Location: Grimbergen
Top Things to do in Grimbergen
Top Restaurants in Grimbergen
Countries
10 Things to Do in Grimbergen That You Shouldn't Miss
Grimbergen (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɣrɪmbɛrɣə(n)]) is a municipality in the province of Flemish Brabant, 10 km north of national capital Brussels. The municipality comprises the towns of Beigem, Grimbergen, Humbeek and Strombeek-Bever. On January 1, 2006 Grimbergen had a total population of 33,965. The total area is 38.61 km which gives a population density of 880 inhabitants per km. Grimbergen is located in the Flemish (Dutch) language area of Belgium. The French-speaking minority is represented by 4 members on the 30-seat local council. Grimbergen is mostly known for its Norbertine abbey and the beer first brewed there. Grimbergen's proximity to Brussels makes it a residential town for commuting.
Restaurants in Grimbergen
1. Botanic Garden Meise
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 199 reviews
Reviewed By keithmalin - Guildford, United Kingdom
Playing second fiddle to the Royal Greenhouses must be annoying, but Meise, only 5km north of Laeken, is a real treat and well worth a visit. You need to have a car as public transport won't help you much. Parking is extensive and free of charge, although you might have a few minutes' walk to the entrance.
The park itself is vast and beautifully sculpted, with a castle and lake at its centre. There are large greenhouses to wander around, sculpture trails and interesting bits and pieces everywhere. At the entrance they can advise you as to what is worth seeing when you visit. There is a small electric train which pootles round the Gardens on a hop-on, hop-off basis, a cafe and shop and a more substantial self-service restaurant with a lot of outdoor Seating.
We are so pleased that we chose to go here. Even on a sunny Sunday there was no sense that there were lots of people there. A small queue to buy tickets, but then we often wandered with nobody else in sight. To be recommended.
2. Abbaye de Grimbergen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By Hubert645 - Aalst, Belgium
Grimbergen Abbey is a Premonstratensian monastery in Grimbergen, Flemish Brabant, Belgium, established in 1128 in the place of an earlier foundation of Augustinian Canons.
The abbey itself was dissolved in 1796 in the aftermath of the French Revolution, but the abbey church of Saint Servatius survived as the parish church of Grimbergen. After the French Revolution the abbey was reinstated. The building in its present form dates from 1660 and is considered one of the most beautiful and best-integrated Baroque churches in the Low Countries. It was elevated to the status of basilica minor in 1999.
Grimbergen is also known for its cheese, bread and beer, although at present its beer is being produced by the Carslberg group. Thanks to the money from the beer, the abbey and the church were wonderful renovated.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Basilica of the Sacred Heart
Overall Ratings
4 based on 663 reviews
The Koekelberg Basilica ranks fifth among the world's largest churches, after the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Paix in Yamoussokro on the Ivory Coast, St Peter's in Rome, St Paul's in London and Santa Maria Dei Fiori in Florence. Today, the church is in the first place a place of prayer for peace. The church is still used for celebrations of the parish or for big national celebrations. But the basilica is more than that. The basilica has also an important cultural function. It’s a magnificent Art Deco monument, there are two museums, there are yearly different expositions and you can enjoy a wonderful view over Brussels!
Reviewed By Galina R - Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
On our Hop on hop off tour of Brussels we decided to stop at the Sacred Heart Basilica.
There's no entrance fee, however if you wish to enjoy the panoramic view of the city you have to pay.
The basilica's interior decoration is rather modest. The windows paintings representing biblical scenes are beautiful and colourful.
There was also a small modern art exhibition.
The view from the outdoor Terrace is worth the visit.
6. Thermae Boetfort
Overall Ratings
4 based on 255 reviews
Reviewed By SAMLadvisor - Waterloo, Belgium
The Chateau of Boetfort has very good sauna facilities. From soft Bio-Saunas and Hammams to the hotter saunas in the mine below the castle. The castle sauna in the park is very pleasant - the Aufguss was amazing even though the sauna was packed (or we were). In general, it pays to come early. We were there end December and as from 15h00 it was difficult to find inside places to rest. At least the nude section, there were too many people. I think the providers should have restricted access earlier on. Also, the locker rooms were insufficient at prime time. Therefore, only 4 stars. We will nevertheless return on a day of the week where the thermes are less crowded.
