Lavish Sixteen Bedroom Estate in BrusselsN°001
Vlaams Gewest, Belgium
From $1,801 per night
Vlaams Gewest, the Flemish region of northern Belgium, blends medieval art cities, North Sea coastline and serene countryside. Renting a luxury villa here places you within reach of Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp while enjoying private grounds, refined interiors and tailored concierge service away from the crowds.
- Easy access to the UNESCO-listed historic centres of Bruges and Antwerp
- North Sea beaches at Knokke-Heist and Ostend within a short drive
- World-class Flemish art, from Van Eyck to Rubens
- Renowned dining, breweries and Burgundian gastronomy
- Private villas with pools and gardens in tranquil rural settings
Known forHistoric art cities Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp, North Sea coast, Flemish painting and beer culture
Best time to visitLate spring to early autumn (May to September) for mild weather and festivals
Nearest airportBrussels Airport (BRU); Antwerp and Ostend-Bruges also serve the region
Ideal forCouples, families and groups seeking culture, gastronomy and countryside retreats
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Vlaams Gewest, Belgium
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Accessible Luxury Villa with Pool in Vlaams GewestN°006
Vlaams Gewest, Belgium
Private Pool
From $427 per night
11homes available
1–16bedrooms
up to 53guests
1with a pool
Events not to miss in Vlaams Gewest
- Early April
Tour of Flanders
Flanders' beloved one-day cycling classic sweeps over the cobbled bergs of the Flemish Ardennes as whole villages turn out to watch. Base yourself near Oudenaarde or Ghent to catch the race roadside.
- Ascension Day, May
Procession of the Holy Blood, Bruges
Bruges' UNESCO-listed procession has carried its holy relic through the medieval streets since the Middle Ages, with thousands of costumed participants. One of Europe's great living traditions.
- Mid-July
Gentse Feesten, Ghent
Ten days of free music, street theatre and festivity take over Ghent's historic centre in one of Europe's largest city festivals. Stay in a house outside the core to enjoy it on your own terms.
- Late July
Tomorrowland, Boom
The world's most famous electronic music festival unfolds over two weekends near Antwerp. Tickets sell out in minutes, so villa-based groups should plan many months ahead.
Vlaams Gewest through the seasons
- Spring (March – May)
Bluebells, blossom and the cycling classics
The Hallerbos forest turns violet with bluebells in April while the cobbled classics roll through the Flemish Ardennes. Cool, bright weeks for exploring Bruges and Ghent before the crowds.
- Summer (June – August)
Festivals and the Flemish coast
City festivals, long terrace evenings and the broad sands of the North Sea coast at Knokke and De Haan. A house with a garden makes an easy base for day trips in every direction.
- Autumn (September – November)
Beer, museums and golden light
Abbey beers, Flemish Masters in Antwerp and Ghent, and misty canals that suit photographers. Comfortable touring weather with far fewer visitors.
- Winter (December – February)
Christmas markets and candlelit taverns
Bruges and Ghent stage some of Europe's prettiest Christmas markets, with ice rinks and mulled wine beneath medieval gables. Short days made for firelit evenings back at the house.
The Area
Vlaams Gewest, or Flanders, is the Dutch-speaking northern region of Belgium, spanning five provinces from the North Sea coast to the Limburg countryside. It is a landscape of canals, cobbled squares, polder farmland and dune-backed beaches. The region's medieval art cities, Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp, Leuven and Mechelen, sit within close reach of one another, making day trips effortless. Beyond the cities lie quiet villages, the rolling Flemish Ardennes near Oudenaarde and the lakes of Limburg. A luxury villa in Vlaams Gewest offers a calm rural or coastal base from which to explore this dense cultural heartland, combining centuries of heritage with modern Belgian comfort and discretion.
Where to Stay
Choice of base depends on your interests. For coastal living, the elegant resort town of Knokke-Heist offers refined villas near beaches, golf and boutiques. The countryside around Bruges and the Flemish Ardennes suits those wanting privacy with easy access to the art cities. Families and groups often favour rural estates near Ghent or Antwerp, balancing seclusion with urban culture. Limburg's green, lake-dotted east appeals to those seeking quiet and cycling country. Smiling House curates a collection of luxury villas across these settings, many with private pools, landscaped gardens and generous living space, paired with concierge support for chefs, transfers and bespoke experiences.
Things to Do
Flanders rewards the curious. Wander the canals and belfry of Bruges, climb Ghent's medieval towers and stand before the Ghent Altarpiece, or explore Antwerp's fashion district, diamond quarter and Rubens House. Cyclists enjoy flat coastal routes and the steep cobbled climbs of the Flemish Ardennes. The North Sea coast offers beaches, kite-surfing and the art-filled promenade of Ostend. Beer lovers tour historic breweries, while families appreciate the open-air museums and zoos. Throughout the region, markets, châteaux and abbey gardens provide gentle days, and concierge-arranged private tours bring the masterpieces and stories of Flemish painting vividly to life.
Dining & Nightlife
Flanders is a gastronomic heartland with a Burgundian appetite. Expect everything from Michelin-starred tables in Antwerp and Bruges to convivial brown cafés serving moules-frites, waterzooi and grey shrimp croquettes. The region is the birthplace of countless beer styles, and tasting Trappist and lambic brews at the source is a highlight. Antwerp and Ghent lead the nightlife, with stylish wine bars, design-led restaurants and a lively student energy in Leuven and Ghent. Coastal Knokke brings polished beach clubs and seafood. Your villa concierge can secure sought-after reservations or arrange a private chef to cook seasonal Flemish dishes in residence.
When to Visit
Late spring through early autumn offers the most reliable weather, with long, mild days ideal for exploring cities, coast and countryside. May, June and September are particularly pleasant and less crowded than peak summer. July and August bring warm beach days and a full calendar of festivals, including Ghent's celebrated Gentse Feesten. Autumn delivers atmospheric light and quieter art cities, while December transforms Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp with renowned Christmas markets. Winters are cool and damp but cosy, well suited to a fireside villa stay paired with museum days and hearty Flemish cuisine.
Getting There
Vlaams Gewest is exceptionally well connected. Brussels Airport (BRU) is the main international gateway, roughly a short drive or train ride from most of the region. Antwerp and Ostend-Bruges airports serve some routes, and Brussels South Charleroi is an option for budget carriers. High-speed rail links Antwerp and Brussels to Paris, London and Amsterdam, while Belgium's dense train network connects the art cities in well under an hour. A car is useful for reaching coastal and rural villas. Your concierge can arrange airport transfers, private drivers and car hire to ensure a seamless arrival.