Hasselt

Belgium

Hasselt is the capital of the Belgian province of Limburg.

In 2004, Hasselt was the first Belgian city to receive the title "most sociable city of Flanders", and has since claimed the title of "Capital of Good Taste"; likewise, Hasselt is also considered an exemplary city regarding pedestrian facilities in the centre.

The town centre of Hasselt is not large but very sociable. The centre is mostly car-free and contains a number of historical buildings. Among the oldest buildings in the town centre are the St. Quentin's Cathedral (11th to 18th C.) and the "Herkenrode Abbey refuge house" (1542).

Herkenrode Abbey, Zolderse Kiezel 220 (Kuringen. Former Cistercian monastery founded in 1182 and Refugehuis "refuge house" (1542).

St. Quentin's Cathedral, Vismarkt.

Virga Jesse Basilica, Kapelstraat.

Cultural Centre, Casterstraat, +32 11 22-99-31.

Japanese garden, Gouverneur Verwilghensingel 23.

Kapermolenpark, Koning Boudewijnlaan.

Kiewit nature field.

town park.

National Jenever Museum, Witte Nonnenstraat 19. Dutch/Belgian version of gin

Urban Fashion museum, Gasthuisstraat 11, +32 11 23 96 21.

Municipal Carillon Museum, Vismarkt.

Museum of the 'Heilig Paterke', Schrijnwerkersstraat.

  • Plopsa Indoor Hasselt, Gouverneur Verwilghensingel 70, +32 11 29 30 40. Indoor theme park that is open all year round. €20 regular ticket.

Plopsa Indoor Hasselt, Gouverneur Verwilghensingel 70, +32 11 29 30 40. Indoor theme park that is open all year round. €20 regular ticket.

Hasseltse Jenever The Demerstraat and the Koning Albertstraat are the most important shopping streets. In the Kapelstraat and the Hoogstraat are expensive shops with the most famous brands. The renovation of the TT-wijk twin towers complex (now including a shopping mall and a hotel) in 2003 gave the centre a new boost.

The "Grote Markt" (large central market square) and the nearby streets are lined with pubs, restaurants and taverns. Try mussels in the restaurants on the main streets or the chocolate ice cream store in the city center.

  • Ogst, Ridder Portmansstraat 4, +32 11 41 38 13. Su, M closed. Belgian-French cuisine with a Scandinavian touch.
  • Café Latino, Zuivelmarkt 12, +32 11 22 34 82. M, Su closed. Tu-Sa: from 18:00. A Mexican restaurant where the party always is on. This is also a good place to go to for cocktails.
  • Taratata, Kempische Kaai 7, +32 11 23 47 67. W, Th, Su closed.

Ogst, Ridder Portmansstraat 4, +32 11 41 38 13. Su, M closed. Belgian-French cuisine with a Scandinavian touch.

Café Latino, Zuivelmarkt 12, +32 11 22 34 82. M, Su closed. Tu-Sa: from 18:00. A Mexican restaurant where the party always is on. This is also a good place to go to for cocktails.

Taratata, Kempische Kaai 7, +32 11 23 47 67. W, Th, Su closed.

  • Fietsbar, Minderbroedersstraat 54, +32 484 61 96 62. M closed. Tu-F 08:00—18:00. Sa-Su 10:00—18:00. A bike repair shop with a bar inside. While drinking your coffee you can watch how your bicycle (or any other bicycle) gets repaired.
  • Shanti Beans, Dorpsstraat 43. A cozy coffee bar in the center of the alternative district of Hasselt.

Fietsbar, Minderbroedersstraat 54, +32 484 61 96 62. M closed. Tu-F 08:00—18:00. Sa-Su 10:00—18:00. A bike repair shop with a bar inside. While drinking your coffee you can watch how your bicycle (or any other bicycle) gets repaired.

Shanti Beans, Dorpsstraat 43. A cozy coffee bar in the center of the alternative district of Hasselt.