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Voykit pocket guide · Belgium
Herentals
Spend a half‑day to a full day in Herentals, then continue to Antwerp or Mechelen; no overnight stay needed unless you want a relaxed pace.
Herentals is a small Flemish town of about 28,000 people with a compact historic centre. Its main sights are within a 10‑minute walk, and good train links make it a convenient day‑trip from Antwerp, Mechelen or Turnhout.
- Country
- Belgium
- Best months
- May–September
- Avoid
- January–February (cold, fewer opening hours)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- EUR
- Money
- Currency is the euro (EUR). Cards work widely; a few cafés, market stalls and toilets still want coins.
- Daily spend
- Budget €45–70 excl. bed · Mid €70–110 excl. bed · High €110+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Proximus, Orange Belgium and Telenet/BASE; prepaid SIMs need ID registration.
- Emergency
- Police 101 · Medical 112
- Plugs
- Types C, E · 230 V · 50 Hz · Same as France; UK and US plugs need adapters.
- Tipping
- Café: Round up.; Restaurant: Service included; add 5–10% for good service if you like.; Taxi: Round up.
- Water
- Tap water is safe, though many Belgians drink bottled; restaurants rarely serve free tap water.
- Toilets
- Often paid (€0.50–1) in stations and some cafés; carry coins.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a café | €2–3 |
| Belgian beer (0.33 l) in a bar | €3–5 |
| Speculaas biscuit | €1–2 |
| Museum entry (e.g., Beguinage Museum) | €3–5 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- ANR · Antwerp International Airport
- About 30 km (19 mi) north, train from Herentals to Antwerp then shuttle (check connections).About 19 mi (30 km) north, train from Herentals to Antwerp then shuttle (check connections).
Typical fares
- Herentals ↔ Antwerp train
- ≈ €12 each way (check)
- De Lijn bus day ticket
- ≈ €5 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The centre is best explored on foot; most attractions lie within a 5‑minute walk. De Lijn buses connect the town to nearby cities; the train station is a 10‑minute walk from the market.
See and do
Known for
- UNESCO‑listed Belfry and Cloth Hall
- Church of Saint Waltrude
- Historic Beguinage
- Art Center Hugo Voeten
- Castle La Paige
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Antwerp | Train from Herentals, 30–40 min | ≈45 min |
| Mechelen | Train, 35 min | ≈45 min |
Sleep
- Hotel De Zalm
- Three‑star hotel on the Grote Markt, opposite the Belfry; good for a quick night if you prefer not to rush.
- Hotel Karmel
- Four‑star former monastery on the main square; includes pool and sauna.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Excusez‑moi / Pardonexküz mwa / pardɔ̃ |
| Thank you | Mercimɛʁsi |
| How much is it? | C’est combien ?se kɔ̃bjɛ̃ |
| Where is the train station? | Où est la gare ?u ɛ la gaʁ |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; one cheek kiss among friends (three in some places); avoid: Overfamiliarity with strangers
- Language: English or the local language; avoid: French in Flanders, or Dutch in Wallonia, as a default
- Punctuality: Be on time; avoid: Late arrivals for dinner reservations
- Conversation: Food, beer, football and cycling; avoid: Flemish-Walloon politics unless invited
Scams and watch-outs
- Check opening days for the Beguinage Museum (first Sunday of the month, May‑Sept).
- Friday market can fill the main‑square parking; use nearby streets then.
- Limited evening drinking venues; plan drinks early if staying overnight.
Herentals is generally safe; standard caution with belongings in crowded markets and on public transport.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Herentals yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- UNESCO‑listed Belfry and Cloth Hall
- Church of Saint Waltrude
- Historic Beguinage
- Art Center Hugo Voeten
- Castle La Paige
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Herentals Tourism Office: www.herentals.be/vrije-tijd/toerisme
- Wikivoyage: Herentals, revision 5332504 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5332504
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/herentals). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.