In Baarle-Nassau, the unusual border arrangement becomes visible in specific places. Together, Baarle-Hertog and Baarle-Nassau form 30 enclaves: 22 Belgian and eight Dutch. The house on Loveren lies partly within the smallest Belgian enclave. It bears the Belgian house number 2 and the Dutch number 19; the border runs right through the front door. This makes it possible to trace the border on a single building.
The area’s history also has several significant milestones: Baarle is first mentioned in a document from 992, and the foundations of the enclave system were laid in 1198. At the Bezoekerscentrum Baarle, an enclave map illustrates the structure, while a timeline places the town’s history in context. This gives the different borders and place names a historical context.
Brookland and walking routes
Between the Dutch town of Baarle-Nassau and the Flemish town of Hoogstraten lies Het Merkske, a landscape along a winding brook. The brook system is 16 kilometres long. Its surroundings include heathland, damp flower-rich meadows, fields and patches of woodland. At the Merkske, you can walk along the brook by the Belgian border. Here, the landscape and border offer a different way to experience Baarle than the enclaves in the town centre.
The four-kilometre Enclavewandeling is a circular route through the centre of Baarle, passing notable historic sites. Markings on the pavements show the way; you can also walk the route with a guide. Arrange a guide in advance if you would like one, and check the route details before setting out.
For a walk through the surrounding countryside, there is the nearly five-kilometre Hannebroekpad, north of the village of Baarle-Nassau/Hertog. Almost the entire route is on unpaved ground. Depending on the weather, the paths may be loose and dusty or full of puddles. Comparing the two walks, you’ll find not only different distances but also a clear difference between a circular route through the town centre and a rural path.
Cycling across the border
The Enclaveroute is 50 kilometres long, with a shorter 40-kilometre option and a 22-kilometre children’s route. The route crosses the border more than 25 times. Check the signs and availability before setting off.
Another cycling connection is the Bels Lijntje: the former railway line between Turnhout and Tilburg is now a popular cycle path through Baarle. In Baarle, it crosses the border nine times. The name recalls the former railway connection; the nine border crossings describe the cycle path as it is today in Baarle.
Churches, monuments and local history
St. Remigius Church is a protected church in the Kempen Gothic style. Its exterior doors are open daily from 10 am to 5 pm; you can view the interior through glass doors. As visiting arrangements may change, check the information before your visit.
St. Salvator Chapel, also known as Kapel van Nijhoven, is surrounded by a prayer garden among old trees. The grounds feature restored groups of figures depicting the Stations of the Cross, the Seven Sorrows and the Five Mysteries. You can light a candle at a grotto near the chapel. The Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help has been the parish church of Baarle-Nassau since 1860. It was built simply and at low cost using “Belse” stones.
At the Heemhuis, architectural history and local culture come together: the building was designated a monument in 1994 and has served since 1989 as the archive, workspace and exhibition space of the Heemkundekring Amalia van Solms. Exhibitions are held there regularly. Visits are possible on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 9 pm and on the first Sunday morning of the month from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm; check visiting hours in advance. Baarle-Nassau also has an art gallery and exhibition space with a particular focus on textile art.
Even smaller structures tell the story of the border region: two pumps on the Singel in Baarle-Hertog-Nassau are both classified as Rijksmonumenten. One of them, in front of the Dutch town hall, is a hand pump dating from 1809.
Tastings and special experiences
Wijngaard Hof van Baarle has vines on both Dutch and Belgian territory, in the rural area of Boschoven on the outskirts of the European twin municipality of Baarle-Nassau/Hertog. Visitors can taste its own wines, have a drink and enjoy lunch there. Bierbrouwerij De Dochter van de Korenaar has a tasting room with a terrace. Brewery tours followed by a tasting are available by reservation. Find out about the available arrangements before your visit.
In Baarle-Nassau, the Ezelpaleis welcomes visitors for walks with donkeys, courses and other outings. For a different way to experience the national border up close, try “Schommelen op de Grens”: with every swing, you move from Belgium into the Netherlands and back again. In Ulicoten, Melktap Ulicoten offers fresh milk from its own cows; check current visitor arrangements before you go.
Discover more destinations: Ulicoten, Baarle-Nassau, Cranendonck, Moerdijk, Bergeijk, Mill En Sint Hubert, Woensdrecht, Grave.
Go to the regional travel overview: North Brabant.
