A small walled town with the Zimmer Tower, UNESCO-listed beguinage and the Grote Markt.
Lier is a small walled town in Antwerp province, in Belgium's Flemish Region, about 20 km southeast of Antwerp. SNCB trains from Antwerp Central reach Lier in around 20 minutes, which makes the train the best option, and the Grote Markt is a walk of 10 to 15 minutes from the station. The Zimmer Tower on Zimmerplein 19 is the town's best-known landmark. It was built as a clock tower and incorporates the Jubilee Clock, an astronomical clock with a set of dials showing the time in several cities, and the tower is open to visitors with a small museum on the life of the clockmaker Louis Zimmer. The Grote Markt is lined with a Gothic belfry and the town hall in Rococo style, and the Church of St Gummarus, a Brabantine Gothic building, stands nearby. The Beguinage, a UNESCO-listed complex of red-brick houses and quiet lanes, is a short walk from the centre and gives a sense of the semi-religious communities that once lived across Flanders. Canals and remnants of the town walls provide walks, and Lier is known for its Lierse vlaaike, a local pastry, and for the Lierse kaas. A day can begin with the Zimmer Tower in the morning, then the Grote Markt and St Gummarus Church. Lunch suits the cafes on the Grote Markt. The afternoon is for the Beguinage and a walk along the Nete river and the old ramparts. Lier is quiet, so weekday visits feel peaceful, and the town can be combined with Antwerp in a single day. The best season is April to October for walking, but the town is pleasant year-round, and its Christmas season brings seasonal events. Return tickets from Antwerp cost about €4 to €6 each way, which makes this one of the cheapest day trips in the region.
| Distance | Antwerp to Lier: about 20 km |
|---|---|
| Travel time | About 20 minutes by train from Antwerp |
| Getting there | Mode: Train; Detail: SNCB train from Antwerp Central to Lier |
| Cost | Train ticket about €4-6 (about $5-7) each way |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Address | Zimmerplein 19, 2500 Lier, Belgium |
How to get there
- Train: Antwerp Central to Lier (20 minutes)
- Walk: station to Grote Markt (10-15 minutes)
- Bike
Location
Zimmerplein 19, 2500 Lier, Belgium
51.1291, 4.5701 View on map
Highlights
- Climb or visit the Zimmer Tower and its astronomical clock
- See the Rococo town hall and belfry on the Grote Markt
- Walk the UNESCO-listed Beguinage
- Visit the Gothic St Gummarus Church
- Taste the Lierse vlaaike pastry
Tips for visiting
- Take the short train from Antwerp Central; it runs several times an hour.
- Check Zimmer Tower opening hours before arriving.
- Walk from the station; the centre is only 10 to 15 minutes away.
- Combine Lier with a morning in Antwerp.
- Try a Lierse vlaaike at a local bakery.
When to visit
April to October for walking, with weekdays the quietest. The town is pleasant year-round.
Accessibility
The centre is flat but cobbled. The Zimmer Tower has stairs, and the Beguinage lanes are uneven in places.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get to Lier from Antwerp?
The train from Antwerp Central takes about 20 minutes.
What is the Zimmer Tower?
It is a clock tower with an astronomical clock, built by Louis Zimmer, and contains a small museum.
Is the Beguinage part of UNESCO?
Yes, the Lier Beguinage is part of the UNESCO listing for Flemish beguinages.
How much does the train cost?
A single ticket costs about €4 to €6, or around $5 to $7.