Located in the West Flemish countryside near Ypres, Belgium, Bellewaerde is situated on the historic site of the World War I Battle of Bellewaarde. The destination was founded on July 3, 1954, by the Florizoone family as a zoo and safari park named after a castle that still stands near its entrance. Today, this 54-hectare (130-acre) destination is operated by Grévin & Cie, a group fully owned by Compagnie des Alpes, and serves as the main theme park in Flanders, drawing between 850,000 and 900,000 visitors annually.
Over the decades, Bellewaerde expanded beyond its animal roots to become a full theme park catering to teens and families, featuring beautiful gardens and detailed landscaping. The park is organized into distinct themed zones introduced over time, including Far West, Canada, Mexico, and a savannah-themed area added in 2008. Guests will discover an impressive lineup of record-setting roller coasters, diverse water attractions including log flumes and spinning rapids, classic thrill rides, and an entertainment schedule that changes each year.
Bellewaerde offers a versatile day out for family travelers and thrill-seekers alike, combining rides, animals, and seasonal festivities. In June 2019, the park expanded its resort offering by opening the 3,000 square meter indoor Bellewaerde Aquapark, which includes pools, slides, and a lazy river. While operating primarily as a seasonal park from April through October, it also opens for select weeks during the winter holidays, complete with festive decorations and special Christmas entertainment.
01 Signature rides & attractions
The park’s headline rides across its themed areas. Confirm heights and any single-rider lines on the day.
Compiled from Wikipedia · a full ride-by-ride list per themed area is on the way.
Park map
The free OpenStreetMap layer below shows the park and its surroundings — entrances, themed areas, car parks and access roads. Zoom in for detail; the official ride-by-ride park plan is linked below.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL, free). Official park maps are copyrighted — we link to them.
02 Tickets & prices
Ticket prices for Bellewaerde change by date and season, and the park sells single-day, multi-day and annual passes — buying online in advance is almost always cheaper than at the gate, and popular dates can sell out. Check the official site for live pricing before you travel.
We deliberately don’t list prices that change daily — the ticket button leads to live, up-to-date pricing.
03 Best time to visit & opening times
| Season | When | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Summer Season | April until October | The primary seven-month operating season. |
| Halloween Event | October | Traditionally held throughout the month of October. |
| Winter Season | Christmas and New Year period | Opens for a few weeks decorated for the holidays with extra Christmas attractions and entertainment. |
Opening times vary by day · Last updated: 2026-09-12 · check before you travel
04 Themed areas
Each area has its own theming — architecture, food and rides. Half the fun is simply walking through.
Good to know
- The 3,000 m2 indoor Bellewaerde Aquapark features slides, pools, and a lazy river.
- Bellewaerde officially functions as both a theme park and a zoo, including a savannah area.
- The park opens seasonally from April to October, with select open days during the winter holidays.
