Bordered by the River Schelde on three sides, the Belgian city of Sint-Niklaas in East Flanders lies within commuting distance of Antwerp. As part of the Flemish-Dutch presence in Belgium, Sint-Niklaas is the capital of the Waasland region dating back to the 13th century and is affectionately known as the hometown of Santa Claus. Travellers enjoy its vast market square and impressive historic architecture.

The Market Square bustles with energy, spreading over 2.3 hectares near St. Nicholas Church. It is where to find the city’s famous historic buildings, including the neo-gothic City Hall with its Flemish belfry tower sending out carillon tunes hourly across the square, and the six-metre-high gold-gilded statue of the Holy Mary perched atop Holy Mary Church. After cycling along the river or spending hours studying cartography and original globes at Mercator Museum, many tourists choose to dine at Walburg Castle, surrounded by an ancient moat.

Travellers arriving by car use the E17, A12 or N16 highways, or take the scenic route along the seaside using the E34. Visitors from Brussels can reach Sint-Niklaas in about an hour by train, and it’s about a 750-metre walk from the station and bus terminal to the Market Square. The city is renowned as a pedestrian-friendly destination, with numerous bicycle lanes and rental shops.

Sint-Niklaas takes its name from its 13th century church, founded in 1217 by the bishop of Tournai and dedicated to St. Nicholas of Myra, colloquially known as Santa Claus. The church was restructured in the Baroque architectural style after suffering damage in the 16th century. The burgeoning textile industry in Sint-Niklaas in the 18th century made it one of the largest industrial cities in the Flanders region.