Northern Europe
Quick Facts: River port | Belgium | Oudenaarde River Terminal (Schelde riverside moorings) | Dock (no tender) | ~5-minute walk to Market Square | UTC+1 (CEST in summer, CET in winter)
Oudenaarde sits on the River Schelde in the heart of East Flanders, best known to cyclists as the spiritual home of the Tour of Flanders — but its Gothic town hall, world-class tapestry museum, and proximity to the Flemish Ardennes make it a rewarding stop far beyond the racing crowd. Ships dock directly along the Schelde embankment, so your single most important planning tip is this: don’t waste a minute on transport — the entire old town is on your doorstep.
—
Port & Terminal Information
- Terminal: Oudenaarde River Terminal — riverside moorings along the Schelde embankment, near the Tussenbruggen quay area. Check Google Maps before arrival to confirm your exact berth.
- Docking: Direct dock — no tender required. You’ll step off the gangway and be within a 5-minute walk of the Markt (Market Square).
- Terminal facilities: Oudenaarde is a smaller river cruise stop; expect minimal pier infrastructure. No dedicated terminal building, so no on-site ATMs or luggage storage — withdraw cash before docking or head to the Belfius or ING branches just off the Markt.
- Tourist info: The Toerisme Oudenaarde office is inside the Stadhuis on the Markt — pick up free cycling maps and tapestry museum brochures the moment you arrive.
- Wi-Fi: None at the pier; connect in town at most cafés or the tourist office.
—
Getting to the City
The short walk to the Markt means most transport options are unnecessary — but here’s the full picture:
- On Foot — The pier to Market Square is roughly 400 metres, a flat 5-minute walk along the Schelde embankment. This is how almost every visitor should arrive.
- Bus/Metro — De Lijn buses serve Oudenaarde station and surrounding villages. Line 55 and regional services stop on Minderbroedersstraat. Single fare ~€3. Rarely needed for the city center itself.
- Taxi — Taxis aren’t always waiting dockside; ask the ship’s crew to call one in advance. Local fare within the town center: ~€8–12. For Ghent: ~€35–45. No Uber service.
- Hop-On Hop-Off — No HOHO bus operates in Oudenaarde.
- Rental Car/Scooter — Avis and Europcar have desks in Ghent (30 km); not practical for a one-day port stop unless you’re planning a Flemish Ardennes drive.
- Ship Shore Excursion — Worth booking if your itinerary includes a guided cycling tour of the Ronde van Vlaanderen routes or a day trip to Ghent. Going independently into Oudenaarde itself is easy and free.
—
Top Things to Do in Oudenaarde, Belgium
Oudenaarde punches well above its size — between Gothic architecture, cycling heritage, and Flemish tapestries, a full day disappears fast.
Must-See
1. Stadhuis (Town Hall) (free exterior / €2–4 guided interior) — One of the finest examples of Brabantine Gothic civic architecture in Belgium, built 1526–1537. The gilded facade and soaring belfry are unmissable from the Markt. Allow 30–45 minutes inside.
2. MOU – Museum Oudenaarde en de Vlaamse Ardennen (~€8 adults, under 18 free) — Oudenaarde was the tapestry-weaving capital of Europe in the 16th century, and this beautifully curated museum tells that story through genuine Oudenaarde tapestries, regional art, and archaeology. Find a guided tour on GetYourGuide if you want expert context. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
3. Ronde van Vlaanderen Centrum (CycloMuseum) (~€12 adults) — The Tour of Flanders is cycling’s most brutal one-day classic, and this is its official museum. Race bikes, archive footage, and interactive cobbled climbs make it genuinely thrilling even for non-cyclists. Allow 1–1.5 hours.
4. Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk van Pamele (free) — A rare early Gothic church (13th century) on the west bank of the Schelde, quieter than the main tourist circuit and architecturally significant. Allow 20–30 minutes.
5. Markt & Belfry Walking Loop (free) — Walk the medieval market square, note the beautiful guild houses, and circle the old cloth hall ruins. The belfry is a UNESCO-listed Belgian belfry — ring the box. Allow 45 minutes.
