Menu
Lots to see in the area
Dilsen-Stokkem
Stokkem is a welcoming village, or rather city, that exudes a historic atmosphere. The beautiful town hall is a listed monument.
Next to the holiday home is the Maascentrum ‘de Wissen’ with two museums. On the one hand, there is the museum about the Meuse, where you can find out in an interactive way what it’s like to live in, on and around the Meuse – certainly a fun experience for children.
The other museum illustrates the history of traditional weaving. After all, for centuries Stokkem was ‘the’ centre of basket making.
A few kilometres away is the picturesque ‘Oud-Dilsen’ with a historic 16th-century church tower, located next to the starred restaurant ‘Vivendum’.
Maaseik
About 10 km away, the town of Maaseik features the world-famous painters Jan and Hubert Van Eyck ‘watching over’ the market square. Behind one of the beautiful market facades, you’ll find the country’s oldest pharmacy, now a pharmacy museum. There are also the regional archaeological museum, the John Selbach Museum, the Dolls’ Museum and St Catherine’s Church with important church treasures, including the oldest gospel book in the Benelux, dating back to the 8th century.
In the vicinity of Maaseik, a visit to Aldeneik is definitely worthwhile. It is a picturesque village in a setting of vineyards.
Just outside the centre of Maaseik lies Heppeneert. It owes its status as a popular place of pilgrimage to the statue of Our Lady of Rest. It is in any case a place to put your feet up …
Above Maaseik lies the Dutch town of Thorn, known for its signature white-washed houses.
Maasmechelen
Leut is a picturesque village with a charming village square and the castle domain Villain XIIII with English garden.
Eisden is also unique because of its mining history. The old mine site with its impressive church and authentic 1925 miners’ cottages are certainly worth a visit.
The mining site is a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage. Here’s a clip for those who would like to find out more: www.duinengordel.be/werelderfgoed
www.visitmaasmechelen.com/sites-en-musea
Oud Rekem
Oud Rekem, a beautiful historic village, is about 15 km away. In 2008, it was voted the most beautiful village in Flanders. The winding streets and houses with medieval character, the castle d’Aspremont-Lynden, the museum church and the museum pharmacy are all places of interest.
www.lanaken.be/visitlanaken/Ontdekken/Mooiste_Dorp_van_Vlaanderen_Oud_Rekem
Genk
For tourists, there is also much to see and do in the ‘C-mine’ in Genk-Winterslag, a redevelopment of the mine buildings. Beside the labyrinth, the euroscope, numerous exhibitions, there is the C-mine expedition: a unique experience trail of the above-ground and also underground mining history.
Furthermore, in Genk-Waterschei, there is ‘Thor’, a large development project for the repurposed mining site there. In the future, it will be a hotspot for technology, energy and innovation. It is a delightful match between industrial heritage and modern architecture.
Hasselt
Hasselt has a lot to offer culturally. There are numerous museums, including the jenever museum, the fashion museum, ‘heilig paterke’ museum (holy father) and the carillon tower, to name a few.
And last but not least, there is the beautiful abbey site ‘Herkenrode’. The old Herkenrode Abbey farm buildings illustrate a fascinating past and the surrounding 100 hectares of nature reserve have been repurposed, ensuring that visitors always have plenty to discover and do.
Bokrijk
Bokrijk is above all an Open Air Museum with a collection of historic buildings and authentic interiors. There is also a beautiful open-air playground and an extensive walking paradise.
Tongeren
Tongeren is the country’s oldest city and has a very rich past. There are numerous museums, including the Gallo-Roman Museum. Every Sunday, there is the well-known international antiques market.
Bilzen
In Bilzen, the castle ‘Alden Biesen’ is a national and international cultural tourist attraction.
Valkenburg
Valkenburg is known for its marl caves. With a train, it is a unique experience to visit these caves. Every year, the famous Christmas market is held in this underground quarry.
www.vvvzuidlimburg.nl/te-doen-in-zuid-limburg/mergel-grotten
Maastricht
Maastricht is a real city of culture. Past and present are reflected in architecture, but also in culture. From underground cultural treasures and characteristic towers right through to all kinds of exhibitions …
