Sint-Truiden (French: Saint-Trond) is a city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg in the Flanders region, near the towns of Hasselt and Tongeren. The municipality includes the old communes of Aalst, Brustem, Duras, Engelmanshoven, Gelinden, Gorsem, Groot-Gelmen, Halmaal, Kerkom-bij-Sint-Truiden, Ordingen, Runkelen, Sint-Truiden proper, Velm, Wilderen, and Zepperen.
The city is in the centre of Belgium's fruit producing region, Haspengouw (French: Hesbaye), and is renowned for its pears, apples (Jonagold), and sweet cherries.
Understand
- 1 Tourist Office, Grote Markt, ☏ 32 11 70 18 18, ✉[email protected]. In the town hall.
Get in
By train
The 1 Sint-Truiden Railway Station is located about 600 meters west of the main square in the centre. From Brussels main station (Centraal/Centrale) the train takes 58 minutes to reach Sint-Truiden. Leaving Leuven the journey takes 31 minutes.
By bus
The Flemish national bus company, De Lijn, has lines to Sint-Truiden from for example Hasselt, Landen and Tienen. For more information regarding different timetables (only available in Dutch): https://www.delijn.be.
By bicycle
There are several very well maintained bicycle networks leading you to the city center without the need of using the regular roads. It will let you discover the beauty of the region.
By car
You can exit the E40 motorway at exit 25 called Tienen or exit 28 called Sint-Truiden, from both exits it's about 20 minutes to the town.
By plane
Brussels Airport (BRU IATA) is relatively close and you will need a change in Leuven to hop on a train to Sint-Truiden. The budget airport of Brussels South / Charleroi (CRL IATA) is a worthy alternative. To get to Sint-Truiden you will need a change in Brussels.
Get around
The town centre of Sint-Truiden is compact and can easily be discovered on foot in a short amount of time.
- 2 Fietspunt Sint-Truiden, Stationsstraat (Next to the train station), ☏ 32 4 95 52 42 26. M-Fr 7:00-19:00. Sa-Su closed. Bike rental in cooperation with the regional tourism office Toerisme Limburg. Rents regular bikes (in green), electrical bikes, tandems and also bikes for children. It is compulsory to make a reservation in advance via phone. €10/day for regular bikes, €25/day for electrical bikes.
See
- 1 Church of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk), Grote Markt. Main church of the town.
- 2 Brewery Wilderen, Wilderenlaan 8, ☏ 32 11 58 06 80, ✉[email protected]. Friday: 19:00-00:00. Sat, Sun: 13:00-00:00. Closed Mon-Thu. Located in an industrial heritage building dating back to 1743 the brewery and distillery that was founded in 1890 is one of the most appreciated of Flanders. There is a cafe with outdoor terrace where their beers and jenevers are served.
- 3 Brewery Kerkom, Naamsesteenweg 469, ☏ 32 11 68 20 87, ✉[email protected]. Bar: Apr-Oct: Daily from 10:00. Nov-Mar only Thu-Sun from 13:00. Individual brewery visits each Saturday (March to October) at 15:00. This brewery started in 1878 and brews about 10 craft beers. It is one of the highlights of the Sint-Truiden region, especially for beer lovers.
- 4 Belfry (Belfort). Belfry of the City Hall, together with 56 other belfries classified as
UNESCO World Heritage Sites. - 5 Friary Museum (Museum Vlaamse Minderbroeders), Capucienessenstraat 1, ☏ 32 11 67 29 71, ✉[email protected]. Tu-Sa 10:00-12:30, 13:00-17:00, Su 14:00-17:00. Museum dedicated to friary in Flanders, a 5-minute walk from the grand place. Free entrance, but gifts are welcomed.
Do
Buy
Eat
- 1 Frituur Station, Tiensesteenweg, ☏ 32 11 69 20 80. Tu-F: 11:30-13:00 and 16:30-22:00. Sa-Su: 16:30-22:00. M closed. Belgian fries and other fried fastfood right next to the train station.
- 2 Osteria Coco Pazzo, Diesterstraat 44, ☏ 32 11 88-10-18. Italian restaurant. ± 40 Euro.
Drink
- 1 Nieuwscafe, Heilig-Hartplein 5, ☏ 32 11 70 28 50, fax: 32 11 69-86-54, ✉[email protected]. Sun-Thu: 9:00—23:00, Fri: 9:00—00:00, Sat: 9:00—4:00.
Sleep
- 1 Belle Vie, Stationsstraat 12, ☏ 32 11 68 70 38, ✉[email protected]. Small scale hotel located between the train station and the historic town centre. €100.
- 2 Château de la Motte, Helshovenstraat 69, ☏ 32 11 48 10 86, ✉[email protected]. €80.
- 3 Karrehof, Batsheersstraat 35, 3870 Heers, ☏ 32 11 48 51 77, fax: 32 11 48-17-09, ✉[email protected].
- 4 Het Pachthof, Thewitstraat 8, 3891 Borlo, ☏ 32 11 88 39 23, ✉[email protected].