25 Things to Do in Hasselt – Belgium’s Hidden Gem 

Hasselt, a much lesser-known place right in the northeast corner of Belgium is a beautiful place to visit.

Located in the province of Limburg, life slows down just a tad when you’re in the neighbourhood (ok, that’s just a joke we make about the inhabitants of Limburg).

Belgium has some great accessibility by train, so travel to Hasselt Belgium easily from just about any big city in Belgium.  

I’ve recently travelled to Hasselt for the very first time ever (it only took 34 years!) and I have to say, I was positively surprised.

The small historical centre is entirely car-free which makes exploring the city on foot an extremely pleasant experience.

While walking, shopping and sightseeing you encounter a mix of beautiful architecture and trendy bars and pop-up stores.  

We Belgians know that Hasselt is famous for its speculaas (a kind of cookie), genever (an alcoholic drink) and fashion, but this city has so much more to see and do.

Still not convinced? Let’s take a look at these 25 things to do in Hasselt! 

What are the things to do in Hasselt? 

Stroll through the pedestrian streets of Hasselt’s historical centre 

I found Hasselt’s streets to be highly pleasant as it’s entirely made up of pedestrian streets – it’s not a surprise Hasselt was named ‘the most enjoyable city in Flanders’ in 2004.

The widest street in the centre is known as Hasselt’s fashion street. Also displayed on the street is some enthralling street art, something Hasselt is famous for as well.  

In the city centre, stands the beautiful St. Quentin’s Cathedral (built between the 11th-18th centuries). St. Quentin’s Cathedral is an architectural marvel to look at.

⏰ It is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 pm, so pop in for a visit if you have the chance!   

Don’t forget to grab an ice cream while you wander around (if the weather allows it) and take in the charm of Hasselt. 

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Learn all about fashion at the Fashion Museum 

Hasselt, because of the textiles it produces, is popularly known as ‘The cloth city’. Hasselt and fashion go hand in hand.

This connection between Hasselt people, textiles and fashion dates back to the Middle Ages. It’s like a part of their DNA.  

You can learn all about this fascination for fashion at the Fashion Museum. It’s located just off the small ring road, in the heart of the historic city.

⏰ You can visit Fashion Museum in Hasselt from Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the exhibition changes every six months. 

It’s a fun museum to visit with kids as it has a lot of fun and engaging activities for the whole family – check the planner to see them. However, pay in mind that most are only available in Dutch. 

What to do in Hasselt? 

Enjoy the local fauna and flora in Domain Kiewit 

As a family, we’re always looking out for fun things to do with kids in Belgium, and in Domein Kiewit, you can find just that. However, don’t skip if you’re not visiting with children.

The nature park has plenty to do for adults as well, making it one of the must-visit Hasselt tourist attractions!

This lovely attraction is located in the midst of De Wijers – ‘the land of 1001 pounds’ –  which you can find about 10 minutes from the city centre.

🚲 It has many hiking and biking trails that you can discover while exploring the region’s fauna and flora.  

If you have children, there is no better place to take them than the petting zoo, which has ducks and geese in the pond and where they can watch goats, bunnies, and horses on their adventures around the park.  

Domain Kiewit is also the spot to go if you truly want to unwind and have a picnic. Or if you prefer a table – head over to Koe-vert for some (biological, fair trade, and local!) yummy pancakes or fresh soups.

It even has a playground for the kids! 

Cycle through the water (bokrijk) 

What if I told you that you could cycle through the water? Yes, you heard me right. A 200-metre cycling ride through a pond, with eye-level water on both sides.

This attraction has been created in the De Wijers pond which is located in a nature reserve in Bokrijk-Genk. A major section of this pond is dedicated to this attraction. 

It has always been a fun thing for my family, and we look forward to it whenever we visit Hasselt.

🚲 The funny thing you see is all those heads surfacing from the water passing by. If you don’t own a bicycle, don’t worry, you can rent one.

You may easily include it in your itinerary when visiting Domein Kiewit. It has been a favourite spot for many hikers and cyclists, just like me, since it opened in April 2016. This is the place to go when the weather is just right. 

Go back in time to open-air museum Bokrijk 

I’ve often wondered how life was in the 1960s with houses, classic cars, a grocery store, a café with rebellious slogans, and even a gas station.

