist attractions and things to do, including the In Flanders Fields Museum and the Merghelynck Museum .
  • Another good option is the Ariane Hotel , a modern hotel that offers rooms, suites, and family rooms. Breakfast and Wi-Fi are included, and there is an on-site restaurant, as well as a business center and concierge.

Budget Hotels :

  • Located just up the street from the Merghelynck Museum and within a five-minute walk of most attractions, the Ambrosia Hotel is a good budget option that provides clean, comfortable rooms. Breakfast is included, as is Wi-Fi. Bicycle and scooter rentals are also available.
  • Located just outside the center of town near the Menin Gate Memorial, Kasteelhof 't Hooghe is a good budget hotel for tourists with vehicles. This pet-friendly hotel serves a complimentary breakfast, and Wi-Fi is free for guests; rooms are homey and spacious.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

image

Normandy D-Day Beaches and Memorials : Located near French Normandy , Ypres is just one of the many World War II sites in the area. Tourists visiting Ypres can easily explore the Normandy D-Day memorials and beaches , as well as numerous museums and cemeteries.

image

Medieval Bruges : North of Ypres, historic Bruges is known for its distinct medieval architecture and charming, narrow streets and canals. Bruges is a popular place for tourists to stay while exploring the nearby coastal towns , including the high-end beach community of Knokke-Heist.

image

Romantic Ghent : Another beautiful old Flemish town, the city of Ghent is famous for its picturesque canals and beautiful architecture. Unlike Bruges, Ghent is not packed with tourists, making this an excellent place for visitors who want to experience authentic Flemish culture.

Ypres Map - Tourist Attractions

  • (1) Cloth Hall
  • (2) "Nieuwerk" (Stadhuis)
  • (3) St Maartenskathedraal
  • (4) Schouwburg
  • (5) St George's Memorial Church
  • (6) Vleeshuis
  • (7) Gerechtshof (law courts)
  • (8) Kasselijgebouw
  • (9) Ypres Reservoir Military Cemetery
  • (10) Rampart Military Cemetery

instagram logo

More on Belgium

Belgium Travel Guide

Download GPX file for this article

  • 1.1 Town name and languages
  • 1.2 History
  • 2.1 By train
  • 2.4 By bicycle
  • 3 Get around
  • 4.1 Landmarks and memorials
  • 4.2 Further afield
  • 4.3 Other sites
  • 10 Stay safe

Understand [ edit ]

tourist information ieper

Town name and languages [ edit ]

The official Dutch name for the city is Ieper - this is the version of the name you will see most commonly in and around the Flemish-speaking town. Most native English speakers, however, will know the town by its French name Ypres , as popularised in media and history texts during and immediately after the First World War.

History [ edit ]

The town of Ypres formed the centre of the so-called "Ypres Salient" during most of the First World War —an area of Allied (British and Belgian)-held land surrounded on three sides by the German front line that formed the northernmost section of the Western Front. Holding Ypres was vital for the Allies in their bid to prevent the Germans from gaining control of all the Channel ports, vital for the transport and supply of the British Expeditionary Force. As a result, the city became the focus of several major battles to break in and out of the Salient and was subjected to fairly continuous bombardment by German artillery for most of the war. By 1918, little remained of the town but shattered ruins surrounded by muddy shell-pocked fields.

After the First World War, most of central Ypres was rebuilt with German reparations (war debt) money. This was a lengthy process: the famous Cloth Hall was not completed until the 1960s.

Get in [ edit ]

By train [ edit ].

Ypres has its own 50.84824 2.876427 1 Train Station . From there, you can easily walk to the city center. But the station is poorly served, causing slow connections to most other towns a bit further away.

By bus [ edit ]

Ypres has bus lines towards neighbouring towns.

By car [ edit ]

Ypres is easily reachable by car - highway to Kortrijk , then follow directions for Ieper (A19).

From the ports of Calais or Dunkirk, take the A16 East, turning off at junction 28 (A25 towards Lille). Get off at Junction 13 and follow the signs for Ypres (Ieper).

Ypres isn't big, so it's perfectly traversable by car. You can park at the main square, in front of the cloth hall for a small fee (except during the weekly or other market), or freely near to the train station. A car also allows you to visit places further on such as the various cemeteries.

By bicycle [ edit ]

Although it's a nice region to cycle, the distances are often too far when you have a specific destination outside the city centre.

Get around [ edit ]

Ypres city centre is best approached on foot.

For visiting the war graves and memorials, one could use a car or cycle. Take the guided "Battle field tour" - bus, or buy an audio tour on the internet - same sites, but a lot cheaper if you have your own transport

See [ edit ]

Map

The attractions of Ypres are divided between the town center and several villages in the surrounding countryside - most of the battlefields and cemeteries are in the latter. For these, a car, bike or an arranged tour would be best.

Landmarks and memorials [ edit ]

  • This memorial contains huge panels inside and out into which are carved the names of the 54,896 officers and men of the British Empire forces who died in the Ypres Salient area and who have no known graves. The names recorded on the gate's panels are those of men who died in the area between the outbreak of the war in 1914 and 15 August 1917. The names of a further 34,984 of the missing - those who died between 16 August 1917 and the end of the war, are recorded on carved panels at Tyne Cot Cemetery, on the slopes just below Passchendaele.
  • 50.851057 2.885336 2 In Flanders Fields Museum ( in the Ypres Cloth Hall, in the center ). Apr-Sept: daily 10:00-18:00, Oct-Mar: Tu-Su 10:00—17:00, last entry 1 hr before closing . This museum gives an excellent overview of World War I. It is more like an experience that takes you right into daily life during the war. The experience is very moving, and it's a must-see for everyone coming to Ypres, young and old. Allow at least 2 hr for a full museum visit. When the weather is good enough, the belfry tower is also available for visiting for an additional cost, giving you a great overview of the front region.  
  • City fortification . Ypres has been a rather military city from its foundation on, being always on the boundary of some country. The oldest city walls, dating from 1385, were mostly destroyed for expansion. The city walls that guard the south and east of the city were created by the French architect Vauban in the 16th century. The walls are star-shaped, and made from thick dirt moats, allowing them to hold back the heaviest artillery from that age to World War I onwards. Planted with trees, they form a green belt around the city centre.  
  • Casemates (Kazematten) ( a bit south of the Menin gate, with entrances to the inner-city ). The Casemates were bomb-free shelters under the city fortifications. They were also built by Vauban, and they even remained functional as armoury until World War I. One of them contains a pub, another one contains a brewery, and the rest are used for temporary expositions.  
  • 50.844643 2.889346 3 Ramparts Cemetery , Rijselstraat . Military cemetery in the town of Ypres with 198 Commonwealth soldiers buried next to the Lille Gate (Rijselpoort).  

Further afield [ edit ]

Other sites [ edit ].

  • 50.8497 2.8862 9 Museum Godshuis Belle . Located in the chapel of a former almshouse, it contains a small Ypres art collection. Admission included with a ticket to In Flanders Field Museum . ( updated Sep 2017 )

Do [ edit ]

  • Wonderful countryside with many routes for walking and cycling.
  • Ballonvaart Westhoek . Daily hot air balloon flights over battlefields around Ypres. The best way to see the impact of the war from the sky. See the large number of bomb craters (now lakes), cemeteries, and trenches. ( updated Jan 2024 )

Events [ edit ]

  • Kattenstoet . A parade in Ypres devoted to the cat. It is held every third year on the second Sunday of May. This "Festival of the Cats" commemorates an Ypres tradition from the Middle Ages in which cats were thrown from the belfry tower of the Cloth Hall to the town square below. Symbolically reviving this practice for the parade festivities, a jester tosses stuffed toy cats from the Cloth Hall belfry down to the crowd, which awaits with outstretched arms to catch one. The throwing of the cats from the belfry is followed by a mock witch burning.  

Buy [ edit ]

  • Lovely shops and cafes selling Belgian chocolates and beer.
  • Things from the World War I period in dedicated shops, for example near the Menin Gate.

Eat [ edit ]

The marketplace has several restaurants, pubs and places to sit outside during the summer.

Tuesdays usually host a music night outside, organised by "'t Klein Stadhuis" next to the cloth halls and the city hall.

