Looking for some great ideas for a nice day out in Belgium this summer?
The post pandemic period has seen a surge in overseas holiday bookings but, for those holidaying at home this summer (or just looking for the odd day out), there’s plenty to do and see right here.
In no particular order, this website has compiled a “Top 5” of Belgian visitor attractions/activities to keep you (and the kids) entertained.
Starting at the coast, one terrific way to pass an hour or more is a lovely boat trip at sea with “Captain Blue” from the port of Ostend, arguably Belgium’s best known seaside destinations. Apart from being entertaining this could be good for your well-being as the sea air has been proven to be very beneficial for different aspects of health.
The company runs several different types of trips, including a tour of the sprawling port of Zeebrugge, home to all manner of maritime transports, ranging from container ships to passenger ferries and humble tug boats.
During the near-two hour trip, you will also pass the Belgian naval base, a gas terminal and wind turbines on a nearby dam.
Another of their trips takes you into the open North Sea, via the coastline and close to the beach. It gives you a chance to look at the Belgian coastline,city and port from a completely different perspective.
Moving away from the coast but staying in Flanders, there’s much else to do in that relatively undiscovered part of Belgium – Limburg.
Located on the Dutch border, here you will find one of the country’s fastest-paced activities: karting.
Karting Genk is known as “the home of champions” and is a highly popular place or racers, young and old alike. The site features two tracks: a 1,360m “professional” track for people aged over 18 where karting can be done at speeds of up to 90kph and a 550m “fun” track (max speed of 60kph).
The pro track can be used by professional racers and also by people with their own karts and is popular as an “event” activity by companies.
The smaller track is ideal for newcomers to the sport and has a range of karts are available for hire. There is also a dual kart which is perfect for parents who want to accompany a child.The type of kart you use depends on your height but all age groups are welcome.
Beware: Staff have a remote control that can slow down or even stop anyone who does not respect the rules and regulations while karting.
Things can get very busy at peak periods with up to 300 rides per day but the number allowed on the track at any one time is strictly limited so as to ensure it doesn’t get too crowded. Everyone is, of course, given a safety briefing before they start.
The whole site was founded back in 1983 by Paul Lemmens and his wife Lisette and F1 fans may like to know that this track is also where currently world champ Max Verstappen first learned his trade.
Down in Brabant Walloon, Walibi Belgium and Aventure Parc are a couple of must do’s. Both are close to Wavre which is very conveniently located just off the E4-11 motorway out of Brussels, making each a great choice for a smashing day out from the city.
Walibi Belgium has, in recent years, embarked on an exciting and expensive development “road map” to further reinforce its position as the largest Belgian amusement park.
One of its most popular rides, Pulsar, is a real feat of engineering and design, combining three sensations in one attraction: free fall, speed and water. It’s won an armful of awards, including the IAAPA “Best New Attraction in the World”.
The Tiki-Waka rollercoaster is another star attraction at over 20m tall and sprawling across almost 600 metres. It can reach a speed of 55km/h. Tiki-Waka spoofs a tropical race car theme that’s a huge hit with families.
Other must-sees include the Tiki Trail, the spinning Octopus ride, the Tiki-Theatre and a unique dark ride – the Challenge of Tutankhamon.
Fun World & Fun Pilot has been specially designed to make little ones get a taste of their very first kiddy rollercoaster. Before 2019, this area of the park was largely unnoticed by the majority of visitors but now boasts brightly coloured cartoon-like buildings and a brand-new steel coaster.
Arguably the pinnacle of Walibi’s big recent investment plan is Exotic World (II) & Kondaa, the highest, fastest, and most anticipated megacoaster in Benelux.
The expansion of Exotic World in 2021 represented a step-change for the park and it sits somewhat detached from the rest of the park – a bit like an island.To create the desired effect, 40 welders, metalworkers, carpenters and painters worked for around 30,000 hours. Some 20 tons of steel, 350 tons of mortar and 90 square metres of wood were used in the construction. More than 16,000 trees and plants were brought in from over 80 different species, 14 of which are super rare to Belgium like the Persian Silk tree and the African Sausage tree.
The ride itself is 50 metres high, 1,200m long, reaching a top speed of 113km/h.It took 124 rails, 147 posts, 178 metres of chain and 15,000 bolts to construct, weighing 1600 tonnes in total.
The main attraction is Kondaa but a 4.5 hectare area has also been expanded with a children’s attraction called Kondaala.
Next door to Walibi, at Aqualibi, visitors can enjoy the feeling of year-round sunshine, with temperatures set at a balmy 29 degrees. Kiddie Bay is a new 700 square metre kids zone and features 36 slides, fountains and waterfalls.
After pandemic restrictions and lockdowns everything is also now back to normal at one of the region’s most popular of outdoor activities: Aventure Parc. The recent hot spell made it an even more attractive proposition for a day out.
It offers no less than 22 acrobatic courses, 220 games between the trees and 36 ziplines.
In terms of visitor attractions it has proved a real success story. Ever since 2004, the parc has evolved, grown and innovated across the board, from safety and comfort to a newly remodelled reception/café.
All safety equipment is provided and, so as to avoid overcrowding, the parc is normally only accessible to a limited number of participants at any one time. Visitors here usually spend about three hours on the course.
Its sheer size – it is one of the biggest of its kind in Benelux – makes it possible for everyone to tear down ziplines and swing between trees in a large space without feeling crammed in.
Instructors are constantly on hand to help participants, provide advice and make any visit friendly. The supervisors have been specially trained in supervision, first aid, and various obstacle course and acrobatic techniques.
The park has received a quality mark awarded by the Walloon Region and boasts a safety system – “first turning zipline” – that is unique and, again, one of a kind in Belgium. You don’t have to be super fit for all this: a normal physical shape is enough to be able to complete the courses. The more difficulty levels are progressive and you can stop when you want.
Down in the Ardennes, you should check out Des Grottes de Han, at Han-sur-Lesse which includes “Salle du Dôme”, the largest underground cave in Belgium. The caves are one of Belgium’s most popular tourist attractions with up to 300,000 visitors per year. A led lighting system brings out the natural colours and depth of the caves and dripstones.
The caves there are the only natural attraction in Belgium to have been awarded 3 stars in the famous Michelin Guide. Both the nature park and caves are located at the very heart of the Famenne-Ardenne UNESCO Global Geopark. You are best to allow a full day to see both though half a day is ok if it’s just either the park or caves.
The animal park can be visited on foot, at your own pace, along its footpath or aboard a Safari-car accompanied by a driver-guide. The visit to the Grotto is guided and is done in small groups. The site now additionally offers glamping for those able to stay over for a night or two.
So, there you have it: our Top Five of some of the best things to do in Belgium during the current holidays. If you are among the many who were fed up being stuck at home during the health crisis, you might welcome such great places to visit.
Despite lockdowns and all the various restrictions all these brill Belgian attractions have now welcomed back visitors – and that is great news for all of us.
More info:www.walibi.be
www.aventureparc.be
www.kartinggenk.be
www.captainblue.be