🏰 If you’re a history lover who wants to travel back in time a few hundred years, head to the open-air museum in Genk, Bokrijk.

My children were thrilled to see windmills while walking through lovely castles when we visited last June.

You’ll always find a group of schoolchildren encircling the blacksmith and baker, who is demonstrating a century-old style of baking. Oh, and the fresh-from-the-oven wheat and spelt bread were incredible.

Children can really enjoy sheep herding, animal feeding, and some play time with clay.

And beer lovers, there’s something for you as well: beer brewing, and if you visit in June as we did, you’ll be transported back to the days of old breweries.

💡Just remember not to drink and drive.

Visit the Virga Jesse Basilica 

Jesse Basilica, built in the 14th century is a beautiful church located, right on the fashion street. Once also known Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk, it is a good tourist attraction and draws a reasonable crowd.

Slightly less popular than St. Quentin cathedral, this place deserves a visit by someone visiting Hasselt. If you are into design and architecture, you shall definitely appreciate the interiors.

From the outside, the architecture is rather plain, but once you enter the church, you won’t be disappointed.

It has some lovely pieces on display. If you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a local choir practising.

🎟 Entry is free. You can pass by it using a self-guided tour with an interactive city game.

Go street art hunting

 No European city is complete without a street dedicated exclusively to local art. European city’s beautiful art, culture, and rich history are displayed and showcased on the street, and Hasselt is no different.

Artists get space to display their work, be they professional artists or amateurs. If you are lucky, you might get to pick some beautiful artwork. 

I have been there once and managed to pick a beautiful birdie painting, which still hangs in my house library.

It’s all about having the right eye. Here happens, a street art Hasselt festival, almost constantly, so there is a high chance of it happening when you drop by.

Admire the Japanese Garden

Highly recommended if you are dropping by in the summer months, this Japanese garden (japanse tuin) in Hasselt has some 220 varieties of beautiful cherry blossoms on display.

It is a good attraction for all, children as well as adults. My children look forward to this attraction whenever we visit Hasselt, as once in a while they organise Japanese and western games for little children, as a family day for the aged and young.

🐉 You have the option of going for the free walking guide to travel past the Dragon Gate waterfall and to the tea house through a zigzag bridge and stepping stones.

A must is a halt in front of the Shinto altar where one gets to make wishes by bowing and clapping, I guess that is my favourite part of this attraction.

The garden will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year. This will be celebrated from March 22nd to October 31st, 2023. It is open all days barring Mondays, so plan your itinerary around it, if you plan to drop by. 

Stroll around the abbey of Herkenrode 

The abbey site at Herkenrode was declared a heritage site in 1974. The history of this place is rather interesting with a lot of ups and downs, a lot of happy incidents, and some tragic moments during the French Revolution.

It gives this abbey a character of its own. if you are a historian, visiting this city, the Herkenrode Abbey is a wonderful place to visit, attracting a lot of crowds.

🪴 It is maintained well and you can see some beautifully landscaped gardens and manicured lawns. Lots of pretty flowers can also be seen.  

St. Benedict’s had always advocated a self-sufficient establishment, this was no different. The residents were able to fulfill all their needs within the establishment.

In the past, the residents of this abbey cultivated their own land and food requirements were taken care of. There is a herb garden with over 500 varieties of plants.

If you appreciate garden landscaping, you may go for a walk and gather ideas or simply enjoy the colours and fragrances.

Tourists tend to while away their time on the terrace of “De Paardenstallen” chilling. Great place to drink Herkenrode beer.

What is not to be missed is the apple juice available here. It is freshly made from apples grown in the orchards. The view from the terrace is beautiful, so don’t hesitate to walk up the steps. 

Pretend you’re in France while walking in between the Lavender (limburg lavendel) 

Ah! Lavender flower, my favourite, dropping by lavender bushes collectively together is just my kind of sight.

🪷 I have always imagined my children holding hands and walking among gorgeous lavender bushes while admiring nature’s splendour. Nothing can beat the beauty of nature.

When we arrived at Limburg Lavendel, we saw endless fields of lavender with a soft wind carrying their pleasant scent towards us.

Hasselt transports us to the Provence area of France, if you have been to Provence, you know the feeling. It is an area dedicated to lavender.

