Charleroi on a Budget: A Two-Day Adventure

Explore Charleroi without breaking the bank.

21 June 2023

Charleroi, Belgium may not be the most famous European city, but it offers budget travelers a unique and affordable experience. Visitors can explore the city's industrial heritage, including the UNESCO-listed Bois du Luc mining site, for free. Plus, budget-friendly accommodations and restaurants make it easy to enjoy the local culture without breaking the bank.

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Travel plan

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Day 1

Discovering Charleroi

  • Start your day with a delicious breakfast at Café des Arts, a trendy café in the heart of Charleroi.
  • Take a stroll through the city center and admire the Art Deco architecture and colorful street art.
  • Visit the Photography Museum, which showcases a diverse range of photographic styles and techniques.
  • Enjoy a traditional Belgian meal at Le Fakir, a cozy restaurant serving up hearty stews and delicious beers.
  • In the evening, catch a show or performance at the recently renovated Théâtre de Charleroi.
  • Hotel recommendation: The Ibis Budget Charleroi Airport offers affordable, no-frills accommodations with easy access to public transportation.
Day 2

Exploring the Outskirts

  • Take a short train ride to nearby Marcinelle to visit the Bois du Cazier, a former coal mine and now a museum dedicated to the region's mining heritage.
  • Enjoy a leisurely walk in the Parc Reine Astrid, a beautiful park with plenty of green space, a pond, and a playground.
  • Discover the quirky and eclectic artwork in the BPS22 Museum, housed in a former abandoned industrial building.
  • Grab a quick lunch at La Table de Suzanne, a charming café serving up fresh soups, salads, and paninis.
  • End your day with a visit to the Charleroi-Danses performance center, which hosts a variety of dance and theater productions.
  • Hotel recommendation: The Hotel Leonardo Charleroi City offers comfortable and stylish rooms at an affordable price, just a short walk from the city center.

Length of stay

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Type of trip

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How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Charleroi, Belgium by plane is to fly into Brussels South Charleroi Airport. There are several budget airlines, such as Ryanair and Wizz Air, that operate flights from various European cities to this airport.

Car

The best way to get to Charleroi, Belgium by car is to take the E19 highway from Brussels. The journey takes around 45 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

Train

There is a train station in Charleroi called Charleroi-Sud. The best way to get there by train is to take a high-speed train from Brussels or Paris. From Brussels, the journey takes around one hour, with multiple trains running daily.

Boat

There are no boats that operate to Charleroi, Belgium as it is an inland city. The closest port cities are Antwerp and Rotterdam, both of which are located in the Netherlands.

Bus

One of the best ways to get to Charleroi, Belgium by bus is to take an express bus from Brussels. There are several bus companies, such as Flixbus and Ouibus, that operate daily services between the two cities.

Destination

Charleroi

Once upon a time, there was a city in Europe that was known for its quirky charm, delicious beer, and a football team that always seemed to lose. This is the story of Charleroi, a place where you can feel like a local even if you don't speak the language and where the locals don't really care about the football team anyway.

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