Zemst: Discover Nature, Water and Cultural Heritage

Zemst offers a range of ideas for a stay: protected landscapes, hikes with clearly specified route lengths, a large waterside leisure area and traces of local history. When choosing a holiday rental, it is therefore helpful to first consider what you would like your trip to focus on: time in nature, water activities or cultural history. The specific differences will help you plan your own stay.

Nature and hikes with different highlights

Bos van Aa is a nature area of around 113 hectares, protected at European level as part of the Natura 2000 network. Nature conservation is therefore a distinctive feature of the landscape you can explore in Zemst.

The hikes can be readily compared by their length and the surroundings described. Barebeekwandelpad is 9 km long and runs through the Barebeek valley. Releghemwandeling is also 9 km long and starts at the church in Zemst. Conditions here may vary after rain. Natuur-Rijk Elewijt is longer at 11 km; the route runs along the edge of Elewijt through dark forests and over damp paths.

This gives you different criteria to consider when planning your walks: a valley route, a specific starting point and a forest route with damp paths. Check the trail conditions before setting out. This is particularly recommended for Barebeekwandelpad; conditions on Releghemwandeling can change after rain. The route length helps you compare the distance, but on its own it does not tell you what a hike will be like for you personally.

Water and outdoor recreation

Recreatiedomein Sport Vlaanderen covers 160 hectares and has a large beach with a supervised swimming area. Other water activities are available too: there is a Water Jump Park, and kayaks, pedal boats and SUP boards are available to rent. When planning, you can choose between a day of swimming and activities on the water. If you would like to use one of the rental options, check availability in advance.

The public park with a pond around Schranshoeve offers a different kind of destination: it is a recreational area with a playground. The playground and supervised swimming area are specific details that families can take into account when planning their day, without implying anything about individual suitability.

Chapels, castles and history

Rubenskasteel, originally Kasteel ’t Steen, combines a specific history with a striking architectural transformation. Pieter-Paul Rubens bought the castle in 1635 as a country residence. He had the original feudal castle converted into a castle in the Flemish Renaissance style. For those interested in culture, the story of the place is interesting not only for its connection to Rubens but also for the building’s transformation.

Kapel Onze-Lieve-Vrouw in ’t Hammeke is a protected monument. During restoration work from August 2022 to August 2023, the old entrance door was reopened and fitted with glass, making it possible to admire the interior. If you would like to visit the chapel, check in advance which access is currently available.

Sluistoren van Weerde also tells the story of an earlier building; today, only the ruin remains. It can be seen while walking or cycling along the route beside the Zenne. Another historic landmark is De Melkerij, founded as a dairy in 1942. These examples highlight different aspects: a conversion in the Flemish Renaissance style, a protected monument, a ruin beside the route and the history of a dairy.

When choosing your accommodation, consider the experiences that matter to you during your stay: hiking routes and landscapes, water activities or architectural and local history. Zemst offers a range of specific themes, rather than focusing on just one kind of excursion.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Hofstade, Halle, Sint-Kwintens-Lennik, Lasne, Jodoigne, Tienen, Asse, Bekkevoort.

For the overarching travel overview: Brabant.