Accessible libraries tour of Flanders

Flemish city libraries are among the most accessible public buildings in our cities: spacious entrance halls, lifts, wide reading rooms and, in most cases, adapted toilets. This multi-day tour takes you along six libraries in six cities, each with its own architecture and atmosphere. It works perfectly in combination with a city walk, as these libraries are often close to markets, museums and parks.

Start in Aalst, where the city library in Utopia is a headline-grabbing architectural project. Lifts, wide passageways and a calm silent reading room make the building especially wheelchair-friendly. Drive on to Halle, where the city library is within walking distance of the basilica — a logical combination with the Stadspark Halle. Lier focuses on reading experiences for every age and has a fully ground-level route via the main entrance. Its location right next to the Great Beguinage turns this stop into a pleasant cultural outing.

Next, head to Turnhout, where the library is a modern, spacious building with a lift to every floor and a particularly well-equipped youth section. Diest follows with a smaller but fully adapted city library in the old town, within walking distance of the Beguinage of Diest. Finish in Dendermonde, where the library stands out for its clear spatial layout and good signage. Combine your visit with a loop through the Stadspark Dendermonde and the Vleeshuis.

Practical tips: libraries are usually free to enter, including without a membership card for consulting books on site. Always ask at the desk about the accessible toilets, as these are not always clearly signposted. Parking is best done in a park-and-ride — the city centres often have limited disabled spaces close to the library. Plan this tour across several days with overnight stays along the way, so you also have time for the surrounding sights.