Things to Do in Ypres, België / Belgique / Belgien

Ypres, known as Ieper in Dutch, stands as one of Belgium's most poignant and historically significant destinations. This medieval Flemish city, once a thriving center of the cloth trade, became synonymous with World War I after being almost completely destroyed during the conflict. The city's remarkable reconstruction and its role as the heart of the Ypres Salient battlefields make it a pilgrimage site for those seeking to understand the Great War's impact. Today, Ypres beautifully balances its role as a living memorial with that of a vibrant modern city. The reconstructed medieval architecture, including the stunning Cloth Hall and St. Martin's Cathedral, creates an atmospheric backdrop for exploring both ancient history and wartime heritage. The city serves as the gateway to numerous WWI battlefields, cemeteries, and memorials scattered across the surrounding countryside, while the nightly Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate continues to honor the fallen soldiers who have no known grave.

Top Things to Do in Ypres

In Flanders Fields Museum

This world-renowned museum, housed in the reconstructed Cloth Hall, offers an immersive and emotional journey through World War I from multiple perspectives. Using innovative multimedia displays, personal artifacts, and interactive exhibits, visitors experience the war through the eyes of soldiers, civilians, and medical staff. The museum's poppy bracelet system personalizes the experience by following individual stories throughout the war.

Booking Tip: Tickets cost around €12 for adults and can be purchased online to avoid queues, especially during peak summer months and remembrance periods. Visit early morning or late afternoon for smaller crowds, and allow 2-3 hours for the full experience.

Menin Gate Last Post Ceremony

Every evening at 8 PM, traffic stops and crowds gather as buglers from the local fire brigade perform the Last Post ceremony beneath the Menin Gate Memorial. This moving tribute has taken place almost every night since 1928, honoring the 54,000+ Commonwealth soldiers with no known grave. The ceremony lasts about 20 minutes and often includes wreath-laying by visiting groups.

Booking Tip: The ceremony is completely free and no booking is required, but arrive 15-20 minutes early to secure a good viewing spot. Dress warmly in winter and consider bringing flowers to lay if you wish to participate in the tribute.

WWI Battlefield Tours

Guided tours of the Ypres Salient battlefields provide essential context for understanding the area's wartime significance. These tours typically visit key sites like Hill 60, Sanctuary Wood, Tyne Cot Cemetery, and various preserved trenches and bunkers. Knowledgeable guides share stories of specific battles, tactical decisions, and personal accounts that bring the landscape's history to life.

Booking Tip: Full-day tours cost €40-80 per person depending on group size and inclusions. Book with reputable local operators who provide small group experiences (8-16 people) for more personalized attention. Spring through autumn offers the best weather conditions.

Ypres Ramparts and City Walls Walk

The reconstructed medieval ramparts offer a peaceful walk around the old city center, providing excellent views of Ypres and the surrounding countryside. Information panels along the route explain both the medieval fortifications and their role during WWI. The walk takes you past several gates, bastions, and the beautiful Ramparts Cemetery, one of the few Commonwealth war cemeteries located within a city center.

Booking Tip: The ramparts walk is free and accessible year-round. The complete circuit takes about 45 minutes at a leisurely pace. Early morning or late afternoon provides the best lighting for photography and fewer crowds.

St. Martin's Cathedral and Cloth Hall

These magnificent Gothic structures, painstakingly reconstructed after WWI, showcase Ypres' medieval prosperity and resilience. The Cloth Hall, with its impressive 70-meter belfry, houses the In Flanders Fields Museum and offers panoramic views from its tower. St. Martin's Cathedral features beautiful stained glass windows and serves as a place of quiet reflection amid the city's historical weight.

Booking Tip: Cathedral entry is free, while the Cloth Hall belfry costs around €2 extra with museum admission. Climb the 231 steps to the belfry for spectacular views, but note it may be closed during adverse weather. Combined tickets with the museum offer the best value.

Getting There

Ypres is easily accessible by train from major Belgian cities, with regular connections from Brussels (2 hours), Ghent (1 hour), and Bruges (1.5 hours) requiring one change in Kortrijk. By car, Ypres is well-connected via the A19/E403 motorway, approximately 2 hours from Brussels and 45 minutes from the French border. The nearest major airport is Brussels Airport, though many visitors also fly into Lille Airport in France (1 hour drive) or take the Eurostar to Brussels. For those coming from the UK, the drive via Calais ferry or Eurotunnel takes about 1.5 hours from the coast.

Getting Around

Ypres' compact historic center is easily explored on foot, with most major attractions within a 10-minute walk of the main square. The city offers a bike rental system and several shops rent bicycles for exploring the surrounding battlefields, though many routes involve busy roads requiring caution. Local buses connect to some battlefield sites, but tours or rental cars provide the most flexibility for visiting multiple WWI locations. Taxis are available but limited, so pre-booking is recommended for longer journeys to outlying sites.

Where to Stay

Historic City Center

Near Grote Markt

Menin Gate Area

Lille Gate District

Ramparts Quarter

Railway Station Vicinity

Food & Dining

Ypres offers a mix of traditional Flemish cuisine and international options, with many restaurants located around the atmospheric Grote Markt square. Local specialties include Belgian classics like stoofvlees (beef stew), moules-frites, and an excellent selection of Belgian beers served in historic pubs and brasseries. Several establishments cater specifically to international visitors interested in WWI history, offering themed menus and historical ambiance. The city also features cozy tea rooms perfect for afternoon breaks between museum visits, and many restaurants offer good-value tourist menus that include local dishes alongside more familiar international fare.

When to Visit

The best time to visit Ypres is from April through October when weather is mild and most outdoor battlefield sites are easily accessible. Summer months (June-August) offer the warmest weather and longest daylight hours for battlefield touring, but also bring the largest crowds and highest accommodation prices. Spring and autumn provide excellent alternatives with fewer visitors, pleasant temperatures for walking, and particularly moving atmospheres during remembrance periods like Armistice Day (November 11). Winter visits can be rewarding for those interested in experiencing the somber landscape as soldiers might have, though weather can be harsh and some outdoor sites may have limited access.

Insider Tips

Purchase the Ypres Pass for discounted entry to multiple attractions and free public transport to some battlefield sites

Many restaurants close on Mondays or Tuesdays, so check opening hours in advance, especially during off-season

The Last Post ceremony is cancelled only on Christmas Day - it continued even during WWII occupation, making attendance on any other day a rare historical experience

Things to Do in Ypres