Durbuy

Situated in the heart of the Belgian Ardennes, Durbuy is a medieval gem on the banks of the Ourthe river. Although it’s a tiny city that you could walk through in 5 minutes, there are plenty of reasons to hang around longer. You could also combine it with a visit to one of the many attractions in the surroundings.

The smallest city of Belgium

Small cobblestone alleys wind through the historical city center of Durbuy. I loved them so much that I must’ve crisscrossed them all five times on my last visit. The alleys are lined with lovely restaurants and cute little shops. When I needed a break, I did so in one of my favourite bars, La Tortuga and Bistro Julia, both situated right in the center.

Perched on a hill, a medieval castle looms over the city. Although the view must be stunning from up there, the castle isn’t open to the public.

There is another viewpoint which you can access with the tourist train that takes you up to the watchtower Belvédère. From up there, you’ll enjoy a panoramic view over Durbuy and the Ourthe valley.

Things you can do in the surroundings of Durbuy

• Hike in the forests around Wéris, famous for its dolmens and menhirs. And have a dolmen beer at the end.
• Visit the caves of Hotton or hike around the valley of Hotton.
• If you’re passing by, it’s worth stopping at the Arboretum Robert Lenoir in Rendeux for a leisurely walk in the park. Entrance is free. This place wouldn’t normally be at the top of my list, but I was pleasantly surprised by the beauty of the place when I visited in Autumn.

Comments

Do you have questions? Did you experience something similar? Did you notice a mistake? Please share!