Where to stay in the Hautes Fagnes & East Belgium: lakes, the plateau and the carnival towns

Anyone looking for a holiday home in the Eifel will discover a region in East Belgium that combines nature, lakes and culture in a special way. Here, the German-speaking Community of Belgium borders directly on the German Eifel, whilst the High Fens, together with the Volcanic Eifel, form a unique cross-border natural landscape. As Belgium’s oldest nature reserve and part of a UNESCO buffer zone, the region captivates visitors with the Signal de Botrange, the lakes of Bütgenbach and Robertville, and the famous Spa-Francorchamps race track. You can reach East Belgium from Cologne in around an hour, and from Brussels in about two hours. Whether you’re looking for a holiday home by a lake, in the heart of a raised bog or in a historic town – this guide will help you find the right region for your holiday. You can also find an overview of all the regions at: Where to stay in the Ardennes.

Choosing the right accommodation will determine how you experience East Belgium and the High Fens. Families are often drawn to the lakes at Bütgenbach and Robertville. Sandy beaches, designated swimming areas, sailing, pedalos and the Worriken Water Sports Centre make this region one of the most popular summer destinations in the Belgian Eifel. At the same time, this area is home to the region’s largest Casapilot holiday home cluster, comprising 34 properties.

Nature lovers and keen walkers, on the other hand, prefer the plateau edge around Waimes, Xhoffraix or Mont Rigi. From here, you can reach the famous boardwalks through the moors, the Botrange Nature Centre and the Signal de Botrange – Belgium’s highest point – within a few minutes. This area is the ideal base, particularly for anyone looking to hike in the High Fens.

Those wishing to combine culture and history with good food will feel particularly at home in Malmedy or Stavelot. Both towns are known for their traditional carnivals, historic abbeys, lively town centres and their proximity to the Spa-Francorchamps race track. Finally, in the south-east, Sankt Vith serves as the gateway to the German Eifel. As the centre of the German-speaking Community, the town combines Belgian hospitality with the landscape of the cross-border Eifel region.

At Casapilot, the largest cluster of holiday homes in the entire Ardennes is located right here in East Belgium, particularly around Lake Bütgenbach. Families often opt for accommodation by the water, walkers for the villages on the edge of the High Fens, and motorsport fans for Malmedy or Stavelot. For those travelling from Germany, Sankt Vith is the ideal starting point for excursions into the Belgian and German Eifel. Discover our holiday homes in East Belgium. If you’re planning a cross-border holiday, you’ll also find suitable accommodation here: Holiday homes in the Eifel & Moselle.

For walkers and nature lovers

The High Fens is one of the most popular walking regions in the Eifel and, for many German visitors, the main reason for booking a holiday home in the High Fens. Around the Signal de Botrange, kilometres of boardwalks wind their way through protected raised bogs, heathland and tranquil forests. The Fagne de la Polleur and the walking trails around Mont Rigi and the Botrange Nature Centre are particularly well known. In autumn, the moors are transformed into a stunning display of colour, whilst in winter, provided there is sufficient snow, cross-country ski trails and winter walking routes open. Waimes, Xhoffraix, Mont Rigi and Bütgenbach are all excellent starting points. You can find further inspiration in Hiking by the Lake and Cross-country Skiing & Winter Walking, two of our blog articles.

For families on a lakeside holiday

Anyone planning a classic family holiday in the Eifel will find ideal conditions around Lake Bütgenbach. The lake offers a sandy beach, safe swimming areas, a water sports centre, sailing and pedal boat facilities, as well as the well-known Worriken Sports and Leisure Centre. Lake Robertviller is a little quieter, with its swimming spots and close proximity to Reinhardstein Castle. A holiday home with a garden provides plenty of space for relaxing days out between excursions and swimming sessions. Plopsa Coo theme park is also only about 25 minutes away and is ideal for a family day out. Particularly popular are holiday homes in the Ardennes with an indoor pool, a group accommodation in the Ardennes or a holiday home in the Ardennes where dogs are welcome.

For culture and history

Malmedy and Stavelot showcase a completely different side to East Belgium. Malmedy is best known for its traditional Cwarmê, one of Belgium’s most famous carnivals. The Malmundarium tells the story of the former abbey as well as paper and leather production. Stavelot delights visitors with its historic princely abbey, several museums and the Laetare Carnival, whose Blancs Moussis are famous far beyond Belgium’s borders. Both towns combine cultural heritage with excellent cuisine and are ideal as a base for day trips.

For motorsport fans

Anyone wishing to experience Spa-Francorchamps should, if possible, stay in Stavelot or Malmedy. Both towns are only about ten to fifteen minutes’ drive from the famous race track and offer an excellent base for motorsport enthusiasts all year round. It is particularly advisable to book many months in advance for the Belgian Grand Prix at the end of August. You can find specialised accommodation in our F1 holiday homes in Spa-Francorchamps. You can also find detailed recommendations on the best places to stay near the circuit here: Where to stay in Spa & the Liège Ardennes.

Even if you choose accommodation around Bütgenbach, Malmedy or Sankt Vith, it’s well worth exploring the surrounding area. The High Fens are the region’s scenic highlight, delighting visitors with their moorland, wooden footbridges and the Signal de Botrange. Just a few kilometres away, the medieval Reinhardstein Castle is well worth a visit.

Nature lovers should also visit the Bayehon waterfall, which is one of the highest natural waterfalls in Belgium. Motorsport fans can take a trip to Spa-Francorchamps or combine a visit to the thermal baths in Spa with a tour of the town. Families can enjoy a day out at Plopsa Coo theme park or at Lake Bütgenbach. Cyclists can explore the region via the famous Vennbahn cycle route, which links Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg.

If you’re looking for more ideas, you’ll find inspiration in our articles Hiking by the lake and [Leisurely walks in East Belgium] (https://www.casapilot.com/en/blog/ardennes-eifel/pleasure-tours-east-belgium)

The East Belgium region and the High Fens are easily accessible by car. The journey takes around an hour from Cologne, about 45 minutes from Aachen and approximately two hours from Brussels. The nearest international airport is Liège, although Brussels or Cologne/Bonn are also options. Having your own car is recommended for almost all excursions, as many hiking areas, lakes and smaller villages are only accessible to a limited extent by public transport. If you’d like to combine your stay with visits to other regions, you’ll find further inspiration in our guide Where to stay in Spa & the Liège Ardennes and in the article Where to stay in the Ardennes.

The best time to visit depends on your interests. Between May and September, pleasant temperatures make it ideal for walking, cycling and water sports. Lake Bütgenbach is particularly popular from late June to early September. In autumn, the High Fens showcase colourful moorland landscapes, whilst winter, provided there is sufficient snow, offers ideal conditions for cross-country skiing and winter walks.

Payment is, of course, in euros. German is the predominant language in the German-speaking Community, whilst French is also spoken in Malmedy and Waimes. English is generally well understood in tourist establishments. If you’d like to combine the Belgian Eifel with the Moselle region, you’ll find suitable holiday homes in the Eifel & Moselle.

Whether you’d like to enjoy the sunset at Lake Bütgenbach, go for a walk through the moorland of the High Fens, or soak up the historic atmosphere of Malmedy and Stavelot – East Belgium combines nature, culture and relaxation in a unique way. Discover all our holiday homes in East Belgium and the Eifel now and find the accommodation that perfectly suits your travel style.