Westvleteren
About this Place
Westvleteren is a small village in West Flanders, close to the French border. Although quiet and largely rural, it has earned an international reputation as the home of Sint-Sixtus Abbey, where the monks brew the celebrated Trappist Westvleteren beers.
Visitor notes
Few villages of this size enjoy the international reputation of Westvleteren. Visitors come from around the world in search of its famous Trappist beer. It may be a gentle exaggeration, but for some the journey has acquired an almost pilgrimage-like status. In reality, you should expect a peaceful rural village rather than a bustling tourist destination.
The abbey itself is closed to visitors, although it is possible to apply to join a monastic retreat. This is a religious experience rather than a brewery visit, and there are no brewery tours.
The focus of any visit is therefore In de Vrede, the café opposite the monastery. Here you can enjoy Westvleteren beers in their proper setting, order a simple lunch and, subject to availability and the abbey's current arrangements, buy beer, cheese and other products from the abbey. If fortune is on your side, you may even find one of the much sought-after Westvleteren chalices available to buy.
Westvleteren is best enjoyed as part of a wider day exploring Belgium's hop country. Nearby Poperinge, Ypres and Watou each offer their own attractions, making this a rewarding corner of West Flanders to explore at a relaxed pace.
Dog-friendly
Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating areas of In de Vrede when kept on a lead. As the abbey is a working monastery and not open to visitors, opportunities for exploring with dogs are otherwise limited.