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You are here: Home / Belgium / Gaasbeek Castle: perfect for a sunny afternoon in Belgium

Gaasbeek Castle: perfect for a sunny afternoon in Belgium

October 12, 2021

Yup, I have affiliate links on this blog and there may be some in this amazing and completely free content below. If you book or buy something through these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Belgium is known for its many castles and Gaasbeek Castle is one of them. When I was in desperate need of a walk one afternoon, it seemed like the perfect place to go.

gaasbeek castle brussels

You see, I need to follow my own advice more. I've spent quite some time traveling abroad the past two months, but it's been ages since I've properly traveled in Belgium.

And don't I always tell you guys that you don't need to take a plane to discover something worthwhile? Right.

When I'm at home in Belgium I often want to go somewhere new during the weekend, but then I think of all the photos that still need editing, all the posts that still need to be written, and the social media I have to check. The result is that I usually spend my weekends in front of my laptop, writing about trips more than actually going on them.

 

Gaasbeek Castle

gaasbeek castle

Not anymore, though. Last Sunday the weather was too nice to stay in and so I dragged Boyfriend to Gaasbeek Castle with me. Gaasbeek is located close to Brussels, in the Pajottenland, but you'd never guess that when you're driving to the castle. The area is still pretty rural and I'm guessing you need a decent paycheck to live there.

This thought, by the way, was half confirmed when we were walking around on the castle grounds and heard at least five different languages (expats? diplomats?).

castle of gaasbeek

gaasbeek belgium

 

Gaasbeek Castle: short history

Gaasbeek Castle was built around 1240. It has known many different owners throughout the centuries and was under siege several times. A couple of those attacks almost lead to the complete destruction of the castle. The last big restoration dates back to the end of the 19th century.

Now, Gaasbeek Castle is a museum and property of the Belgian State. It's one of many castles in Belgium you can visit.

gaasbeek castle belgium

gaasbeek

 

Gaasbeek Castle: park and gardens

The Gaasbeek Castle park was first designed in the 17th century. It offers walkers both wide lanes and narrow paths in between the trees.

gaasbeek castle park

gaasbeek castle gardens

The nicest spot, I think, is by the three lakes. There you'll find a lawn perfect for a picnic on a beautiful day.

gaasbeek castle lake

You can also find several smaller buildings on the castle grounds, like the Chapel of St. Gertrude and this little house.

gaasbeek castle brussels belgium

Unfortunately, we couldn't visit the Museum Garden as you can only visit it with a guide in a group of at least 10, at most 40 people. The tour of the Museum Garden is free, but can only take place at certain times and you need to book it in advance.

 

Practical information for the Castle of Gaasbeek

Address:By car: There's a big parking lot neat the entrance of the castle grunds
By bus: Take bus 142, direction Gaasbeek-Leerbeek, at Brussels-South (Bruxelles-Midi) until Gaasbeek Castle
By subway: Take line 5 from Brussels to Erasmus Terminus, then take bus 142 direction Gaasbeek-Leerbeek until Gaasbeek Castle.
Please check the website of Gaasbeek Castle for up-to-date opening hours and entrance prices. The park and gardens are free to visit, the museum is not.
 

Visiting a castle in Flemish Brabant is a bucket list item!

Tourism Flemish Brabant has put together a bucket list of fun and quirky things to do in the province as a local and visiting a castle is on it. Each item has information on where you can go to check it off and once you've done it, you can also literally check it off on the website and keep track of your score. And if you share your progress on Twitter or Facebook, you can win a weekend break.

Pretty cool, right?

Click here to check out the Flemish Brabant Bucket List.
 

Now tell me: would you want to visit Gaasbeek Castle?

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Posted in: Belgium

Your Thoughts

  1. The Guy says

    I love visiting castles and old sights and this would tick all my boxes. It looks fabulous and the restorations appear to be well done.

    Your typical weekend Sofie sounds like how I feel everyday, always something which needs catching up upon! Thankfully I try to work hard on things during the week, then when I’m at home I have a lot of the weekend off to spend with my wife. It means I’ll always have things to catch up on but I do feel a bit refreshed at the end.

    Reply
    • Sofie says

      The restorations – at least from what I could see on the outside – were really well done. The castle looked brand new.

      Oh my weekdays feel like this as well The Guy. There’s just no option to really head out on those as I still have to do my day job as well:)

      Reply
  2. Kate and Mike says

    We LOVED Gaasbeek Castle! To be specific, our 4-year old loved it. It’s a wonderful place. We remember our trip there quite fondly.

    There used to be a playground/beer garden just across the street from the entrance to the castle. Is it still there?

    Reply
    • Sofie says

      Hey Kate and Mike!
      I can imagine it’s a bit of a hassle by public transportation. We went by car.
      The beer garden and playground our still there and there’s also a bistro by the entrance of the castle grounds.

      Reply

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