With blossom blooming, residents shedding their winter coats and the clocks changing last weekend, spring is now in full swing in Belgium.
What better to celebrate the long-awaited sunny skies and start of the (Dutch-language) school holidays than by exploring one of Belgium's theme parks?
Walibi - Wavre (Walloon Brabant)
Perhaps Belgium's best known amusement park, Walibi is celebrating its 50th anniversary and will feature a new area to mark the occasion. Designed to attract thrill-seekers and curious visitors alike, Dock World offers adventurers a maritime-themed space, with the highlight being 'Mecalodon' – the largest "family rollercoaster" in the Benelux region – which propels riders at 65 km/h along 925 metres of track, skimming the water.
Credit: Walibi Belgium
The park is the perfect day out for all the family, with rides suitable for all ages, such as Calamity Mine and Radja River. Walibi is easily accessible by train from Brussels and there is also a large car park on-site.
Open from 5 April 2025. Find more information here.
Bellewaerde - Ypres/Ieper (West Flanders)
Bellewaerde combines an amusement park, animal park and nature park. There are 34 attractions to explore, 130 animals to meet up close, 14 restaurants and four shops – all within beautifully picturesque grounds.
Credit: Bellewaerde
Throughout the year, there are also a range of events for all the family, from Easter egg hunts in April to longer opening hours during the summer and spooky Halloween activities.
Open from 5 April 2025. Find more information here.
Plopsaland - De Panne (West Flanders)
Plopsaland is located in Adinkerke in De Panne on the Belgian coast and is going all out for its 25th anniversary this year with daily parades – featuring eight spectacular floats – throughout the Flemish school holidays.
People enjoying a ride at the Plopsaland theme park in Adinkerke, De Panne, in September 2023. Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
Top attractions include Anubis The Ride – a coaster which will take you to a dizzying height of 34 metres in just two seconds – and The Ride to Happiness by Tomorrowland, in collaboration with the popular Belgian festival. An additional Plopsaland perk: children up to and including 11 years enjoy free entry three days either side of their birthday!
Find more information here.
Bobbejaanland - Kasterlee (Antwerp province)
Named after Belgian singer-songwriter Bobbejaan Schoepen, Bobbejaanland first opened its doors in 1961 and has been delighting visitors ever since. With over 40 attractions for young and old, its unique location in the Kempen green makes this park truly unique.
Former CD&V leader Wouter Beke pictured during the yearly family day on Saturday 26 May 2018 at the Bobbejaanland amusement park in Lichtaart. Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
From dragons and cowboys to whitewater rides and the new World of Dinos, Bobbejaanland has it all. And if top attractions such as the Typhoon and Fury don't make you tremble, the park's Halloween-themed events certainly will.
Find more information here.
Efteling (Netherlands)
Although not actually in the country, this park remains a firm favourite among Belgians and sits just over the border in the Netherlands (and is less than a two hour drive from Brussels!).
The Python in the Efteling in Kaatsheuvel, the Netherlands. Credit: PowerPR
From taking a walk through the Fairytale Forest to experiencing Baron 1898 or the new Ghost spectacle Danse Macabre, Efteling has plenty on offer to keep families and daredevils entertained. As well as rides, visitors can enjoy various shows at Efteling, including Europe's largest water show 'Aquanura', free of charge.
Unlike some of Belgium's parks, the enchanting, fairytale-themed Efteling is open throughout the year, with different events to mark the changing of the seasons.
Find more information here.