🍦 On the menu of cafes, you will find stuff like lavender drinks and lavender ice-creams. My preference is ice cream over a drink.

The view all around is breathtaking. We even found a lovely section with rabbits wandering about, and a small garden with waterfalls and sculptures.

📸 We managed to click some really lovely photographs. This place gave us ‘Alice in Wonderland vibes. If you’re planning a cycle trip, a stop in Limburg Hasselt will be a good idea. 

Take a break @ hidden gem Kadettenplein 

Every city has some hidden secret, a corner or maybe a lane that very few people know about. Hasselt offers a plethora of hidden lanes and squares that are worth exploring.

On one of our visits, we arrived at an unexpected location, a place known as Kadettenplein. It is a courtyard garden, located right in the middle of the city.

🗿 As you approach the entrance you see some life-size sculptures. You can see schoolchildren playing around.

A great place to unwind, young adults might find it boring but it is a really good option for couples with kids or maybe aged couples who are seeking a place to rest for a bit.

Our family comes in the former category so we were extremely happy to discover this spot. 

Get into the Christmas mood at Winterland 

Who doesn’t like Christmas? Christmas is just magical for everyone around the world.

❄️ Winterland in Hasselt is the ideal location for both young and old to enjoy the pleasant environment, wonderful food and drink, and diverse activities. There are ample shopping options here and it has Flanders’ largest mobile skating rink.

Even before you reach the Winterland, you’ll notice a brightly lighted two-story carousel, which will set the tone for your festive mood. After a short distance, you will find yourself in front of a large Christmas tree and Santa’s house.

There’s much to see and do, including the Grand Café, an indoor ice rink, a Christmas market, food and drink, roller coaster rides, archery, and more.

The Santa house is somewhat like the “House of Santa Claus” located in Finland.  

Let the kids out at Plopsa Indoor Hasselt 

Plopsa Indoors, if you have children, don’t think and just add this attraction to your itinerary. It is a small amusement park for children.

🎡 The theme park has rides for small children. The options of rides are endless, right from bumper cars, climbing mountains, aquatic background, Maya’s playground, etc.

The size of this amusement park is extremely small, don’t expect Disneyland to welcome you!  Part of it is indoors, part outdoors.

If your children like Bumba and Bumbalo, your children are in for a treat. You can see happy children running here and there with their parents following them obviously!

The energy level is full. Eating options are there, not many but reasonable options I would say, but then you can bring food and drinks in with you.

Plopsaland Indoor Hasselt is a good place to chill, one doesn’t get bored for a moment. With unpredictable Belgian weather, this place is a good option.  

Sample the drink of the city at the Jenever Museum 

Jenever, a Dutch gin is a grain-based alcoholic drink. The main ingredient is juniper berries.

Dutch have put a claim over it but it does have a Belgian heritage too. If you travel to Belgium, you drink alcohol, this is a must-have alcoholic drink. The people of Hasselt love Jenever.

🥃 Their love for Jenever is visible when you reach Jenever Museum. Is it not cool, a drink having a museum. It needs a solid reputation in order to pull this off. 

A one-of-a-kind museum that distills some delicious Jenever in different tastes and aromas.

The Museum offers some great information about this delicious drink. It has a courtyard that hosts cultural events such as musical concerts, theatre, etc.

The bar is built around sampling, and we were taken aback by the selection (130 different types of Jenever, which is hard to imagine).

In Jenever Museum’s bar, there is a drink for everyone. It tends to get a little boring for children, but a great place for adults to visit.

here, you will realise the true worth of juniper berries and the magic they can do! 

Get an adrenaline rush at the Racetrack of Zolder 

If you love cars, racetracks, and Formula One, then Circuit Zolder should be on your Hasselt to-do bucket list. A bit far from the city centre, located in Heusden-Zolder (from which it gets its name.)

You will find a Formula one racetrack that is still used for races. It remains busy during the year with lots of activities and events happening.

🏍️ Motorcycle races, cycle races, and car races, it is perfect for all. Located in a bit of green and slightly wooded area, it makes for very beautiful scenery.

If you are wondering what to do in Hasselt, Belgium, when you have more time, the Albert canal is close by, and an extremely green and scenic farm is set in the background.

The combined charm of Circuit Zolder and Albert canal makes it an attractive location to visit. If you are an outdoor person, this is a great campsite. It has to offer some beautiful scenery, and close by lies a chapel.

