Hasselt Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Eat & Drink

Looking for a Belgian city that is small enough to explore on foot but still has plenty to do? Hasselt might be exactly what you are looking for.

This guide is a little different from my other travel guides because I didn’t write it alone. A good friend of mine who lives in Hasselt shared her local recommendations, favourite spots and tips with me, so I could create a proper local guide to the city. Who better to ask than someone who actually lives there? 😊

Located in Limburg, Hasselt is one of those Belgian cities that can easily be overlooked when planning a trip through Belgium. But there is more to Hasselt than just a cute city centre. You can spend a morning wandering through the shopping streets, have lunch in one of the many cafés, visit a museum in the afternoon and finish the day with Belgian beers or cocktails.

And once you leave the centre, Hasselt becomes surprisingly green. There are beautiful cycling and walking routes around the city, with places like Bokrijk, Domain Kiewit, De Wijers and Abdijsite Herkenrode all nearby.

So whether you are visiting Hasselt for a day, a weekend or simply looking for something different to do in Belgium, this Hasselt travel guide covers the best things to do, places to eat and drink, nightlife and practical tips, including recommendations from someone who actually calls Hasselt home.

If you’re planning to explore more of Belgium, check out my Belgium Complete Travel Guide for more ideas and practical tips.

Is Hasselt Worth Visiting?

Yes!

Hasselt is not a huge city, and that is actually one of the things I like about it. The city centre is compact enough that you can easily explore it on foot without needing public transport between every sight.

At the same time, there is plenty to do beyond the centre. If you enjoy cycling, walking or nature, Hasselt is particularly nice because you can combine a city trip with some time outdoors.

I would especially recommend Hasselt if you like cosy cafés, good food, Belgian beer, museums, cycling and a more relaxed city atmosphere.

It is also a nice alternative to Belgium’s bigger cities if you have already visited Brussels, Antwerp or Ghent.

Not sure which Belgian city is right for you? My Belgium Cities Compared: Which Belgian City Should You Visit? breaks down the different cities and what each one is best for.

Planning your Belgium trip?

I created a Google Map with 540+ saved places from my years living and travelling around Belgium, including towns, things to do, cafés, nightlife, restaurants, shopping and hidden gems.

Explore the Belgium Map → €5

Where to Stay in Hasselt

I have to be honest here: I have never stayed in a hotel or hostel in Hasselt myself, because I have always had somewhere to stay when visiting.

So I don’t want to recommend a specific accommodation based on something I haven’t personally experienced.

If you need accommodation, I would recommend looking for somewhere within or close to the city centre if your main goal is exploring Hasselt.

That way, you can walk to most restaurants, bars, shops and attractions without having to worry about transport.

For current accommodation options and prices, check the available hotels, hostels and apartments before your trip.

Still deciding whether Hasselt is worth adding to your Belgium trip? I’ve shared my Is Hasselt Worth Visiting? My Honest Opinion with my personal take on the city.

How to Get Around Hasselt

Walking

My number one recommendation: walk!

Hasselt’s city centre is small enough that you really don’t need a car or public transport to get around.

Most of the main sights, shops, cafés and restaurants are within walking distance.

And honestly, if you start cycling through the busiest parts of the centre, you might get a few annoyed looks from pedestrians.

So I would just leave the bike outside the busiest streets and explore the centre on foot.

Getting to Hasselt by Train

Hasselt has its own train station.

From the station, it takes roughly 10–15 minutes to walk to the city centre, making the train a very convenient option for a day trip.

If you’re planning to visit several places in Belgium, my guide to Getting Around Belgium: Trains, Buses & Public Transport explains how to travel between Belgian cities and when public transport makes the most sense.

Getting Around by Bus

Hasselt is connected by De Lijn buses.

You can pay around €3 for a single ride, or you can buy a multi-ride ticket if you are going to use public transport several times.

Check the De Lijn website or app for the most up-to-date fares, routes and schedules.

Cycling in Hasselt

If you want to explore beyond the city centre, renting a bike is a great idea.

You can use Mobit bikes, which can be left at the permitted locations around the city, or Blue-bike, which is available at locations including Hasselt station and Dusartplein.

Cycling is particularly useful if you want to visit places such as Bokrijk, Domain Kiewit or other areas around Hasselt.

Best Things to Do in Hasselt

There are plenty of things to do in Hasselt and the surrounding area. You can easily spend a full day in the city centre, but I would recommend staying a little longer if you want to explore the surrounding nature as well.

1. Explore Hasselt City Centre

The best way to start your visit is simply by walking around the city centre.

Hasselt is small enough that you can see a lot without needing public transport. Wander through the streets, browse the shops and stop for coffee or lunch whenever you feel like it.