7. Thermae Grimbergen Spa and Hotel
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 163 reviews
Thermae Grimbergen is a charming wellness centre in a superb, early 20th-century manor house. You can enjoy saunas, jacuzzis and steam baths in our nude and swimsuit thermae to your heart's content, combined with a relaxing massage or an invigorating treatment. Stay overnight at our hotel and make a beneficial wellness weekend of it.
Reviewed By ArticCynda - Brussels, Belgium
The thermae are located on walking distance from the depot of De Lijn, where many bus lines from Brussels and surrounding municipalities converge. The frequency of bus connections is unfortunately fairly low, particularly in the weekend, making the thermae somewhat difficult to reach.
The entrance fee of around 30 euro for a day unlocks access to the entire complex, which is much larger than the manor seems like from the outside. Most of the wellness area can only be accessed nude, but a smaller isolated part is available to those who prefer to keep swim gear on.
The facilities are superb: many different saunas, an exceptional steam bath, and various relaxation rooms (infrared, ice, foot baths, ...). There are jacuzzi and pool facilities, indoor and outdoor. Notable points for improvement are the showers, which tend to have a highly variable (and sometimes outright cold) water temperature, and the lack of drinking Fountains (so bring your own water bottle along).
They offer massages for an additional fee of ca. 1 euro/min, but they are far from memorable, and not recommendable. Not even close to the quality of a Turkish/Thai massage by professionals.
An important plus is the food at the thermae, which is served fairly quickly, and with excellent price/quality ratio. For only 16 euro they serve a soup, main course and tea or coffee, in sufficiently sized portions. This is a pleasant contrast with other similar venues like the Katara thermae, where food and drinks are expensive and of low quality.
Aside from the lacking drinking Fountains, the only major point of improvement is probably the attitude of the staff. Although the girls at the reception are very friendly, most of the other staff doesn't seem to realize they're working in a wellness complex, with the attitude and charisma of truckers or bus drivers: moderately helpful when approached, but with less than minimal enthusiasm.
Everything into consideration, it was a pleasant visit to the thermae, and we'll certainly be visiting again in the future!
8. Parc Josaphat
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 157 reviews
Reviewed By How-did-I-get-here - Edinburgh
This is one of Brussels ‘green lungs’; an area to escape the noise of the city. Bordered by trees – many imported from around the world for their interesting leaves, bark and shape – the park has many statues and sculptures of local worthies who have no doubt contributed to the park and Belgian society.
As usual in Brussels you get the impression that this must all have been very beautiful, very grand, 100 years ago, maybe even just 50 years ago, but now the ponds are choked, the park is getting dug up, paths are blocked, the café is surrounded by a wire fence… even the donkeys look as if they are on their last legs. And yet this is still a beautiful park to walk round. We saw a wedding party using the park as a backdrop for their photos, children in groups from the schools getting lessons sitting on the grass, the local community having a picnic day. This is a great park, you could be miles away from the city. Enjoy what is left while it is still available.
9. Relax Divers Meise
Overall Ratings
5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By Nousch72 - Meise
Very nice dive club, just outside of Brussels. Perfect to "really" learn to dive before flying off to an exotic location or as a new hobby with regular weekly dives and training in the swimming pool of Meise. Very professional instructors (giving lessons in Dutch, French, English and Italian). No need to have your own equipment, all necessary material is being provided by the club.
10. Guildhouses
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 564 reviews
Reviewed By Neil K - Liverpool, United Kingdom
There's not really much to say as words cannot do justice to the absolutely amazing Guildhouses and the amazing Grand Place ( Grote Markt ) .
The rows of Guildhouses look magnificent during the daylight when you can appreciate the great detail of these wonderful structures but come the night time there magical when illuminated and it's hardly surprising that this square has been voted the best in Europe and so in my opinion the best in the world and is a Unesco world heritage site.
Besides the wonderful Guildhouses you have City Hall and the Museum Of The City Of Brussels and innumerable pubs,bars and restaurants in this square,which makes it Brussels number one tourist attraction by far.
Well worth checking out.
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