Hasselt
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Meet Hasselt
Why go to Hasselt?
This friendly town is Limburg’s capital, set along the Demer River in the heart of the province. Visitors to Limburg usually stop-off in Hasselt, drawn by the market-town’s museums, shopping, restaurants and nightlife. Hasselt is definitely the biggest and busiest town in the province - busy by Limburg standards that is - but as you’re in Flanders’ ‘greenest province’ you’re never far from a spot of nature. Whether that’s in the city’s own gardens or if you venture out to one of the countless nature reserves and parks found around Hasselt.
Side note: people from Limburg or ‘Limburgers’ are known as the friendliest people in Belgium so enjoy the hospitality here!
What you need to know about Hasselt
Gin galore
Hasselt is known for its Jenever gin. The Jenever Museum is totally dedicated to the Dutch gin where you learn all about how it’s made and (most importantly) try out 100 different gins at the bar. Drop by Hasselt in October for the Jenever Festival for extra gin. Or, if you’re coming by on Christmas, you’re sure to see Jenever on sale at the market.
Beautiful sights
Limburg is known for showing off Mother Nature for a reason. Even the urban Hasselt has natural highlights you can’t miss. The Japanese Garden is the biggest of its kind in Europe. Experience the beauty of Japan right in Belgium.
Want to see beautiful buildings? Hasselt has that too. Hasselt has plenty of historic abbeys to explore, all pretty in their own way. But Herkenrode Abbey is just on the outskirts with tons of nature around to wander.
Museums you need to see
Gin. Fashion. Art. Roman history. There’s a museum for anything and everything in Hasselt. What’s your style? Urban explorers can spend a whole day museum hopping or dive in deep into your special interest. You can’t beat the Modesmuseum for fashion history in Hasselt. Or get your art history goggles on at Art Museum Z33. Whatever museum you choose, you’re sure to learn something new in Hasselt.
When to go
It's a good place to go all year round. There’s plenty to do in the colder, wetter months and a well-known Christmas village pops up for six weeks in the Winter. Spring sees the Japanese Garden hosts a cherry blossom festival. Limburg comes into its own in the warmer months when Hasselt is a good place to spend a day before exploring the rest of the province.
Transport
Getting There:
Hasselt is well connected, by bus and train, to major Belgain cities and several surrounding European cities such as Maastricht in the Netherlands.The city does not have an airport, so flying into Brussels is the best option.
Hasselt is easily reached by car from the motorways E313 and E314. Multiple airports are within a 1 hour drive ( Brussels, Liège, Antwerp, Charleroi, Cologne/Bonn, and Düsseldorf)
Hasselt Station. Trains 15, 21, 21A, 34 and 35. The station is a short walk from the city centre. You can catch a train to Hasselt from all major train stations in Belgium.
Brussels Airport-Zaventem is a 1 hour direct train ride from Hasselt. You can also fly in from the Limburg Regional Airport and take a 1 hour bus ride from Saint-Trond.
Getting Around
Hasselt is a fairly small city. It’s best to go around by foot and bike with the occasional bus trip.
The city is small so you probably won’t need to use a car for the most part. We recommend parking in areas outside of the city centre as barriers are in place to limit traffic and parking can be more expensive.
The city is very walkable but regular De Lijn buses will take you to almost anywhere you’ll need to go. One journey will cost around 2€ and the tickets will be valid for an hour.
Cycling is a good way to get around the city and explore the city's surroundings. By Bike: renting a bike is easy and cheap in Hasselt. Go to Blue-Bike right by Hasselt Station. Rent 1 bike for 4 hours for 1.15€. You can rent bikes and e-bikes from Fietspunt Hasselt for 10-25€ per day. Or rent a bike from the Herkenrode Abbey Site for 10-20€ per day, the abbey is just on the outskirts of Hasselt and gives you immediate access to Limburg’s extensive cycle route network.
taxis in Hasselt can be expensive. You can easily get a taxi at the train station during the day. At night, you’ll see lots of taxis at Kolonel Dusartplein taking the nightlife partygoers back home.
Essentials
Tourism Office
Visit Hasselt
Website: https://www.visithasselt.be/
Address: Maastrichterstraat 59, 3500 Hasselt
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 011 23 95 40
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