  • 50.852148 2.883182 1 Frituur De Leet , Vandenpeereboomplein 43 , ☏ +32 57 21 25 55 . Tu-Su 11:30-14:30 and 17:30-23:00, M closed . Belgian fries and other fast food. ( updated Jan 2018 )

Drink [ edit ]

Sleep [ edit ].

The region around Ypres has many small B&Bs, and in the city centre, there are also several hotels.

  • 50.8493 2.888218 1 Ambrosia Hotel Ieper ( Ambrosia b&b Ypres ), D'Hondtstraat 54 , ☏ +32 476 467-016 . Small hotel (10 rooms). Cooked and/or continental breakfast and free internet.  
  • 50.851875 2.791491 2 Cherry Blossom B&B ( between Ypres and Poperinge ). English family-run B&B. Motorcyclists and children are welcome. Evening meals and packed lunches by arrangement. Tea and coffee-making facilities/TV in all rooms. A small collection of artifacts to view.  
  • 50.861198 2.869551 3 B&B Fresco , Kunstenlaan 38 ( 10 min walking distance up from the station ), ☏ +32 57 200137 . Check-in: flexible , check-out: flexible . English, French, German, and Flemish spoken. The hosts are very friendly. Wi-Fi, terrace, privatised floor with fridge, big comfortable rooms, nice bathroom with bath foams, hearty breakfast (default breakfast with meat, vegetarian on demand including a platter of speciality cheese). Doubles €50 .  
  • 50.905638 2.984439 4 Varlet Farm . Bed and breakfast, on the former Passchendaele battlefield, named by British soldiers of the Great War. It was taken by the Royal Naval Division in October 1917. Close to all major memorials. Maps, guidebook, and tour guide available. 7 rooms. Small groups of up to 18 people. Private collection on the farm showing artifacts dug up in the fields.  

Stay safe [ edit ]

Ypres is generally very safe. Pickpockets are rare, and violence is very rare. Do watch out in the streets where there's busy traffic.

Go next [ edit ]

  • Kortrijk is the closest city reachable by rail. Kortrijk is a nice provincial city offering history or shopping and has important rail connections to Brussels , Ghent , Bruges , Antwerp , Lille .
  • When you travel by car, it's also easy to reach the other towns that were an importance in World War I, such as Nieuwpoort , Diksmuide , Poperinge and Menin .
  • The Belgian coast isn't far away, with sand beaches and picturesque towns a bit further from the beach. Those towns include Veurne , Koksijde and Nieuwpoort .

tourist information ieper

  • UNESCO World Heritage Sites
  • UNESCO tag to be fixed
  • Has custom banner
  • Has map markers
  • Has mapframe
  • See listing with no coordinates
  • Do listing with no coordinates
  • Usable cities
  • Usable articles
  • City articles
  • Has Geo parameter
  • West Flanders
  • All destination articles
  • Pages with maps

Navigation menu

  • 23 Famous Tourist Attractions to See and Fun Things to Do in Lyon, France
  • Top 29 Tourist Places to Visit and Things to Do in Málaga, Spain
  • 16 Cool Tourist Attractions to Visit and Things to Do in Saaremaa, Estonia
  • Beautiful Beaches to Visit, Things to See and Fun Activities to Do in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)
  • 17 Astonishing Tourist Attractions to See and Things to Do in Acapulco

Wide World Trips

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

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.

This Blog Post contains affiliate links. If you purchase anything from that link then I may earn a small part of the commission and for that, you do not need to pay any extra amount.

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.

Menin Gate

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.

In Flanders Fields 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.

Cloth Hall Ypres

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.

St Martin's 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.

Hooge Crater 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.

Hooge Crater Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery

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.

Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917

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.

Passchendaele Canadian Memorial

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.

Yorkshire Trench and Dug Out

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.

Bellewaerde Park

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.

Kazematten Brewery

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.

Merghelynck 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.

Grote Markt

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.

Yper 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
  • 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
  • National Tabaks Museum
  • Passchendaele Canadian Memorial
  • Yorkshire Trench and Dug Out
  • Musee de la Rubanerie Cominoise
  • 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
  • Palingbeek Wandelroute
  • Galgebossen Nature Preserve

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Ypres, Belgium

  • Bellewaerde Theme Park
  • Bellewaerde Aqua Park
  • Westvleteren Brewery
  • Ice Mountain Adventure Park
  • 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

  • Grote Market
  • Ieper Market Square
  • Boterstraat
  • Meensestraat
  • Rijselstraat

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure in Ypres, Belgium

  • Cable Car Ride

Sightseeing in Ypres, Belgium

  • The Brooding Soldier Sculpture
  • 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 Steenen Haene
  • Frituur de Leet
  • MarktCafe Les Halles
  • De Palingbeek
  • De Vier Koningen
  • Hostellerie Saint Nicholas
  • De Fonderie
  • De Oude Kaasmakerji

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
  • Bed and Breakfast saBBajon
  • B&B Wellness Yoake
  • Juliette’s B&B

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
  • B&B Laurus

TripAdvisor

Custom Tours Package in Ypres

How to reach ypres, belgium.

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.

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.

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
  • 23 Beautiful Tourist Attractions to See and Things to Do in Avignon
  • 30 Popular Tourist Attractions to See and Things to Do in Stirling, Scotland

Mustafa Natalwala

Mustafa is a content writer and digital marketing expert at WideWorldTrips.com His mainly interests are into travelling, photography, film-making

' src=

You May Also Like

Tourist Places to Visit in Ostend

10 Cool Tourist Attractions to Visit and Things to Do in Ostend, Belgium

Top Tourist Places to Visit in Durbuy, Belgium

17 Must-Visit Tourist Attractions and Things to Do in Durbuy, Belgium

Bruges Tourist Attractions

Awesome Tourist Places to Visit and Things to Do in Bruges

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

The Crazy Tourist

Home » Travel Guides » Belgium » 14 Best Things to Do in Ypres (Belgium)

14 Best Things to Do in Ypres (Belgium)

Ypres (also known as Ieper) is a place with a haunting past. Expect to be moved when visiting this city that played such an important role in the First World War and saw the loss of a generation of soldiers during the fierce battles that took place here and in the surrounding areas. It is believed that 300,000 soldiers lost their lives on the front line here known as the Salient. As you would expect there are plenty of war museums, memorials, military cemeteries and battlefields to tour, learn about and respectfully explore.

If you are visiting Ypres, you should be prepared to visit many sombre places but there is also plenty of charm in the city to appreciate too. Surprisingly much of the medieval architecture remains or has been restored and like many Belgian cities, the market square contains an impressive array of architecture. There is also good food, with particular attention paid to traditional Flemish cuisine and of course more beer.

No matter what you do in the city of Ypres, your thoughts will not be far from the devastation and loss of World War 1 and the city will ultimately always be haunted by its past.

Lets explore the best things to do in Ypres :

1. Be moved by Flanders Fields

in-Flanders Fields Museum

The in-Flanders Fields museum in Ypres is one of the city’s top attractions.

The museum, which explores all aspects of WW1 uses various media and sensory experiences including videos, sounds and smells to fully immerse visitors.

There are even interactive experiences including selecting a war time persona and following their trials and tribulations throughout the war.

2. Pay your respects at the Menin Gate Memorial

Menin Gate Memorial

Another landmark relating back to the First World War, the Menin Gate is a memorial to the 55,000 soldiers who went missing in action during the First World War.

The structure itself is a colossal stone archway that crosses the city moat at the eastern exit of the city.

The names of the British and Commonwealth soldiers who went missing during the war are all inscribed on the monument and make for a chilling sight.

3. Pop into the Belle Almshouse

Belle Almshouse

The Belle Almshouse is a tiny chapel that is tucked away in Ypres and is very easy to miss.

Do not expect to see the Notre Dame is rather plain and unassuming and is nestled between other buildings on Rijelstraat.

Inside the church however there is hidden treasure.

The chapel is full of fantastic artwork dating back as far as medieval times.

The art is mainly religious but travellers will enjoy the satisfaction of stumbling upon this hidden gem.

4. Marvel at the Lakenhalle

the Lakenhalle

The Lakenhalle is the most impressive building in Ypres and arguably the most impressive in the entire country.

It is located in the Grote Markt and has been restored almost entirely to its 14th Century glory.

The stand out features of the buildings design include the whopping 70-meter-high belfry tower and the large central windows.

