Do I need to reserve in advance?

No reservation needed for an individual visit to the courtyard, the basilica and the Het Moment visitor centre. For an adapted guided tour, contact the visitor centre in advance via the website.

When is it busy and when is it quiet?

Busiest on summer Sundays and during pilgrimage days. A weekday morning outside the season offers the most peace.

What should wheelchair users be aware of?

Courtyard, basilica and Het Moment are step-free; the basilica is accessed via an adapted side entrance. Walking paths in the Averbode Forest have natural surfaces and are more challenging.

What visit tip do you recommend?

End your visit with a tasting at the abbey shop - the Averbode beer is fresh here and you directly support the community. Optionally combine with a visit to Scherpenheuvel.

Averbode Abbey

♿ Wheelchair accessible heritage site

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Averbode Abbey

Last updated: 2026-05-04 Report an issue

♿ Wheelchair accessible

Averbode Abbey is a Premonstratensian abbey in the municipality of Scherpenheuvel-Zichem in Flemish Brabant, founded around 1134. The abbey is one of the oldest still-active monastic communities in Belgium. Visitors can freely explore the courtyard and the impressive baroque abbey church. At the Het Moment experience centre, you can discover abbey life and taste and purchase various abbey products, including the well-known Averbode beer. The abbey is surrounded by the Averbode Forest, a beautiful stretch of nature that invites you to walk.

The accessibility of Averbode Abbey is good. The guided tour of the abbey is wheelchair accessible and the courtyard and abbey church are reachable at ground level. The Het Moment experience centre is also accessible for wheelchair users. Adapted restrooms are available. Some parts of the estate, such as the walking paths in the Averbode Forest, have natural surfaces that may be more challenging for wheelchair users. Sufficient accessible parking spaces are provided in the car park.

Averbode Abbey is located at Abdijstraat 1 in Averbode and is reachable by car via the E314 (Diest exit). By public transport, the abbey is accessible from Diest railway station with a connecting bus service. A visit combines excellently with a walk through the Averbode Forest, a cycle ride through the De Merode region or a visit to nearby Scherpenheuvel.

Good to know

Reservation: No reservation needed for an individual visit to the courtyard, the basilica and the Het Moment visitor centre. For an adapted guided tour, contact the visitor centre in advance via the website.
Busy and quiet times: Busiest on summer Sundays and during pilgrimage days. A weekday morning outside the season offers the most peace.
Things to note: Courtyard, basilica and Het Moment are step-free; the basilica is accessed via an adapted side entrance. Walking paths in the Averbode Forest have natural surfaces and are more challenging.
Visit tip: End your visit with a tasting at the abbey shop - the Averbode beer is fresh here and you directly support the community. Optionally combine with a visit to Scherpenheuvel.

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