Zandhoven

Day Trips

Arrive at Antwerp International Airport and take a short train or taxi ride to Zandhoven, enjoying the green outskirts of Antwerp Province. Check into a charming local guesthouse or B&B nestled among the polders. After settling in, take a leisurely stroll through the village center to orient yourself.

Savor a traditional Flemish lunch at a family-run brasserie in Zandhoven, sampling regional favorites like stoofvlees with fries. Visit the nearby Molenheide wetlands for a gentle walk along wooden boardwalks and serene ponds. Learn about local flora and fauna at an interpretive panel near the trailhead.

Return to town for an aperitif on a café terrace, sampling a locally brewed beer from the Antwerpse Kempen. Dine at a cozy restaurant serving seasonal produce from the Campine region. Cap off the evening with stargazing just outside town, where skies are clear and far from city lights.

Start the day with a hearty breakfast of fresh bread rolls and artisanal cheeses from a local bakery. Rent a bike in Pulderbos and set off along the Verdih bike route, following scenic canal paths. Pause at a peaceful meadow to admire grazing cattle and take photos of wildflowers.

Stop for a picnic lunch by the canal, enjoying homemade sandwiches and Belgian cider. Continue cycling through Massenhoven’s pastoral landscapes, crossing historic stone bridges and passing windmills dotted across the plains. Arrive at the small village of Viersel in time for a coffee break at a sunlit terrace.

Return your bikes and head to a family tavern in Pulderbos for a comforting Flemish beef soup. Engage in conversation with locals over a glass of jenever, soaking in the warmth of rural hospitality. Stroll back to your accommodation under the glow of street lanterns.

Enjoy a light breakfast before driving or cycling to the Achterbos Nature Reserve. Embark on a guided nature walk along winding trails, learning about rare amphibians and indigenous oak trees. Listen for the calls of woodpeckers and owls echoing through the forest canopy.

Break for lunch at a rustic picnic area, feasting on local charcuterie and fresh fruit. Venture deeper into the reserve to explore hidden ponds and marshy glades, suitable for dragonfly and heron spotting. Stop by an observation tower to overlook the sprawling forests and wetlands.

Head back to Zandhoven for a hearty dinner at a countryside farmhouse restaurant. Taste homemade apple pie with whipped cream, a regional specialty served after the main course. Relax beside a cozy fireplace while planning tomorrow’s cultural exploration.

Start with breakfast at a café in Pulle, sampling freshly baked pastries and strong Belgian coffee. Join a local guide for a walking tour through Zandhoven’s historic core, visiting the 17th-century St. Martin’s Church and the old town hall. Learn about the municipality’s history as you pass traditional farmhouses.

Stop for lunch at a sunny square café, trying local fish croquettes alongside a crisp white wine. Explore the small artisan workshops scattered around the village, meeting potters and traditional weavers. Visit a local museum showcasing rural life in the Antwerp Kempen region.

Indulge in a four-course dinner at an intimate bistro, with dishes prepared from regional ingredients. Sip a glass of Flemish wine or a craft beer brewed in nearby Antwerp. End the night with a serene walk along the candlelit streets of Zandhoven.

Have breakfast by the water’s edge before embarking on a leisurely boat trip along the Dessel-Schotenvaart canal. Glide past lush reed beds and small locks, listening to the gentle lapping of water. Your skipper will narrate tales of historic shipping routes through the Campine region.

Enjoy lunch on board: a gourmet picnic featuring local smoked ham, bread from a family bakery, and regional cheeses. Disembark at Scheppendalk Link for a short hike along the canal bank, passing quaint moored barges. Snap photos of the reflections in the glassy canal surface at golden hour.

Return to shore and stroll into a nearby village pub for a plate of Flemish peas stew. Try a barrel-aged ale recommended by locals, served with crusty bread. Wander back along the canal under lamplight, enjoying the tranquil evening ambiance.

Catch an early train or drive to Antwerp, arriving at the bustling Central Station. Grab a sit-down breakfast at a brasserie in the historic city center. Marvel at the ornate architecture of the cathedral and the medieval guild houses on the Grote Markt.

Spend the afternoon exploring the Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) and its panoramic rooftop terrace. Enjoy a seafood lunch in the trendy Eilandje district overlooking the old port. Browse diamond shops and chic boutiques along the Meir shopping street.

Return to Zandhoven and refresh before dining at a local gastropub offering modern Belgian cuisine. Sample seasonal vegetable tart and artisan sausages paired with a dark abbey beer. Share stories of the day’s discoveries around a warm hearth in the dining room.

Rise early and venture to the Scheldt riverbanks at dawn for prime birdwatching conditions. Scan the mudflats and reeds for herons, egrets, and migrating waterfowl. Savor a picnic breakfast of croissants and fresh fruit on the riverbank.

Continue along the estuary trail, stopping to log sightings in a birdwatching journal. Enjoy lunch at a riverside café, sampling Belgian mussels in white wine sauce. Observe kayakers gliding past while learning about ongoing river conservation efforts.

Drive back to Zandhoven and head to a farmhouse for a simple dinner of pea soup and artisanal bread. Pair your meal with a local wheat beer brewed with river water. Later, unwind in a rustic lounge area with soft acoustic music.

Begin with breakfast at a family-run bakery, trying flaky croissants and homemade jams. Visit a nearby artisan cheese producer to learn about traditional Belgian cheese-making processes. Sample varieties like Herve and Passendale paired with cider.

Stop for lunch at a Michelin-recommended tavern, tasting the chef’s tasting menu of local ingredients. In the afternoon, tour a craft brewery in Zandhoven or Pulderbos, guided by the head brewer. Participate in a tasting session of ales, saisons, and special reserve brews.

Dine in the brewery’s taproom on gourmet pub fare such as beer-battered fish and cheese platters. Challenge friends to a board game while enjoying a nightcap of barrel-aged stout. Reflect on the day’s flavors in the warm glow of vintage brewing equipment.

Fuel up with a hearty farmhouse breakfast of eggs, bacon, and fresh rolls. Hike a segment of the Antwerp Provincial Nature Network, crossing diverse terrains from heathland to deciduous forest. Spot native butterflies and orchids blooming along the trail.

Pause at a scenic clearing for a picnic lunch, complete with charcuterie, baguettes, and locally pressed apple juice. Continue your trek toward sandy paths and small hillocks historically used by shepherds. Learn about regional ecology at information posts dotting the trail.

Return in time for a casual dinner of grilled sausage and potatoes at a countryside pub. Share your hiking photos and swap stories with fellow travelers around a rustic wooden table. End the evening with a leisurely walk back under star-studded skies.

Enjoy a farewell breakfast at your accommodation, sampling any remaining local pastries and jams. Take a final stroll through Zandhoven’s village lanes, bidding goodbye to friendly locals. Visit a small gift shop for artisanal souvenirs like handwoven baskets.

Check out and travel to Antwerp Airport or train station, stopping for a farewell lunch at a café en route. Reflect on your favorite moments over a classic Belgian waffle topped with fresh fruit. Bus or train your way back, waving goodbye to the tranquil landscapes behind you.

Arrive at your departure hub and unwind before boarding, perhaps with one last Belgian beer in the station bar. Journal your experience under warm lighting, capturing the journey’s highlights. Toast to an unforgettable immersion in Zandhoven’s rhythms before departure.