You will also find plenty of street art around the city. If you are interested in discovering more, you can do a Hasselt street art tour, which you can find online or through an app.

And honestly, just getting a little lost around the centre is part of the fun.

2. Visit the Jenevermuseum

One of Hasselt’s most famous specialities is jenever, a traditional Belgian spirit.

At the Jenevermuseum, you can learn more about the history and production of jenever and discover why the drink is so closely connected to Hasselt.

It is a good choice if you want to experience something that is particularly local rather than visiting another generic city museum.

3. Discover the Japanese Garden

The Japanese Garden in Hasselt is one of the city’s most peaceful places.

It is a great place to slow down for a while and escape the busy city centre. The garden is particularly beautiful during the seasons when everything is in bloom.

Keep in mind that opening times and access can depend on the season, so check the current information before visiting.

4. Visit Z33

If you are into contemporary and modern art, check out Z33.

This art centre focuses on contemporary art, design and architecture and regularly changes its exhibitions.

It is a nice addition to a Hasselt city trip, especially if you want something cultural to do when the weather isn’t great.

5. Visit the Modemuseum

Hasselt also has a Modemuseum, which explores fashion through exhibitions and different themes.

Even if you are not a huge fashion expert, it is a fun museum to add to your itinerary if you enjoy design, clothing and culture.

6. Discover Villa Verbeelding

For something a little different, visit Villa Verbeelding, the literary museum in Hasselt.

The museum focuses on literature and imagination and is particularly fun if you enjoy books and creative exhibitions.

It is definitely one of the more unusual things to add to your Hasselt itinerary.

7. Visit Het Stadsmus

Het Stadsmus is another museum worth checking out if you want to learn more about Hasselt itself.

It focuses on the history and identity of the city and gives you more context about the place you are visiting.

8. See the Beiaardklokken

Keep an eye, or rather, an ear!, out for the carillon bells in Hasselt.

The city’s bells are part of its identity and are a fun little detail to experience while exploring the centre.

9. Discover Hasselt’s Street Art

Hasselt has quite a bit of street art scattered around the city.

If you enjoy discovering cities through art, you can follow a street art route either online or through an app.

It is also a nice way to explore parts of the city you might otherwise walk straight past.

10. Hasselt in Winter: Visit Winterland & the Christmas Market

Visiting Hasselt during the Christmas season? Then you definitely have to check out Winterland Hasselt.

During winter, the city gets a completely different atmosphere, with Christmas lights, decorations, food stalls, drinks and festive activities.

It is a lovely place to visit with friends, family or for a cosy winter date. You can walk around the Christmas market, look for gifts and grab something warm to eat or drink.

One of my favourite things about visiting Belgian cities in December is simply walking around with a warm drink while looking at all the Christmas lights, and Hasselt is definitely a good city for that.

Winterland is seasonal, so make sure to check the official programme and dates before your visit, as the activities and opening times can change each year.

If you are planning a Christmas trip to Belgium, Hasselt is definitely a city worth considering.

Best Outdoor Activities in Hasselt

One of my favourite things about Hasselt is that you do not have to stay in the city centre.

Once you get on a bike, there are plenty of beautiful places to explore around Hasselt.

11. Go Cycling Around Hasselt

Cycling is one of the best ways to explore Hasselt and the surrounding area.

You can leave the city centre behind and quickly find yourself surrounded by greenery, forests, water and cycling paths.

Some of my favourite areas for cycling and walking are Bokrijk, Domain Kiewit and De Wijers.

If you are visiting Hasselt on a sunny day, I would definitely consider renting a bike.

11. Cycle Through the Water in Bokrijk

One of the most unique cycling experiences near Hasselt is Cycling Through Water in Bokrijk.

The cycling path literally takes you through a pond, with the water sitting at eye level on both sides of the path.

It is one of those places that looks slightly surreal in photos and is even more fun to experience yourself.

You can combine it with a longer cycling route through Bokrijk, making it a great half-day activity.

12. Explore Bokrijk

Bokrijk is much more than just Cycling Through Water.

The area is perfect for cycling and walking and is a great option if you want to spend some time in nature.

It is one of the places I would recommend getting out of the city centre for.

13. Walk Around Domain Kiewit

Domain Kiewit is another great place to escape the city.

There are beautiful walking routes, plenty of greenery and even a petting zoo, making it a particularly nice option for families.

But you definitely don’t have to have kids to enjoy the area. It is simply a lovely place for a walk.

14. Discover De Wijers

If you love nature, add De Wijers to your Hasselt itinerary.