It is possible to climb the tower but it will cost you an extra 2 Euros, charged upon entrance to the Flanders Fields museum.

5. Eat some baked goods

The Henk Bakery

The Henk Bakery on Sint-Jakobstraat has become something of an icon.

It is known by locals and tourists alike for its great bread, cakes and puddings and will regularly be heaving with hungry customers.

The price of its goods does not reflect the bakery’s popularity however and the Henk Bakery still offers great value with a serving of its famous broodpudding costing only 40 cents.

6. Watch the Last Post ceremony

the Last Post ceremony

The moving Last Post ceremony takes place daily at 8pm.

Traffic passing through the Menin Gate temporarily comes to a halt as buglers sound the Last Post in remembrance of the soldiers who lost their lives in the First World War.

The tradition started back in 1928 and still changes each evening with different instruments or soldiers being present meaning that it is worthwhile to watch the event more than one time.

The Gate gets busy around the time of the Last Post every evening so be there in good time to ensure yourself a decent view.

7. Visit one of the city’s best art museums

Stedelijk Museum

The Stedelijk Museum, located on Leperleestraat, is a small but impressive art museum.

The exhibits here feature art from the 19th Century mainly but they are regularly changing and it is unlikely that two visits will ever be the same.

The artwork is housed over three floors in the almshouse building which dates back to the mid-16th Century.

The price here is steep for anyone other than serious art enthusiasts with an adult entry costing 15 Euros, students can get in for half that.

8. Enjoy some local cuisine

De Ruyffelaer

Ypres is a great place to taste true Flemish fodder and the best of the best is surely De Ruyffelaer on Gustave de Stuersstraat.

The restaurant is cutesy and cosy both inside and out with a wood clad interior and fire place complemented by artwork and various antiques.

Flemish dishes include pâté, various game and plenty of pork dishes (the pork knuckle is excellent) all cooked in traditional Flemish methods and resulting in food as comforting as the surroundings.

9. Tour the Flanders Battlefield

Flanders Battlefield

Ypres, or Wipers as it was known by the British Army, was the scene of destruction and loss on an epic scale for four years throughout the First World War.

In this area, it is thought that 35 men were lost for every metre gained by the British Army.

The organised tours available here include not only the battlefields themselves but also the museums and military cemeteries around the city.

The tour guides aim to balance giving tour groups plenty of information and facts whilst remaining respectful and ultimately remembering the sacrifice made by those who lost their lives here.

10. Climb the man-made Hill 60

Hill 60

Another historic site that was of great importance during the First World War is the man-made defensive position referred to as Hill 60. What will surprise you about the hill after reading about the amount of lives lost here is how small it is.

During the First World War the hill transferred between the French, Germans and British troops.

There is a small fee for exploring hill 60 but it is well worth paying in order to walk in the trenches and imagine what life must have been like for the soldiers during those years.

11. Walk along the Vauban Ramparts

Vauban Ramparts

You can join the Vauban Ramparts at the Menin Gate Memorial and continue along the canal, enjoying peaceful surroundings and plenty of benches along the tree-lined path.

The walk is generally calm compared to other places in Ypres and is a great place to escape the busy hot, streets in the height of summer.

The ramparts themselves date back to the 17th Century and were used to fortify Ypres when it was just a village.

12. Eat some chocolate

Leonidas Chocolaterie

After visiting many sombre war museums, battlefields and graveyards you could well need cheering up, if so there is no better place than the Leonidas Chocolaterie.

Belgian chocolate is known throughout the world for its quality and Leonidas is a great example.

The chocolatiers are still active and you can watch the process of making the chocolates, enjoy some free samples and no doubt buy bucket loads of the sweet stuff to take home with you.

You can find Leonidas on the Grote Markt.

13. Tour the Kazematten Brewery

Kazematten Brewery

What could be better than world-class chocolate? World class beer of course! The Kazematten brewery is housed in a historic building which dates back to the 18th Century and was used for ammunition storage during the First World War.

It is now known for its great beers and is open to the public every Saturday from 3pm – 5pm.

Tours begin every half an hour, cost ten euros per adult and include three beer tastings.

Private tours can be arranged by appointment only.

14. Walk around the Market Square

Market Square

Many of the above-mentioned attractions can be found in the city’s market square but it is worth a visit on its own merits.

The square is home to many spectacular looking buildings that should be seen in daylight and after sunset for spectacular effect.

The square is also home to great restaurants, pubs and other things to do including an ice rink and Christmas markets during the festive months.

14 Best Things to Do in Ypres (Belgium):

  • Be moved by Flanders Fields
  • Pay your respects at the Menin Gate Memorial
  • Pop into the Belle Almshouse
  • Marvel at the Lakenhalle
  • Eat some baked goods
  • Watch the Last Post ceremony
  • Visit one of the city’s best art museums
  • Enjoy some local cuisine
  • Tour the Flanders Battlefield
  • Climb the man-made Hill 60
  • Walk along the Vauban Ramparts
  • Eat some chocolate
  • Tour the Kazematten Brewery
  • Walk around the Market Square
  • Visit Liverpool
  • Visit The U.K.
  • Other Destinations
  • Ella In The Media
  • Work With Me!

11 Fascinating Things to Do In & Around Ypres, Belgium

  • August 31, 2021

Best things to do in Ypres Belgium

There is a good chance that this post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you! As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. As ever, all opinions are my own.

As a history buff, Ypres was a non-negotiable on my 5-day trip to Belgium. This city was pretty much decimated in WW1, and its marshy surroundings are where a lot of the fighting took place.

Nowadays, the town has been completely restored, and there are a ton of things to do for visitors who are interested in learning more about the war or paying their respects.

The white gravestones of thousands of soldiers who never returned home from Ypres line the surrounding countryside, and adding Ypres to your Belgium itinerary is pretty much essential for any history enthusiast! 

There’s a ton to learn in Ypres, and, having spent two days in the town, it definitely doesn’t disappoint. Learning about Ypres’ history isn’t exactly easy, but it’s absolutely fascinating. In my opinion, Ypres is one of the best places to visit in Belgium. 

Oh, and top tip – Ypres and Ieper are the same place, and the two names are used interchangeably. Ypres is the town’s French name, and Ieper is its Flemish name.

If you’re planning a trip to Ypres and wondering what there is to see and do in the town and surrounding area, look no further – here are the very best things to do in Ypres, Belgium!

Table of Contents

The Best Things To Do In Ypres (Ieper), Belgium

1. menin gate memorial .

Menin Gate memorial in Ypres, Belgium

The Menin Gate is one of the top places to visit in Ypres, and is the city’s most famous landmark.

This huge white archway covers a passageway that countless British and Commonwealth soldiers walked through on their way to the trenches of the Ypres Salient.

At the end of the war, the arch (called the Menin Gate) was erected to serve as a place of memorial for those who never returned home, and were missing. 

An overwhelming 54,395 names of missing soldiers are inscribed into the walls of the Menin Gate…And that wasn’t even everybody. A further 34,984 names of the missing are inscribed on walls of the nearby Tyne Cot war cemetery.

Although you should definitely attend the Last Post Ceremony in the evening during your time in Ypres, which takes place at the Menin Gate, it’s also worth visiting here during daylight hours.

Without the crowds of the ceremony, you’ll be able to properly inspect the names on the wall and take in the full impact of them.

2. Last Post Ceremony

Attending the Last Post Ceremony in Belgium

The Last Post Ceremony is the most unique thing to do in Ypres. Thousands of people flock to the town from all over the world to attend the ceremony each night.

The ceremony starts at 8pm sharp, and has taken place every night since 1928! It commences with buglers performing ‘The Last Post’, a traditional song which now represents remembrance for those who died in WW1.

After this, visiting groups will either perform songs, read poems, or make speeches to show their respects. Then, people lay wreaths of poppies on the ground in remembrance.

Attending the Last Post Ceremony is totally free. All you have to do is turn up (by 7.30 at the latest ideally) and take your place standing under the Menin Gate. 

For tips about finding the best place to stand and what to expect, check out my complete guide to attending the Last Post Ceremony .

3. In Flanders Fields Museum

Is this one of the best museums I have ever been to? Yes indeed!

