What are things to Do in Geraardsbergen, Belgium? You may have traveled to Belgium and thought you’d seen it all. It’s a small country, yes, that is a fact! but in Belgium, there are many other pretty little villages and towns that aren’t that popular with foreign tourists. Maybe they didn’t get the publicity that they deserved. Besides the alluring capital Brussels, cultural Ghent, and the well-known Bruges, there are plenty of must-see places in the country. Let’s take Geraardsbergen as an example. Don’t worry! if you’ve never heard of it, I had the same issue as well. Let’s play virtually the Christopher Columbus game and find out what are the best things to do there. So what to do in Geraardsbergen?

Few Things To Do in Geraardsbergen

Before we start with what to do and see there, I would like to give you a piece of brief geographical information and some useful general information about this beautiful city. It is wise to know almost everything about the location you want to travel to. Geraardsbergen is a small town in Belgium, located near the famous city Ghent which is in the province of East Flanders, and on the river Dender, and against the witness hill Oudenberg. The city is located in the Flemish Ardennes, a name given to the country’s hilly landscape, which consists mainly of farmland, forests, rivers, and hills. The town is founded after the 1060s, it has a tangible heritage: from castles to archaeological sites. For cultural curiosities, consult the city’s official website.

The town is known for a pastry called Mattentaart, trust me! if you get there you must try it, it is so delicious. I must mention that the locals call themselves Geraards. Now that you know a little bit about this wonderful city, let’s start with the beautiful attractions that you can visit.

When you say Geraardsbergen, you’re saying biker’s paradise as it’s a hilly region. Geraardsbergen has a lot to offer for every traveler. It is advisable to consult the official tourism office when you get there so that you have a clear map of everything you can do there

Manneken Pis

It is a bronze statue of a naked young man urinating in the fountain’s basin in Geraardsbergen. The statue is the most famous symbol of Geraardsbergen. It is located at the foot of the town hall. It fully embodies the sense of humor. If you have already visited Manneken Pis of Brussels and you love it, you must visit this one too, it is the oldest. For more info about this beautiful statue, please visit the Geraardsbergen tourism website.

Church of Sint-Bartholomeus

At the Grand Place where most of the points of interest in the city are located a surprisingly beautiful, gothic church.

Krakelingen and Tonnekensbrand

These are the names of the annual old-age festivities in Geraardsbergen. Its highlight is that Krakelingen are thrown from the top of the Oudenberg. However, the double celebration was registered in the Inventory of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Flanders in 2009 and was also recognized by UNESCO in 2010 as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Both usually take place in February on the same day.

Muur van Geraardsbergen

Also known as the Muur-Kapelmuur, is a monument throughout the history of Flemish cycling. The steep slope is 1075 meters long. This climb is part of the professional cycling race Ronde van Vlaanderen. The Tour de France in 2019 also included the climb of this hilly street.

Explore the rural landscape

If you have an adventurous spirit and are an enthusiastic hiker, this region is just what you need. So put on your comfortable, sturdy walking shoes and get ready to discover stunning and serene regional nature reserves. Hiking trails vary from about 20-25 km, but can also be shortened to smaller ones if desired. In addition to nature, you will also encounter the area’s rural heritage. You don’t even need a car to get there as there is a train and most walking routes start from the train station. You can get a hiking map and more regional activity brochures at the tourist office. The Media Bay (Reisroutes) has created some Geraardsbergen GPS tracks, it might be a good idea to use a GPX file. Check it, even if it is in Dutch, you can easily translate it using Google translate to your preferred language.

Geraardsbergen Photo Album

Those are just an example of things you can do in Geraardsbergen, while there are many wonderful activities to do and see. We wish you a great trip to Geraardsbergen. If you have a suggestion to improve this post, you can always contact us.