Beaches & Nature
6. Flemish Ardennes Walking Trails (free) — The hills south of Oudenaarde — the Koppenberg, Oude Kwaremont, Paterberg — are legendary cycling climbs but equally beautiful on foot. Trail maps from the tourist office. Allow 2–3 hours for a partial loop.
7. Schelde Riverbank Walk (free) — Head north along the embankment past the town’s historic water mills and into open Flemish countryside. Flat, easy, and completely crowd-free. Allow 1 hour.
Day Trips
8. Ghent (~30 km, 30 min by train from Oudenaarde station) — If you have 8+ hours ashore, Ghent’s Gravensteen castle, Graslei waterfront, and Ghent altarpiece at St. Bavo’s Cathedral make it one of Belgium’s best day-trip cities. Consider a private Flanders tour on GetYourGuide that combines both. Allow half a day minimum.
9. Ypres & Flanders Fields (~60 km west) — The WW1 Menin Gate, Tyne Cot Cemetery, and In Flanders Fields Museum are among the most moving sites in Europe. A private guided day from your ship is worth every cent here — see a Private WW1 Flanders Fields tour on Viator 🎟 Book: Private tour WW1 Flanders Fields for a fully escorted experience. Allow a full day.
10. Bruges (~70 km northwest) — Belgium’s most photographed city is reachable by train via Ghent. A Christmas Truce to Passchendaele private WW1 day tour from Bruges on Viator 🎟 Book: From LIlle or Bruges, Christmas Truce to Passchendaele Ypres 1 day WW1 private can pair Bruges with a historical deep dive if your ship is docked long enough.
Family Picks
11. CycloMuseum Interactive Exhibits (~€8 children) — Kids can “race” on simulator bikes, watch Tour highlights on giant screens, and touch real team jerseys. Genuinely fun for ages 8+. Allow 1 hour.
12. Markt Street Food & Ice Cream (€2–5) — Belgian waffles and artisan ice cream from vendors on the Markt keep kids happy between sights. Grab a cone from Glacerie Claudine if it’s open. Allow as long as it takes.
Off the Beaten Track
13. Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-van-Lourdeskerk, Mater (free) — A tiny pilgrimage chapel in the village of Mater, 5 km south, with a serene grotto and almost no tourists. Perfect for a quiet half-hour if you have a bike or taxi. Allow 30 minutes.
14. Audenarde Brasserie & Local Beer Trail (€3–6/beer) — Oudenaarde is the home of oud bruin (Flemish sour brown ale) — Liefmans Brewery is based here. Sample a Liefmans Goudenband or Kriek at De Zalm café on the Markt. Allow 45 minutes.
—
What to Eat & Drink
Oudenaarde’s food identity is built on two pillars: Flemish hearty bistro cooking and sour brown ale, with the Liefmans brewery putting the town on the world beer map. Expect generous portions, local beef stew (stoofvlees) with frites, and fresh endive dishes in season.
- Stoofvlees met friet — Classic Flemish beef braised in Liefmans beer; served at almost every brasserie on the Markt; €14–18
- Liefmans Goudenband — The benchmark Oudenaarde oud bruin; sip it at De Zalm, Markt 40; €3.50–5
- Waterzooi — Ghent’s famous creamy chicken or fish stew appears on most menus here; €15–20
- Belgian waffles (gaufres) — Liège-style (dense, caramelised) rather than Brussels-style; Markt vendors; €2–4
- Vlaamse frites — Double-fried in beef tallow, sold at frietkoten near the Markt; €3–5 with andalouse sauce
- Speculoos — Spiced shortcrust biscuit; buy a bag at the local bakeries on Bourgonjestraat; €3–6/bag
- In De Smokkelbende — Popular local brown café on Hoogstraat; serves regional beers and bar snacks; mains €10–16
—
Shopping
The Markt and the streets radiating off it — particularly Bourgonjestraat and Minderbroedersstraat — are your main shopping strip. Oudenaarde
🎟️ Things to Book in Advance
These highly-rated experiences fill up fast — book before you arrive to avoid missing out.
This page contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
