
Driving the abandoned streets of Doel
Belgium, europe
N/A
N/A
easy
Year-round
Ever wanted to wander through a real-life ghost town? Then head to Doel, a fascinatingly abandoned village in East Flanders, Belgium, practically spitting distance from the Dutch border! Think just a short jaunt from Antwerp, the ever-expanding port that's kinda...gobbling up smaller towns.
Doel is steeped in history, over 700 years worth, but it's facing demolition thanks to the port's relentless growth along the Scheldt river. Word to the wise: officially, you're not supposed to poke around inside the buildings, but…let's just say some people manage.
Once buzzing with over a thousand residents, Doel's streets are now eerily deserted, save for a handful of die-hards refusing to leave. Expect a serious dose of creepiness as you wander through this silent, empty place. Just a heads up: you can't drive directly into Doel unless you're a resident.
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