The Kempen, a surprisingly versatile destination

The Kempen region is a place to visit when you’re looking for peace, nature, and open spaces—without having to travel far. The Kempen is located partly in the Netherlands (North Brabant and Limburg) and partly in Belgium (Antwerp, Flemish Brabant, and Limburg). In the Kempen, you’ll find a landscape of forests, heathland, and lakes where the pace naturally slows down. Instead of crowded tourist attractions, the focus here is on being outdoors, hiking and biking through diverse natural scenery, and staying overnight in unique places that truly enhance your stay. It’s precisely this combination that makes the Kempen an attractive destination for a weekend getaway or a short holiday. It’s no wonder, then, that it’s an ideal destination for many vacationers every year.

What makes the Kempen special is the simplicity of the landscape. It’s flat, green, and easy to navigate, making it simple to explore on your own. You don’t have to plan anything to see plenty of sights. Cycling and hiking come almost naturally here. The network of trails is extensive and takes you past forests, open fields, and quiet nature reserves. It’s precisely this variety, free from crowds, that makes it so pleasant to be here.

One of the best-known ways to explore the region is by bike. The junction network makes it easy to plan your own route. There are unique routes to follow, such as “Cycling Through the Water” and “Cycling Through the Trees,” two routes that have really put the Kempen on the map. Hiking in the region is also easy and varied, with nature reserves like the Hoge Kempen National Park where you can walk through forests and heathlands without complicated trails or steep sections.

What makes a stay in the Kempen truly interesting is the variety of accommodations. Here, you can stay in places that make your visit just as special as the surroundings themselves. If you’re mainly looking for peace and quiet and a green setting, you’ll find many small-scale nature lodges in De Kempen. These accommodations are often secluded, giving you the real feeling of getting away from it all. Check out a few unique places to stay in De Kempen below.

For example, near De Hoge Kempen National Park, you can stay in a charming shepherds hut with a private hot tub, where you’ll literally be staying right in the middle of nature. The highlight of this stay is undoubtedly the private hot tub located outside the shepherds hut. In the evening, you can drift off under the starry sky while relaxing in the warm water.

This two-person wellness lodge in the Brabant Kempen, on the Dutch side of the region, is also ideal if you want to recharge together. It’s not your typical holiday home, but your own private retreat where everything revolves around relaxation. Thanks to the large windows, you’ll have a beautiful view of the trees from the spacious king-size bed, so you’ll wake up in the morning surrounded by nature.

A particularly charming option is this beautiful A-frame forest cabin with a romantic bathtub, where your stay gets that little bit of extra character thanks to the cabin’s unique shape and the romantic setting in the woods. After a day outdoors, it’s wonderful to relax in the bathtub in the living room. The cabin is located between Genk in Belgium and Maastricht in the Netherlands.

Glamping in the Countryside

For those who want to experience the outdoors without sacrificing comfort, the Kempen region offers various glamping options. Take a look, for example, at this luxury glamping tent for 8 people near Turnhout—ideal for large families or groups who want to stay together without compromising on convenience.

Unique and Eye-Catching Accommodations

In addition to nature and glamping, there are also accommodations that truly stand out for their design or concept. These accommodations ensure an extra special experience during your stay.

For example, you can spend the night in a luxurious and spacious treehouse for 6 people, surrounded by nature yet offering a surprising level of comfort. This treehouse is located on a wooded property in the Antwerp Kempen and is furnished to a very high standard. From the various terraces, you can enjoy unique views.

Accommodations with Character and History
In the Kempen, you’ll also find accommodations where the building itself is a key part of the experience. Here, you’ll sleep in places with a distinct story and a special atmosphere. For example, you can spend the night in a former monastery near Turnhout, a unique 14th-century estate where history and tranquility come together in an atmospheric setting. Various distinctive hotel rooms are available in the monastery’s outbuildings.

A historical mill for four people in a green setting also fits into this category, where the building itself is part of your experience. The peaceful pace of the countryside and the building’s unique history make it a place to truly unwind. Here, you can easily escape the daily hustle and bustle and have plenty of space to hike in nature and spend time together.

Finally, for those who want to relax above all else, there’s this incredible wellness getaway in the woods. This beautiful holiday home is located on a private estate near Antwerp. Here, you can completely unwind in a peaceful, natural setting. During your stay, you’ll have unlimited access to high-end wellness facilities, such as a sauna with a starry sky, a hot tub with bubbles and jets, a cold tub, and a “cuddle tub.”

The Kempen is a region that suits many different types of travelers, precisely because the area is so accessible and versatile. Depending on how you want to travel and what you’re looking for in a stay, the region feels just a little different for everyone.

For example, the Kempen is a great fit for:

The best time to visit the Kempen is from spring through fall. In spring and summer, everything is in bloom and the days are long, while in fall, nature is often more peaceful and the forests take on a warm, vibrant palette of colors.

If you’re visiting the Kempen for the first time, a weekend is often enough to soak up the atmosphere. If you want to explore more and combine several activities, a midweek trip is ideal.

The Belgian Kempen isn’t about one major attraction, but about the overall experience. Nature, open spaces, little surprises, and unique places to stay all come together here. It’s precisely this combination that makes it a region you don’t just visit to do something, but above all to experience a change of pace from home.

Do you own a property in the Kempen or elsewhere in Belgium and want to bring it to the attention of a wide audience? Through Vipio, you can reach travelers who are actively looking for special and unique places to stay. Whether it’s a holiday home surrounded by nature, a historical retreat, or a small-scale, unique property, Vipio helps you make it visible to the right audience. Would you like to learn more about the possibilities? Please contact our team at [email protected] or visit this page for more information about listing unique accommodations on Vipio.