Durbuy is a city in the Luxembourg province of Belgium. Despite being “The Smallest City in the World”, there are a lot of interesting things to do in Durbuy, Belgium. The city is known for its historical sites, surrounding landscapes, regional culture, and adventure activities.
It was an important trade center and was declared a city in 1331. You can still experience the medieval town charm during Durbuy sightseeing. The city gained a lot of prosperity during the medieval times. The majority of places to visit in Durbuy were built during these years. This includes the castles, churches, and chateaus.
The churches, monasteries, and convents played a vital role in the city’s development. Some of the oldest Durbuy attractions were built by them to serve the citizens. The most popular among these are the Church of St. Peter and Staircase of the Beguines.
On the other hand, the castles and Chateaus were built by nobility and rulers. Some of these fine residences are popular as Durbuy tourist attractions. Although, all of them are not open for public viewing. Some of them have also been turned into museums, event venues, and hotels. You should explore these if you want to experience the life of the nobility when you visit Durbuy.
In the wilderness outside the city, you will also find ruins of former castles. These structures were used to defend the city in its heyday. Now they are the destinations for hiking trails. But, they are still among the most popular things to see in Durbuy owing to their history, size, and architecture.
And speaking of wilderness, you should not miss out on the adventurous aspects of Durbuy travel. The city is surrounded by forests, hills, and rivers. So you can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities to do in Durbuy. This includes hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, boat cruises, and so on.
There is also an adventure park, a toy train ride, and an elaborate labyrinth in the city. These are fun things to do in Durbuy with your family. Furthermore, you can also have a taste of Belgian pastoral life at places to visit near Durbuy. These farmlands let you be a part of the agriculture and animal husbandry activities for a day. You will also get to try out freshly produced cheeses, wines, and food products. These are the unique experiences that you can take home as fond memories from your trip to Durbuy.
This Blog Post contains affiliate links. If you purchase anything from that link then I may earn a small part of the commission and for that, you do not need to pay any extra amount.
The Top 17 Tourist Places to Visit in Durbuy, Belgium
1. The Labyrinth of Barvaux-sur-Ourthe
This labyrinth is spread over 11 acres and is designed with more than 600,000 maize grains. If you are looking for fun things to do in Durbuy, this is just the spot.
There are nine themed sections to explore with paths, dead-ends, and surprises spread all over it. You will also find costumed actors hidden away in the maze to make your experience more delightful. You can easily spend a couple of hours exploring the maze.
2. Durbuy Castle (Château de Durbuy)
This castle has a long-standing history dating back to the 1300s. However, the current version was built in the 1880s. The castle exhibits magnificent architecture flaunting the grandeur of the time. Unfortunately, you can only admire it from the outside as the castle is not open to the public.
Still, it is one of the most popular things to see in Durbuy, Belgium. There are several viewpoints in and around the city to admire this historical monument. You will also get to see it if you are taking a kayak tour through the river Ourthe. You should take a few moments to catch a glimpse of this castle when you visit Durbuy, Belgium.
3. Eglise Saint-Pierre de Xhignesse
This 11th-century church is one of the oldest Durbuy attractions. The church exhibits Romanesque-style architecture and is included among Major Walloon Heritage sites for its historical and cultural significance. You need 30 to 45 minutes to tour this church.
4. Topiary Park Durbuy
This public park is a work of art. While you get all the facilities you would want from a park, you also get to see amazing works of horticulture. The park is home to more than 250 sculptures created by trimming plants and trees. It is one of the best places to visit in Durbuy if you feel like going for a stroll. Take 30 minutes or to explore the garden.
5. Château de Logne
This castle was built during the 12th century and protected the city from several centuries. It is one of the most important historical Durbuy tourist attractions. But, it was brought down to the ruins you see today in 1521. This was the war between Charles V and Francois I.
Despite its condition, the castle looks intimidating. You can imagine how it would have been in its glory days. You will need about an hour to tour the ruins of this castle.
6. Deulin Castle
Sitting in the village of Deulin, this castle was built during the 1700s. The castle is now used as an event venue. But is also a popular tourist attraction owing to its architecture and rich interiors.
The Chateau shows you a glimpse of the lifestyle of the wealthy individuals of the period. It also serves as a house museum showcasing the lineage and history of the Harlez de Deulin family. You will need about an hour from Durbuy travel to tour this castle.
7. Roche A La Falize
Sitting at the highest point in the city, this rock formation is more than 300 million years old. The formation is part of the Famene Andenne Geopark. You can explore the park admiring nature’s craft.
