Westmalle Abbey

Westmalle Abbey is a Trappist abbey in the Antwerp Kempen region, famous for the world-renowned Trappist beers Westmalle Dubbel and Tripel. The abbey was founded in 1794 and is a genuine working community of Cistercians living in seclusion. The monastic grounds themselves are largely closed to the public, but there is a visitor centre with an accessible shop and café-restaurant on the other side of the road.

Accessibility in the public area is good. The Abdij van Westmalle café-restaurant across the street has a ramp, level terraces, and a large adapted toilet. Inside, the aisles are wide and there is ample manoeuvring space between the tables. The monastery and abbey buildings themselves are not accessible to visitors. The brewery can only be visited during rare guided tours and is then only partially accessible.

There is a large car park with disabled parking spaces next to the café. Walking paths run through the woods and avenues of the estate around the abbey; some main avenues are paved and suitable for a wheelchair walk. Westmalle combines a cultural and culinary visit with a relaxing nature experience on the green edge of Antwerp.