Explore Diest

A weekend in Diest: walks, heritage and a hotel stay

Prins Van Oranje editorial teamPublished on 28 October 20263 min read

Diest suits a weekend where you do not need to fill every hour. You can walk through the historic town, choose a green route and still have time to sit somewhere quietly. With Prins Van Oranje as your overnight base, you can plan outings from the hotel. Decide in advance what you would most like to see and check the latest practical information with the official tourist office.

The garden and hotel building at Prins Van Oranje

Start with the historic town

Begijnhof is one of Diest’s best-known places. According to VISIT Vlaams-Brabant, it is among the Flemish beguinages recognised as UNESCO World Heritage. Sint-Sulpitiuskerk, Warandepark and the area around the Demer can also form part of a town walk.

Choose a few places you really want to visit rather than fitting everything into one day. Surfaces and distances can vary between routes. Check for yourself whether a route suits your group, mobility needs and the weather.

Use an official walking route as your starting point

Visit Diest offers the heritage walk “Van Begijnhof tot Mosterdpot” as a free download. The official route is 7 kilometres long. The walking guide provides a clear basis for exploring the town without having to put together an entire route yourself along the way.

Decide in advance whether to walk the full route or choose a shorter section. Allow time for breaks and consult Visit Diest for current information. The walking route starts in the town; this article does not describe a signposted route from the hotel door.

Combine the town and green spaces at your own pace

If you would like to spend more time outdoors, you could also look into Halve Maan and Webbekoms Broek, which feature in tourist information about Diest. Check your chosen route and current access before setting out.

Have an alternative ready in case the weather changes. A short town walk may be more enjoyable for your group than a long outing on a wet day. For activities, guided visits and current opening information, we refer you to the official tourism channels.

Fit your plans around the hotel schedule

Regular arrival at Prins Van Oranje is from 14:00 up to and including 22:00; check-out is before 10:00. A request for early arrival or late check-out needs separate confirmation. If you plan an outing before check-in, do not base it on a room already being available.

Breakfast is included in hotel room prices. At weekends, the stated breakfast times are from 08:00 to 10:00. You can have breakfast first and then continue your programme in Diest. Before booking, check the current price and conditions of your chosen rate.

Plan dining separately too

A hotel stay does not automatically mean a restaurant table has been reserved for you. Check the current LA BRAVA information and request a table separately if you would like to eat there. The table is reserved only after confirmation from the restaurant.

For your weekend, choose a room that suits the number of people and mention any special requests when you enquire. This keeps your walk, stay and any restaurant plans clearly arranged in their own right.