Cities of West Flanders
West Flanders is home to many different cities, each with its own character, size and economy.
This page gives you a first impression of the province's main cities and points you to each one's official website and contact details.
Overview
West Flanders is one of the 5 provinces of Flanders, and it is made up of dozens of municipalities (gemeenten), each with its own local government. The cities below are the ones with the largest international communities in the province, and where International House West Flanders is most active.
Kortrijk
Kortrijk is home to International House West Flanders. It was historically a textile city, and it has grown into a hub for design, technology and business, with a lively student population thanks to Howest and the KU Leuven Kulak campus.
- Residents: around 78 000 (Statbel)
- Known for: design, technology, business and student life
- Good transport links to: Brussels, Ghent and Lille (France)
Bruges
Bruges (Brugge in Dutch) is the capital of West Flanders. Its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it is one of Belgium's best-known tourist destinations. Bruges also has the largest international community of any city in the province.
- Residents: around 119 000 (Statbel)
- Known for: history, tourism and canals
- Also home to: several colleges and universities
Roeselare
Roeselare is a mid-sized city with a strong agri-food and logistics industry. Its international community is the fastest-growing in the province, and the city has a more affordable cost of living than Kortrijk or Bruges.
- Residents: around 66 000 (Statbel)
- Known for: agri-food, logistics and manufacturing
Other cities to know
West Flanders has several other cities worth knowing, especially if your work or interests take you there:
- Ostend (Oostende) - a coastal city with a working port, a growing offshore wind energy sector and a lively seaside atmosphere
- Waregem - a smaller town known for its textile and furniture industries, and for the Waregem Koerse horse race
Finding your city's website and contact details
Every Flemish municipality has its own official website, usually ending in .be with the city's name. These sites list local news, events and the contact details for your municipality's services.
- Kortrijk: kortrijk.be
- Bruges: brugge.be
- Roeselare: roeselare.be
- Ostend: oostende.be
- Waregem: waregem.be
Good to know: most municipal websites are only available in Dutch. Your browser's built-in translate function usually gives you a good enough translation for everyday questions. If you need something official translated accurately, contact International House West Flanders or your municipality directly.
Sources
- Province of West Flanders
- Statbel
