Car & Van Hire - Walrijk

Despite being absorbed by Antwerp in the 1980s, Wilrijk still maintains a unique cultural character that can be traced back centuries. If you're booking car hire in Wilrijk in August, set some time aside for the annual fair. Although this bustling event started as a tradeshow for farmers, it's now popular with local artists. Little ones will also love the traditional funfair.

If you're a sports fan, you'll find plenty to keep you entertained during your stay in Wilrijk. The town has a rich sporting heritage, with Nachtegalen Park playing host to several archery events at the 1920 Summer Olympics. Winter sports are also embraced by the locals, with Wilrijk boasting its own ice-skating facility and artificial skiing slope. Elsewhere in the city, you'll find the Bosuilstadion, home of the Royal Antwerp Football Club.

Feel like taking in a show during your stay? With car and van hire in Wilrijk, you're within easy reach of many world-class stadiums and live performance venues. The Antwerps Sportpaleis is one of the biggest event halls in the world and regularly attracts A-list talent like Depeche Mode, Iron Maiden and Hans Zimmer. The nearby Lotto Arena serves as the permanent base of the Antwerp Giants basketball club but also welcomes live music guests and stand-up comedians. For more intimate surroundings, head to the 900-seat Bourlana Theatre. Opened in 1834, this neoclassical venue still makes use of traditional stage machinery.

In the mood for some culture? You've endless options when staying in Wilrijk. The Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp offers an eclectic mix of traditional art and contemporary installations. If you're a fan of history, the Red Star Line Museum is a must, offering fascinating insights into the eponymous shipping company.

Wilrijk doesn't disappoint when it comes to culinary offerings. With an extensive selection of traditional cafes and fine-dining establishments, there's a menu for everyone. You'll want to sample local favourites like Belgian fries and croquettes at least once. If you're craving something sweet, sink your teeth into a plate of amandelbroodjes. With their distinct almond flavour and delicious marzipan filling, these puff pastry biscuits never fail to disappoint.

You're only ever a short stroll from an open-air market in Wilrijk. Every Friday, local traders congregate on the cobbled squares around the Plantin-Moretus printing house, selling everything from secondhand fashion to one-of-a-kind antiques. Need to stock up on some reading? On the third Sunday of every month, De Coninckplein is transformed into an open-air book market.

If you want to explore the best that Antwerp and Belgium have to offer, car hire in Wilrijk is the way to go. Spanning more than 17 km, the R1 ring road makes accessing the city centre and surrounding suburbs like Wilrijk incredibly easy. If you're planning on exploring nearby cities like Brosbeek, Belgium and Mortsel, the R1 takes the hassle out of every journey. Major motorways like the E13, E17 and E34 can also be accessed. Meanwhile, the E19 provides a convenient thoroughfare for those who want to drive through Antwerp.

In Belgium, motorists drive on the right-hand side of the road. If it's your first time driving in the country, you'll want to acclimatise to local driving laws and speed limits. While Antwerp's road network makes getting around simple, it's best to avoid the R1 ring road and city centre during rush hour. In Antwerp, traffic congestion peaks between 06:00 and 08:00 and again between 16:00 and 18:00.

Although on-street parking is limited in the centre of Antwerp, the city isn't short on parking space. The city uses a colour-coded system to simplify parking rules. In a pink zone, you can park for free for up to 2 hours. In orange, yellow and red zones, you'll need to pay for parking, with yellow zones generally the cheapest. The most affordable option is to use one of the many park-and-ride zones in the city. While parking itself is free, you'll have to pay a nominal fee to use local public transport like buses, trams and bike-sharing services. Free parking is rare but not impossible to find. Blue parking zones allow you to park for free for 2 hours on weekdays, while green zones have no time restrictions.

In Wilrijk and most parts of Antwerp, speed limits of 30 km/h are enforced. However, this can rise to 50 km/h in the outer suburbs of the city. Stricter speed limits are usually enforced in school zones or parts of the city with cycle routes. As you head out into the wider Flemish Region, speed limits rise to 70 km/h. On Belgium's motorways and freeways, speed limits rise to 120 km/h.