Weekend break near Brussels: holiday homes within an hour's drive
Living in Brussels or the suburbs and not wanting to drive for hours for a short escape? Within an hour's drive of the capital lies a lot of beauty: rolling hills of the Flemish Ardennes, the fruit region of Haspengouw, quiet Hageland or the Brabant forests. We map out the most beautiful regions and homes.
Within an hour's drive of Brussels you find holiday homes in the Flemish Ardennes, Hageland, Pajottenland and southern Flemish Brabant. Prices range between 80 and 180 euros per night for two to six people. For weekends in May and October, reserve 4 to 8 weeks ahead.
Why choose Brussels area instead of further away?
The biggest reason is travel time. For a weekend of two nights, two hours' drive to the Ardennes often isn't worth it. By the time you're there, eat and unpack, the next day you're already packing to head back. A holiday home an hour's drive from Brussels means more time at your destination and less time in the car.
The area is also less busy than the popular tourist regions. The Flemish Ardennes, Pajottenland and Hageland are relatively quiet regions with little organised tourism. You find authentic villages, local cafés and walking or cycling routes without the crowds of Durbuy or the coast. For a really quiet weekend that's a big advantage.
For those wanting to travel spontaneously, the Brussels area is also more practical. Booking a holiday home on Thursday evening for a weekend the next day is feasible if the distance stays short. For the Ardennes or coast it rarely works. The short distance makes last-minute departure possible and gives flexibility you miss in other regions.
Flemish Ardennes: rolling hills and quiet villages
The Flemish Ardennes around Ronse, Geraardsbergen, Kluisbergen and Brakel are 45 minutes to an hour's drive from Brussels. The rolling landscape with its wooded hills (Kluisberg, Hotondberg, Wall of Geraardsbergen) is a surprisingly beautiful counter for those who've had enough of the flat north. Walkers and cyclists find hundreds of kilometres of routes. Bekijk ook vakantiewoningen in de Vlaamse Ardennen.
Holiday homes in the Flemish Ardennes are often rurally located. Renovated farmhouses, hovels and old inns have been converted into stylish holiday homes for two to eight people. Prices range between 100 and 180 euros per night, with a strong offer of homes with private sauna, jacuzzi or fireplace. Ideal for a romantic weekend.
Combine your stay with a visit to a local geuze brewery (Boon, Cantillon, Lindemans), a walk on the hill ridges or a bike ride through the Heuvelland vineyards. The short distance makes it possible to visit Bruges or Ghent on Sunday before driving home.
Hageland: castles, vineyards and forests
The Hageland between Leuven, Diest, Aarschot and Tienen lies 45 minutes' drive from Brussels. A varied region with highs and lows, small vineyards, castles and extensive forests. The Hageland is one of the lesser-known regions for weekend stays, which means you can still find last-minute availability fairly easily.
Holiday homes in the Hageland are usually renovated rural cottages or modern villas with large gardens. Prices range between 90 and 160 euros per night. For those who like the culture-nature combination, this is a strong region: Horst Castle, the Tienen Sugar Museum, the Diest Beguinage and the wine routes are all close together.
A tip: combine a Hageland weekend with a day trip to Leuven. The university city has all the advantages of a big city without the bustle of Brussels. A terrace on the Old Market, a tour of the city hall, a beer in a typical student café. And in the evening back to the calm of the Hageland.
Pajottenland: silent fields west of Brussels
The Pajottenland is strictly speaking 30 minutes from Brussels centre: municipalities like Gooik, Galmaarden and Lennik lie west of the capital. It's an open agricultural landscape with fields, hedges and small farms. The silence here is striking for someone just out of the city's hustle. Painters like Bruegel found their inspiration here.
The Pajottenland is THE region for geuze breweries and spontaneous lambic. Boon, Lindemans, Cantillon and Drie Fonteinen are all within fifteen minutes' drive of each other. For beer lovers, a weekend here is required. Combine a tasting with a walk through the fields and an evening meal at one of the local inns.
Holiday homes in the Pajottenland are often smaller homes for two to four people. Prices range between 80 and 130 euros per night. What makes the region special is the combination of extreme calm with good accessibility: you're literally 30 minutes from Brussels centre if you'd want, but the silence feels totally cut off from the city.
Practical tips for a Brussels-area weekend
Leave on Friday after rush hour. Between 5 and 7 pm the Brussels ring is often busy. If you leave after 7 pm or just before 4 pm you easily gain thirty minutes. For Sunday return, early afternoon (around 2 pm) is usually quiet, while 6 or 7 pm gets busier again with everyone returning home.
Book a home with a good kitchen. In the Brussels area, the win is mainly in the evenings: a nice meal out, or self-catering in your holiday home with regional products from the market. Ronse, Geraardsbergen and Diest have nice Saturday markets. A holiday home with a real kitchen (not just two cooking burners) is a plus for a cosy evening dinner. Voor een romantisch verblijf zijn romantische vakantiewoningen in de regio een goede tip.
Don't forget the bike. Flemish Brabant and the Flemish Ardennes have an excellent cycle node network. A day on the bike through the hills is one of the best ways to discover the region. Many holiday homes provide bikes for a small fee or free. Ask about this when booking.
Frequently asked questions
Which regions are within an hour's drive of Brussels?
The Flemish Ardennes (Ronse, Geraardsbergen, Brakel), the Hageland (around Leuven and Diest), the Pajottenland (west of Brussels) and southern Flemish Brabant are all within the hour. For those wanting to drive a bit further, the south of Antwerp and Limburg are also reachable.
What does a holiday home in the Brussels area cost for a weekend?
Between 80 and 180 euros per night for two to six people, depending on the home and season. For two nights, count 200 to 400 euros for a good stay. Beautiful homes with sauna or jacuzzi are at the top of that range.
Which region is the most romantic for a weekend?
The Flemish Ardennes are the most chosen romantic destination near Brussels. Rolling hills, quiet villages, small restaurants and a strong offer of homes with private sauna or jacuzzi make it ideal for couples.
When is the best time for a weekend in the Brussels area?
May, June, September and October are the loveliest months. Temperatures are pleasant, nature is at its best and it's quieter than the busy summer months. For walking weekends, March and April are also interesting.
Can I visit Brussels itself from a holiday home?
Certainly. Within 30 to 60 minutes by car or by train from Aalst, Leuven or Geraardsbergen you're in Brussels centre. A day trip to Grand Place, Atomium or the museums combines well with a stay in the surrounding area.