Over the centuries, the limestone layers have formed the shape of arches. It looks like a mysterious cave in fantasy movies. There are also walking trails that take you to the top of the rock formation. You can basically see the entire city from this point. This is one of the best spots for Durbuy sightseeing. You need at least an hour to explore this place.
8. The Corn Hall Museum (Hall aux blés)
Built in 1530, this building used to be a marketplace. The merchants of the city would gather here to sell all sorts of stuff. Now it tells the story of the smallest city in the world.
You will get to know about how the city evolved over the years, the battles fought over it, the people who ruled it, and the tales of the buildings. Exploring this museum will give you context and you will enjoy Durbuy sightseeing in a whole new light. You need about an hour to tour this museum.
9. Les Escaliers du Thier des Béguines
These legendary stairs were built during the 17th century by the Beguines. They also built a lot of other things in the city including schools, pharmacies, and bridges.
These 172 steps connected them to the town. You can also walk these historic steps when you visit Durbuy. You will need an hour and a lot of energy for this task.
10. Durbuy Mini-Train Ride (Train Touristique)
This one looks like a toy train and takes you around the city. It is among the best things to do in Durbuy for families. The ride begins at Le Sanglier des Ardennes hotel and takes you through old and new parts of the city with a lot of interesting stops.
The tour also takes you through the hills and valleys for picturesque views of the landscapes around Durbuy. You will need about an hour for this ride.
11. Old Town Durbuy (La Vieille Ville)
The cobbled streets of Durbuy have their own charm and so does this market sitting on one of those streets. The market is populated mostly by local businesses selling regionally produced stuff ranging from handicrafts to food products. Aside from shopping, the street is also one of the best places to visit in Durbuy if you want to dine on local cuisines, beverages, or sweet treats. You can easily spend an hour or so exploring the offerings of La Vielle Ville.
12. Grottes de Hotton (Caves of Hotton)
The Hotton Caves are a treasured natural heritage. The rocks have preserved centuries of stories and you can explore them as you are touring an art gallery. The rock formations, underground ponds, and streams are among the most fascinating things to see in Durbuy, Belgium. It is an adventurous experience as you go deeper into the earth to unveil its secrets. You will need 2 to 3 hours to explore the caves.
13. Weris Town Day Trip
Weris is a charming little town only 20 minutes away by road. It is quite similar to Durbuy in many regards with historical and cultural attractions of its own. The town is especially known for its Megaliths. These stones date back to the 4th millennium BCE. The Megaliths include standing stones as well as chamber tombs.
The town also has several other attractions including medieval churches, mansions, ruined castles, and nature reserves. The town is one of the most popular tourist attractions near Durbuy. You will need at least half a day to explore Weris.
14. Ardennes Forest
The forest of Ardennes holds many wonders within its wilderness. If you are looking for outdoor activities to do in Durbuy, head for the forest. You can explore the nature trails or go mountain biking. Many of these hiking trails will lead you to ruined castles and natural monuments.
The forest is also home to deep caves and forest retreats if you are looking to spend more time with nature when you visit Durbuy. It depends on you how much time you want to spend in the forest. It can be an hour or even a day.
15. Durbuy Adventure Valley
This adventure park sits in the Ardenne forest and gives you a facilitated experience of outdoor adventures. The adventure parks are among the most popular Durbuy attractions for family activities.
The parks have all sorts of games, obstacle courses, ziplines, slides, and other thrilling activities. You can easily spend 2 to 3 hours testing out your strength and agility here.
16. Ourthe River Kayaking
Kayaking is yet another popular outdoor activity in Durbuy. The city sits on the banks of the river Ourthe. You can take a kayak for Durbuy sightseeing. You will get to see all the river-side attractions of the city while paddling your kayak.
You can also take a kayak through the Ardennes Forest to explore nature and the historical sites that lay dormant within the forest. It is a mesmerizing trip for nature lovers. You will need at least an hour for any of these tours.
17. Chevrerie de Borlon Cheese Farm
This dairy farm gives you a pastoral experience during Durbuy travel. Here you can milk the goats, watch them graze, and pet them. You will also get to see how they produce their signature cheeses and try out some of them yourself. The tour will take about 2 to 3 hours and is one of the best experiences for families.
If you are looking for more Durbuy attractions, check out the sections below. We have compiled a complete list of places and activities that you can enjoy in and around the city.
