Location: Vilvoorde
Top Things to do in Vilvoorde
Top Restaurants in Vilvoorde
The 10 Best Things to Do in Vilvoorde, Belgium
Vilvoorde (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈvɪlvoːrdə], French: Vilvorde, historically known as Filford in English) is a Belgian municipality in the Flemish province of Flemish Brabant. The municipality comprises the city of Vilvoorde proper with its two outlying quarters of Koningslo and Houtem and the small town of Peutie. The nickname for inhabitants of Vilvoorde is Pjeirrefretters (horse eaters) because horse meat (specially steak) is a beloved food in Vilvoorde.
Restaurants in Vilvoorde
1. Train World
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 717 reviews
Train World is a showcase for the Railways of the past, present and future. We are not just another railway museum; we are more of a train opera. Visit us and spend an unforgettable day in the Train World universe. You will discover the most beautiful and unique pieces from the history of the Belgian Railways. We combine the fascinating story of the train throughout the centuries with a look into the future; a combination that has been deliberately applied in every story. You will find us in the Schaerbeek station, one of Belgium’s oldest and most original station buildings. Together with the new museum complex in the form of a sawtooth shape, this location represents a wonderful symbiosis of old and new in the Art Nouveau heart of Schaerbeek.
Reviewed By Lofty_76 - Manchester
A lot of reviews seem to focus on this being a place for kids, but adults too can be entertained for a good 2 hours. The exhibits are impressive and plentiful, spread over 3 huge halls, from the earliest days of steam right up to the latest Eurostar, Thalys or ICE trains. Thoughtful sections on history such as the living conditions of railway workers or the role of Railways in the holocaust gave gravitas and social context too. Very well laid out and the audioguide was excellent. Highly recommended.
2. Grand Place
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Considered one of the most beautiful medieval squares in Europe, the ornate Grand Place is the center of Brussels, where many historic buildings dating from the 17th century are located.
Reviewed By Nicky A - Somerset, United Kingdom
We came here a few times, once for coffee/beer in a side café, once to find a geocache, and once to get some tourist information. The square is exquisite.
Wheelchair accessibility
It is bumpy, but perfectly doable. I was in my manual chair with husband pushing, and it was fairly hard work. The tourist information is upstairs so I had to wait outside. At the café I sat on the pavement next to my husband on the raised café platform.
3. Thermae Boetfort
Overall Ratings
4 based on 255 reviews
Reviewed By SAMLadvisor - Waterloo, Belgium
The Chateau of Boetfort has very good sauna facilities. From soft Bio-Saunas and Hammams to the hotter saunas in the mine below the castle. The castle sauna in the park is very pleasant - the Aufguss was amazing even though the sauna was packed (or we were). In general, it pays to come early. We were there end December and as from 15h00 it was difficult to find inside places to rest. At least the nude section, there were too many people. I think the providers should have restricted access earlier on. Also, the locker rooms were insufficient at prime time. Therefore, only 4 stars. We will nevertheless return on a day of the week where the thermes are less crowded.
4. Botanic Garden Meise
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 199 reviews
Reviewed By keithmalin - Guildford, United Kingdom
Playing second fiddle to the Royal Greenhouses must be annoying, but Meise, only 5km north of Laeken, is a real treat and well worth a visit. You need to have a car as public transport won't help you much. Parking is extensive and free of charge, although you might have a few minutes' walk to the entrance.
The park itself is vast and beautifully sculpted, with a castle and lake at its centre. There are large greenhouses to wander around, sculpture trails and interesting bits and pieces everywhere. At the entrance they can advise you as to what is worth seeing when you visit. There is a small electric train which pootles round the Gardens on a hop-on, hop-off basis, a cafe and shop and a more substantial self-service restaurant with a lot of outdoor Seating.
We are so pleased that we chose to go here. Even on a sunny Sunday there was no sense that there were lots of people there. A small queue to buy tickets, but then we often wandered with nobody else in sight. To be recommended.
5. Laser Magic
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Laser magic Vilvoorde is de grootste indoor lasergame van belgie . Het complex bestaat uit: 2 grote indoor lasergame arenas met 2 niveaus en mogelijk tot 1 grote arena 40 guns. 12 holes outdoor dino Minigolf Gratis springkastelen bij mooi weer. Dit alles samen met een zeer ruime cafetaria met terras voor al uw feesten oa. Kidspartys , teambuildings , allyoucaneat buffet .....
Reviewed By SvenVC80
Onze zoon van 10jaar wilde hier zijn verjaardagsfeestje organiseren. Het was een geweldige ervaring voor hem en zijn vriendjes. Alles was piekpijn in orde, geode uitleg gekregen en de pannenkoeken waren heerlijk. De mensen die niet deelnemen kunnen de score volgen en kunnen genieten van live-beelden. Parking is er ruimschoots voldoende.
6. Abbaye de Grimbergen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By Hubert645 - Aalst, Belgium
Grimbergen Abbey is a Premonstratensian monastery in Grimbergen, Flemish Brabant, Belgium, established in 1128 in the place of an earlier foundation of Augustinian Canons.
