Grimbergen brings together abbey history, historic technology, astronomy and local walking trails. Its attractions range from the Norbertine Abbey with the Basilica of St. Servatius to mills, an interactive museum and a planetarium. You can shape your stay around culture, astronomy or time outdoors, rather than trying to fit every attraction into a single itinerary.
Abbey, Brewing Tradition and Prinsenkasteel
The Norbertine Abbey was founded between 1126 and 1128. Its richly decorated Basilica of St. Servatius forms the historic heart of the abbey. The history of beer is also linked to the abbey: the fathers began brewing a local beer in 1128. The New Grimbergen Experience tells the complete story of the abbey and brewery and concludes with a personal beer recommendation. Alongside sacred architecture, the local brewing tradition is another theme to explore.
The remains of Prinsenkasteel are located in Prinsenbos. Prinsenhof is designated as a protected village landscape; the castle and outbuildings are protected as monuments. The protections were established by Royal Decree of 7 December 1959 and Ministerial Decree of 9 July 1980. The exhibition “Steigers en steen” explores the craft of stonemasonry and 600 years of Prinsenkasteel history. While conservation work is underway, visitors can see the exhibition in the donjon of Prinsenkasteel.
The exhibition is open every day of the week, year-round, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. From April through September, it is also open on weekends and public holidays during the same hours. Check the opening hours before you travel.
Mills and Interactive Museum
The MOT (Museum voor Oudere Technieken) is an interactive museum spread across three historic sites in Grimbergen. Visitors can take part in demonstrations and workshops. One of the museum sites is the Tommenmolen, a 16th-century watermill. It is protected as a monument, together with all its components and equipment. Its wooden milling installation is made almost entirely of original materials and is exceptionally well preserved.
At the Liermolen on the Maalbeek, the milling mechanism is still intact. The mills therefore have different technical features: at the Tommenmolen, the focus is on the well-preserved original material of the wooden milling installation; at the Liermolen, it is on the intact milling mechanism. For visitors interested in historic technology, the mills offer different points of interest without telling the same story.
Astronomy at MIRA
Astronomy takes center stage at MIRA. The planetarium explains complex astronomical topics in an accessible way; from the observation terrace, visitors can gaze deep into the cosmos through powerful telescopes. MIRA welcomes individual visitors on Wednesdays and Sundays from 2 to 6 p.m. without a reservation, except on public holidays. If you plan to visit, arrange your time around these hours and check the details in advance.
Trails Through Grimbergen
The trails also offer different experiences. The Parelpad is an accessible walking trail through the historic center of Grimbergen. The Grimbergse Kapellenwandeling follows country roads and passes several small chapels. When choosing between the two, you can go by their described character: the historic town center on the Parelpad, or country roads and chapels on the Kapellenwandeling.
As of October 2024, the “Trage wegen” network comprised a total of 63 kilometers of official, accessible trails for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and mountain bikers. If you are planning a particular route, check the latest trail information before setting out. The Maalbeekvallei is a nature area in Grimbergen and adds another option for shaping your stay around nature.
Discover more destinations: Strombeek-Bever, Wezembeek-Oppem, Huldenberg, Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, Halle, Kampenhout, Werchter, Braine-Le-Château.
For the broader travel overview: Brabant.
