Location: Hasselt
Top Things to do in Hasselt
The 10 Best Things to Do in Hasselt, Belgium
Hasselt (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɦɑsəlt]) is a Belgian city and municipality, and capital of the province of Limburg. The Hasselt municipality includes the original city of Hasselt, plus the old communes of Sint-Lambrechts-Herk, Wimmertingen, Kermt, Spalbeek, Kuringen, Stokrooie, Stevoort and Runkst, as well as the hamlets and parishes of Kiewit, Godsheide and Rapertingen.
Restaurants in Hasselt
1. Herkenrode Abbey
Overall Ratings
4 based on 180 reviews
Reviewed By RHAHJ - Nijmegen, The Netherlands
The Herkenrode abbey is an old and quite impressive site. It is worth a visit, but I would recommend skipping the museum. Entry is 5 euros, and for that you get an elaborate explanation of the history of the abbey, starting with the counts of Loon, through the wars between Loon and Liège and subsequent wars, through rich and poor times, until the confisquation by Napoleonic troops, at which point all the property was sold. That is the reason that few original items are on display. And that's the reason why I would recommend researching the history of this place for yourself, on the internet (though one can see that they put an effort into using modern presentation techniques, with touch screens, audioguides, and plain written text). Loon is probably the least known of the counties in the Lowlands, and interesting because of that. The small castle in Kuringen is nearby. The stadsmus museum in nearby Hasselt has a few original items from the abbey.
2. Japanese Garden
Overall Ratings
4 based on 410 reviews
Reviewed By Derek B - Bracknell, United Kingdom
This is a lovely place to visit, it is well kept but not overly so and it was quite reassuring to see they have problem plants as well. There are many attractive acers which will be worth another visit in the autumn.
The lake has some huge koi which have no fear of people and actually almost climb out of the water when being fed.
There are toilets but no refreshments, when I queried this I was told a café would encourage noise which would detract from the garden. But there are improvements being made and there will be a café built outside the garden.
Allow around an hour for your visit.
3. Jenever Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 241 reviews
Reviewed By Luc B - Haacht, Belgium
In the middle of the center of Hasselt, you will find this very interesting museum. Don't walk by, but go inside and visit it. They tell you everything about how they make the jenever and the best is at the end: the tasting. Enjoy and...MoreThanks for the nice review!
4. Cathedrale Saint-Quentin
Overall Ratings
4 based on 62 reviews
Reviewed By _NF_70 - Hasselt, Belgium
So I live in Hasselt and it was due time to visit our Cathedral ! And it really surprised me! I admit, I first bought a little booklet at the tourist office to help me find the interesting spots. So I got a little history lesson before entering. My favourite was the Baptistery containing some nice murals by local painter Godfried Guffens. Also the Pulpit is a must see as is the spread wings eagle lectern (dare you to find the bat). If you are lucky the closet containing the virgin skull relics is open. Here you can see some carefully wrapped skulls in beautiful embroidered cloth. Don't forget to look up at the organ, every first Saturday of the month at 15h you can hear this beautiful instrument played by a guest organist.
5. Plopsa Indoor Hasselt
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 244 reviews
Reviewed By ArtikalGial - Brussels, Belgium
This indoor theme park is not too big, but still we spent a whole afternoon there without being bored. My son loved all the attractions, because he was not afraid for any of them and was tall enough to ride them all. Big confidence booster! Next to the indoor part, there is an outdoor part with a playground and a traffic park, where the children can drive cars and learn about the traffic signs (that didn't go very well though ;-) ). Only thing is that almost all meals are based on pork and my husband and son are Muslim, so eating something there is a bit difficult. There is only one options for the kids meal and that is a pork frikadel. It's a bit sad that a child is excluded because there is only one option. I don't understand why there is no chicken alternative for example, it's frozen stuff, so that shouldn't be a big deal. My husband finally had the "stoofvlees" and the taste was very good. The Bumba show was great! even though my son hadn't watched Bumba for ages, he was super intrigued by the 20 minute show. Meeting Maya, Wicky and Bumbaloe were the highlights of the day. All and all, a great day that I certainly recommend to families with children younger than 6.
6. Fashion Museum Hasselt
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 101 reviews
Reviewed By FayeInAmsterdam - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Every time when I am in Hasselt, I go to this museum.
With family I went to "Hello, my name is Paul" exhibition. I love this designer's work, so it's great to see his work in a museum. This expo has a fun side, just like his designs. Walking through a labyrinth, every room has a fashion story. Some rooms look like a behind-the-scenes.
Check their website for more news, because it's worth to visit.
7. Virga Jesse Basilica
Overall Ratings
4 based on 30 reviews
Reviewed By Keniaan - Hasselt, Belgium
This church is situated at the heart of Hasselt. From outside it does look nice, although some metal doors at the front do not really match with the rest of the building. It is a pitty other buildings are so close to the church, it looks a bit crowded.
Looks from outside the church are fine, but once insight you'll probably be disapointed if you compare it to other old churches and cathedrals. Only good point here are some of the windows (cf pictures).
Not that special, not really a reason to come to Hasselt. If you really want to see this church, come at night as some lights are installed which makes it look a lot better.
8. Fietsen in en rond Hasselt
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By Madaboutfooooood - Howden, United Kingdom
Visited in Autumn and couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised. Well maintained grounds are vast and you could easy spend a day walking around exploring. Equally good for jogging. The lakes area was particularly beautiful. Definitely worth a visit
9. Pukkelpop
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By Sharonisawesome - Portland, Oregon
The line-up's are fantastic but do not be lured by Pukkelpop's siren song. We had planned to stay for two days and left several hours into the first. As music junkies who have attended hundreds of shows, this shines a bright, burning light...like a bug zapper because it will suck the life out of you.
Do you like walking through a sea of garbage? I don't know why patrons throw everything on the ground with trash cans 15 feet away.
Do you like smoking? If you don't or if just don't like doing so through 100% of every concert, this festival may not work for you. Not only does everybody smoke during the shows, which can be ignored at least outside, but they allow smoking indoors and there is no ventilation.
Do you like raging, drunk 16 year old children? Yes, then you'll fit in. No, then you won't sleep either because they just scream throughout the night, throughout the entire camping area and there is no curfew or cut-off.
Just run away, far, far away.
10. Z33
Overall Ratings
4 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By An N - Hasselt, Belgium
Z33 is situated in the Beguinage of Hasselt, nice little houses that used to belong to single women community. The art centre always shows very interesting art work, lots of film and projection. The entrance is free and staff is very helpful. If you visit Hasselt and you like museums/art, certainly go here! Open until 5pm, not on mondays though.
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