Car & Van Hire - Sint Truiden

Sint Truiden was founded in the 800s, making it one of the oldest cities in the region. The original town was built around a Benedictine monastery. While the original building has largely been lost to time, many parts of Sint Truiden Abbey have been painstakingly restored in recent years. Beneath the abbey, there's a labyrinth of crypts dating back to the 11th century. In recent years, the ancient stonework and architectural elements have been restored.

Other local sights include the centuries-old belfry that has been integrated into the town hall. This impressive structure boasts 50 bells and was recently awarded UN World Heritage recognition.

If you're a history buff who's booking a car hire in Sint Truiden, there are several museums worth visiting in town. Brustem Air Base Museum is a permanent collection that spotlights the city's contribution to World War II.

Sint-Truidense Voetbalvereniging (STVV) is the local soccer team that competes in the Belgian Pro League, the highest level of national competition. If you fancy seeing the team in action, head to Stayen Stadium. With a 14,600 capacity, you won't struggle to get a seat.

Visiting in spring? Sint Truiden lies at the heart of Belgium's Hesbaye region, which is renowned for its vineyards and fruit-growing industry. Head to Market Square to sample local favourites like sweet cherries and heirloom pears and apples.

As well as fresh produce, Market Square is the place to be if you're looking to pick up a one-of-a-kind buy. Every Sunday, there's a bustling flea market offering everything from budget buys to authentic antiques. There are also numerous boutiques, quaint cafes and cosy bistros with outdoor seating in the vicinity.

Nestled among beautiful countryside, Sint Truiden offers plenty of outdoor adventures. Start with a city walk to soak in the local architecture before embarking on one of several marked hiking trails. The nearby Haspengouw Nature House, Het Vinne county park and Nieuwenhoven county estate all offer expansive walking grounds.

Heading into town with youngsters? You'll find plenty of kid-friendly attractions here. LAGO Bloesembad is an action-packed water park with rapids, wave pools and slides aplenty. There are also several indoor and outdoor play parks and adventure playgrounds in the city.

To truly explore Limburg and the rest of Flanders, car or van hire in Sint Truiden is the way to go. Thankfully, the city is served by an excellent road network, with several major national roads and motorways providing convenient connections to Brussels Airport and nearby places like Metsteren, Halle and Borgloon. The R27 provides the easiest route into Sint Truiden. If you want to head out and explore the surrounding region, take the junction at Tienen to access the E40 and merge with the A2.

You'll need to get used to driving on the right-hand side of the road if this is your first time behind the wheel in Belgium. Local driving laws will also need to be respected if you want to avoid a fine. As Sint Truiden is a fairly large city, it can become congested during peak traffic hours. Try and avoid the R27 between 07:00 and 09:00 if you can help it. Likewise, it's not a good idea to attempt driving into the city centre between 16:00 and 18:00. While disruptions are rare, routes like the N3 are occasionally affected by roadworks and maintenance. To ensure your journey goes without a hitch, check for traffic incidents and reports prior to heading out to your destination.

You won't struggle to find a parking space in Sint Truiden, with more than 500 free spaces available within walking distance of Market Square. There are also ample paid parking options throughout the city. You'll find 100 paid parking spots at Market Square, with a further 150 in the immediate vicinity. You'll only need to pay for parking if you're leaving your vehicle unattended between 09:00 to 18:00, but it's free outside of those hours and all day on Sunday. If you're booking a hotel stay in Sint Truiden, it's worth checking to see if your accommodation offers free parking as part of the deal.

Speed limits in Sint Truiden are what you'd expect from other places in Belgium. In the city centre and heavily built-up areas, speed limits of 30 km/h are in place. In the suburbs, speed limits can rise to 50 km/h. However, if you're driving in a school zone, you'll need to drop your speed to 30 km/h. As you head out into the surrounding regions, speed limits rise to 70 km/h. On motorways and major regional roads, speed limits can be as high as 120 km/h.