Belgium has hundreds of castles -- medieval strongholds, Renaissance palaces, 19th-century country houses. For wheelchair users, however, visiting vs. photographing is an important distinction: a romantic silhouette glimpsed from the car is not the same as actually being able to roll inside. Below is an honest overview of 15 Belgian castles that genuinely have something to offer wheelchair users -- divided into largely accessible, partially accessible and exterior-only.
Largely wheelchair-accessible
1. Beersel Castle -- Flemish Brabant
A 14th-century medieval moated castle, one of the best-preserved red-brick castles in Belgium. Since the 2018 renovation, the moat promenade plus the ground-floor main halls are accessible. The keep and battlements remain stairs-only.
2. Gaasbeek Castle -- Flemish Brabant
Set in a large park (50 ha) in the Pajottenland, one of the finest castle estates in Belgium. The park is fully wheelchair-accessible with paved paths; the castle museum is partially accessible via an adapted route and a lift to the main floor.
3. Alden Biesen Commandery -- Limburg
A Renaissance castle estate in Bilzen, formerly the seat of the Teutonic Order. Fully step-free for the main route, formal gardens accessible, museum adapted. One of the absolute top performers for accessibility in this category.
4. Modave -- Liege
A 17th-century castle perched above the Hoyoux valley, with a spectacular interior. The main floor is fully accessible via an adapted side entrance with a lift. Some cabinets on upper floors are reached via stairs.
5. Seneffe -- Hainaut
A neoclassical castle plus silver museum and large park. Fully step-free after renovation, all museum rooms accessible via lift, wide corridors, accessible toilet.
6. Beloeil -- Hainaut
"The Belgian Versailles" -- the regal palace estate of the Princes de Ligne. The park is fully accessible via paved paths; the castle interior is reached via an adapted route.
Partially accessible
7. Aspremont-Lynden Oud-Rekem Castle -- Limburg
A fortified castle in the picturesque village of Oud-Rekem. The inner courtyard and ground-floor main halls are accessible; upper floors are reached via stairs.
8. Bouillon -- Luxembourg
An imposing medieval fortress above the Semois. For wheelchair users: the inner courtyard, the drawbridge zone and the ground-floor halls are accessible; the keep tower (donjon) is not -- though there is a spectacular view from the lower platform.
9. Westerlo Castle -- Antwerp
"Castle de Merode" -- a private estate with a park that opens during holiday periods. The park is accessible; the castle interior is open only on a handful of specific open days.
10. Vêves -- Namur
A fairytale 15th-century castle with pointed turrets. Only partially accessible: the main hall on the ground floor is fine, but the higher towers are not.
11. Loppem Castle -- West Flanders
A neo-Gothic castle in Loppem (Zedelgem). Ground-floor main halls are fully accessible; upper floors are limited.
12. Jehay -- Liege
A water-bound Renaissance castle with an interesting art collection. The main route is adapted; some collection cabinets are stairs-only.
Exterior and park only
13. Hex Castle -- Limburg
Famous for its rose gardens (open only ~6 weekends a year). The park is fully accessible; the castle interior is normally not open to the public.
14. Leeuwergem Castle -- East Flanders
A privately owned castle with a public park. There is a walking route through the gardens; the castle itself is not accessible.
15. Ooidonk Castle -- East Flanders
A picturesque moated castle in Bachte-Maria-Leerne. The park is well worth a visit; the castle is open only a few Sundays a year and is partially accessible.
Practical tips for your castle visit
- Opening days: castles have widely varying opening times. Private castles sometimes open only 4-8 days a year. Always check the exact dates before you set off.
- Two-day castle routes: combine the Wallonia highlights (Modave, Seneffe, Beloeil) into a two-day trip -- not all manageable in a single day given opening hours and distances.
- Park visit vs. interior: if you mainly want a quiet park roll, Gaasbeek, Loppem and Ooidonk are the best choices.
- Carpe Aedem app: the app from Onroerend Erfgoed Vlaanderen shows the current accessibility status for many castles.
- Combine with our city trips: Beersel Castle pairs well with half a day on the Brussels Kunstberg -- both close to Flemish Brabant.
- Don't forget your Belgian Railways assistance if you're taking the train -- some castles such as Hex or Modave are difficult to reach by public transport, while others such as Gaasbeek or Beersel are perfectly doable.
Final thoughts
Belgian castles are fascinating precisely because of their variety -- medieval strongholds, Renaissance showpieces, 19th-century romantic creations. For wheelchair users it is important to know in advance which sections are accessible: the exteriors and parks are usually well worth a visit; the interior sometimes only partially.
Have you visited a Belgian castle that isn't listed here? Let us know and we'll add it to this guide -- first-hand visitor information is especially welcome.