General summary of the city:
Genk, a city in Belgium, is part of the province of Limburg. Other cities contained within the province of Limburg include Hasselt: As, Beringen, Diepenbeek, Gingelom, Halen, Ham, Hasselt, Herk-de-Stad, Heusden-Zolder, Leopoldsburg, Lummen, Nieuwerkerken, Opglabbeek, Sint-Truiden, Tessenderlo, Zonhoven and Zutendaal. In terms of locality, Genk is situated closer to Hasselt in the province of Limburg.
The city of Genk has a population of over 63,000 people. It is believed that the city of Genk has some history rooted in Celtic peoples, and that the small town of Genk later converted to Christianity during the 10th century. Due to the fact that Genk got off to such a small start and wasn’t officially considered a city until the year 2000, the city itself wasn’t really recognized until the early 1900s, thanks to Andre Dumont. Andre Dumont discovered a fair amount of coal in the Limburg region of Belgium, and it wasn’t long before coal miners discovered that Genk had plenty of coal available. The city soon grew with the massive movement of immigrants and when the drive for coal finally leveled off in the late 1960s, Genk simply adapted its industrial activities into more suitable industries – successful industries that focused on car manufacturing. The main car manufacturing company in Genk today is the Ford Motor company.
Places of interest:
The Bokrijk in Genk, near the Hasselt territory, attracts many tourists every year. The Bokrijk is essentially an open-air museum that offers travelers the opportunity to enjoy the architectural design of the 19th century. Inside the museum, tourists can see reconstructions of the Flemish buildings that once existed in Flanders. A number of enjoyable activities are offered at the Bokrijk, as well as recreations to watch. Due to the fact that the Bokrijk is a large open-air museum, the place is full of picturesque gardens, wooded areas, grasslands and small bodies of water. Children are welcome at the Bokrijk and there is a playground available for children. The museum is open to tourists from the end of March to the end of September, every day, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The cost of admission is 10 euros for adults, 8.50 euros for seniors, 5 euros for children from 6 to 12 years old.
Tourists also like to visit the Green City in Genk, home to De Maten, a beautiful nature reserve. There are 35 ponds in De Maten, and different species of fish are purposely raised within the ponds, in an effort to promote aquatic life. Waterfowl have adapted to the De Maten area and plants, including cotton grass, sundew, and roth, grow in the area. Finally, De Maten is home to a variety of different dragonflies and tree frogs. The De Maten is closed to tourists when it comes time for breeding.
Things to do:
Every year in Genk, tourists are welcomed at the Motives Festival, a music festival focused on the jazz genre. The Motives Festival is revered for its lineup of fantastic jazz musicians and past performers include Joshua Redman, Leafcutter John and the Esbjörn Svensson Trio, just to name a few of many.
In the heart of Genk, travelers can enjoy a full day of shopping at any of three shopping venues. The malls are called Centers 1, 2, and 3 respectively, and travelers can shop for souvenirs, hardware, household items, groceries, books, and the like. After a good day of shopping in the city center, travelers can rest and dine in any number of accessible cafes.
In Genk’s Molenvijvers Park, tourists are always amazed by the sundial displays. There are a total of 12 unique sundials within the Molenvijvers Park; one in particular looks like an old book! Truly, Molenvijvers Park is a unique and unforgettable experience.
Alternatively, within Kattevennen, the Europlanetarum offers families the opportunity to explore the science of astronomy. Travelers have the opportunity to see unique exhibits about space, stars, planets and the like. Travelers can also enjoy an excellent laser show and watch movies in a 360-degree domed ceiling, like looking into space.
Food and drink:
There is certainly no shortage of delicious food and drink in Genk. At El Greco, a Greek restaurant, at Hoevenzavellaan 68A, tourists can sample vegetarian dishes and there is a special children’s menu. Tourists can even order takeout if they wish; Public parking is available and the location is handicapped accessible. A full bar and incredible wine list are available for those looking to quench their thirst. The El Greco Restaurant’s opening hours are from Wednesday to Sunday, from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., and on Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. On Mondays and Tuesdays the restaurant is closed.
The Ganghista located at Stationsstraat 1 in Genk offers Dutch and Belgian cuisine to the hungry traveler looking to sample some of Belgium’s fantastic food. Past guests frequently recommend the seafood delicacies offered at the Ganghista. The Ganghista mainly serves dinner dishes and accepts a variety of different payments. Alternatively, for those with a hankering for French cuisine, the Troje at Centrumlaan 36-38 in Genk offers a variety of French dishes, as well as a children’s menu. El Troje has street parking, serves lunch and dinner, and is open daily from 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Hotels and Accommodation:
Hotel Europe
Best Western Hotel Atlantida
Hampshire Inn – ECU Genk
art hotel
Hotel NH Genk
Entertainment:
Whether it’s exploring one of Genk’s many recreational spots or seeing historical monuments in Genk, there is always something to do in this beautiful city. Full of opportunities to shop, dine and explore the countryside, Genk is an excellent destination for tourists. Individuals and families can stroll through Genk’s beautiful parks or walk the streets of Genk’s city center. Also, because Genk is located in the center of Limburg, it gives the traveler easy access to fantastic recreational activities in the cities surrounding Genk. For example, Hasselt borders Genk and travelers, once they have completed their exploration of Genk, can visit Hasselt and see some of the city’s popular attractions. In Hasselt, tourists will find a number of favorite attractions, including one of the largest open-air skate parks in Belgium; Herckenrode Abbey in Kuringen; countless historic buildings and museums; a Japanese garden; Kapermolenpark in Hasselt; the Kiewit Sint-Quintinus Cathedral; and the Virga-Jesse Basilica, among many other attractions. Finally, tourists can also take advantage of the recreational offerings, restaurants, nightlife and cultural destinations located in nearby Hasselt.