The In Flanders Fields Museum , named after the famous poem by war poet John McCrae, documents the experience of soldiers in the trenches of the Ypres salient during WW1. It’s one of the most popular attractions in Ypres.

Its permanent exhibition contains hundreds of artefacts and photos from WW1, including objects left behind in the Ypres trenches. It also does a great job of keeping the story of the battles focused on the people who fought them, and their stories.

It was incredibly refreshing to visit a war museum that focuses on the people the war affected, rather than the strategies and tactics implemented by generals.

What was most fascinating was the focus on physical and mental health struggles the soldiers faced both during and after the war.

For so long these experiences were completely left out of the story of WW1, so I really appreciated learning about the war from another angle.

Entry tickets to the museum cost €10, or you can purchase a combined ticket (which also includes entry to the Yper Museum) for €13. I recommend allocating around 2 hours for your visit.

4. Essex Farm Cemetery

Essex Farm Cemetery in Belgium

Since it’s just a leisurely 30-minute walk away from central Ypres, Essex Farm Cemetery is the best war cemetery to visit if you don’t want to hire a car or a bike (most of the war cemeteries, trenches and museums are not within walking distance from Ypres). 

The land just south of this cemetery was a dressing station for wounded soldiers and casualties from 1915-1917. It was here that John McCrae wrote the world-famous poem, ‘ In Flanders Fields ’.

There’s a short exhibition near the bunkers on the site teaching about the life and wartime experience of McCrae, and how he came to write ‘ In Flanders Fields ’.

There are over 1,200 soldiers buried or commemorated here, with 103 burials still unidentified. Although it’s not on the map, there is also another war cemetery just across the road from Essex Farm where you can visit and pay your respects.

5. Ypres Market Square

The Market Square is the very heart of Ypres’ old town, surrounded by charming historical buildings, cafes and restaurants. It’s a bit deceptive to call this area Ypres’ old town, since the majority of it is only a hundred years old.

That’s because the town was almost completely destroyed during the First World War. 

However, since then, the Market Square and old town have been painstakingly restored to resemble the original medieval buildings. So it’s like… a replica of the old town.

But it’s very convincing, and I would never have known if I hadn’t read it in my guidebook!

The Market Square is super photogenic. Well, I imagine it would be! The Market Square is often the venue for different events and festivals, and whilst I was in Ypres the Market Square was hosting a carnival.

At other times of the year, you’ll find an international car rally, a Christmas Market or, every Saturday, the Ypres Market, where you can shop for food, clothes and souvenirs.

6. Cloth Hall & Yper Museum

Best things to see and visit in Ypres/Ieper

The Cloth Hall, which was originally constructed in 1304, was the commercial hub of Ypres in the middle-ages, when it operated as the market and warehouse for the area’s lucrative cloth industry.

Unfortunately, though, (like most things in Ypres) it was almost completely destroyed during the First World War. Just a few walls and a section of the tower are the only remaining parts of the original structure.

The Cloth Hall was rebuilt and restored between 1933 and 1967. Today, the Cloth Hall houses the In Flanders Fields Museum and the Yper Museum.

The In Flanders Fields Museum definitely attracts more visitors, but the Yper Museum is also worth visiting if you’d like to know more about the town’s history before WW1.

In the Yper Museum you’ll learn why people throw stuffed toy cats off the Cloth Hall’s Belfry once every three years at the Ypres Cat Festival. Nope, I’m not joking!

Entry to the Yper Museum costs €7, or you can get a combined ticket with the In Flanders Fields Museum for €13.

Best Things to Do Near Ypres, Belgium

Best things to do around Ypres

If you have more than one day in Ypres, I highly recommend getting out of the town to visit the Ypres battlefields history of the Ypres Salient.

Getting here can be tricky, so I recommend either joining a tour or, if the weather is decent, hiring a bike. You could also rent a car, but this works out to be more expensive.

In terms of seeing as much as possible in one day, you really can’t beat this guided Ypres battlefields tour .

It takes in some of the most important locations of WW1, including the site of the Christmas Truce, the Sanctuary Wood Museum (which includes original trenches), the Tyne Cot Cemetery and many more!

Check out the full itinerary & latest prices here .

Here are some suggestions of places to visit near Ypres:

  • 7. Tyne Cot Cemetery
  • 8. Memorial Museum Passchendale 1917
  • 9. Sanctuary Wood Museum
  • 10. St Julien Canadian War Memorial
  • 11. Yorkshire Trench and Dug Out

Is Ypres Worth Visiting?

Ypres is absolutely worth visiting, whether you’re a history enthusiast or not. A visit to Ypres is such an educational and thought-provoking trip, and I really do think that every type of traveller can take something away from a visit here.

Even without the war and battlefield tourism, Ypres is a stunning Belgian town with beautiful surroundings, making it more than worthy of a spot on your Belgium itinerary.

How Many Days Should I Spend in Ypres?

If you’re planning a visit to Ypres I recommend spending a minimum of two days (although three would be better) to get through all the amazing things to do here. 

You’ll only need one full day in the city of Ypres itself, but if you want to explore the war cemeteries, trenches and museums of the Ypres salient, allow one or two more days. One to get a flavour, and two to do and see absolutely everything.

Best Time to Visit Ypres

Best places to visit in Belgium

The great thing about visiting Ypres is that all the tourist attractions stay open all year round – despite its tourism being very seasonal.

That means, if you’re wanting to travel on a budget, you can get some great deals on hotels, tours and even restaurants in winter.

The tourism season in Ypres runs from around May until late September. However, I actually think autumn would be the best time to visit Ypres.

Not only will the temperatures and weather not be too bad yet, but it means the summer crowds will have disappeared. You’ll get the good deals and quiet tourist attractions of winter, but without the awful weather.

I visited Ypres in early March, which admittedly wasn’t a great time to go. It rained hard for our entire first day in the city (and actually for most of our 5 days in Belgium!), and it was pretty cold. 

On our second day, we were very lucky to get lovely clear blue skies, but if you can choose from any time of year to visit Ypres, I wouldn’t choose winter. It’s too risky!

Where to Stay in Ypres

Ypres is still very traditional, and as a result the boutique hotel scene hasn’t really arrived here yet. For this reason, if you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Ypres, you’re pretty much limited to chain hotels.

The good news, though, is that tourism to Ypres is incredibly seasonal, and outside of May-September you can get some insanely good hotel deals here.

My boyfriend and I visited Ypres in February, and our hotel stay in Ypres cost approximately half what we had been paying in other Belgian cities. And we got a free upgrade!

We stayed at this afforable hotel and only have good things to say about it! Its location was fabulous, as it was just a minutes’ walk away from Market Square. Plus, our upgraded room was massive, the bed was super comfy, and everything was spotless. 

The only issue was that it cost an extortionate additional fee to add breakfast to our stay, which we just chose not to pay.

The Novotel Ieper Centrum is hardly going to be a hotel you’ll remember forever, but it’s practical and very affordable – and that was perfectly fine by us!

Click here to check latest prices & availability

Best Restaurants in Ypres, Belgium

Ypres hardly has a thriving culinary scene. It’s a tiny city, so you don’t really have much choice! There are definitely a few solid options if you’re looking to eat at a restaurant whilst in Ypres, though:

In ‘t Klein Stadhuis – Traditional Belgian food with an impressive range of Belgian Beers. We ate here and I definitely recommend their Flemish Stew. It’s super heavy but super delicious!

Ypresburger – A popular and very affordable fast food restaurant with countless different burgers on the menu and great reviews.

Captain Cook – Italian/Belgian restaurant with a large selection of pizzas and plenty of vegetarian and vegan dishes.

I hope this post has inspired you to book a trip to Ypres – you definitely should! it’s one of the best cities to visit in Belgium , and there are so many interesting things to do and see here!

I had so much fun writing this post of the best things to do in Ypres that I’m desperate to book my second trip there now!

Liked this post? Pin it!

The best things to see and do, and places to visit, in Ypres to add to your Belgium travel itinerary! This complete travel guide includes the Menin Gate, Flanders Fields, the Last Post Ceremony, the Ypres Cloth Hall and more!

Ella Moore is the founder of Many More Maps. Growing up just 45 minutes away from Liverpool, Ella has spent years exploring the city inside out. In her teenage years, she was introduced to the music of The Beatles, and the rest, they say, is history! Today, she stands as a leading authority on Beatles tourism in Liverpool, helping over 40,000 people a month to plan their dream trip to the city.

