Meeting Durbuy, the hidden gem of the Belgian Ardennes, was a journey back in time for us, a step into a fairy tale land where history blends harmoniously with contemporary rural charm.
Nestled between the rolling hills of the region, Durbuy welcomes you with a captivating simplicity, and the first greeting is offered subtly but warmly: “Welcome!”.
It boasts the title of “Smallest town in the world”, but this detail does not diminish its charm at all. On the contrary, it challenges you to explore it and discover its hidden treasures.
When we arrived, a few angry clouds appeared in the endless blue sky, as if to chase us away. The rain didn’t keep us waiting long. Large drops began to patter on the cobbled streets and, for a few minutes, they didn’t stop.
After the rain, the colours intensified and a sweet scent took over the place. What came out was worthy of a watercolour painting.
Why visit Durbuy?
Set on the banks of the Ourthe River, whose rustling of crumpled silk can be heard in the background, Durbuy weaves stories in a 17th-century setting. The timeless tranquillity has clung to the old fortifications that allowed it, long ago, to obtain the status of “town” (you can walk along them; you can even find one of the original entrance gates).
Despite its age, the historic centre is full of life. The maze of pedestrian-friendly cobbled streets lined with stone houses with slate roofs the sun basks on all day can be easily explored on foot. The oldest street, Rue Daufresne de la Chevalerie, is entirely paved with stones taken from the Ourthe. As old as it is Instagrammable. Multicoloured flowers stubbornly add colour to the weather-beaten facades.
Beyond its romantic charm, Durbuy also conquers you with its local gastronomy. Snails and crayfish are in the spotlight. Do I need to tell you more about waffles (waffles well powdered with sugar or dipped in one of the best chocolates in the world) or the legendary Belgian beer, do I need to tell you more?! I will stop, however, at a beer with tradition since 1331: La Durboyse. Blonde, brunette or triple? You choose. As for restaurants, there are plenty of great places in Durbuy. La Canette (local cuisine) and La Table de Manon (fine dining) are our favourites.
If you are sporty or looking for thrills, you will be attracted by the mountain bike trails, a kayak trip on the Ourthe River or Adventure Valley, one of the best adventure parks in Belgium.
Less than a 5-minute walk from the city centre is Topiary Park, one of the largest parks in the world where “plant sculptures” impress.
Halle aux Blés, a building listed as a Walloon heritage site, houses a Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.
In Durbuy you will see a 17th-century castle (many say it is one of the most beautiful castles in Wallonia). Not far away is Château de Petite Somme, a combination of European neo-Gothic decor and ancient oriental culture.
Durbuy Tourist Office: Place aux Foires 25
How to get to Durbuy?
It is 117 km from Brussels to Durbuy and 108 km from Luxembourg. If you are not by car, you can take the train to Barvaux station, 5 km from Durbuy. From here, take the TEC 72 bus (12 minutes)
Brussels – Barvaux (approximately 2 hours, change at Liege-Guillemins or Marloie). The price of a ticket is ~25 euro/one way. Check the train schedule and ticket prices here.
Luxembourg-Barvaux (approximately 3 hours, change at Marloie or Rivage). The price of a ticket is 22 euros/one way. More details about ticket prices and timetables can be found here.
By downloading the TEC App you have the following benefits: you can search for routes and see timetables, buy single tickets, multi-journey tickets, BSCA airport tickets, as well as SNCB tickets (you can use one of the many digital payment methods: Apple Pay, Google Pay, Bancontact, Bancontact Mobile, Maestro, Mastercard, Visa etc.) and validate them (multiple validation is also allowed). You can use a single customer account for the application.
You can also use the TEC App to get real-time travel information and notifications, locate nearby stations, and the lines that serve those stations and find out when the next bus will arrive at the nearest station to you. Price of a ticket: 2.10 euro/journey (zone 1 and 2), 4.
If you drive there is a parking just at the entrance of the city or around the outskirts.
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