Zottegem

Zottegem is a vibrant small town in the southeastern corner of East Flanders. It is considered one of the gateways to the hills of the Flemish Ardennes. This bustling market town is known for its historical ties with Lamoral, Count of Egmont, and for playing host to the Flanders springtime cycle classics.

By train
is in the city centre.
 * Direct NMBS connections from Brussels, Ghent, Kortrijk, Geraardsbergen, Oudenaarde. Zottegem is 40 minutes away from Brussels and 30 minutes from Ghent.

By bus
The Flemish national bus company, De Lijn, has lines to Zottegem from Aalst, Oudenaarde, Ronse, Geraardsbergen, Ninove and other neighbouring towns.

By car
Zottegem is on the N42, giving it access to junctions 17 'Wetteren' or 18 'Erpe-Mere' on the E40 Brussels-Ostend motorway and to junctions 29 'Lessines' or 30 'Ath' on the E429 Brussels-Tournai motorway. It has regional road links with Oudenaarde and Aalst (N46), Oosterzele and Geraardsbergen (N42), Zwalm (N454) and Brakel (N462). Different signposted parking lots offer ample parking space: parking Bib (Graaf van Egmontstraat), parking Vesten (Vestenstraat), parking Nijverheid (Nijverheidsstraat), parking Academie (Molenstraat), parking Sanitary (Gustaaf Schockaertstraat), parking Muze (Beislovenstraat), parking Deinsbeke (Deinsbekestraat), underground car park 'Oud College' (Neerhofstraat), NMBS railway commuters' parking lots (Broeder Marèslaan), parking Egmontkasteel (Désiré Van Den Bosschestraat).

Get around
Zottegem is a small town and it is perfectly possible to discover the town on foot. However, if you would like to see the surrounding villages and countryside a bike or car is recommended. The area around the town is quite hilly so be prepared to some physical activity if you are getting out there on a bicycle. Bikes can be rented at 'Fietspunt' next to the railway station (Stationsplein 12/ telephone: 0032476 465343/open on working days 11:00-19:00).

Do

 * Walking: Zottegem offers a wide range of walking routes in the hilly countryside of the Flemish Ardennes. Walkers can do the city centre walk, heritage walks 'Erfgoedtoerkes' or the heritage walk. They can also use the signposted walking-node networks 'Vlaamse Ardennen - Zwalmvallei', 'Vlaamse Ardennen - Bronbossen' and 'Tussen Zwalm en Dender' (Steenbergse bossenroute, Op en rond de Berendriesroute, Natuurroute, In de voetsporen van Jan de Lichteroute). The 'Jan de Lichte' walking path along the Molenbeek valley and the former railway-line track 'Mijnwerkerspad' in the Zwalm valley offer great possibilities for walking too. Walkers can also use the signposted walking paths through different nature reserves (Kloosterbos, Middenloop Zwalm, Parkbos-Uilenbroek, Wachtspaarbekken Bettelhovebeek, Steenbergse bossen, Oombergse bossen-Cotthembos) or can go for a leisurely stroll in one of the local parks (Egmont's park, Beislovenpark, Breivelde park, Vogelzangbos, Pastorietuin Oombergen public garden).
 * Cycling: The hilly countryside of the Flemish Ardennes around Zottegem is perfect for sportive cycling tours. Cyclists can use the signposted cycle-node network 'Vlaamse Ardennen', the signposted 'Ronde van Vlaanderenroute' or the former railway-line track 'Mijnwerkerspad' in the Zwalm valley. Some hills (De Vlamme, Langendries, Grotenberge, Kloosterbosstraat, Vossenhol) and cobblestone streets (Paddestraat, Lippenhovestraat) that are part of the springtime Flanders classic cycle races (such as the Tour of Flanders) are located in Zottegem. History lovers can follow the 'Egmont cycling route' in the footsteps of Lamoral, Count of Egmont. The signposted mountainbike routes of 'Sport Vlaanderen' start at the 'Bevegemse Vijvers' sports complex.

Buy

 * Shopping: The main shopping streets in the town centre (Stationsstraat, Hoogstraat, Heldenlaan) offer a wide range of shops and services for all tastes and budgets.

Eat

 * Koekelaring is one of the culinary specialities of the town; this cinnamon-infused floury bread speciality is sold between December and January.
 * Dining: The town centre is home to a wide array of bars, pubs, cafés, restaurants, tearooms and eateries.
 * Local produce (regional products) can be found at: Wijndomein Carrijn, Wijndomein de 3 Fonteinen, Koffie Hoorens, Koffie Seghers, Koffie Ceuterick, Egmont's garden gin, Stokerij Jonasberg, Brouwerij Crombé, De Hoevebrouwers, De Bijenvriend, Hoeve 't Alkeveld, Fruitkwekerij Coppens, Borsbeekse speculoos, Tillies.

Sleep
Guests can stay in different B&Bs or holiday homes such as

Go next

 * Brussels
 * Bruges
 * Antwerp
 * Ghent
 * Aalst
 * Oudenaarde
 * Geraardsbergen
 * Kortrijk
 * Tournai