This region is known for its many ponds and beautiful landscapes and is ideal for walking and cycling.

It is another example of why I think Hasselt is more interesting than you might expect: you can be in the city centre one moment and surrounded by nature shortly afterwards.

15. Visit Abdijsite Herkenrode

A little outside the centre, you will find Abdijsite Herkenrode.

The historic abbey site is surrounded by beautiful landscapes and is a lovely place to walk around.

It is especially nice if you want to combine history with nature rather than spending your entire day inside museums.

16. Visit the Lavender Garden

If you are visiting during the right season, check out the lavender garden.

Obviously, this is a seasonal activity, but when the lavender is blooming it makes for a beautiful little stop.

Where to Eat & Drink in Hasselt

Hasselt has no shortage of cafés, restaurants and places to grab a drink. Here are some of my personal favourites.

Best Coffee Spots in Hasselt

If you are looking for a good coffee stop, some places I like are:

These are all good options when you want to take a little break from exploring the city.

Breakfast, Brunch & Lunch

Marloo’s

Marloo’s is one of my favourite options for breakfast, brunch or lunch.

It is a great place to start your day before heading out to explore Hasselt.

Tarte Tatin

If you have a sweet tooth, add Tarte Tatin to your list.

If you’re mainly looking for good breakfast or brunch spots, I’ve also put together a guide to the Best Breakfast & Brunch Spots in Hasselt.

It is known for its cakes and pastries and is also a cosy place to stop for something sweet.

There is another reason to keep an eye on this place: they organise a crochet evening once a month. The event is organised by Hasselt Handwerkt, so check their Instagram for the latest dates.

Best Restaurants in Hasselt

Juan Luis

If you like Spanish food and tapas, Juan Luis is a great option for dinner.

It is perfect if you want to share different dishes rather than ordering one big main course.

Let’s Wok

For something a little different, check out Let’s Wok for Thai food.

Pulcinella

Craving Italian food? Pulcinella is a good option for an Italian dinner in Hasselt.

If you want to try more Belgian specialities during your trip, check out my Belgian Food Guide: 15 Foods You Need to Try.

Try Belgian Chocolate at Chocolaterie Boon

No trip to Belgium is complete without chocolate, right?

Chocolaterie Boon is a great stop if you want to try some Belgian chocolate or pick up something sweet to take home.

Hasselt Nightlife

Hasselt is not necessarily the place to come for huge nightclubs, but that doesn’t mean there is nothing to do after dark.

The nightlife is more focused on bars, cafés, live music and dance cafés than massive clubs.

And of course, Hasselt is a great place to try some Belgian beer. If you’re not sure what to order, check out my Belgian Beer Culture: Beers You Should Try in Belgium.

‘t Hemelrijk

If you love Belgian beer, check out Hemelrijk.

They have a very extensive beer menu, so it is a great place to try something new.

Bottlo

For wine rather than beer, Bottlo is a nice option.

It is a wine bar where you can have a more relaxed drink with friends.

De Serre & Bootstraat

De Serre and Bootstraat are worth keeping an eye on if you are looking for events.

There can be workshops, activities, parties and other events, so the atmosphere can be quite different depending on when you visit.

De Serre is also a great place if you want something more community-oriented, with things like game nights, workshops and community dinners.

The Irish Times Pub

If you enjoy live music, karaoke or a more traditional pub atmosphere, the Irish Times Pub is worth checking out.

They regularly organise activities such as live music and karaoke.

Café Café

Café Café is another place where you can often find live music or DJs.

The crowd can be quite mixed, so it is a good option if you want somewhere that isn’t aimed at just one age group.

Are There Nightclubs in Hasselt?

Hasselt doesn’t have a huge nightclub scene.

Instead, you will find more dance cafés, bars and occasional parties.

If you are looking for bigger events, Limburg has some major festivals throughout the year, including Pukkelpop, Extrema and Rampage.

So if you happen to be visiting during one of these events, the nightlife experience can be very different!

Events & Social Activities in Hasselt

One thing I like about Hasselt is that there are quite a few smaller events where you can actually meet people rather than just going out for drinks.

Some things worth checking out include:

Crochet Evening at Tarte Tatin

Once a month, there is a crochet evening organised by Hasselt Handwerkt at Tarte Tatin.

Check their Instagram for the current dates.

O’Learys Events

O’Learys regularly organises events such as quiz nights.

De Serre

De Serre is probably one of the best places to keep an eye on if you want community events.

You can find things like:

Workshops
Game nights
Community dinners
Parties
Other activities

Check their current programme before your visit because the events change regularly.

My Practical Tips for Hasselt

Get a HassPas

If you plan on visiting several attractions, look into getting a HassPas.

