Kalmthout between heathland, wetlands and comic culture

Kalmthout combines an exceptional heathland landscape with nature observation, cycling adventures and surprisingly diverse culture. At its heart is Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide, a cross-border nature reserve on both sides of the Belgian-Dutch border. It covers around 60 square kilometres and is part of the Natura 2000 network. When searching for a holiday apartment or holiday home, Kalmthout therefore offers a clear focus: you can combine nature experiences, creative excursions and regional discoveries into a varied stay.

Heathland, wetlands and special viewpoints

Kalmthoutse Heide is an exceptional dune landscape with extensive wetlands and pine forests. It is also classified as a three-star quiet area. Numerous hiking trails provide access to the heathland and offer different ways to experience the landscape when planning your days. Those who prefer longer distances by bicycle can plan the 48-kilometre Grensparkroute mountain-bike trail.

There are also appealing nature attractions outside the heathland. De Maatjes is a wetland area with rare reed and meadow birds. The De Klot observation tower offers views of the marshes and meadows around Nieuwmoer. These two destinations provide a different focus from the dune landscape: here, wetlands, meadows and birdwatching take centre stage. During a stay in Kalmthout, you can therefore choose between extensive trails, landscape views and quieter nature settings, depending on how you want to spend your day.

From nature education to comic-book history

De Vroente is the visitor centre of Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide. There, visitors can book educational activities with or without a guide and reserve materials to discover the nature of Kalmthoutse Heide. This makes De Vroente a suitable starting point for anyone who does not want to limit their visit to exploring independently.

The Striptoer at the Suske en Wiske Museum offers a cultural contrast. It leads through nine rooms of Willy Vandersteen's old villa and explains what is required to create a good comic story. During this Striptoer, visitors can also create their own comic story. This creates a varied range of options, especially for families who want to combine days in nature with a creative activity, without every excursion having to be the same.

Arboretum, history and seasonal experiences

Arboretum Kalmthout has Europe's largest collection of witch-hazel plants. The Plantendagen at the arboretum is considered Belgium's oldest plant fair. In summer, the butterfly garden at Arboretum Kalmthout offers a treasure hunt for children. The range of excursions therefore extends from botanical highlights to a playful discovery activity.

Historical and cultural perspectives are conveyed by the “Honingsporen” bee exhibition. It draws on the collection of the former Bijenteeltmuseum and presents the historical and cultural perspective on the important role of bees. For active days, the “De Crash van Januari 1918” Bikescape is also available: the cycling rally is around 50 kilometres long, includes puzzles and combines history with adventure.

Choose accommodation based on your preferred pace of travel

Kalmthout can be reached by direct train connections from Antwerp, Mechelen and Brussels; the trains run directly to Heide or Kalmthout. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore first consider what kind of stay you are planning. If the trip is primarily to be shaped by hiking trails and heathland, your daily plans will differ from those focusing on museums, the arboretum and cultural activities. A mix of nature, cycling and creative experiences is also possible in Kalmthout.

The Pruuverkesroute is one of the classic activities in Toerisme Kalmthout's programme, compiled annually. It takes place on the third Sunday in June. If this date suits your trip, the route adds a culinary dimension to the nature and cultural offerings. When searching for a holiday apartment or holiday home, it is therefore sensible to consider the planned travel period and your personal focus together, rather than viewing Kalmthout merely as a destination for a single activity.

More destinations for planning your trip

If you would like to compare other destinations besides Kalmthout, you can also find Geel, Kapellen, Malle, Berlaar, Merksplas, Heist-Op-Den-Berg, Arendonk and Mol here.

To the higher-level travel overview: Province of Antwerp.