Discover Zaventem: Trails, Culture and Architecture

Zaventem combines a gently rolling landscape with remarkable cultural and architectural landmarks. On the Brabant Plateau, the differences in elevation range from 40 to 75 metres. This gives walks a more varied character than completely flat surroundings, while also offering several themes for a stay: hiking, cycling, art, events and architectural history.

For families and other travel groups, this combination is appealing because active and cultural days can be planned in different ways. Those who enjoy travelling on foot can include the Groene 30 route in their plans. It starts in Zaventem at Grote Daalstraat and is 34.7 kilometres long. Take this distance into account when planning your day and choose your accommodation so that it suits your intended itinerary and preferred means of transport.

Getting around on foot and by bicycle

Zaventem’s slow-traffic routes are not accessible to motor vehicles and are used mainly by pedestrians and cyclists. For visitors who enjoy exploring their surroundings at a leisurely pace, they therefore represent a distinct aspect when choosing a location. Zaventem’s functional cycling routes are also part of an intermunicipal network. It connects residential and village centres with railway stations, shopping centres and sports centres.

Church Art and Cultural Programme

One notable cultural site is Sint-Martinuskerk. It was protected as a monument in 1938 and houses Antoon Van Dyck’s painting Sint-Martinus verdeelt zijn mantel from 1621. For those interested in culture, this provides a specific reason to view Zaventem not merely as a place to stay overnight, but also as a destination for observing art and architecture. The church’s historical status says nothing about current opening hours or access; such details should be checked separately when planning your trip.

The De Factorij cultural centre offers a varied programme for different age groups. It includes film, classical music, humour, theatre, dance, circus, exhibitions and workshops, as well as family and school activities. This makes it possible to broaden a stay thematically: while some travellers prefer cultural events, others may focus on exercise or local history. Which event takes place during your trip depends on the programme at that time.

Architecture between the Airport and the Farmstead

The architectural history of the airport site is also part of Zaventem’s distinctive profile. The airport’s old passenger building was designed with the 1958 World’s Fair in Brussels in mind. Its transit hall consists almost entirely of aluminium and glass. The departure hall of the airport complex in Zaventem, completed in 1958, was designed by Maxime Brunfaut, Géo Bontinck and Joseph Moutschen. These details make the airport complex an independent architectural theme, distinct from the sacred and village elements of the locality.

Cultural activities are now held in the restored farmstead of Kasteel Mariadal. The Van Dyckhof provides another historical accent: according to its facade anchors, it was built in 1624 as a Flemish-style residence from white stone sourced from local quarries. Those interested in regional building styles and historical traces will therefore find several different points of interest in Zaventem.

Choose the Right Base for Your Trip

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Zaventem, you can first decide which travel style should take priority. For an active itinerary, the Groene 30 route, the slow-traffic routes and the cycling network are relevant themes. For a culture-oriented stay, Sint-Martinuskerk, De Factorij, Kasteel Mariadal and the architecture of the airport complex offer different focal points. This allows you to align your choice of accommodation with your own interests.

More Places to Consider

If you would like to compare your travel plans beyond Zaventem, you can also view the pages for Nossegem, Sterrebeek and Sint-Stevens-Woluwe. These names provide an additional way to compare different places to stay and then choose the holiday apartment or accommodation that best suits your trip.

For the broader travel overview: Brabant.

More Destinations

More places within the same destination:

Boutersem, Helecine, Bomal, Sint-Genesius-Rode, Tielt-Winge.