Genk is located in the very east of the country and has lots of things to see and do, not to mention a very charming square! It's close to a nature reserve and Maastricht, which is a lovely destination for a day trip.
Today, Genk may be a peaceful little town, but that wasn’t always the case. Genk was once on a route travelled by countless armies that caused a lot of devastation on their way. The period between the 15th and the 18th century was dark and full of plundering and fires. Mining became an important commercial activity after the start of the industrial revolution in the 19th century.
Today, you can still find traces of the old mining industry, for example, the cultural centre C-Mine in Winterslag, an old mining site with historic buildings where workshops and designers have established themselves. Football fans will get a real kick out of the GoalMine in the Cristal Arena, where they can learn all about the history of football and take a tour of the stadium.
Pop over to Maastricht for a day of shopping in Muntstraat, admire the natural beauty of Nationaal Park Hoge Kempen and take the kids to Bokrijk. The open air museum in Bokrijk is an unforgettable experience. In summer, actors re-enact regional events with historic buildings as their backdrop.
Genk and the surrounding area are easy to explore by bicycle. Hire a bicycle and cycle around town and the countryside at your leisure. If you're travelling around the Netherlands by car you can park it for free just outside the city centre in Limburghal, for example, and walk 15 minutes into town. You may need a parking disc if you park in the centre of town.
Genk is a three-hour drive from Calais and approximately four hours by train from London St Pancras. You can also fly into Brussels and take the train from there.
Recharge your batteries in the lovely little town of Genk.