You May Also Like

Bruges Belfry from Canal in Belgium

Bruges Day Trip: A Magical Itinerary for One Day In Bruges (2024)

  • August 1, 2023

Best cities to visit in Belgium

12 Best Cities to Visit in Belgium (+Hidden Gems!)

  • January 19, 2022

Panorama of Quay Graslei in Ghent town, Belgium

Ghent in One Day: The Perfect Itinerary You’ll Want to Steal!

  • December 31, 2020

tourist information ieper

Attending the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate – The Complete Guide

  • April 30, 2020

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Plan Your Ieper (Ypres) Holiday: Best of Ieper (Ypres)

Ypres town square

Essential Ieper (Ypres)

tourist information ieper

Trending in the forums

Gary C

Ieper (Ypres) Is Great For

Archaeology tours.

tourist information ieper

Art & history

tourist information ieper

Historical Tours

tourist information ieper

Eat & drink

tourist information ieper

Cultural Tours

tourist information ieper

Ieper city of peace

Memorials to the victims of world war i and ii in ieper.

Menin Gate Memorial w Ieper. Belgia.

Today the Menin Gate Memorial is one of the most famous war memorials in the world. It is also probably the only monument at which daily celebrations take place. They always have room at 20. This ceremony was inaugurated 1 August 1928 year. It was an expression of gratitude for all the soldiers who fought in Ypres, especially those whose graves were never found. The tradition of the last post was interrupted for 4 years during the Second World War. On the day of the liberation of Ypres, by the General Maczek Division, the tradition of homage to the fallen soldiers was returned. The celebration starts with a minute of silence. The ceremony is attended by both residents and tourists. During the ceremony, the car traffic through the gate is closed.

Brama Lille w Ieper

  • Ga naar hoofdinhoud
  • Ga naar zoek

hires-museum-zalen-_mw18081.jpg

Practical information

The museum is exceptionally closed on Sunday 28 April 2024.

Welcome! On this page you will find all the information you need to prepare your visit. A visit takes about an hour and a half. Something not quite clear or do you have specific needs? Let us know via [email protected] or +32 57 239 220.

reservation

Individual visit.

Reservation is not necessary. 

Group visit

Reservation required, minimum 2 weeks in advance.

Reserve here

Opening hours, 1 april – 30 september.

Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (box office closes at 5 p.m.) Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (box office closes at 4 p.m.) Closed on Mondays

1 October – 31 March

Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (box office closes at 4 p.m.) Closed on Mondays

Closing days

28 April 2024 24 December 2024: closed at 4 p.m. 25 December 2024  31 December 2024: closed at 4 p.m. 1 January 2025 

Annual closure

from 29 January to 5 February 2025

Ticket prices Yper Museum

Ticket sales stop one hour before closing time.

Individual 

Adults: 8.5 EUR Young people (19-25y): 5 EUR Children (7-18y): 4 EUR Children (-7j): free Families (2ad and 3ch <18y): 18 EUR  Residents of Ypres: free Holders of museumPASSmusées : free

(from 15 persons) Mixed groups: 6 EUR Schools/young people: 3.5 EUR Minimum 1 supervisor per 15 pupils

Guided (silent) tours

Additional price for 2 hours is EUR 90. Maximum 25 people per guide. A maximum of 50 people (i.e. 2 times 25 people) can take part in a guided tour of the museum at the same time.

COMBI-TICKET prices

Yper museum + iffm, individual combi-ticket.

Adults: 15 EUR Young people (19-25y): 9.5 EUR Children (7-18y): 7 EUR Children (-7j): free Families (2ad and 3ch <18y): 36 EUR  Residents of Ypres: free Holders of museumPASSmusées : free

(from 15 persons) Mixed groups: 12 EUR Schools/young people: 7 EUR Minimum 1 supervisor per 15 pupils

New tariffs from 2024

GETTING TO THE MUSEUM

Public transport.

Coming by train? The Yper Museum is a 10 minute walk from the train station. www.b-rail.be Buses stop close to the museum at the 'Ypres Markt' stop. www.delijn.be

Own transport

A 19 direction Ieper > exit 4 (Ieper/Heuvelland/Zillebeke) > end of exit left > roundabout after about 3 km > direction Ieper centrum

Free of charge in the Minneplein car park. Paying on the Grote Markt and Sint-Maartensplein (except on Sundays and public holidays) More on: https://www.ieper.be/parkeren-2

All publications, fun gadgets and original gifts of the Yper Museum can be ordered online in the web shop , at the Yper Museum reception desk and in the museum shop of the Tourism Office in the Cloth Hall. 

ACCESSIBILITY

Yper Museum is accessible for less mobile visitors, persons with hearing and visual impairments.

Less mobile visitors

Are you coming in a wheelchair? Please let us know in advance and report to the reception desk. An attendant will take you to the lift. Your companion will enjoy a special discount of € 3.5 on the individual adult fare.  There are seats in the museum rooms and there are adapted toilets. A walker and a wheelchair are available at the reception desk. You can reserve these in advance.

Auditory impairment

Informative room texts are available in the museum. There are no special facilities because our museum is very visual. All film clips are subtitled.  

Visual impairment

Your companion enjoys a special discount of € 3.5 on the individual adult rate. Guide dogs are welcome in the museum. For the blind and visually impaired, a multi-sensory tour has been developed in cooperation with the target group.

Partner of EU Disability Card

tourist information ieper

VISITOR REGULATIONS

Click here .

On Facebook and Instagram .

Exhibition 30/03 - 1/12

YPER MUSEUM

Lakenhallen Grote Markt 34 8900 Ieper Tel. 057 239 220

tourist information ieper

Volg ons op

  • Yper Museum
  • Lakenhallen
  • Grote Markt 34
  • Tel: 0032 57 239 220
  • [email protected]
  • Privacy and terms of use
  • Cookievoorkeuren
  • Today's news
  • Reviews and deals
  • Climate change
  • 2024 election
  • Fall allergies
  • Health news
  • Mental health
  • Sexual health
  • Family health
  • So mini ways
  • Unapologetically
  • Buying guides

Entertainment

  • How to Watch
  • My Portfolio
  • Stock Market
  • Biden Economy
  • EV Deep Dive
  • Stocks: Most Actives
  • Stocks: Gainers
  • Stocks: Losers
  • Trending Tickers
  • World Indices
  • US Treasury Bonds
  • Top Mutual Funds
  • Highest Open Interest
  • Highest Implied Volatility
  • Stock Comparison
  • Advanced Charts
  • Currency Converter
  • Investment Ideas
  • Research Reports
  • Basic Materials
  • Communication Services
  • Consumer Cyclical
  • Consumer Defensive
  • Financial Services
  • Industrials
  • Real Estate
  • Mutual Funds
  • Credit Cards
  • Balance transfer cards
  • Cash-back cards
  • Rewards cards
  • Travel cards
  • Personal Loans
  • Student Loans
  • Car Insurance
  • Morning Brief
  • Market Domination
  • Market Domination Overtime
  • Opening Bid
  • Stocks in Translation
  • Lead This Way
  • Good Buy or Goodbye?
  • Fantasy football
  • Pro Pick 'Em
  • College Pick 'Em
  • Fantasy baseball
  • Fantasy hockey
  • Fantasy basketball
  • Download the app
  • Daily fantasy
  • Scores and schedules
  • GameChannel
  • World Baseball Classic
  • Premier League
  • CONCACAF League
  • Champions League
  • Motorsports
  • Horse racing
  • Newsletters

New on Yahoo

  • Privacy Dashboard

Yahoo Finance

Melexis q1 2024 results – first quarter sales of 241.8 million eur.

