Location: Balen
Top Things to do in Balen
What to do and see in Balen, Belgium: The Best Places and Tips
Balen (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈbaːlə(n)]) is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp. The municipality comprises the towns of Balen proper and Olmen. On 1 January 2011, Balen had a population of 21,305. Total area is 72.88 km², giving a population density of 283 inhabitants per km².
Restaurants in Balen
1. 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.
2. European Balloon Corporation
Overall Ratings
5 based on 302 reviews
Reviewed By DianeBelgium - Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium
My husband and I took a balloon ride with our two teenagers in early November. We left from Enghien, Belgium and were able to see the beautiful fall colors. Benoit, our pilot, was excellent; professional, friendly, funny, knowledgeable, tri-lingual (French, Dutch, English) and most importantly, very experienced. We flew with complete confidence. This is one of those once-in-lifetime experiences and I would definitely recommend this company!
3. Ghent City Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
4. 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.
5. Tomorrowland Belgium
Overall Ratings
5 based on 148 reviews
Tickets sell out almost instantaneously for Tomorrowland, thanks to its reputation as one of the world’s biggest celebrations of electronic music, playing host to Performances from techno to house, dance to trance. Now in its 11th year and notorious for its 15 wackily decorated stages and hypnotic lightshows, the festival is held in Boom, near Antwerp, and attracts a laid-back crowds of tens of thousands.
Reviewed By adctd2onlnshpng - San Francisco, California
We travelled from California to attend. We got our tickets through global journey. The production is insane! Best set ever. We met and danced along with people from all over the World. We will definitely be back again. Be prepared to walk an hour after partying to the shuttles. We opted to cab out of there Saturday and was a nightmare. Brussels only has 1,000 cabs so not nearly enough to go around. Be prepared to walk one hour to get to the shuttle.
6. Town Hall (Stadhuis)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 985 reviews
Reviewed By DonNyadwe - Nairobi, Kenya
When I first saw the Town house I was awestruck by the detail and work done on its facade, I asked more about it and was informed that the statues represented various rich towns folks of yore, who made generous donations to have their imagines immortalised on the town house walls, at night the lighting brings out the beauty of the statues.
7. Fort Breendonk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 266 reviews
Reviewed By Vacationer155021 - Windsor, Canada
A self-guided audio tour takes you into the rich (albeit somewhat eerie) history of Fort Breendonk. We were amazed at all that it had to offer and the incredible things that took place here. I highly recommend this to anyone regardless of your historical knowledge or inklings.
You will want to bring snacks with you as it takes a while to go through and there isn't much nearby apart from a very fancy restaurant (not where you'll want to go after this)
8. Reptile House De Aarde
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 119 reviews
Reptielenhuis de Aarde is the first official zoo of Breda. This mini-zoo is specialised in holding and caring for reptiles. The first impression of this miniature zoo is that everything is very clean and child friendly. Children get the chance to pet or even hold some animals, also every question will be answered by the animal carer. The enclosures are bigger than you normally see in a zoo. Every animal has its own habitat and temperature, that is how we ensure that every animals wellbeing is as high as possible. Curious..? Come see the zoo in Breda and discover the world of reptiles!
Reviewed By RHAHJ - Nijmegen, The Netherlands
This is a fairly small zoo, restricted to one building of ordinary proportions. But over two levels there is still quite a lot to see. Crocodiles, snakes, leguanos, lizzards, turtles from all parts of the world. And also a preying mantice. The caretakers take out an animal now and then, to feel or observe more closely. Many kids around there, all of whom seem to love it.
9. Central Station
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
Leopold II had this unusual rail station built as a neo-Baroque monument to the railway age in 1905.
Reviewed By Nilesh D - London, United Kingdom
Good place, just be careful of 3 things, 1. People asking for cigarettes and money 2. Some people engage you in a conversation and try to rob your baggage 3. Some cabbies don’t accept cards so better ask upfront before boarding the vehicle
10. Graslei and Korenlei
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Mary M - London, United Kingdom
A big outdoor scene beside the water in Ghent. Boat trips are happening all day long & even in February there were hoards of people sitting outside & having a good time people watching. This is the heart of Ghent’s bar & restaurant scene & great fun with plenty of photo opportunities - enjoy!
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