Contents
- 1 The smallest city in the world?
- 2 Getting lost in the medieval city of Durbuy
- 3 Topiary Park (Le Parc des Topiaries)
- 4 Chocolate Defroidmont
- 5 Locally produced Wallonian beer
- 6 Artisanal goods
- 7 Outdoor activities
- 8 Getting there: Brussels to Durbuy
- 9 How long to spend in Durbuy…
- 10 Have you heard of Durbuy, Belgium?
The smallest city in the world?
Getting lost in the medieval city of Durbuy
The medieval city of Durbuy is pretty small, so the best one of the best things to do in Durbuy is simply walk around the old town where you’ll find most of the activities in Durbuy that make it special. That said, you don’t want to miss some of the most beautiful streets in Durbuy.
It’s not possible to visit the castle as it’s privately owned and closed to the public. However, it is a delight to view from all angles!
There are a number of half timbered houses, including the famous La Halle aux Blés. However, my favorite street was the picturesque Rue Auguste Daufresne de la Chevalerie for the castle view. However, there’s a small street off it with a beautiful tower and bikes, which was my favorite to walk down.
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Topiary Park (Le Parc des Topiaries)
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Chocolate Defroidmont
Locally produced Wallonian beer
Artisanal goods
Outdoor activities
Getting there: Brussels to Durbuy
Durbuy is two hours each way from Brussels by train. You’re most likely going to need to transfer in Liege.
By car, Durbuy is only 1.5 hours from Brussels, making it the perfect day trip from Brussels. There’s a smaller parking lot on the edge of the city where you can park your car as there’s minimal parking in Durbuy. We combined Durbuy with a trip to the nearby Bomol market and a larger road trip through Wallonia. In fall, I highly recommend renting a car to explore this beautiful region as driving down little roads with colorful leaves is magical.
How long to spend in Durbuy…
It’s easy to spend one day in Durbuy (which makes it a lovely day trip from Brussels), however I think staying there would be lovely. We stayed just a little outside of Durbuy at a more traditional guesthouse run by a British-Belgian couple in a historic farmhouse, however you need a car to get there and we would have stayed in the city if we hadn’t booked it last minute. If you have more time, head to the market in Bomol (check the schedule ahead).
Where to stay in Durbuy
There are a number of hotels within the medieval city of Durbuy in one of the historical buildings. A typical rate for a hotel in the middle of the city centre is less than $80 USD, so if you’re looking for a beautiful city to explore in Belgium, consider staying overnight in Durbuy instead of staying in Brussels the entire time. It’s even possible to stay in a small chateau in the middle of the city for less than $100USD in Durbuy.
I stayed right outside of the city with a local couple (well one is British) that lives in a beautiful historic farmhouse. The room was quite spacious and the house was beautifully decorated. We paid a bit extra for dinner, which was cooked with seasonal ingredients. It was very affordable and we had some very interesting conversations while there!
Have you heard of Durbuy, Belgium?
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More ideas for day trips from Brussels in Wallonia…
Mons, Belgium
Retracing Van Gogh’s life in Belgium
Villers Abbey
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This part of Belgium is such a hidden gem! I went to Namur last spring and loved that too. Not many people know about these cities just yet, which is fine by me 😉
Hi, I am planning to go there on September. Can I ask you to share your findings about where to sleep and where to eat ? What is the address of the guesthouse where you have been staying ? Thanks so much !
Hi Corinne, I apologize, but I eat at a restaurant that I can’t remember the name for.
This is where I stayed: https://www.booking.com/hotel/be/relax-amp-maison-sax.html?aid=1138430&no_rooms=1&group_adults=1
You can request dinner for a reasonable price. The couple really knows the area well, so it was nice!
Thanks for the address !
I saw a program called “Extreme Hotels” and it showed a very unique hotel around Durbuy – one place to rent is a gypsy caravan – but I can’t find it on the internet – do you know of it? Another “room” in this hotel was the Trojan Horse! There are about 4 or 5 different rooms. Thank you if you can direct me!
Bev from Canada
Hi Bev,
Durbuy definitely has some unique hotels and it’s super charming to visit. I think you’re thinking of this one:
https://www.booking.com/hotel/be/le-manoir-d-ange.en-us.html?aid=1138430
Best,
Karen
Thank you, Karen. That website offered some beautiful hotels; however, not the one I was looking for. But, it did give me some wonderful options. Thank you again for your response – it is food for thought. I will certainly be planning a trip to Belgium!
Kind regards, Bev
You’re thinking of La Balade Des Gnomes! https://www.labaladedesgnomes.be/