It’s around 11 km off centre, you might have to go a bit out of the way, but it’s a good experience so I would recommend it. The energy around events is contagious.

Besides it being a local attraction and this race track known to many is sometimes used for international Formula One races.  

Learn all about mining at C-mine 

If someone asks me how was your C-mine experience? I would say different and amazing. The C-mine is a place you do not want to miss as things to do in Hasselt, Belgium.

One has to descend six metres into the coal mine and experience how a mine is, how it functions, and the nitty-gritty unknown to a common man.

C-Mine has an industrial history and a good experience for all age groups. (except the old, goes unsaid!) C-mine is a gem of industrial history where our children learnt about mining in a modern, innovative, and imaginative way.

It is a one and an hour journey that will take you inside the historical tunnels. En route, one comes across some different installations.

The mine is kid-friendly, with a variety of buttons and wheels that replicate the sounds that one hears in the mine (don’t forget to try producing your own mining sounds with your kids).

🗼We discovered a large machine room that housed some antique turbines and a massive air compressor. There is a tower, climb over it to enjoy a spectacular view of Limburg’s scenery. I would say it is a must-do. 

Villa Imagination 

Hasselt is a great destination for art lovers. Villa Verbeelding (Imagination) is a mansion that exhibits the work of some amazing young authors and artists.

I love the building, the building is white in colour with big windows and doors. Formerly it was known as ‘The Literary Museum’

What can I say about this place? It is, after all, a land of fantasies, as its name suggests.

If you are an artist, this place is for you. This place is not only enjoyable for us adults but my children loved it too.

With their unique and astonishing words and visuals, writers and artists transport us to their own universe. If you want your children to love reading, there is a large selection of books available for them to choose from while they continue their villa tour.

With endless activities, summer schools, and exhibitions, this place offers something for all ages. Just 2 minute walk from the station.

Before you go, don’t forget to pick up some books, posters, and even birthday calendars from their museum shop. They are creative and extremely cute to look at.

Keep a tab on their calendar, they organise some great readings, workshops, and masterclasses for age groups .

Stadsmus

Hasselt is home to a number of fascinating and educational museums.

As they say, a city without a past is like a book without letters, Het Stadsmus is the place to discover the historic past while admiring the remarkable talent that the city has to offer.

This museum is all about Hasselt. This museum is in a mansion with four floors, displaying historical photos, paintings, and other artefacts related to Hasselt.

It’s not wrong to say, that this museum celebrates Hasselt. They offer audio guides, so if your reading is limited to English, audio guides can be easily borrowed from the reception.

It is a free attraction and one can easily spend 2-3 hours here.  

Z33

Z33  is a complex, and on location are many buildings. Some of the buildings are protected by UNESCO.

It basically is an art centre known for bridging the gap between art, design, and architecture with social issues. The heterogenous brick structure surrounding the complex is charming in itself.

📽️ They play interesting movies within the complex.

The facade is done up with interesting diamond-shaped bricks which are art on their own, making it one of the best places to visit in Hasselt Belgium.

All over you will see art, be it a handrail, a door, etc. The courtyard is well maintained with trimmed bushes and trees.

Earlier, I believe single women used to live in this complex. It is extremely close to the Jenever Museum, so these two places can be combined.  

Arboretum in Domain Bokrijk 

Arboretum, meaning a botanical garden of trees. It is an open-air museum, making visitors acquainted with the history of the Flemish countryside.

With over a hundred unique structures, Belgium’s largest open-air museum is hidden in the picturesque woods of Bokrijk. It is spread over 18 hectares.

🧄 It is home to mind-boggling 10,000 species of trees, plants, herbs, and ferns. It is an extremely beautiful place for anyone who loves nature or likes to gather information on different types of trees and plants.

A great place to walk around. We have visited it twice and both times were lucky with the weather in Hasselt.

It was so calming and out of this world to be surrounded by huge water lilies and the sweet aroma of citrus flowers. My family’s favourites were the indoor and outdoor ponds, and my kids loved every bit of them.

It’s open every day of the year and is another good picnic spot here. for your children and grandchildren to play their hearts out in the big outdoor playground.