The abbey itself was dissolved in 1796 in the aftermath of the French Revolution, but the abbey church of Saint Servatius survived as the parish church of Grimbergen. After the French Revolution the abbey was reinstated. The building in its present form dates from 1660 and is considered one of the most beautiful and best-integrated Baroque churches in the Low Countries. It was elevated to the status of basilica minor in 1999.
Grimbergen is also known for its cheese, bread and beer, although at present its beer is being produced by the Carslberg group. Thanks to the money from the beer, the abbey and the church were wonderful renovated.
7. Leonidas Cora Woluwe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 104 reviews
Reviewed By bepper263 - Brussels, Belgium
The brand Leonidas, which has just completed its centenary from the founding (1913), is certainly one of the best-known brands in Belgium and abroad for this typical and unique chocolate, thanks to a widespread and established product.
During our visit to Brussels, in the short path between the Grande Place and the Manneken Pis we stopped to buy pralines in this boutique of the manufacturer, attracted by advertising for a new praline presented to tourists' passers-by.
A well-presented locale, a confectionery offering the typical products and packages of the season, without excess but without falling style.
8. Parc Josaphat
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 157 reviews
Reviewed By How-did-I-get-here - Edinburgh
This is one of Brussels ‘green lungs’; an area to escape the noise of the city. Bordered by trees – many imported from around the world for their interesting leaves, bark and shape – the park has many statues and sculptures of local worthies who have no doubt contributed to the park and Belgian society.
As usual in Brussels you get the impression that this must all have been very beautiful, very grand, 100 years ago, maybe even just 50 years ago, but now the ponds are choked, the park is getting dug up, paths are blocked, the café is surrounded by a wire fence… even the donkeys look as if they are on their last legs. And yet this is still a beautiful park to walk round. We saw a wedding party using the park as a backdrop for their photos, children in groups from the schools getting lessons sitting on the grass, the local community having a picnic day. This is a great park, you could be miles away from the city. Enjoy what is left while it is still available.
9. Thermae Grimbergen Spa and Hotel
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 163 reviews
Thermae Grimbergen is a charming wellness centre in a superb, early 20th-century manor house. You can enjoy saunas, jacuzzis and steam baths in our nude and swimsuit thermae to your heart's content, combined with a relaxing massage or an invigorating treatment. Stay overnight at our hotel and make a beneficial wellness weekend of it.
Reviewed By ArticCynda - Brussels, Belgium
The thermae are located on walking distance from the depot of De Lijn, where many bus lines from Brussels and surrounding municipalities converge. The frequency of bus connections is unfortunately fairly low, particularly in the weekend, making the thermae somewhat difficult to reach.
The entrance fee of around 30 euro for a day unlocks access to the entire complex, which is much larger than the manor seems like from the outside. Most of the wellness area can only be accessed nude, but a smaller isolated part is available to those who prefer to keep swim gear on.
The facilities are superb: many different saunas, an exceptional steam bath, and various relaxation rooms (infrared, ice, foot baths, ...). There are jacuzzi and pool facilities, indoor and outdoor. Notable points for improvement are the showers, which tend to have a highly variable (and sometimes outright cold) water temperature, and the lack of drinking Fountains (so bring your own water bottle along).
They offer massages for an additional fee of ca. 1 euro/min, but they are far from memorable, and not recommendable. Not even close to the quality of a Turkish/Thai massage by professionals.
An important plus is the food at the thermae, which is served fairly quickly, and with excellent price/quality ratio. For only 16 euro they serve a soup, main course and tea or coffee, in sufficiently sized portions. This is a pleasant contrast with other similar venues like the Katara thermae, where food and drinks are expensive and of low quality.
Aside from the lacking drinking Fountains, the only major point of improvement is probably the attitude of the staff. Although the girls at the reception are very friendly, most of the other staff doesn't seem to realize they're working in a wellness complex, with the attitude and charisma of truckers or bus drivers: moderately helpful when approached, but with less than minimal enthusiasm.
Everything into consideration, it was a pleasant visit to the thermae, and we'll certainly be visiting again in the future!
10. R.A.V.E.N. Zaventem
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
RAVEN Zaventem is the first official virtual reality arcade in Belgium located near the airport. We have 30 VR rooms available for people to discover and enjoy the wonderful world of virtual reality. Accessible for individuals as for companies, for teambuildings, events etc. VR sets also rentable for events on location. Different kind of VR games to choose from, as well as VR story's and demo's to see. An interesting experience as well for gamers as non-gamers. As from the age of 7. High-tech battle escape rooms/games opening soon.
Reviewed By Jonas J - Brussels, Belgium
We went with a couple of friends for this new experience, and we weren't disappointed!
You start off with a simple initiation video and from there on it just keeps getting better and better.
They have 8 rooms with each its own vive. You can play alone or you can go for the multiplayer experience.
Especially the latter was extremely fun!
The games and virtual reality experiences vary from simple animations, psychedelic videos, first person zombie shooters to co-op multiplayer shooters and much more.
The hosts were very passionate and friendly.
Btw don't underestimate the intensity of the activity!
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