Hasselt

Day 1: Taste and tradition in the compact centre

Hasselt is wonderfully walkable, and today is all about the flavours that shaped the city. You’ll move from old‑school speculaas and jenever heritage to contemporary Belgian chocolate craft.

• Morning: Start with coffee and Hasseltse speculaas at Bakkers De Paifve on Zuivelmarkt or Bakkerij Deplée-Smeets on Botermarkt, the historic home of the chewy, spice-rich biscuit. Ask to have the big biscuit sliced for easy sharing, and greet the staff with a friendly “Goeiedag.”
• Midday: Wander to the National Jenever Museum (with the Smaakmuseum inside) for a short dive into Hasselt’s gin heritage and a tasting; pair a sliver of speculaas for a true local match. Tip: many small spots close on Sunday/Monday—check hours, and note October’s Jeneverfeesten weekend is extra lively.
• Afternoon: Head to Chocolatier Boon on Paardsdemerstraat to watch pralines being made in the open workshop and compose your own ballotin—ask for jeneverpralines or Haspengouw fruit fillings for a Hasselt twist. Aim for a mid‑afternoon slot to dodge peaks; observe the etiquette of pointing (not touching) when choosing.
• Evening: Dine around the Grote Markt or Havermarkt; finish with a small jenever at a local bar. In winter, stroll over to Winterland on Kolonel Dusartplein for hot chocolate and festive lights; in warmer months, linger on a terrace for golden‑hour people‑watching.

Day 2: Fashion, boutiques and the waterfront

Hasselt balances big‑name high streets with a chic triangle of independent boutiques. Today you’ll browse, break for coffee, and follow the retail circuit to the modern Quartier Bleu by the marina.

• Morning: Visit Modemuseum Hasselt for a fast fashion-to-heritage primer that elevates the rest of your shopping; pre‑book and note many museums close on Mondays. Not into museums? Window‑shop the serene Kapelstraat and Aldestraat before crowds.
• Midday: Explore the boutique triangle (Kapelstraat–Aldestraat–Minderbroedersstraat) for Belgian designers, concept stores like La Bottega (with a cosy café), or KNAP for beauty-meets-fashion. Tip: on the first Sunday of the month it’s Koopzondag (shops open 13:00–18:00); the best bargains land in January/July solden.
• Afternoon: Sweep the mainstream axis Demerstraat–Koning Albertstraat, then continue to Quartier Bleu for waterfront retail and a gelato by the marina. If it’s Saturday, detour to the big market on Kolonel Dusartplein for regional cheeses, fruit and sweet treats; vintage lovers can try OKAZI or 22ND vintage for sustainable finds.
• Evening: Stay waterside for dinner at Quartier Bleu or head back to the lantern‑lit lanes off the Grote Markt. Pick up a last‑minute box of pralines (ask for alcohol‑free if needed) and keep them cool—on hot days request an insulated bag.

Day 3: Markets, making, and farewell flavours

Ease into the day with local markets or a classic coffee‑and‑biscuit pause, then get hands‑on with chocolate. Round off with one more promenade through terrace-lined streets.

• Morning: If it’s Saturday, browse the Kolonel Dusartplein market early for fresh produce and gifts; from April–October there’s also an antiques/curio market on Saturday mornings. Otherwise, enjoy a speculaas with your koffieklets at a café and pop into the nostalgic Snoepwinkel De Soete Inval on Aldestraat.
• Midday: Light lunch near the centre, then pick up edible souvenirs at the Jenever Museum shop or book a beer‑and‑chocolate pairing masterclass (reserve ahead; small groups). Around Easter, chocolatier windows brim with ornate eggs—great for photos and take‑home treats.
• Afternoon: Join a praline workshop at Boon Academy (reserve in advance) or curate a bespoke ballotin—mention preferences like “mix of dark and milk, without alcohol.” Fancy a sweet intermezzo? Try a slice of Limburgse vlaai at a traditional bakery.
• Evening: Take a final loop from the Grote Markt to Kapelstraat and Havermarkt for an apéritif and dinner. Practical send‑off: park on the Groene Boulevard car parks (not in the pedestrian core), and mind that many independents close Sunday/Monday; a warm “Dank u wel, tot ziens” goes a long way.

By Air

• Brussels Airport (BRU): Easiest option. Direct hourly IC train to Hasselt (via Leuven) ~1 h 10–1 h 20; by car ~55–75 min.
• Brussels South Charleroi (CRL): Bus to Charleroi-Sud + train via Brussels/Leuven, ~2–2.5 h; by car ~1 h 10–1 h 30.
• Liège Airport (LGG): Limited passenger flights. Bus to Liège-Guillemins + direct train to Hasselt ~1 h 10–1 h 30; by car ~40–45 min.
• Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST): Bus to Maastricht station + train via Liège/Tongeren or De Lijn bus 45 direct; ~1.5–2 h; by car ~35–45 min.
• Eindhoven Airport (EIN): Bus to Eindhoven station + rail/bus combo ~2–2.5 h; by car ~1 h 10.

By Train

• Main station: Hasselt (NMBS/SNCB).
• From Brussels: 2–3 trains/hour; usually 1 change at Leuven; ~1 h–1 h 15.
• From Brussels Airport (BRU): Direct hourly IC to Genk calling at Hasselt; ~1 h 10–1 h 20.
• From Antwerp: Regular IC via Lier/Herentals/Mol/Leopoldsburg; typically ~1 h 30–1 h 40 (some services may require 1 change).
• From Liège-Guillemins: Direct IC via Tongeren; ~50–60 min.
• From Leuven: Direct IC via Aarschot/Diest; ~45–55 min.
• From Genk: ~15–20 min.
  Note: No direct train from Maastricht; use bus 45 or train via Liège/Tongeren.

By Bus/Coach

• Regional hub at Hasselt station (De Lijn). Key routes include:
  • 45 Maastricht–Hasselt via Tongeren (about every 30 min; ~60–75 min).
  • Frequent services to Genk, Diest, Tongeren, Leuven and surrounding towns.
• Long-distance coaches are limited; check operators’ schedules for occasional services.

By Car

• Motorways: E313 (Antwerp–Liège) and E314 (Leuven–Genk–Maastricht) meet near Lummen; follow signs to Hasselt.
• Typical drive times: Brussels 1 h–1 h 15; Antwerp 1 h–1 h 15; Liège 40–50 min; Leuven 35–45 min; Maastricht 35–45 min.
• City centre is largely pedestrianised. Use car parks on the ring (Groene Boulevard), e.g., Quartier Bleu, Molenpoort; Park & Ride options available.