Location: Lokeren
Top Things to do in Lokeren
What to do and see in Lokeren, Belgium: The Best Places and Tips
Lokeren (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈloːkərə(n)]) is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Lokeren proper and the towns of Daknam and Eksaarde. It is located on the Durme, a tributary of the Scheldt, and is the second most important city of the Waasland after Sint-Niklaas. Mayor Filip Anthuenis ( Open-VLD) was elected for a third mandate during the elections on 14 October 2012. Horse sausages are officially recognized as a regional specialty of Lokeren.
Restaurants in Lokeren
1. Molsbroek
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 89 reviews
Reviewed By LeenLokeren_Belgium_ - Lokeren(Belgium)
Nature reserve with a walking/biking path all around the natural lake/pond. There are several bird watching spots too, with explanation table( albeit only in Dutch). There is a wooden house where one can get information about the wildlife in the surroundings. brilliant with children!
2. Thermen Katara
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 299 reviews
Thermen Katara is one of the largest spa's in Belgium. We welcome you on a trip around the world of sauna and wellness. Discover our wide offer of sauna's, baths and treatments from all parts out of the world and enjoy the fresh food prepared in our own kitchen. Katara is an oasis of quite, peace and relaxation. We consider a friendly costumer service, cleanliness and hygiene to be our basic values. Thermen Katara is free accessible for use of sauna, which happens naked every day except for wednesdays, which are the bathsuit days. You will find us at Belsele inbetween Antwerp and Ghent.
Reviewed By ArticCynda - Brussels, Belgium
Short summary: service okay but expensive for what it is, lacking refreshments, and difficult to reach.
Elaborate review:
Located on the outskirts of Belsele, in a commercial zone, the location choice of the thermae is peculiar to say the least. The Belsele station is only infrequently serviced, and particularly poorly during weekends and holidays, which makes it even more inconvenient for a touristic attraction. There is a bus stop nearby, but few buses connect to the station so it may be shorter to simply walk (distance ca. 1.4 km) rather than wait for a bus. There are only a few direct trains connecting to Brussels per day, so careful planning is paramount. Poor accessibility will undoubtedly be the most difficult to resolve problem that Katara is currently facing.
The facilities themselves are new and modern. For those seeking a rustic ambient, Katara definitely isn't the best choice, but that is of course a matter of preference. The interior is relaxing, well maintained and tastefully decorated. There is ample space, and few areas give an overcrowded feeling. There is sufficient diversity in things to do, ranging from foot baths to saunas, to (outdoor only) swimming pools, steam bath, relax lounge, jacuzzi etc.
In our experience, the facilities were very clean, and there are absolutely no negative remarks to be made on hygiene or health. Staff is cleaning throughout the day, and most of them are very friendly and helpful.
The only point where Katara is severely lacking is refreshments. There is not a single drinking water Fountain in the entire complex, nor any other kind of refreshment (fruits, tea, ...) which are an absolute necessity for a sauna centered wellness oasis. It is odd that they have not yet picked this up after 5 years of operation. It is therefore necessary for guests to bring water or tea along themselves. Fortunately, the provided lockers are large enough to store all of this.
The thermae are currently undergoing expansion, and the new oriental sauna and relax lounge with beds and sofas are both superb new additions to the site. It seems that the current boiler room has a hard time keeping up with its growth though, as evidenced by the lack of warm water in showers when many guests are showering simultaneously. Occasionally, the water is just too cold for a comfortable shower, even after a sauna session!
At other points, Katara appears overzealous. The surveillance cameras in the changing rooms (!) for example may please the staff's voyeuristic needs but are, needless to say, misplaced. The camp fire next to the swimming pool also offers little extra value but does produce a lot of air pollution.
Although the provided service at Thermae Katara is generally good, the value of a visit is only average due to the very high prices (considering entrance fee, extra charges for basic needs like refreshments, and expensive food and drinks in the restaurant). A visit is therefore only justified when spending an entire day at the thermae and bringing own drinks and snacks along. Katara still has a long way to go until it can offer a value comparable to that of German wellness/thermen.
3. Filva Ballooning
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Our company let you experience the joy of fying in a hot air balloon. Floating on the wind drifts through the sky.
Reviewed By helenwhyte15
We flew with Filva Ballooning as part of a 30th birthday celebration. It was an extremely memorable experience viewing the beautiful scenery in Belgium as the sun rose. Filip and his team were very professional. The whole experience was perfect from start to finish. I...MoreWe are very happy you enjoyed your morningflight !
4. De Wiek
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Jo B - Valkenburg, The Netherlands
Samen met een bevriend Belgisch koor mochten we hier een concert geven. Dezze accommodatie is geweldig, de akoestiek is uitstekend en de horecafaciliteiten zijn ook OK.
5. Beervelde Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Beervelde Park is situated near the City of Ghent, in the very heart of an area famous for its horticulture. Spread over an area of 25 hectares, its stunning architectural features, copses, woodland, meadows, walled Gardens and lake, create a splendit unified landscape full of superb vieuws. The estate was designed in 1873 in what is called (at least in France and Belgium) the English Landscape style. It was intended to serve as a display for what was at the time, a young Belgian horticulture. Ever since, Beervelde Park has been the property of the Counts de Kerchove de Denterghem. Today, 135 years later, it is remarkable to note that the de Kerchove de Denterghem name is still linked to the promotion of horticulture. Count Andre is the former chairman of the Royal Society for Agriculture and Botany, the non-profit organisation which organizes the world famous 'Floralies of Ghent' every five years. His brother, Count Renaud, is today's curator of the estate and organiser of the Beervelde's Garden Days, a fair which takes place every second weekend of May and October.
Reviewed By Wishaw_11 - Wishaw
Attended David & Vicky's wedding on 28th February 2015. What a magical venue for a fairytale wedding reception, especially the courtyard with the fires lit - very atmospheric. The food and the service was amazing - the staff were extremely efficient and professional but very friendly at all times.
6. Provinciaal domein Puyenbroeck
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By HugoColle - Evergem, Belgium
This domaine has a few things you can visit, theres ofcourse the possibility of having a nice and long walk trough nature. If you want peace and enjoy nature better go when theres no schoolholidays ofcourse. Theres also a swimmingpool, playground, golf terrain, camping, restaurant, can go on some small boats,.. Enough for everyone and when its not the season for holidays it can be so peaceful.
7. Kasteel en park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 10 reviews
8. Stadsmuseum Lokeren
Overall Ratings
4 based on 21 reviews
9. Botenverhuur Donkmeer
Overall Ratings
4 based on 4 reviews
Huur een waterfiets, roeiboot of motorboot en ontdek het Donkmeer van op het water.
Reviewed By Marcw132 - Veurne, Belgium
Reeds verschillende keren met de kinderen gaan varen op het donkmeer. Een (afhankelijk van de gehuurde tijd) uurtje rustig ontspannen terwijl de kinderen zich amuseren met de boot.
Bij goed weer altijd een aanrader.
10. Sportcentrum Puyenbroeck
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
In our multifunctional sportscenter we have: • 50mtr swimming pool (in & outdoor) • Recreation area • Power room - Fitness Area (Nautilus equipment) • Sauna • 1800m² Sportshall • UEFA 1* artifical turf soccer field • Artificial turf rugby field • 9 hole golf course • Team Building activities Our Sportshotel has 10 double rooms and 12 triple rooms. All rooms have private bathroom and wc