A day spent in Domain Bokrijk will transport you back to a fairy tale day 

Taste the local dishes and drinks: speculoos and jenever (“city of taste”)

Hasselt is the ideal place for good food and drinks. Some restaurants set up on cosy terraces offering fresh wines and tasty beers, and home-grown food straight from nature.

From early morning to late at night, from a casual street food experience to a six-course dinner date, your taste buds will be spoiled here.

There is always something special about locally produced food, and Hasselt is known for its tasty specialties, especially Speculoos (a spiced biscuit referred to as Speculaas in Hasselt).

🥙 I can still taste the crispy, soft, and nostalgic flavours of the delicious spices, and if you happen to visit DePaifve, Cools, or Bakkersdochter, don’t forget to get some packed (they make the best).

It is so special to people that there is even a festival for this drink in the month of October in this city and if you say there is a museum in a city that has documented this drink, speaks volumes of how special this drink must be to the people.

These delicacies are exclusive to Hasselt, but they are delicious no matter where you eat them. 

Go Shopping 

I must confess, I have saved the best for last. Shopaholics will have a great time in Hasselt.

🛍️ It is a combination of brands, authentic and eccentric apparel, with something to suit everyone’s style, taste, and budget.

Aside from the distinct shopping Hasselt areas, check concept stores such as La Bottega, Les Soeurs, Oui, and Fashion Bar for some fantastic men’s, women’s, and children’s apparel, accessories, and restaurants.

We discovered some of the best boutiques while strolling down the lanes of Kapelstraat and Aldestraat. You can also go to the new and attractive shopping centre in Hasselt—‘Quartier Bleu’ on Blauwe Boulevard. 

Though the main streets and stores are open Monday through Saturday if you’re lucky and in town on the first Sunday of the month, you might be able to shop on a Sunday. 

Do like the Belgians and take a well-deserved break on one of the  many terraces 

Hasselt is a charming and attractive city where everything is only around the corner. Belgians adore their personal space and make the most of it with their loved ones.

The open-air and mesmerising surroundings always make me and my family enjoy our food.

We tried a lot of local cuisines and met some nice people while spending time on some nicely designed terraces of small cafes and restaurants.

If you plan ahead of time, you could get lucky like us and book a room in a great hotel or Airbnb Hasselt with a terrace view of this fairy-tale-looking city. 

Travel back in time to the beguinage  

Last but not the least, making to my list is the Flemish beguinages. There are many beguinages across Europe, but Belgium’s beguinages are one-of-a-kind and have a significant heritage significance.

A beguinage is a residential area where single women live. It is a silent and peaceful location. This is what I love about it.

This was destroyed in the WWII bombings but presently it is being restored. Although the damage is still visible in some places, the beguinage are things to see in Hasselt!

The efforts going towards restoration are directed at making this structure, a part of Hasselt University. In the beguinage houses, students are provided with space to work, which I think is commendable.

Just adjacent lies the church, the tallest building in its own time but destroyed by the bombings. It lies in the heart of the city, so you don’t have to go out of the way for it.

There are thirteen beguinage homes, the gatehouse, and the garden designated as monuments.

The original buildings have been restored and given a contemporary style to maintain the heritage for and a tourist attraction for both: locals and visitors. 

things to do in hasselt FAQ

If you want to escape the towns bustling with tourists, Hasselt is a feast for travellers interested in nature, shopping, dining, and cultural experiences.

Hasselt is popular for its distilleries and the Hasselt Spirit gin. They are also known as “the capital of (good) taste” for their street art and fashion industry.

You can save more of your travel budget when you walk rather than riding expensive taxis in this beautiful city.

Final Thoughts on things to do in hasselt

Hope you have been able to pick up a few activities and attractions for your visit to this cute little city in one of the prettiest Flander regions of Belgium.

Hasselt is a quaint, tiny town with wonderful shops, pleasant people, amazing galleries, and great outdoor activity options. It is a great option if you want to break from the busy chaos of your city life.

Following our things to do in Hasselt recommendations are perfect for a day trip, or a few more days will not hurt.

Its great topography has made so many wide varieties of attractions possible. This city is extremely accessible and has something to offer everyone.

Our tendency as a family with children tends to be a bit biased over children-friendly attractions. Yours may differ, so plan well, and you shall not be disappointed.

Come once, and then you shall come back again!