Regulated information

Intermediate declaration by the Board of Directors

Ieper, Belgium - April 24th, 2024, 07.00 hrs CET

Please find herewith the link to our most recent press release:

www.melexis.com/en/news/2024/financial/melexis-q1-2024-results

PR_ENG_Melexis_Q1 2024

  • Ga naar hoofdinhoud
  • Ga naar zoek

Home - toerisme

  • Yper Museum

20200427_-c-toerismeieper_8341_2bis_3

Ypres is a global symbol of WWI remembrance, but there is so much more. Its history spans eleven centuries: Cloth city. Medieval metropolis. Fortified city. Bishop city. Military city. Destroyed and rebuild city. Cats’ city. Peace city. Westhoek city. Ypres was and is all of this. The backdrop is not bad: the Yper Museum is located in a wing of the Cloth Halls, the largest civilian complex in Neo-Gothic style in Europe. The Cloth Halls also comprise the In Flanders Fields Museum, the Research Centre of the Ypres Museums, the Tourist information, and the regional visitors centre. That means that our Cloth Halls are actually one large museum building. Definitely worth a visit!  Open:

1 april > 15 november : every day from 10 am to 6 pm*, 16 november > 31 maart : from tuesday tot sunday froml 10 am to 5 pm* - closed on mondays, * ticketsale stops 1 hour before closing time, yearly closing period: 2 last weeks of january, individual visitors, adults: 7 euro , youth (19-25j): 4 euro, children (7-18j): 3,50 euro, children (-7j): gratis, families (2 adults + 3 children <18) :15 euro, groups (after reservation - minimum 15 pers), mixed groups : 5 euro, schools/youth : 3 euro, i ndividual combi-ticket (yper museum & in flanders fields museum), adults : 13 euro, youth (19-25j) :  8 euro, children (7-18j) : 6 euro, children (-7j) :  free, families (2 adults + 3 children <18) : 30 euro, group combi-ticket(yper museum & in flanders fields museum), mixed groups : 10 euro, schools/youth: 6 euro, book your visit online  or  [email protected], download brochure 2024, volg ons op, opening hours.

  • Today Open from 09:00 till 18:00
  • Tomorrow Open from 09:00 till 18:00

Visit Ypres

  • In Flanders Fields Museum

toerisme Logo

  • Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Amsterdam’s Latest Effort to Fight Excessive Tourism: No New Hotels

The city wants no more than 20 million hotel stays annually. The measure is one of multiple efforts to control the flow of visitors.

A brick hotel with a neon sign and people on the sidewalk in front of it in Amsterdam.

By Claire Moses

Amsterdam has been searching for any way to rein in the number of tourists that visit the city every year.

In March of last year, the city launched an ad campaign specifically targeted at British men between 18 and 35, urging them to “stay away.”

In July, the Dutch capital announced it would bar cruise ships from docking in the city center .

The city has also long tried to control the crowds in its red-light district, where rowdy groups of tourists often cause disruptions to local residents. It has added stricter rules about smoking marijuana . It has banned new tourist shops. And still, the people keep coming.

Now, the city — which is as well known for its canals and 17th century art as for its legal sex industry and easy access to marijuana — has taken one more step to further restrict the explosive growth of tourists: It is banning hotels from being built.

“Amsterdam is saying ‘no’ to new hotels,” the City Council said in a statement. “We want to make and keep the city livable for residents and visitors,” it added.

Amsterdam, which added that it was seeking to keep hotel stays by tourists to under 20 million per year, saw its highest number of visitors before the pandemic in 2019, when there were 25.2 million hotel stays, according to the city’s data.

Last year, that number was exceeded by tourists staying over in Amsterdam, not including stays in short-term rentals like Airbnbs and cruise ships. And the measure also does not take into account daily visitors who do not stay the night.

The ban on new hotels, while sending a clear message about the city’s aim to reduce the number of visitors, is also largely symbolic. The city’s policy on hotel construction was already strict, and there had been only three proposals since 2017 that met Amsterdam’s requirements, according to the city. New hotels that had been approved or were in development — 26 in total — would be allowed to proceed for now.

Under the new rules, a new hotel can only open if another one closes. It also isn’t allowed to add more rooms than were available, according to the city.

“The effect won’t be very big,” said Ko Koens, a professor of new urban tourism at Inholland University in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. He also said that in the long run, the capping of hotels could make them more expensive to stay at.

While this ban alone would not make a huge dent in the number of visitors to the city, Mr. Koens said, taken together with other initiatives it could make Amsterdam a less appealing place to visit. But, he said, “For now, visitors don’t seem to mind.”

In total, Amsterdam has nearly 42,000 hotel rooms that can accommodate more than 92,000 people, according to Statistics Netherlands, a governmental institution that compiles data about the country. (In total, the Netherlands has more than 150,000 hotel rooms.)

Amsterdam’s initiatives to rein in tourism have been largely focused on its crowded city center. But as long as Amsterdam’s airport, Schiphol, continues to be a major European hub, it won’t be easy to keep visitors away from the city.

“There are no simple solutions,” Mr. Koens said. “It’s super complex.”

Amsterdam also announced this week it would start cutting the number of river cruises allowed to dock in its waters. In 2023, that number was 2,125. In 2028, the city wants it to be halved, with no more than 1,150. The city predicts that effort could reduce the number of visitors that come into town by 271,000. This proposal, the city said, is to improve the quality of life for residents and to reduce emissions and crowds.

“The balance in the city needs to improve,” Hester van Buren, a deputy mayor who focuses on the city’s port, said in a statement.

Amsterdam isn’t the only major European destination that has been struggling to get a grip on the growing number of tourists. Venice announced it would charge day-tripping visitors 5 euros ($5.33) to enter the iconic streets of its city center on weekends and some holidays from April 25 through mid-July, its busiest season.

Amsterdam, currently in a busy touristic time because of its famous blooming tulips, has not announced a similar measure, but it is likely there will be more efforts and experiments designed to limit visitors — like the hotel ban.

“Without such a stop, Amsterdam’s center would become one big hotel,” Mr. Koens said. “You don’t want that either.”

Claire Moses is a Times reporter in London, focused on coverage of breaking and trending news. More about Claire Moses

World Bank suspends Tanzania tourism fund over abuse allegations

  • Medium Text

2023 Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund

Sign up here.

Editing by Hereward Holland and Gareth Jones

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

Rubrik Inc.’s IPO on the floor at the NYSE in New York

World Chevron

Uk railway workers union reject latest pay offers

UK's Labour outlines plan to renationalise railways within 5 years

Britain's opposition Labour Party said it planned to renationalise the country's rail network within five years without paying compensation to private operators as it set out its plans to fix the troubled railway system.

Former U.S. President Trump's criminal trial on charges of falsifying business records continues in New York

The Ypres Salient Battlefields, Belgium

Battles of the Ypres Salient

Within the first few months of the outbreak of the Great War the Ypres Salient witnessed the first of several major battles to occur there before the war ended on 11 November 1918. The major battles comprised:

  • First Battle of Ypres , (19 October - 22 November 1914)
  • Second Battle of Ypres (Battle Study), (22 April - 25 May 1915)
  • Battle of Messines , (7 - 14 June 1917)
  • Third Battle of Ypres (Battle of Passchendaele), (31 July - 10 November 1917)
  • Fourth Battle of Ypres - Battle of the Lys, (9 April - 29 April 1918)
  • Battle of Ypres , (28 September - 2 October 1918)

Battle Remains

There are numerous sites to visit in the Ypres Salient where remains of the fighting can be seen. These include trenches, mine craters and concrete bunkers.

Battle Remains in the Ypres Salient

Monuments & Memorials

In addition to the military cemeteries, there are a number of large memorials to commemorate the names of “The Missing”, those servicemen whose bodies were never found or could not be identified. These memorials commemorate those who have no known grave in the Ypres Salient. There are also many memorials to individuals, military units and civilians.

The scale of military casualties from the German, French and British Armies during the battles of the Ypres Salient amounted to several hundred thousand dead. Their graves are marked by over 100 military burial grounds on the old Ypres Salient 1914-1918 battlefields.

Ypres Salient Cemeteries

There are numerous public and private museums. These museums contain resources ranging from rare battlefield artefacts and archive collections to original trench systems. Education Services are also available for school and student groups at the larger museums.

Ypres Salient Museums

During the year there are commemorative ceremonies and events taking place in the area of the Ypres Salient battlefields.

  • Daily Last Post Ceremony

Sounding of Last Post is a daily Act of Remembrance that takes place every evening at 20.00 hours at the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing in Ypres/Ieper.

Daily Last Post Ceremony, Menin Gate Memorial

For a listing of events in the area see our page:

Events on the Ypres Salient Battlefields

Accommodation

There is a wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets for visitors to the area of the 1914-1918 Ypres Salient battlefields. As a guide this website provides listings of hotels, guesthouses, Bed & Breakfast, self-catering, hostels and campsites.

