22 Sep Surprising things to do in Charleroi, Belgium
I was invited to experience Charleroi by the province of Hainaut. All opinion are my own.
Are you planning a trip to Belgium and curious if Charleroi is worth visiting? Head to the province of Hainaut, because there are some really interesting things to do and see when in Charleroi despite being named the ugliest city in the world many years ago.
When I hear a place has a title like that, I’m automatically curious. How bad can it really be? Turns out, that title was the push it needed to invest into itself. Now, it’s hard to imagine getting that title with its shopping areas, gallery passageway, great restaurants, and general lively vibe.
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How do you get to Charleroi?
It’s pretty easy! Just take the Intercity train from Brussels Central Station to Charleroi Zuid Station. In about an hour, you’ll be steps away from the hustle and bustle of the city center.
Of course, you can always drive, but it isn’t that big of a city, so parking won’t be the easiest. Besides, I’m a big fan of trains because there’s less stress around directions, roads, and parking.
Things to do in Charleroi
Take a tour
Want to see the city for free? You have a lot of options! You can download the Totemus app from the Play Store or the App Store and go on a scavenger hunt of sorts and explore the city on your own. Or, you can join a free, small group tour with an official greeter that’s somewhere between 2-3 hours long. The tour can be in French, English, Dutch, German, Italian, or Spanish.
Visit the Le Bois du Cazier
Le Bois du Cazier is an old mining site that is now a UNESCO Heritage Site and renovated museum. If you’re a long-time follower, then you probably know that I’m not big into museums. But, the audio guide made this museum worth the visit. It’s also very well-kept and a lot of it is outdoors, so you aren’t in a cramped area the whole time. There are nearby slag heaps where they put the excess earth while they were mining and these are now great trails to walk through. You can get here by bus from the city center of Charleroi if you’re like us and don’t usually rent cars.
Browse through Le Passage de la Bourse
As part of the main shopping center there is a passageway/gallery/arcade that you can access and is just stunning. We went early in the morning before anything was open and took some photos because I couldn’t leave without that memory. It’s just so BEAUTIFUL! I’m sure it makes for great people watching if you pop into one of the cafes.
Street art tour
At the tourist office grab a street art tour map or download directly from their website and start making your way around the city. It is free and super interesting. If you don’t feel like walking the whole way, you can cheat a little like we did and get a day ticket for the tram/metro to help make it a tad easier.
Visit an Art Museum
Not all the art in Charleroi is outside! Head to the BPS22 Art Museum of the Province of Hainaut for some contemporary art in its various forms.
Participate in a City Safari
Available in English, this City Sarafi is probably unlike any other you’d experienced. Plan to be active for a good chunk of the day because you’ll be walking around 10km (6.2mi) with some slight elevation changes. The experience was created to push back on the “ugliest city” title, but in a light-hearted and fun way.
Where to eat in Charleroi
Robert la Frite
Right in from of the Charleroi-Ouest train station is the fries shop Robert la Frite. It’s a spot to grab fries (obviously), but also hamburgers and other fast food goodies.
Brunchy’s
With over 800 reviews on Google (4.8 rating), they have the most reviews I’ve seen on a place to eat in Charleroi! Brunchy’s is (you guessed it!) a brunch place with delicious and photogenic dishes.
Bistrot De La Cour
A favorite with the locals, this bistro/bar calls itself a Champagne bar with gourmet cuisine. But they also said they do home-style cooking. Doesn’t really matter what they say because people LOVE Bistrot De La Cour!
Vilain (Michelin Bib Gourmand)
The Bib Gourmand distinction is given to restaurants with “exceptional food at great value.” Vilain serves small dishes with local ingredients. It focuses on seasonal flavors so the menu is constantly changing, but you can expect good, high-quality food throughout the whole year in a bistro setting.
Au Provençal
Next to our hotel is Au Provençal which had the Michelin plate distinction but we found it just by wandering around. The food was excellent and the vibe was cozy with a friendly staff. Let’s just say, sometimes when plans fall through, you still end up with a great outcome!
Where to stay in Charleroi
Novotel Charleroi Centre
Located at the top of a shopping center, you can’t go wrong with the location of the Novotel Charleroi Centre. You’re within walking distance to most things you’ll want to see and do, and very close to the train station in case you need to get anywhere else. Convenience is key here!
Auberge de Jeunesse – Charleroi
If you prefer hostels, this is for you. They are known in Brussels and in the region of Wallonia (the southern part of Belgium). They focus on sustainability, encourage social and cultural tourism, and have been around since 1933. You’ll find that they are super central near the train station.
Tip: Get the Tourist Guide Book for Charleroi from the tourist information office or your hotel. It’s done really well and will give you tons of ideas!
I hope this has convinced you to try something a little off the tourist path. Life is full of experiences, not just checkboxes of places to see. Memories are made on the journey and finding fun in the unexpected. That’s how I felt about Charleroi.
Maybe in the past it wasn’t a place you wanted to visit, but now it certainly is. So, take a day trip from Mons or Brussels, or spend a weekend exploring slowly. You’ll be pleasantly surprised!
Don’t forget to tag me @awanderlustforlife on Instagram so I can see your trip!
Wishing you joy and travels.
