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City and municipality in Flemish Community, Belgium
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Sint-Niklaas is a medium-sized city (by Belgian standards) of around 82,000 people (2023), in East Flanders, between the bigger cities of Antwerp and Ghent. It is the capital city of the Waas region (Waasland), which is surrounded by the river Schelde (Scheldt) on three sides.
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Market Square
The city's main square is Belgium's largest market square, almost rivals Moscow's Red Square and the Vatican's St.Peter's Square in size. During the Vredesfeesten hot air balloon happening in early September, 50 hot air balloons take off from here simultaneously. Around the square you can see the neo-gothic City Hall with its typical Flemish belfry tower with carillon playing songs every hour; behind it the Holy Mary Church with its 6-metre tall golden Holy Mary statue on top; on the other side of the Square, the old city hall and prison, with behind it the St. Nicolas Church (the Old Church); in the northeastern corner of Market Square there is Houtbriel, a smaller square with nice historic houses.
Fascinating maps are the focus of this museum. Mercator was one of the most famous cartographers in history, and was born in Rupelmonde, a village in the neighbourhood. In winter the museum is closed for a few weeks so it is advised to check in advance if it is open when you are planning a visit during the winter.
Nice park with castle surrounded by a moat.
For the typical fries the Belgians are so proud of. A great option for budget dining, but not the healthiest one.
Chic but not cheap.
Rolls, burgers, fries, pizza, kebab. Open till late at night on Fridays and Saturdays.
Chinese and Japanese restaurant (showcooking, not traditional Japanese).
A pub in a medieval cellar.
Pub in retro Americana style. You can shoot pool. Sometimes there's a live DJ. Can be busy on Friday and Saturday night.
This is the largest shopping mall in the area.
By train
Sint-Niklaas is on the main railway line between Antwerp and Ghent. Trains from Antwerp and Ghent run three to four times every hour, taking 20-30 minutes.
By bicycle
A brand-new cycling superhighway (Fietssnelweg), the F4, connects Antwerp and Ghent via Sint-Niklaas.
By bicycle
The city also has excellent new bicycle lanes, with right of way for cyclists on most intersections.
By bus
Local buses run through the main streets on designated bus lanes. The main bus terminal is next to the railway station.
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