Ypres (Ieper), Belgium

Ypres Ieper

A rebuilt medieval town at the heart of the First World War battlefields.

  • All year
  • 1 night
Explore on the map
Nearby hidden places
LilleFrance · CityLille27 kmBrugesBelgium · CityBruges46 kmGhentBelgium · CityGhent63 kmBrusselsBelgium · CityBrussels103 kmAntwerpBelgium · CityAntwerp114 kmBay of Somme (Saint-Valery)France · Nature spotBay of Somme (Saint-Valery)115 kmLierBelgium · Hidden townLier122 kmLeuvenBelgium · CityLeuven127 km

Things to do

2 days in Ypres

Day 1

  1. MorningVisit the In Flanders Fields Museum in the Cloth Hall.
  2. AfternoonDrive to Tyne Cot Cemetery and the Passchendaele memorial.
  3. EveningAttend the Last Post at the Menin Gate, held every evening at 8 pm.

Day 2

Visit the trench sites at Hill 62 and the town of Poperinge.

What to eat

Kattenstoet cat-shaped biscuits and a Westvleteren beer if you can find one.

Local tips

Make the most of Ypres

Beat the crowds

Busiest around the Last Post ceremony in the evening, and on 11 November.

Best photo spot

The Menin Gate, and the rebuilt Cloth Hall on the Grote Markt.

Getting there

Trains run from Kortrijk and Ghent. The centre is walkable.

Don't miss nearby

Tyne Cot cemetery and the battlefields around the town.

Good to know

The Last Post is played under the Menin Gate every evening at 20:00. The In Flanders Fields Museum is in the Cloth Hall.

Secret spots

3 secret spots near Ypres

Our most hidden places around Ypres: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Ypres to take with you.

51 km away
52 km away
95 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Ypres

Getting there

  • Lille Airport (LIL)35 km away
  • Brussels Airport (BRU)110 km away
  • Lille25 km away
  • Bruges45 km away

Reachable by car or public transport; a car gives you more freedom to explore the area. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeAll year
TypeHidden town
Good forOld towns & architecture
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay1 night
CountryBelgium

Questions

Ypres: good to know

Is Ypres worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like historic old towns. A rebuilt medieval town at the heart of the First World War battlefields.

How many days do you need in Ypres?

Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Ypres?

You can visit all year. Busiest around the Last Post ceremony in the evening, and on 11 November.

How do you get to Ypres?

The nearest airport is Lille Airport (LIL), about 35 km away. Trains run from Kortrijk and Ghent. The centre is walkable.

What is there to see near Ypres?

Nearby hidden places include Lille (27 km), Bruges (46 km) and Ghent (63 km).

More hidden places in Belgium (13)