It can give you discounts on local museums, products and other experiences.

Visit the Hasselt Tourist Office

If you are looking for more ideas once you arrive, stop by Visit Hasselt, the local tourist office.

They can give you information about current events, attractions, walking routes and things happening during your visit.

Don’t Just Stay in the City Centre

This is probably my biggest recommendation.

Hasselt’s city centre is nice, but some of the best experiences are outside the centre.

If you have time, get on a bike and explore places like:

Bokrijk
Cycling Through Water
Domain Kiewit
De Wijers
Abdijsite Herkenrode

You get a completely different side of Hasselt.

Is Hasselt Safe?

Personally, I feel safe pretty much everywhere in Hasselt.

Like in most cities, the area around the train station can feel a little more sketchy at night, so just use common sense if you are walking around late.

And if you are walking through the city centre: watch out for cyclists! 😉

How Long Do You Need in Hasselt?

You can see the main city centre in one day, especially if you are mostly interested in shopping, food, cafés and museums.

However, I would recommend 2 days if you also want to explore the surrounding nature.

A great weekend could look something like:

Day 1:
Explore the city centre → museum → coffee → dinner → drinks

Day 2:
Rent a bike → Bokrijk → Cycling Through Water → Domain Kiewit or De Wijers → back to Hasselt

Visiting Hasselt at Christmas?

If you are visiting during the Christmas season, you could easily spend a full day exploring the city and then heading to Winterland Hasselt in the afternoon or evening.

The Christmas lights, market stalls, food and festive atmosphere make Hasselt feel completely different during winter.

If you’re planning a longer trip around Belgium, my guide on How Many Days in Belgium Do You Need? The Perfect 3, 5, or 7-Day Itinerary can help you decide how much time to spend in each destination.

Final Thoughts: Is Hasselt Worth Visiting?

Hasselt may not be the first Belgian city that comes to mind when planning a trip, but that is exactly why I think it is worth discovering.

The city centre is compact and easy to explore, there are plenty of good cafés and restaurants, and there is enough nightlife to keep things interesting without feeling like a massive party city.

But for me, the biggest advantage of Hasselt is what surrounds it. Cycling through Bokrijk, exploring De Wijers, walking around Domain Kiewit or visiting Herkenrode gives you a completely different experience from simply visiting the city centre.

And if you visit in winter, Winterland and the Hasselt Christmas market add another reason to visit.

So if you are looking for a smaller Belgian city with good food, cosy cafés, culture, Belgian beer and plenty of opportunities to get outdoors, put Hasselt on your Belgium itinerary.

Don’t forget to check Visit Hasselt before you go, especially for current events, exhibitions, opening hours and seasonal activities.

Useful Websites for Visiting Hasselt

A few local websites are particularly useful when planning your trip:

Visit Hasselt – tourist information, attractions and events
Uit in Hasselt – activities and events happening in the city
Hasselt.be – official city information

These websites are worth checking before your visit because events, exhibitions, opening hours and seasonal activities can change throughout the year.

Planning Your Trip to Belgium?

Planning a trip to Belgium can be surprisingly difficult, especially when you’re choosing between historic cities, lively student towns, coastal destinations and smaller hidden gems.

That’s why I’ve created my Belgium Travel Guide, where I share destination guides, things to do, local tips and my personal experiences from travelling around Belgium.

→ START HERE: Belgium Travel Guides
→ GET MY GOOGLE MAP: Belgium Google Map

Hasselt worth Visiting? Is Hasselt Worth Visiting? My Honest Opinion
Breakfast and Brunch in Hasselt: Best Breakfast & Brunch Spots in Hasselt

Frequently Asked Questions About Hasselt

Is Hasselt worth visiting?
Yes! Hasselt is a great city for a relaxed Belgian getaway, with a compact city centre, museums, cosy cafés, restaurants, Belgian beer and plenty of cycling and walking opportunities nearby.

What are the best things to do in Hasselt?
Some of the best things to do in Hasselt include exploring the city centre, visiting the Jenevermuseum and Japanese Garden, discovering Z33 and the Modemuseum, cycling through the water in Bokrijk and exploring Domain Kiewit and De Wijers.

How many days do you need in Hasselt?
One day is enough to explore the main sights in Hasselt’s city centre. If you also want to cycle, visit Bokrijk or explore the surrounding nature, I recommend spending two days in Hasselt.

Does Hasselt have a Christmas market?
Yes! During the Christmas season, Hasselt hosts Winterland Hasselt, with Christmas decorations, food stalls, drinks and festive activities. It is a great time to visit if you want to experience Hasselt’s winter atmosphere.