Accessible day trips in Belgium: discover more with your wheelchair
A day out with your manual or power wheelchair doesn’t have to be a challenge. With the right preparation and a few good tools, you can fully enjoy Belgium’s nature, culture, and hospitality. Here are some ideas and resources to help you plan your next accessible adventure.
Accessible nature trips
Spending time in nature is great for both body and mind. But for people with reduced mobility, it’s not always easy to enjoy it to the fullest.
Fortunately, many parks and nature reserves are becoming more inclusive, with accessible walking paths, adapted parking, and wide passageways.
Here are some suggestions:
- Japanese Garden (Hasselt): Europe’s largest authentic Japanese garden, with wide, flat paths and assistance available for steeper areas.
- Zwin Nature Park (Knokke-Heist): fully accessible and offering free all-terrain wheelchairs on request.
- Provincial Domain Bokrijk: a 4.5 km accessible route through the park, with free wheelchair rental. The open-air museum is also easy to access.
- Kalmthout Arboretum: all paths and lawns are accessible, except for one route. Free all-terrain wheelchairs available.
Tip: On the RouteYou website or app, you can easily find wheelchair-friendly walking routes near you. Use the filter “wheelchair accessible” to get a full list complete with maps, distance, surface type, and slope information.
In the spotlight: wheelchair pullers in Hoge Kempen National Park
Looking for a bit of adventure? Rough paths and steep climbs ahead? You can handle them at Hoge Kempen National Park!
Park Ranger Wannes – who’s also a wheelchair user – mapped out a guided wheelchair route leading to the top of a panoramic terril (slag heap). The two-hour trail rewards you with one of the best views in Belgium, and you can easily follow it using an off-road wheelchair and a special trekking device.
More info and booking? Visit the Hoge Kempen National Park website.
Enjoying culture from your wheelchair
Culture doesn’t have to be out of reach. Many museums, cinemas, theatres, and concert halls in Belgium are accessible to wheelchair users.
The MAS Museum in Antwerp, for instance, is fully accessible – including its rooftop terrace with panoramic city views. Concert halls like La Monnaie
or the Queen Elisabeth Hall also offer wheelchair seating and adapted facilities.
- Need inspiration for your next museum visit? The Museumpass website (NL and FR) lists nearly all museums and exhibitions in Belgium.
- Want to attend an event? Flanders' Centre of Expertise for Accessibility lists accessible events here (NL & FR).
- Going to the theatre, cinema, a concert, or a festival? Most venues offer wheelchair access — just check the event website or search “wheelchair accessible [event name]” on Google.
Eating and drinking
Craving a nice meal or drink? The website iedereenoveral.be (NL) helps you find accessible restaurants and cafés near you.
It’s still being developed, so not all venues are listed yet – but it’s definitely one to watch, as it will soon include more info on public building accessibility throughout Flanders.
More accessible trips?
Visit Flanders has published a great brochure (NL) with an overview of accessible attractions and outings in Flanders and Brussels — there’s something for everyone.
Useful tools to check accessibility
When planning your trip, it’s essential to know which locations are wheelchair accessible. These tools can help:
- Wheelmap: an app that lets you search, find, and mark accessible places worldwide. Available for Android and iOS.
- Google Maps: look for the wheelchair icon in search results. When you click on a location, you’ll see details about accessibility features.
- Local tourist offices: many cities provide extra info about accessible public transport, restaurants, and events.
Enjoy your next outing!
Got your own wheelchair-friendly tip?
What’s your favourite accessible spot? Have any planning or travel tips that make a difference? Share your experience on social media with the hashtag #Vigotip or email us at connect@vigogroup.eu. Your story might inspire others!
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