Engis(Belgium) Travel 2026: Cheap Flights, Hotels & Top Attractions

For boutique stays with historic character, Hôtel Le Clos de la Roche stands out—it’s housed in a 18th-century castle remnant, preserving original stone walls and arched windows. The rooms blend modern comfort with antique decor, featuring smart climate control and local artwork. Located just a 5-minute walk from Anvers Castle Ruins and the Rhine River Promenade, it’s ideal for travelers who love history and nature. The hotel also offers free bike rentals to explore nearby countryside trails.

Another gem is Hotel de la Paix, nestled in a quiet residential district, renowned for its French-style courtyard and rooftop garden. Its restaurant specializes in Belgian classics like Flemish beef stew and mint chocolate cake, offering authentic regional flavors. Both properties provide personalized service and a deep connection to local culture.

The Old Town (Vieux-Anvers) is the ideal area for first-time visitors, offering easy access to major attractions. From the Church of Our Lady to the Town Hall Square, everything is within walking distance. The district features car-free streets and soft evening lighting, creating a charming medieval atmosphere. Staying near the Rhine Riverwalk provides scenic views of morning mist and the opposite hills. Many family-run guesthouses and boutique hotels here—like La Maison des Rêves—offer warm hospitality and host cultural talks by local historians, giving guests an immersive experience into Flemish heritage.

One must-try experience is the annual ‘Fête du Rhin’, held every summer along the Rhine River, featuring open-air concerts, craft markets, and traditional folk dances. Visitors can join parades wearing Flemish traditional costumes—white shirts and blue aprons—for an authentic taste of local customs. The Anvers Art Center regularly hosts exhibitions by local painters specializing in realistic depictions of the Rhine’s seasonal landscapes. Don’t miss the traditional bakery workshop at Boulangerie L'Épi d'Or, where you’ll learn to make Belgium’s famous croissants and almond rolls under guidance from third-generation bakers—take your creations home as souvenirs.

Must-try dishes include Anversch Stew, a rich beef, potato, and carrot stew simmered slowly and served with pickled cabbage—a true regional staple. Another highlight is Rhine trout with white wine sauce, made with fresh fish caught upstream, pan-seared with herbs and local white wine—delicate and refreshing. For sweets, while not a dessert, Moules à la Crème (cream mussels) is a beloved street food snack, often enjoyed at night markets. And don’t leave without trying Chocolatier Van den Bergh’s handmade chocolates, crafted with dark chocolate infused with orange zest and rose petals—meltingly smooth and perfect as gifts. All ingredients come from nearby farms and fisheries, ensuring freshness and sustainability.

The Rhine River corridor is the heart of outdoor life in Anvers. In spring, rent an electric bicycle and ride along the 12-kilometer riverside trail, surrounded by wildflowers and birds. Summer brings kayaking on the castle ruins’ lake, where calm waters reflect ancient stone walls like a living painting. Autumn sees hiking through the Oudenaarde Forest, where trees blaze in golden hues—perfect for photography and forest walks with scenic overlooks. Even in winter, ice fishing and snowshoeing are popular; some hotels offer sleigh rental services, letting visitors glide through silent snow-covered meadows, capturing the region’s Nordic-inspired tranquility.

Family Lodge Anvers is the top choice for families, offering spacious family suites, a children’s playroom, and an indoor pool. Outside, a mini-farm lets kids feed sheep, milk cows, and participate in cheese-making workshops. Daily family treasure hunts use clues hidden in murals and sculptures across the old town—fun and educational. The hotel also provides baby-sitting services and kid-friendly meals, allowing parents to relax at the spa or enjoy coffee. Nearby, the Nature Education Center features insect observation boxes and plant specimen exhibits, ideal for young explorers.

To live like a local, visit the Central Market (Marché Central) early—open at 7 a.m.—where farmers bring fresh vegetables, dairy, and sausages. Locals grab breakfast sandwiches of hot baguette with ham and eat them on the go. In the afternoon, settle at Les Trois Cloches café, sip Belgian black coffee, and watch elders play chess or teens read novels. Join a community choir rehearsal on weekends—many residents volunteer, singing traditional Flemish ballads in a warm, communal setting. On weekends, participate in the Neighborhood Gardening Day, tending flower beds and pruning shrubs with neighbors—deeply rooted in the city’s slow-living ethos.

The best shopping lies along Rue des Étangs and the Rhine River Market. Rue des Étangs hosts independent boutiques like L'Atelier du Bois, selling handcrafted wooden furniture and scented candles, and Tissus & Tresses, offering traditional Flemish embroidery fabrics. Every Wednesday and Saturday, the Rhine River Market opens with vendors from surrounding villages selling organic honey, homemade jam, and Belgian cheese platters. Special mention goes to Le Petit Marché, a century-old general store tucked in a side alley, offering vintage glass bottles of soda and handmade soaps in rustic packaging. Also worth visiting: Librairie Ancienne, a secondhand bookstore filled with 19th-century French literature and antique maps—ideal for literary travelers.

Don’t miss the Anvers Museum of Art, home to 16th–18th century Flemish paintings, including Rubens’ masterpiece ‘Madonna and Child’. Interactive projections let visitors virtually step into the paintings and explore their historical context. Another highlight is Cité des Arts, a former church transformed into a contemporary art space showcasing multimedia installations and rotating themes—such as the recent ‘Memory of the River’ exhibit using soundscapes of flowing water. The Anvers Ceramics Workshop is also open to visitors, where artisans demonstrate pottery-making live; guests can book a session to create their own ceramic mug, shipped home after the trip.

Public transport in Anvers is excellent. The city center is pedestrian-only, making walking and cycling the preferred modes. Free e-bike sharing (Velo'Anvers) covers key sites and stations. For longer trips, Anvers Train Station connects directly to Liège, Brussels, and Strasbourg via high-speed rail—just 30 minutes to the capital. Use Eurail Passes or Belgian National Rail Cards for unlimited regional travel. Drivers can park cheaply at the Castle Park Underground Garage, close to the main shopping district. Additionally, the Anvers City Tour Bus runs hourly with multilingual guides, covering the Church of Our Lady, Town Hall, and Riverwalk—perfect for first-time visitors seeking a quick overview.