Hasselt

Hasselt is the capital and largest city of Limburg, with a population of 90,249, ringed by satellite hamlets (Kiewit, Runkst, Godsheide, Rapertingen) and further out by sub-municipalities including Kuringen, Stevoort and Kermt. It is the centre of Belgian jenever, the juniper spirit that preceded gin, and keeps a museum to it. The old town is compact and level, closed to cars in the core, and the surrounding province is flat enough that most visitors arrive or leave on two wheels.