Accommodation in the Ypres Salient

  • Cafés & Restaurants

The area offers a wide range of options for eating at restaurants, bistros, cafés and tea rooms for the individual traveller and tour groups.

Tourist Information

Information and links for online tourist information or tourist offices for Flanders and West-Flanders (West-Vlaanderen).

Towns & Villages

Ypres - Ieper

The medieval town of Ypres (nowadays called by its Flemish name Ieper) was located at the centre of the 1914-1918 battlefields of the Ypres Salient. Ypres was razed to the ground during four years of fighting. Read an overview of the history of the town, how it was affected by the war and some of the notable sights to be seen.

To see the locations and overview information for the towns in the region of the Ypres Salient battlefields see our page:

Towns & Villages of the Ypres Salient Battlefields

was a small town situated approximately 8 miles to the west of Ypres in the rear British Army area. The town was the location for the famous Toc H Everyman's Club, founded in 1915 by Padre Tubby Clayton.

Acknowledgements

(1) Photograph courtesy of Stad Ieper, copyright Tijl Capoen.

  • Western Front Battlefields
  • Battlefield Visits
  • Memorials & Monuments
  • Museums & Archive Collections
  • Tracing Family History
  • Researching Military History
  • Education Resources
  • Experience of the Great War
  • Remembrance
  • Organizations
  • The Poppy Umbrella
  • Ypres Salient 1914
  • Study: Second Battle of Ypres 1915
  • Ypres Salient 1916
  • Ypres Salient 1917
  • Ypres Salient 1918
  • Bayernwald German Trenches
  • Essex Farm Dressing Station
  • Sanctuary Wood Trenches
  • Spanbroekmolen Mine Crater
  • Tyne Cot Bunkers
  • Yorkshire Trench
  • Zandvoorde Command Post
  • Early History
  • Inauguration
  • Last Post Ceremony
  • Cloth Hall Replica Peace Memorial
  • Francis Ledwidge Memorial
  • Guynemer Memorial
  • Hill 62 Canadian Memorial
  • Indian Forces Memorial
  • Island of Ireland Peace Park
  • Menin Gate Replica Peace Memorial
  • Munster War Memorial
  • New Zealand (Buttes New British Cemetery) Memorial
  • New Zealand (Messines Ridge) Memorial
  • New Zealand (Tyne Cot) Memorial
  • Passchendaele Canadian Memorial
  • Ploegsteert Memorial to the Missing
  • St Georges Memorial Church
  • St Julien Canadian Memorial Vancouver Corner
  • Tank Memorial Ypres Salient
  • Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing
  • Ypres War Victims Monument
  • Bedford House Cemetery
  • Berks Cemetery Extension
  • Buttes New British Cemetery
  • Essex Farm Cemetery
  • Hyde Park Corner (Royal Berks)
  • Langemark German Cemetery
  • Le Mont-Kemmel French Military Cemetery
  • Lijssenthoek Cemetery
  • Ramparts Cemetery
  • St-Charles-de-Potyze French Cemetery
  • Tyne Cot Cemetery
  • Ypres Reservoir Cemetery
  • In Flanders Fields, Ieper
  • Hooge Crater Museum
  • Lijssenthoek Visitor Centre
  • Memorial Museum Passchendaele
  • Sanctuary Wood (Hill 62) Museum
  • The Story of Talbot House
  • Tyne Cot Visitor Centre
  • 11 November Armistice Ceremonies
  • B&B/Self-catering
  • Visitor Centre for Ypres
  • Souvenirs, Books & Gifts
  • Fortified City
  • Ypres 1914-1918
  • 1919 Reconstruction
  • Cloth Hall (Lakenhalle)
  • Market Square (Grote Markt)
  • Lille Gate (Rijselpoort)
  • CWGC Office
  • Sights to See
  • Talbot House (Toc H)

Copyright © www.greatwar.co.uk All rights reserved.

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

tourist information ieper

  • Transport planning

National Travel Survey mid-year estimates

The survey collects information on how, why, when and where people travel. The mid-year estimates provide faster indicators for key tables.

National Travel Survey mid-year data tables

The mid-year estimates provide faster indicators for key tables and include data for 12-month periods from July to June.

NTSMY0101: Trips, distance travelled and time taken: England, year ending June 2023 ( ODS , 7.24 KB )

NTSMY0303: Average number of trips, stages, miles and time spent travelling by mode: England, year ending June 2023 ( ODS , 12.4 KB )

NTSMY0403: Average number of trips, miles and time spent travelling by trip purpose: England, year ending June 2023 ( ODS , 11.7 KB )

NTSMY0409: Average number of trips and distance travelled by purpose and main mode: England, year ending June 2023 ( ODS , 13.4 KB )

NTSMY0601: Average number of trips, stages and distance travelled by sex, age and mode: England, year ending June 2023 ( ODS , 33 KB )

NTSMY0611: Average number of trips and distance travelled by sex, age and purpose: England, year ending June 2023 ( ODS , 24 KB )

NTSMY9903: Average number of trips by main mode, region and rural-urban classification of residence: England, year ending June 2023 ( ODS , 14.4 KB )

NTSMY9904: Average distance travelled by mode, region and rural-urban classification of residence: England, year ending June 2023 ( ODS , 15.8 KB )

NTSMY0001: Sample numbers ( ODS , 7.65 KB )

National Travel Survey statistics

Email [email protected]

Public enquiries 020 7944 3077

Media enquiries 0300 7777 878

Related content

Is this page useful.

  • Yes this page is useful
  • No this page is not useful

Help us improve GOV.UK

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone.

IMAGES

  1. Overzicht alle wandelingen

    tourist information ieper

  2. Bezoek Ieper: Het beste van reizen naar Ieper, Vlaanderen in 2022

    tourist information ieper

  3. Toerisme in Ieper (Ypres) 2021

    tourist information ieper

  4. Ieper (Ypres), Belgium 2024: Best Places to Visit

    tourist information ieper

  5. Wat is er te doen in Ieper?

    tourist information ieper

  6. Schoolreis Ieper geheel verzorgd

    tourist information ieper

VIDEO

  1. Copenhagen: Roll & Write

  2. 24 Uren van Ieper 1992 Part 2

  3. wederopbouw Ieper juli 1934

  4. AQUASTRAAT 62

  5. post ieper

  6. Westouter

COMMENTS

  1. Toerisme Ieper

    Ieper: grootstad in de middeleeuwen en onlosmakelijk verbonden met de Eerste Wereldoorlog. Gelegen op een boogscheut van de Belgische kust en de Franse grens. ... Tourist Office Ieper Cloth Hall - Grote Markt 34, 8900 Ieper T +32 (0)57 239 220 [email protected] Opening hours. Today Open from 10:00 till 18:00; Tomorrow Open from 09:00 ...

  2. Ypres: visit the unofficial capital of Flanders Fields

    Travel Information Travel Information. Travel Information Travelling to, in and around Flanders Good to know about Flanders Sustainability Accessibility In the spotlight How can we help you? ... 8900 Ieper. Belgium +32 57 23 92 20. Send me an e-mail. Website. Discover also.

  3. Things to Do in Ieper (Ypres)

    2023. 2. In Flanders Fields Museum. 3,686. Historic Sites. The Ypres region was the backdrop to on of the bloodiest battles in history, 100 years ago. Now the last witness have died too, the In Flanders Fields Museum is more than ever the gateway to the First World War in Flanders. The In Flanders Fields Museum confronts the visitor with the ...

  4. Ypres travel

    Ypres. Belgium, Europe. Once a bustling centre of industry ranking alongside Bruges and Ghent, it's now impossible to reference Ypres (Ieper in Dutch) without acknowledging the huge role it played in WWI. After its almost total annihilation, the town was rebuilt to its former specifications - a monumental task - to serve as a memorial to ...

  5. Plan Your Trip to Ieper (Ypres): Best of Ieper (Ypres) Tourism

    About Ieper (Ypres) An ancient city in the Flemish province of West Flanders, Ieper (as it's known in the Flemish tongue) has enjoyed financial and cultural status since the 12th century. Today, visitors can check out remnants of its impressive past, including ramparts that date back to 1385 and an historic moat, which now is a haven for ...

