Location: Genk
Top Things to do in Genk
Top Restaurants in Genk
Countries
The 10 Best Things to Do in Genk, Belgium
Genk (Dutch pronunciation: [ɣɛŋk]) is a city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg near Hasselt. The municipality only comprises the city of Genk itself. It is one of the most important industrial cities in Flanders, located on the Albert Canal, between Antwerp and Liège.
Restaurants in Genk
1. Bokrijk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 487 reviews
Bokrijk is the biggest open air museum in Belgium, located in a beautiful and natural environment. The place for a nice day out with lots of activities for individuals, families, schools and groups.
Reviewed By Lynn0416 - Centurion, South Africa
It shows Belgium culture very well. You can spent anything from a hour to half a day there depending on how much time you have. It's so relaxing walking around there. I loved the piglets walking around. If you can't walk everywhere, they have a hop on hop off facility.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 200 reviews
Reviewed By Cl0verfields - Belgium
The barefoot path is part of Lieteberg, one of the Hoge Kempen National Park gateways and situated in Zutendaal. When driving on the Stalkerweg, follows the signs on round-about for parking area (free). From here it is a small walk to the entrance. In addition to the barefoot path, there is also a cafe for drinks and refreshments, free toilets, etc. You are allowed to bring your own lunch under the condition that you do buy a drink! When you enter the entrance you can buy a ticket to enter the barefoot path. For those interested, you can also buy a combined ticket that grants you entrance to the butterfly conservatory and insect museum too. Both are quite small in set-up. Before entering the barefoot path, there are lockers where you can store your shoes, etc. They are coin operated (1 Euro) which will be returned when you open locker.
We have enjoyed the barefoot path quite a few times and keep coming back, each time it is a different experience depending on the group and time of year. The barefoot path is ideal after rain. Bark chip, etc. can hurt when paths are more dry and mud puddles have dried up.
This is a fun activity for young and old but there is a word of warning for older less mobile people, who can be challenged when climbing the log type stairs to reach maize and view tower. Since there are no short cuts, it is good to be aware of this.
Another thing we enjoy about the path is that they yearly add a new attraction to the path. This year they added a wooden bridge (boomkroonpad) right at the end.
I should also end that the entrance, where you buy your ticket is a tourist information office and great place to stock up on brochure of other attractions in the area. They also sell some local delicatessen (honey, some local schnapps, etc.)
When in the area, we can recommend a visit to this unique experience!
3. De Teut
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
4. Bilzen Mysteries
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 59 reviews
Bilzen Mysteries is located at The Grand Commandery Alden Biesen. You can discover this brand new attraction after sundown. With a tablet in your hand and headphones on your ears, you make an unprecedented multimedia journey through 800 years of history of the Teutonic Order. From the Brethren Knights on crusade, over dancing nymphs in the romantic Temple of Minerva, to a devastating fire... Immerse yourself in the enchanting scenery of Alden Biesen and a fascinating story based on true events. A virtual guide will show you the way. This guide is the Lord Biesen (interpreted by famous actor Jan Decleir). Duration of the atraction: aprox. 70 minutes. Opening times From sunset to midnight (last admission at 11 pm), during the summer months until 1 am (last admission at midnight). Opening days During (Belgian) holiday periods: daily Outside (Belgian) holiday periods: Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday
Reviewed By Sam S
A great evening walk around the castle of Alden Biesen, led by the Belgian actor Jan Decleir as the last habitant of the castle. He explains the history of the castle. Very nice story with cool light and sound effects in and around the castle....MoreThank you for your great review Sam! Hope to welcome you again at Bilzen Mysteries.
5. Railbike Limburg
Overall Ratings
4 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By BartMeer - As, Belgium
Je fiets met de Railbike door de bossen naar Eisden. In begin wel leuk maar wordt toch een beetje eentoning, alle karretjes achter elkaar. Goed voor een keer.
