Car & Van Hire - Lier

Lier is one of Belgium's most underrated towns, and Lier Begijnhof is its prettiest street. The neighbourhood has been celebrated as a Unesco heritage site thanks to its rich history. The street was developed in 1258. Its cobbled roads and Baroque architecture give it a fairytale charm that's best experienced at a slow pace. Many of its homes were built for unmarried women who made good use of the local chapel. You can still visit this Roman Catholic building today. If you take the southern door, you'll be able to connect to the riverbank trail, where lace makers gather to perfect their craft.

As you move around the province, you're sure to notice a grand Rococo façade. This is Lier's historic town hall, which was built in the 19th century. The tourist information office is situated in the building, so you can sneak in to see its painted ceiling and spiral staircase. The building once held the city's weapons, but these days its best known for its 23 bells.

Lier was once home to the astronomer Louis Zimmer. In the early 1900s, he donated a Centenary Clock to the city. His spectacular design depicts solar cycles, tides, and moon phases from Zimmer Tower. You can explore Zimmer's inner life through the time and space exhibition in the pavilion. This is a bucket list item for travellers who are fascinated by timepieces and the stars.

If you have a car hire in Lier, you'll be able to explore the city at your own pace and visit its more obscure attractions. Everyone visits the Sint-Gummaruskerk, but few know about Di Lusso; a hidden gem that offers three-hour spa experiences punctuated by a fully-stocked beverage assortment. Sint-Gummaruskerk is, of course, an important addition to your tour. It's not to be missed. The graceful Gothic-style building accepts tourists free of charge. If you pay a small fee, you'll gain access to the treasury and choir.

You probably don't think of Lier as a hiking destination, but its river provides the perfect setting for a stroll. The Big Nete circular trail is a moderate 11-kilometre walk, but ambitious hikers might prefer the 54-kilometre Lier-Battel-Boom loop trail. If you want to experience Mother Nature without breaking a sweat, Standspark is a 19th-century wonderland covered in lush lawns and trees. Send the children to the mini-golf area while you explore the pond-lined walkways.

If you've arranged a van hire in Lier, you'll probably spend a lot of your time navigating the N14. This is the city's major highway. It connects to central Belgium. Antwerp is in the north and can be reached via the N10. The N13 will carry you beyond Lier and into Nijlen.

Traffic within the city is usually moderate, with the exception of the N10. Routes heading into the city are also prone to congestion, particularly the N14. If you're travelling during peak hours, you might want to take the long way around to avoid bumper-to-bumper traffic. Rush hour falls between 8:00 and 10:00 on weekday mornings. Rush hour starts at 16:00 each afternoon.

The Belgian capital and Antwerp are both Low Emission Zones. Cars are forbidden from entering if they don't meet emission criteria. To travel freely, make sure you rent a vehicle that meets emission norms of three or more. Alternatively, you can pay for a day pass if you're driving an unregistered car. Fortunately, you can register a vehicle online, so there's no need to stand in queues.

Lier's top attractions are in close quarters to one another. You can park your vehicle and simply walk the rest of the way. The lush de Vesten walking path has replaced the old city walls, giving you the perfect route in summer.

The country has a comparatively low alcohol limit of 0,049 per cent, and failing a breathalyser attracts spot fines. Drivers who've had a license for less than two years will face significantly more substantial fines and prosecution. Fines are also imposed for using a phone while driving, so it's best to travel with a hands-free kit. You'll also need to add some red tape documents to your travelling stash; you'll be required to show your third-party motor insurance, passport, and V5 registration papers at roadblocks. You're permitted to drive with a UK or International driver's license.

De Mol is Lier's largest car park, but if you're looking for a covered lot, Grand Place on Florent van Cauwenberghstraat has a generous number of parking spots.

Finally, the city attracts cyclists from all over the world. While bicycle lanes are plentiful, keep your eyes peeled for unwary sports people. Even so, you shouldn't experience many annoyances on the road as Lier takes excellent care of its infrastructure and doesn't give out obscure fines or fees.