What to See & Do in Belgium – 2024 Belgian Grand Prix

The best things to do away from the track at the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix 2024, including local attractions and highlights in Brussels.

Known as the ‘Pearl of the Ardennes’, the Belgian town of Spa is a destination in itself. Henry VIII of England allegedly raved about the town’s healing waters and by the 1700s Spa was a fashionable pocket of Northern Europe, hosting visiting royals and politicians, writers, intellectuals and artists who hailed this chic town the ‘café of Europe.’ Make sure you book out some time to explore the area and its surroundings if at all possible. We’ve put together a handful of must-see attractions to fit in around your trip to the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa.

Le Thermes de Spa

You couldn’t visit Europe’s original health resort and not experience its hot springs and mineral water first hand. A visit to the ‘original’ spa is the perfect antidote to a weekend of high octane hedonism, or a great way to unwind before the weekend kicks off. Book specific treatments or just spend some time drifting between cloudy saunas, outdoor baths and hammams. A three hour pass costs €20, more info here.

Parc de Sept Heures

Back in the eighteenth century, this beautifully leafy corner of Spa was the place to see and be seen. Lying conveniently close to the town baths, here you can sit with a coffee and a book, partake in some mini golf or peruse its Sunday morning flea market if you can fit it in before lights out at Francorchamps. Check out the pavilion and its lakes and fountains.

Spa Circuit Museum

Located at Stavelot Abbey some ten kilometres from the circuit, the Musee De Circuit De Spa Francorchamps is a must-see exhibition. Found in the Abbey’s warren-like vaults and charting the history of the circuit as well as the origins of Le Mans 24h, this is a real gem and packed full of motor racing vehicles as well as an original 1912 taxi!

Casino de Spa

Bring your passport if you fancy a wander around this neoclassical marvel, built originally in 1770 as part of a complex including the town’s original bath house and exhibition halls. Remember to look up at its ceiling murals, and bring some cash if you fancy a flutter: this is still very much a working Casino! More information (French only) is here.

Best of Brussels

Around a 90-120 minute drive away from the Circuit Spa-Francorchamps is Belgium’s capital, Brussels. A politically important place – which is home to the headquarters of NATO – the historic city is a vibrant destination to visit, with an abundance of stunning buildings. Among the main sights you’ll want to see are the Brussels Town Hall and the Museum of the City of Brussels, located on the Grand Place. The museum is open 10am to 5pm, Tuesday – Sunday, with admission €8 for adults. Other historic buildings to check out include the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, the Royal Palace of Brussels and the striking 47-metre tall Congress Column.

If you’re looking for a real slice of culture, get to the Mont des Arts – the ‘hill of the arts’, an urban complex home to the Royal Library of Belgium, the Musical Instrument Museum, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, and many other interesting places. As you can see, there are many great things to do in Brussels and the Mont des Arts Gardens also offer some of the best views of the city; be sure to take your camera! Meanwhile, the Northern Quarter is home to Brussels’ business district, reminiscent of London’s dockland area with imposing modern high-rise buildings.

Check hotels in Brussels for the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix (July 26-28)

Visit Luxembourg

Luxembourg is around 2 hours from Spa by road or rail and definitely worth a visit if you fancy venturing further afield before or after the race weekend. Wealthy and pristine, the city state has a distinctly fairy-tale feel about it: emerging from dense forest and towering with medieval architecture and dramatic views. Be sure to check out Notre Dame cathedral, take one of its many free walking tours, or treat yourself in one of its many Michelin-starred restaurants. This city has more Michelin stars per head than anywhere else in the world!

Other Cities Near Spa Worth Visiting

There’s plenty of other pretty towns and cities within a reasonable distance of the Spa Francorchamps circuit, many of which provide a great base for your weekend at the Belgian Grand Prix. Here’s some of the best known:

  • Liege, Belgium: Located 60km northwest of the circuit, Liege is a pretty, historic student town of around 200,000 inhabitants.
  • Aachen, Germany: Over the border in Germany (around 60km north of Spa), Aachen is another historic mid-sized city with a population of approximately 250,000. It boasts an impressive old town and famous cathedral.
  • Maastricht, Netherlands: Like Liege, Maastricht is also situated on the Maas river (hence the name), but over the border in the Netherlands and around 70km north of the circuit. Home to 120,000 inhabitants, Maastricht boasts a beautiful old town and is known for its cuisine, good shopping and multicultural atmosphere.

Beer, Frites, Waffles

Belgium produces over 500 varieties of beer, so look out for brewery tours and beer festivals if this is your kind of thing, and don’t leave the country without enjoying at least one cone of frites – you’ll find it impossible not to. They do chips differently here: twice baked for sublime crunchiness, and served with mayonnaise or tartare sauce – never tomato ketchup. Waffles are another staple food synonymous with Belgium: the Brussels waffle is rectangular and typically served with a dusting of icing sugar or whipped cream whilst the Liege waffle has a caramelized sugar coating. If you fancy trying something more than just the tasty street food in Spa, L’Art de Vivre restaurant is widely thought to be the best restaurant in Spa.

What are your favorite off-track activities in Belgium? Leave a comment below!

12 thoughts on “What to See & Do in Belgium – 2024 Belgian Grand Prix”

    1. Hi Scott, the short answer is no. There may be some small stages set up in the surrounding villages and campgrounds for concerts, but no big names.

  1. This is our first GP ever! It is also our 10th wedding anniversary and my husbands 40th birthday! Can you recommend any good restaurants local to the track (or in the track) that would be good for a celebratory meal?

    1. Hi Laura, I think the best place to eat would be at the restaurant in Hotel de la Source, which is the modern hotel right near the La Source entrance to the track. Booking essential on race weekend – you may also need to call to confirm that access won’t be a problem. If you hang around in the bar after dinner, you’ll also probably see a few famous F1 names! https://www.hotel-de-la-source.com/en/restaurant-ardennes

  2. Hi, taking my 14 yr old son for his first grand prix weekend, thinking of staying in Brussels and training it in each day via Verviers – do you think this is wise ? Or would you try and stay closer ? camping is not our thing !

    1. I wouldn’t recommend it, to be honest. I think you are looking at around a 2-3 hour trip each way. You’ll be really tired at the end of each day. Try and get something closer if you can, and don’t rule out hiring a car for the weekend – 2021 weather notwithstanding, the traffic/parking is not normally that bad at Spa-Francorchamps.

  3. Hola Andrew
    We are 4 friends from Mexico and will attend the 2022 BELGIUM GP, actually we book a room in Spa and like to know if there will be Buses or train to the track, is there some link where to check schedules, prices, etc ?also, will you recommend to visit the Museum in Stavelot? how far is Nurburgring track? as you can guess we are really speed fans and will be great to visit.

    Saludos

    Mario Colin

    1. Hi Mario, I don’t have the bus schedules, but I can assure you that there are regular buses from the town of Spa to the circuit. Best idea is to check Google Maps, it will give you the schedules and stops etc. I haven’t been to the museum in Stavelot, but it looks like worth visiting if you have the time. And definitely you should visit the Nurburgring. Better if you have a hire car for this, but I’m sure there are public transport options. Nurburgring is only about 1.5 hours drive from Spa-Francorchamps. Hope you enjoy your time at the race!

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