6. Hoge Kempen National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 126 reviews
The Hoge Kempen National Park in a nutshell.The Hoge Kempen National Park covers 5700 ha and stretches across the municipalities Dilsen-Stokkem, Maasmechelen, Zutendaal, Lanaken, Genk and As. The Hoge Kempen is the largest woodland and nature reserve in Flanders. Extensive pine woods alternate with purple flowering heathland. Large lakes were left behind where sand and gravel were extracted. The highest ‘peaks’, 100 meters high, offer magnificent views. It is home to many rare and exceptional animals. Encountering a roe is not exceptional and butterflies like the swallowtail butterfly brighten up the summer. Special inhabitants are the slippery snake, the antlion and the European beewolf. Large stones and small boulders attest to the last ice age and lend it all a magical feeling.The Hoge Kempen National Park welcomes people with a ‘heart for nature’. That is why five locations have been selected as ‘Gateway to the Hoge Kempen National Park’: Stations As in As, Pietersheim in Lanaken, Mechelse Heide in Maasmechelen, Kattevennen in Genk and Lieteberg in Zutendaal. The gateways have car parks, information kiosks, cafeterias and additional attractions. It is your starting point for walking, cycling and horseriding. Admission to the gateways and the National Park is free. The National Park is not fenced off.
Reviewed By Mollehol - Belgium
This large piece of nature is quite something. It's easily accessed and has a lot of beauty in it. We went here with our bike and enjoyed the nature to the max. Great place!
7. Japanese Garden
Overall Ratings
4 based on 410 reviews
Reviewed By Derek B - Bracknell, United Kingdom
This is a lovely place to visit, it is well kept but not overly so and it was quite reassuring to see they have problem plants as well. There are many attractive acers which will be worth another visit in the autumn.
The lake has some huge koi which have no fear of people and actually almost climb out of the water when being fed.
There are toilets but no refreshments, when I queried this I was told a café would encourage noise which would detract from the garden. But there are improvements being made and there will be a café built outside the garden.
Allow around an hour for your visit.
8. Kelchterhoef Lake
Overall Ratings
5 based on 4 reviews
9. Alden Biesen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 122 reviews
Alden Biesen, so much in one castle! Historical monument, tourist draw, setting for events and Exhibitions, centre for European operation, congress centre, ... Alden Biesen is all of these things and more!Originally built by the Teutonic Order, it is now one of the largest castle estates of the Euregion. Young and old, small and tall, culture and nature lovers: everyone loves it here. Come visit our castle and discover all that Alden-Biesen has to offer. Alden Biesen caters to both culture and nature lovers. Discover the historic building and Gardens and visit an exhibition in the moated castle. Or make the Grand Commandery your point of departure for a hearty walk or a brisk bike ride through the Haspengouw region and the Demer valley. Afterwards you can enjoy one of the many events for which the Grand Commandery sets the stage.
Reviewed By RHAHJ - Nijmegen, The Netherlands
I was the only participant in the guided tour, which is strange for such an exceptional complex. The main attraction are the many buildings - besides the castle there is a church and farm buildings, a former riding school, and down the road the gate building. Up the hill there is another nice building.The complex was a commandery, and it was the main complex of the Teutonic order in this region (the order owned other complexes as far north as Gemert and as far east as Bonn). The interior of the church is one of the highlights. Unfortunately much of the original interior was lost in a fire in 1972 or so, and that's why I don't rate 5 stars. But some paintings in the ceilings were saved and these can still be admired these days. I was too early to see the garden in bloom, but it looks like it must be marvellous in spring. It is interesting to hear the story of the Teutonic order and to learn something about the various commanders of the place. The environment also looks nice, and good for a walk.
10. Brewery Den Toeteler
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By Hetbelgje666 - Boutersem, Belgium
We went for the fair on Sunday morning and ending up tasting the beer.
So we had to see the brewery too of course.
Very clear explanation about the process spiced with some brewing history.
We only had the speculoos-beer but we sure are getting some more!
Well worth the trip!