Things to do in Durbuy, Belgium
Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Durbuy, Belgium
- Chateau de Petit Somme
- Chateau de Logne
- Maison de Megalithes de Weris
- Dolmen of Weris
- Pierre Haina
- Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
- Menhirs d’Oppagne
- Eglise Saint Walburge
- Chateau Bomal sur Ourthe
- Lit du Diable
- Menhir Danthine
- Museum of Sacred Art
- Chateau de Lassus
- Durbuy Toy Museum
- Chateau de Durbuy
- Manhay History Museum
- Chateau Ferot
- Chateau de Somal
- Castle Avouerie Anthisnes
- Chateau de Blier
- Beer Museum
- Chateau de Hoyoux
- Musee du Pays
- Fanson Castle
- Musee de la Vie Rurale
Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Durbuy, Belgium
- Bois de Vine
- Caves of Hotton
- Cave Comblain
- Ardennes Forest
- Ambleve River
- Mur Geologique Nature Preserve
- Porte Aive
Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Durbuy, Belgium
- Topiary Park
- Durbuy Adventure Valley
- The Labyrinth of Barvaux sur Ourthe
- Durbuy Anticline
- Superfly Zipline
- Riveo Centre
- Center of Bat
Shopping in Durbuy, Belgium
- Rue Alphonse Eloy
- Rue des Recollectines
- Rue Jean de Boheme
Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventures in Durbuy, Belgium
- Cycling
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Boat Cruise
- Swimming
- Zipline
Sightseeing in Durbuy, Belgium
- Durbuy Tram Ride
- Belvedere de Durbuy
- Les Escaliers du Thier des Beguines
Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Durbuy, Belgium
- La Brusserie
- Le Fou du Roy
- Mama Gusto
- Le Clos des Recollets
- La Passerelle
- Le Sanglier des Ardennes
- 7 by Juliette
- Jean de Boheme
- Les Lanternes
- Le Vieux Point
- La Canette Durbuy
- Le Ferne au Chene
- La Vieille Demeure
- La Piazza
Where to Stay in Durbuy?
Here we have listed Top Rated Hotels in Durbuy. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Durbuy.
- Hotel Sanglier
- La Passerelle
- The Guest House
- Le Saint-Amour
- Au Vieux Durbuy
- Hotel Victoria
- Aux 10 Clefs
- Les Chambres du Vivier
- Eau de Roche
- Durbuy Green Fields
How to Reach Durbuy, Belgium?
By Air
Brussels Airport is the closest air-travel option to reach Durbuy. The airport receives direct flights from several domestic and international destinations. The airport is about 120 km from Durbuy city and you have several options to complete the journey. First, you need to head to Brussels city. Then, you will get buses, cabs, and trains to get to Durbuy.
By Road
Barvaux is the closest train station to visit Durbuy city, just 4 km away. The Barvaux station is connected to several towns and cities in Belgium. This includes Brussels, Liege, Namur, Marloise, and several others. You can also get direct trains for Durbuy travel from Luxembourg.
You can get cabs and buses from Barvaux to reach Durbuy. There are also direct buses available to visit Durbuy from several other cities and towns in Belgium. Although, if you are planning to get to Durbuy by road, you should head for route N86, Rue de Barvaux. This is the only major highway connecting to the city.
By Water
There are no direct water routes to reach Durbuy.
Image Reference
- The Labyrinth of Barvaux-sur-Ourthe – Benoit.dessucy / Wikimedia Commons
- Durbuy Castle (Château de Durbuy) – Ladislaus Hoffner / Wikimedia Commons
- Eglise Saint-Pierre de Xhignesse – Jean Housen / Wikimedia Commons
- Topiary Park Durbuy – Donar Reiskoffer / Wikimedia Commons
- Château de Logne – Jean-Pol GRANDMONT / Wikimedia Commons
- Deulin Castle – Jean-Pol GRANDMONT / Wikimedia Commons
- Roche A La Falize – Freddy de Hosdent / Wikimedia Commons
- The Corn Hall Museum (Hall aux blés) – Nenea hartia / Flickr
- Les Escaliers du Thier des Beguines –
- Durbuy Mini-Train Ride (Train Touristique) –
- Old Town Durbuy (La Vieille Ville) – Claudio / Flickr
- Grottes de Hotton (Caves of Hotton) – Chris Brooks / Flickr
- Weris Town Day Trip – Jean-Pol GRANDMONT / Wikimedia Commons
- Ardennes Forest – R Boed / Flickr
- Durbuy Adventure Valley –
- Ourthe River Kayaking – Jean Housen / Wikimedia Commons
- Chevrerie de Borlon Cheese Farm –
The post 17 Must-Visit Tourist Attractions and Things to Do in Durbuy, Belgium appeared first on Wide World Trips.