14 must do’s in Durbuy

Durbuy is the smallest city in the world and you can find it in our Belgian Ardennes. Durbuy is a medieval city alongside the river the Ourthe. You can visit the town in around 30 minutes but there’s more to see in its surroundings! 

1) Old center

As I already said, you can visit Durbuy in less than an hour. Stroll along the cobblestone streets and enjoy the limestone houses. Enjoy the shops, bars, and restaurants! 

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2) Falize Rock

When discovering the old center of Durbuy, you’ll pass by the Falize Rock (Rocher de la Falize). This limestone rock is 300 million years old and is also the highest point of the city (nice panorama shot of the city). 

3) Halle aux blés

The Corn exchange building (Halle aux blés ) was built in 1530 and is now used as a museum.

4) Château des comtes d’ursel

This castle is located on the right bank of the Ourthe and has been there since the 18th century. The castle is closed for the public, unfortunately! 

5) Topiary park

Don’t forget to visit the topiary park! We didn’t do this as we walked right by it and not knowing what was there. Topiary Park is a 10.000-square meters garden.

6) Church St. Nicholas

This 18th-century church is not that special except for the fact that it’s quite big for such a small town! 

7) The stairway of the Beguinage (Les escaliers des beguines)

A Beguinage is a place where women live in a community but not by religious reasons (so no nuns). It was very popular in the old ages but is not practiced anymore now. Durbuy also had a Beguinage and those women opened a pharmacy and built a bridge, a school, and the stairway of the Beguinage. The stairway of the Beguinage counts 172 steps, is quite steep but offers you a great view´ of the town apparently. We didn’t do this, unfortunately. 

8) Brewery

The smallest village in the world even has his own beer: Marckloff. So if you want to drink a beer in Durbuy, order a Marckloff!

9) Adventure valley Durbuy

Want to do some outdoor activities? Go to Adventure Valley Durbuy! You can do some climbing or kayaking on the Ourthe.

10) Wéris Village

Wéris village lies close to Durbuy and is one of Wallonia’s most beautiful villages supposedly. We didn’t visit this village but apparently you can walk through the village and behold a 1.000 years old church, La Maison de Hary Cot aka Tim Burton House, dolmens & menhirs from 5.000 BCE and a museum about the dolmens & menhirs. 

11) Labyrinth of Barvaux

The Labyrinth of Barvaux can be done from July-October. The labyrinth is made from an 11-hectare cornfield. Each year has a different theme and when I did it when I was a child it was Peter Pan! I remember being happy to see Peter Pan but I was sad that we couldn’t find Tinker Bell in the maze.

12) Caves of Hotton

The Caves of Hototon are carved out by an underground river and have created rooms over an 8km long underground path! 

13) Château de Logne

You can visit the ruins of the Castle of Logne. The castle used to be a stronghold in the 11th century but was bombarded during a war between the French and Italians. I did not see this yet but it’s on my list!

14) Radhadesh Retreat Centre 

This castle is an important Hindu center in Northern Europe. You’re seeing a grey castle but apparently the inside is very warm, scented and colorful! I did not yet visit this but it sure is on my bucket list! The castle is open all year round if you’d like to visit it. 

Life of a Passion