  6. Toerisme Ieper

    Toerisme Ieper Lakenhallen - Grote Markt 34, 8900 Ieper T +32 57 239 220 [email protected] Openingsuren . Vandaag open van 10:00 tot 18:00; Morgen open van 10:00 tot 18:00; Partners. Visit West-Vlaanderen; Toerisme Westhoek; Bezoek Ieper. Nieuws; Yper Museum; In Flanders Fields Museum ...

  7. 12 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Ypres

    Discover the best places to visit in this historic city with our list of the top attractions and things to do in Ypres. On This Page: 1. WWI Battlefields. 2. Visit the In Flanders Fields Museum. 3. Come to Menin Gate for The Last Post. 4.

  8. Ypres

    Ypres (Dutch: Ieper, both pronounced "eeper") is a friendly town of 35,000 inhabitants in Flanders endowed with wonderful architecture and a troubled past. Ypres is best known as the site of three major battles of the First World War, the most famous being the Battle of Passchendaele from July—November 1917.The many memorials and cemeteries of the fallen in and around Ypres draw thousands of ...

  9. City Centre

    Ieper: grootstad in de middeleeuwen en onlosmakelijk verbonden met de Eerste Wereldoorlog. Gelegen op een boogscheut van de Belgische kust en de Franse grens. ... Tourist Office Ieper Cloth Hall - Grote Markt 34, 8900 Ieper T +32 (0)57 239 220 [email protected] Opening hours. Today Open from 09:00 till 18:00; Tomorrow Open from 09:00 ...

  10. 14 Things to Do in Ypres, Belgium

    14 Wonderful Tourist Attractions to See and Things to Do in Ypres (Ieper), Belgium September 9, 2023 December 22, 2023 Mustafa Natalwala 1728 Views 0 Comments Ypres (Ieper) is a city in the West Flanders province of Belgium.

  11. THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Ieper (Ypres)

    2023. 2. In Flanders Fields Museum. 3,684. Historic Sites. The Ypres region was the backdrop to on of the bloodiest battles in history, 100 years ago. Now the last witness have died too, the In Flanders Fields Museum is more than ever the gateway to the First World War in Flanders. The In Flanders Fields Museum confronts the visitor with the ...

  12. 14 Best Things to Do in Ypres (Belgium)

    3. Pop into the Belle Almshouse. Source: mapio. Belle Almshouse. The Belle Almshouse is a tiny chapel that is tucked away in Ypres and is very easy to miss. Do not expect to see the Notre Dame is rather plain and unassuming and is nestled between other buildings on Rijelstraat.

  13. 11 Fascinating Things to Do In & Around Ypres, Belgium

    The Best Things To Do In Ypres (Ieper), Belgium. 1. Menin Gate Memorial. The Menin Gate is one of the top places to visit in Ypres, and is the city's most famous landmark. This huge white archway covers a passageway that countless British and Commonwealth soldiers walked through on their way to the trenches of the Ypres Salient.

  14. Explore Ieper (Ypres)

    About Ieper (Ypres) An ancient city in the Flemish province of West Flanders, Ieper (as it's known in the Flemish tongue) has enjoyed financial and cultural status since the 12th century. Today, visitors can check out remnants of its impressive past, including ramparts that date back to 1385 and an historic moat, which now is a haven for ...

  15. Ypres

    Ypres (/ ˈ iː p r ə / EE-prə, French:; Dutch: Ieper ⓘ; West Flemish: Yper; German: Ypern ⓘ) is a Belgian city and municipality in the province of West Flanders.Though the Dutch name Ieper is the official one, the city's French name Ypres is most commonly used in English. [citation needed] The municipality comprises the city of Ypres/Ieper and the villages of Boezinge, Brielen, Dikkebus ...

  16. The Tourist Office of Ieper (Ypres) in Flanders, Belgium

    Ieper Visitor Centre (Tourist Office) Contact Details. Visitor Centre for Ypres and the Westhoek. Address: Visitors' Centre of Ypres (Ieper) and the Westhoek Lakenhallen (Cloth Hall), Grote Markt 34, 8900 Ieper. Telephone +32 (0)57 239 220.

  17. Ieper War Memorial Information Centre

    Our address is: The Commonwealth War Graves Commission Ieper Information Centre. Menenstraat 33. 8900 Ieper, Belgium. The best ways to get to us: BY CAR: From Lille: take the A25 to exit 13 and join the D948. From Calais: take the A16 to Dunkirk and Lille and pick up the Lille route.

  18. IEPER

    Ieper (Ypres) is a Belgian city located in the Flemish region Westhoeck in the province of West Flanders, near the French border. The first mention of Ieper comes from 1066 year. Then there is the East of the small river created a small settlement, which began to develop. It is a city with a rich and varied past: from the Middle Ages to the ...

  19. Practical information

    Welcome! On this page you will find all the information you need to prepare your visit. A visit takes about an hour and a half. Something not quite clear or do you have specific needs? Let us know via [email protected] or +32 57 239 220. reservation Individual visit. Reservation is not necessary. Group visit

  20. Tourist Office Ieper

    Ieper: grootstad in de middeleeuwen en onlosmakelijk verbonden met de Eerste Wereldoorlog. Gelegen op een boogscheut van de Belgische kust en de Franse grens. ... Tourist Office Ieper Cloth Hall - Grote Markt 34, 8900 Ieper T +32 (0)57 239 220 [email protected] Opening hours. Today Open from 10:00 till 18:00; Tomorrow Open from 09:00 ...

  21. Melexis Q1 2024 results

    Regulated information Intermediate declaration by the Board of Directors Ieper, Belgium - April 24th, 2024, 07.00 hrs CET Dear, Please find herewith the link to our most recent press release: www ...

  22. Ieper station : facilities and access

    Travel Information. International travels. modify / close Personalize my journey desired connection time. 0' 10' 20' 30' how do you want to start the trip? ... 8900, IEPER Opening hours Main hall. Business days: 04:15 - 20:00 Weekends: 05:15 - 20:00 ...

  23. Yper Museum

    Ieper: grootstad in de middeleeuwen en onlosmakelijk verbonden met de Eerste Wereldoorlog. Gelegen op een boogscheut van de Belgische kust en de Franse grens. ... Tourist Office Ieper Cloth Hall - Grote Markt 34, 8900 Ieper T +32 (0)57 239 220 [email protected] Opening hours. Today Open from 09:00 till 18:00; Tomorrow Open from 09:00 ...

  24. Biden to announce preliminary deal with Micron for up to $6.14 bln in

    U.S. President Joe Biden will travel to Syracuse, New York, on Thursday to announce a preliminary agreement with memory chip maker Micron Technology for up to $6.14 billion in subsidies for two ...

  25. Washington State Ferries to share options to replace the aging

    Public invited to community meetings and online open house. SEATTLE - Washington State Ferries needs to replace the aging Fauntleroy ferry terminal to maintain safe and reliable ferry service for the 3 million people who travel the "Triangle" route between West Seattle, Vashon Island and the Kitsap Peninsula each year.

  26. Thousands protest in Spain's Canary Islands over mass tourism

    The Canary Islands have limits and people's patience too," Antonio Bullon, one of the protest leaders, told Reuters. The archipelago of 2.2 million people was visited by nearly 14 million foreign ...

  27. Amsterdam's Latest Effort to Fight Excessive Tourism: No New Hotels

    Amsterdam also announced this week it would start cutting the number of river cruises allowed to dock in its waters. In 2023, that number was 2,125. In 2028, the city wants it to be halved, with ...

  28. World Bank suspends Tanzania tourism fund over abuse allegations

    The World Bank has suspended new disbursements from a $150 million fund to expand a national park in southern Tanzania, a spokesperson said on Wednesday, after the lender received allegations of ...

  29. WW1

    The medieval town of Ypres (nowadays called by its Flemish name Ieper) was located at the centre of the 1914-1918 battlefields of the Ypres Salient. Ypres was razed to the ground during four years of fighting. Read an overview of the history of the town, how it was affected by the war and some of the notable sights to be seen.

  30. National Travel Survey mid-year estimates

    The mid-year estimates provide faster indicators for key tables and include data for 12-month periods from July to June. NTSMY0101: Trips, distance travelled and time taken: England, year ending ...