Center Parcs Europe, Park De Haan trip report

I recently enjoyed a short break at Centre Parcs Europe, Park De Haan on the Belgian coast. If you are comparing Centre Parcs Europe holidays or looking at Centre Parcs Belgium holidays, this is a lovely choice for a family break with easy access to the beach, Blankenberge and Bruges.

I travelled from London St Pancras by Eurostar with a through ticket covering all Belgian stations via local train. It was a smooth way to travel and worked well for a short break, especially with Bruges in easy reach, though I would say travelling by car would be simpler for many guests as the drive from Calais is only around 1 hour 30 minutes.

Day 1 at Centre Parcs Europe, Park De Haan

On arrival at Park De Haan, we were welcomed at the gate in the taxi from Blankenberge station and handed our wristbands. The wristbands gave us access to our accommodation and activities, and they also worked for the lockers in Aqua Mundo.

We arrived in the late afternoon and headed to Frites for a quick meal before booking our activities. This can be done online or at the booths near reception. Our final stop for the evening was the supermarket to pick up a few essentials for our stay.

We stayed in one of the Park De Haan accommodation options, a VIP Cottage that came with a welcome pack including kitchen essentials, tea towels and a bath towel package. It was ideal for a self catering break, with private outdoor decking, a BBQ, pizza oven, full kitchen facilities and two bedrooms. One of the highlights was the infrared sauna after a long day of travelling and exploring.

Our cottage was only a short walk from the Market Dome, though guests staying further away also have the option to hire bikes or golf carts.

Day 2 at Aqua Mundo and around the park

The next morning, we made full use of the Park De Haan facilities, starting with Aqua Mundo. The lagoon style pool setting is beautiful, with two water slides, the Wild Water Rapids, a jacuzzi, a lazy river and a splash area for younger children.

After lunch, we tried our first paid activity, badminton. Court hire was 16 euros for one hour and can accommodate up to four people. We also went bowling for 35 euros, with up to eight people able to play as many games as they could fit into the hour. For the two of us, that worked out at three games.

We finished the day with dinner at Il Giardino, the Italian restaurant. It is very popular, so it is worth booking in advance either online or at the restaurant. There is also a buffet restaurant serving breakfast and dinner.

Day 3 day trip to Bruges from Park De Haan

The next day, we hopped on the tram, which is around a 10 minute walk from the park entrance, followed by another 10 minutes into Blankenberge. From there, you can catch the train to Bruges in around 10 minutes, so it is an easy trip if you want to explore without taking the car.

Park De Haan is also right on the coast, with the beach less than 800 metres away, which makes it a great option for a summer stay as well as an autumn or winter break.

During our time in Bruges, we took a boat trip for 15 euros per person to see some of the local historic sights. We also sampled Belgian hot chocolate and, of course, Belgian waffles with extra Belgian chocolate sauce. We were a little early for the Christmas markets, but the stalls were already being set up ready for opening on 22 November, and there were still a few Christmas shops open near the main square.

After a long day in Bruges, we headed back to Park De Haan and explored the outdoor areas, including the farm, the park and the lakeside beach. We then took another dip in Aqua Mundo, which felt even more magical after dark. The Wild Water Rapids were brilliantly lit under the night sky, while the steaming outdoor pool felt far quieter and more relaxing in the evening. I would definitely recommend an evening swim.

Day 4 heading home

Our final day was spent travelling home. This was the point where taking the car would have been easier for the return journey to Calais.

That said, we did have the pleasure of travelling first class from Blankenberge back to Brussels for our Eurostar journey, thanks to having Standard Plus on Eurostar. Standard Plus includes extra space, along with a light meal and drinks for the trip home, and it made the journey back feel far more comfortable.

Would I visit Centre Parcs Europe, Park De Haan again?

Absolutely. This was my second Centre Parcs Europe stay after visiting Les Villages Nature Paris several times before, and it gave us a completely different kind of short break with a coastal setting, easy transport links and plenty to do on site.

If you enjoy a mix of adventure, relaxation and exploring somewhere new, Park De Haan is a really strong choice. My son, who travelled with me and is completely theme park mad, loved Les Villages Nature Paris for being close to Disney, and he has already decided that we need to head back for another Belgium trip and a future break to Efteling too.

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If this sounds like your kind of trip, take a look at Centre Parcs Europe holidays, browse the latest Centre Parcs Europe offers, or explore more about Park De Haan, including its accommodation and facilities.