When planning a stay in Zaventem, there are several different areas to focus on: walking or cycling routes, the landscape of the Brabant Plateau, and cultural and architectural history. The Groene 30 walking route is a topic in its own right; the cross-municipal cycling network has a different structure. Other highlights include art in Sint-Martinus Church, historic residential architecture and the history of the airport. You can focus on these topics individually rather than treating them as one prescribed tour.
Walking and Cycling in Zaventem
The Groene 30 walking route starts in Zaventem on Grote Daalstraat and is 34.7 kilometres long. Its starting point and total length provide a concrete framework for planning a walk. At this length, the Groene 30 is a focus in its own right, not a casual, short add-on. If you are interested in the route, you can make it a deliberate part of your travel plans.
Zaventem’s slow routes are not accessible to motor vehicles and are mainly used by pedestrians and cyclists. These routes therefore offer a way to get around without a car. The functional cycling routes are different: they form a cross-municipal network connecting residential and village centres with train stations, shopping centres and sports centres. While the Groene 30 is a named walking route, the cycling network focuses on connections between different centres and facilities. You can choose according to the type of activity that matters to you during your stay.
Landscape and Architectural History
Zaventem lies in gently rolling countryside on the Brabant Plateau, with elevations ranging from 40 to 75 metres. This gives a clear impression of the municipality’s landscape. Alongside the length of a walking route or the destinations on the cycling network, the topography is another consideration when deciding what interests you during your stay.
Sint-Martinus Church was listed as a protected monument in 1938 and houses Antoon Van Dyck’s painting “Sint-Martinus verdeelt zijn mantel” (“Saint Martin Divides His Cloak”), dating from 1621. The work gives the church a specific art-historical connection, while its protected status adds the history of the building as a listed monument.
Van Dyckhof offers a different perspective on historic architecture. According to the wall anchors, it was built in 1624 as a Flemish-style residence using white stone from local quarries. The reference to the wall anchors ties the date to a specific feature of the house. Its architectural style, former residential use and local building material also bring the history of the building to life.
The airport’s architecture is also part of Zaventem’s cultural heritage. The old passenger terminal was designed with a view to the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair. Its transit hall is made almost entirely of aluminium and glass. The airport complex’s departure hall was designed by Maxime Brunfaut, Géo Bontinck and Joseph Moutschen; the complex was handed over in 1958. The materials, the occasion for its design and the architects offer different points of entry for exploring the airport’s architectural history.
Cultural Activities and the Farmstead
Cultural activities now take place in the restored farmstead at Kasteel Mariadal. De Factorij cultural centre complements this offer with a varied programme for different age groups, including film, classical music, comedy, theatre, dance, circus, exhibitions and workshops, as well as activities for families and schools. If you want to plan around a specific event, check its date in advance; individual programme items may change.
Zaventem offers a range of different interests: a long, named walking route, a cycling network connecting various destinations, a landscape to explore and a broad range of cultural and architectural topics. You can decide which of these will shape your stay according to your own preferences.
Discover more destinations: Nossegem, Sterrebeek, Sint-Stevens-Woluwe, Drogenbos, Leuven, Braine-L'alleud, Vilvoorde, Ternat.
For the broader travel overview: Brabant.
