15 fun summer dates
Yes! Summer’s here! Longer days, better weather and maybe even a holiday? Either way, it’s a great opportunity to take some time out for each other. Looking for inspiration? Make it easy on yourself and check out our tips for a fun summer date!
Culture
Rivierenhof Art Trail
About: The Rivierenhof in Deurne is home to many beautiful works of art. Follow the art trail laid out throughout the provincial estate and discover the entire collection. Visitors can walk freely without a guide.
Location: Deurne
How to get there by public transport: The estate is easily accessible by bus (line 33, 19, 410, 411, 412 en 414) or tram (tram 5 or Tram 10).
Snijders&Rockoxhuis
About: Visit the Snijders & Rockox House in the heart of Antwerp – a beautiful, Baroque-style building with unique works of art by Jordaens, Van Dyck and Rubens. Added bonus: KBC customers get a 50% discount with their KBC Debit Card.
Location: Antwerp
How to get there by public transport: The ‘Keizerstraat’ bus stop is within walking distance from the museum entrance. You can take several bus lines from Antwerp Central Station, which all take about 15 minutes.
Three street art trails in Wallonia
About: See Mons, Liège and Charleroi from a new perspective through street art. Urban art enthusiasts will love these trails that take you from one work of art to another. Prepare to be amazed!
Location: Mons, Charleroi, Liège
How to get there by public transport: Take the train to Mons, Charleroi or Liège station, start walking and follow the trail through the city.
Theater Aan Zee
About: Ostend is hosting the ‘Theater Aan Zee’ (Theatre by the Sea, ‘TAZ’ for short) festival for the 25th time this year. From 26 July, you can enjoy two weeks of new theatre productions at various venues in Ostend. A great idea for a cultural summer date!
Location: Ostend
How to get there by public transport: Ostend train station is easily accessible from all over the country. You can take the bus or ‘Kusttram’ (Coastal Tram) to easily travel between venues during the festival.
Photography museum
About: The Museum of Photography in Charleroi is one of the most important photography museums in Europe. After exploring the museum, enjoy a stroll in the adjacent park.
Location: Charleroi
How to get there by public transport: From Charleroi-Central station, take the bus to the ‘Place des Essarts de Mont-sur-Marchienne’ stop.
Arranging your train journey is a breeze with the additional ‘SNCB’ service in KBC Mobile.
Nature
Sand dune walk
About: All across the Belgian coast, you can take beautiful walks through the dunes. Enjoy a brisk walk with stunning sea views. And remember: what’s a day at the beach without getting sand in your shoes?
Location: The Belgian coast
How to get there by public transport: The Ostend, De Panne and Knokke train stations are easily accessible from all over the country. You can take the bus or ‘Kusttram’ (Coastal Tram) to easily get from one place to another.
Kalmthoutse Heide
About: Kalmthoutse Heide is a beautiful nature reserve with enormous ecological and cultural-historical value, and is a great place for walking. You can choose a short walk of 1.7 km, a long trail for more experienced hikers of nearly 25 km, or anything in between.
Location: Kalmthout
How to get there by public transport: From Heide train station, follow the signposted path to the park entrance, which is about a 15-minute walk.
Meise Botanic Garden
About: Not far from Brussels, you’ll find the Meise Botanic Garden, where you can wander through a stunning estate of over 92 hectares with plant species from all over the world. There are also various greenhouses which simulate different climates.
Location: Meise
How to get there by public transport: Meise Botanic Garden is easily accessible from Brussels-North train station. From there, it’s a short ride by bus, which stops at the entrance (bus line 250 or 251 to bus stop ‘Plantentuin Meise’).
Labyrinthe de Durbuy
About: Go on a magical adventure in this one-of-a-kind, fully natural labyrinth – enjoy getting lost! And, while you’re there, why not extend your stay and spend a day in the village of Durbuy?
Location: Durbuy
How to get there by public transport: Go to Barvaux station and walk for 10-15 minutes to ‘Julienas’ park.
Station-to-station walks
About: How about walking from station to station? These well- and lesser-known routes invite you to take a break from your daily routine and discover our heritage.
Location: Just about anywhere in Belgium
How to get there by public transport: Check the special page on the SNCB website to plan your next trip.
Planning a summer date by bus? Good to know:
you can conveniently buy your bus and tram tickets in KBC Mobile.
Entertainment
Picknick in het park
About: Nothing says romance like a picnic in a beautiful park – and there are plenty of those in Belgium. Here are a few of our favourites: the ‘Minnewaterpark’ (Lake of Love Park) in Bruges, the ‘Japanse Tuin’ (Japanese Garden) in Hasselt, and the ‘Kruidtuin’ (Botanical Garden) in Leuven. So get out your picnic blanket, fill your basket with goodies and hurry over to the park!
Location: Bruges, Hasselt, Leuven.
How to get there by public transport: To get to Minnewaterpark, take a bus to the ‘Brugge Barge’ bus stop, which is not far from the park entrance. There are two bus stops not far from the entrance of the Japanese Garden in Hasselt: ‘Rijksadministratief centrum’ and ‘Hasselt Zwembad’. The nearest bus stop to the Botanical Garden in Leuven is ‘Sint-Rafaelkliniek’.
Boat trip
About: A romantic summer date on the water – what a lovely idea! Visit Bruges or Ghent and explore the historic city centre from a whole new perspective.
Location: Bruges, Ghent
How to get there by public transport: In Ghent, most guided boat tours depart from Graslei or Korenlei. Tram line 1 or 4 will take you there in no time. In Bruges, there are five jetties throughout the city from where you can start your boat trip.
The Villers-la-Ville Abbey and vineyards
About: Discover the remarkably well-preserved Abbey of Villers-la-Ville and a new cultural centre brimming with events. If you’re a wine-lover, you’ll love the vineyard, which is set within enclosed stone walls next to the Abbey’s ruins.
Location: Villers-la-Ville
How to get there by public transport: Go to Tilly station and then take the bus (to the ‘Villers-la-Ville Abbaye’ stop) or go to Villers-la-Ville station (2 km from the Abbey).
What’SUP
About: Prefer to steer your own course? You can do ‘Stand Up Paddling’ – the latest craze in water sports, also known as ‘SUPing’ – in several cities. It’s basically rowing while standing on a board. You can go ‘SUPing’ through the historic city centre of Ghent or through a variety of nature areas.
Location: Ghent, Leuven, Mechelen
How to get there by public transport: Once you’ve chosen where you want to go ‘SUPing’, check that location’s website, where you’re bound to find information on how to get there by public transport.
Create your own perfume at ÔÔ Parfum
About: Engage all your senses during this unforgettable sensory experience and create your own perfume or take part in the exclusive tours and activities.
Location: Yves-Gomezée (Philippeville)
How to get there by public transport: Take line S64 in the direction of Charleroi Central-Couvin and get out at Yves-Gomezée station.
Looking for more inspiration for a fun trip?
Looking for ideas for a fun day out with friends or with the whole family? Don’t look any further; we’ve lined up a number of great activities and trips for you. There’s something for everyone!
