Ardennes Belgium
3
Day Itinerary •
Belgium
Three days in the Belgian Ardennes delivers the most extraordinary natural and medieval landscape in Belgium, from the dramatic Meuse valley castles at Dinant and Namur to the extraordinary Semois valley Bouillon Castle, the finest river meander viewpoint in northern Europe at the Tombeau du Geant, the remarkable Trappist breweries of Rochefort and the extraordinary Spa thermal resort. This focused route covers the essential Ardennes experience. The extraordinary Namur Citadel and Dinant's limestone cliff town, the remarkable Rocher Bayard and Freyr Chateau, the fine Bouillon Castle of the First Crusade, the extraordinary Semois valley Tombeau du Geant viewpoint, the remarkable Rochefort Trappist brewery and the extraordinary Liege, Spa thermal resort and Stavelot Abbey.
Best Time To Visit
May to October for hiking and outdoor terraces
Getting There
Car from Brussels 1 hour to Namur, train to Namur then hire car
Getting Around
Hired car essential. The Ardennes is not accessible by public transport.
Budget Per Day
Approx 70 to 150 EUR per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, some short walks on riverside paths
DAY 1
MEUSE VALLEY
MORNING
NAMUR CITADEL AND CONFLUENCE
The extraordinary Namur Citadel, the largest fortress complex in Belgium perched on the remarkable rocky spur at the confluence of the Sambre and Meuse rivers, with the finest elevated view over the two river valleys and the fine Ardennes hills beyond. The remarkable 2km walk around the extraordinary Citadel walls passes the fine medieval fortifications built up over seven centuries of Namur's strategic military importance. Cable car up and walk down. Entry approx 10 EUR. 30 min drive
MIDDAY
DINANT CITADEL AND SAXOPHONE CITY
The extraordinary Dinant, the finest small town in the Belgian Ardennes, dramatically situated below a remarkable 100-metre vertical limestone cliff with the fine Citadel above and the outstanding Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame squeezed between the rock and the Meuse. The remarkable Adolphe Sax, inventor of the saxophone, was born in Dinant in 1814. The extraordinary painted saxophone sculptures lining the Meuse bridge are the finest public art installation in the Ardennes. Cable car approx 8 EUR. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
ROCHER BAYARD AND FREYR CHATEAU
The extraordinary Rocher Bayard near Dinant, a remarkable free-standing 72-metre basalt rock pinnacle that Louis XIV ordered to be cut in two to allow his army to pass in 1675, creating the fine vertical slot that now divides the remarkable rock. Then the extraordinary Chateau de Freyr on the Meuse bank, a fine 16th-century Renaissance chateau with the most remarkable formal gardens in the Ardennes, still owned by the Beaufort-Spontin family. Entry approx 10 EUR.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Grotte de Han cave system 20km south of Dinant, one of the finest show caves in Europe with remarkable 5km of extraordinary stalactite passages accessible by tram into the remarkable cave interior, is the finest hidden natural attraction in the Belgian Ardennes. The remarkable underground Salle du Dome with its extraordinary stalactite-covered ceiling 129 metres above the cave floor is the finest cave chamber in Belgium. Entry approx 25 EUR.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Namur hotel or cafe Good breakfast before the Citadel cable car. | Lunch: Dinant waterfront brasserie Outstanding traditional Ardennes lunch. Fine Dinantaise couque hard spice biscuit and local beer. | Dinner: La Broche, Dinant Outstanding Ardennes restaurant on the remarkable Meuse waterfront. Fine local trout and Ardennes ham.
DAY 2
SEMOIS VALLEY
MORNING
BOUILLON CASTLE AND SEMOIS VALLEY
The most extraordinary medieval castle in Belgium, the remarkable Chateau de Bouillon perched on an extraordinary rocky spur around which the Semois River loops in a remarkable 270-degree meander 40km south of Dinant. The fine castle was the seat of Godfrey of Bouillon, the extraordinary leader of the First Crusade in 1096. The remarkable Semois valley viewed from the castle battlements is the finest valley panorama in the Belgian Ardennes. Entry approx 10 EUR. 20 min drive
MIDDAY
SEMOIS VALLEY WALK AND TOMBEAU DU GEANT
The extraordinary Tombeau du Geant viewpoint above the remarkable Semois meander near Botassart, the finest single viewpoint in the Belgian Ardennes and one of the finest river panoramas in northern Europe, where the remarkable horseshoe bend of the Semois River 150 metres below creates the most extraordinary natural landscape in the region. The fine 45-minute walk from the road to the viewpoint is the finest short hike in the Ardennes. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
ROCHEFORT CAVE AND TRAPPIST BREWERY
The extraordinary Grotte de Lorette in Rochefort, a remarkable cave system with outstanding stalactite formations in extraordinary pastel colours, and the fine Rochefort Trappist Brewery adjacent, one of only 12 genuine Trappist breweries in the world producing the remarkable Rochefort 8 and Rochefort 10, the finest dark Trappist ales in Belgium. Brewery shop open. Cave entry approx 11 EUR.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Abbaye de Notre-Dame de Saint-Remy at Rochefort, the Trappist monastery that brews the remarkable Rochefort Trappist ales, has an extraordinary stillness and remarkable architectural quality that makes the abbey church one of the finest quiet spiritual spaces in Belgium. The monks allow visitors to the abbey church in the mornings. The fine Trappist beer shop is open to all.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Bouillon hotel or cafe Good breakfast before the Bouillon Castle. | Lunch: La Vieille Ardenne, Bouillon Outstanding traditional Ardennes lunch in the extraordinary castle town. Fine local game and Semois trout. | Dinner: Hotel Restaurant de la Lesse Outstanding Ardennes hotel restaurant near Rochefort. Extraordinary wild boar and local Rochefort beer.
DAY 3
WALLONIA
MORNING
LIEGE AND THE WALLOON CAPITAL
The extraordinary Liege, the finest and most overlooked city in Wallonia, where the remarkable Montagne de Bueren 374-step staircase gives the finest view over the extraordinary Meuse valley from the top of the fine historic Outremeuse quarter. The outstanding Curtius Museum in the remarkable Renaissance mansion holds the finest collection of Mosan art in the world. The extraordinary Liege Sunday Batte market is the finest outdoor market in Belgium. 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
SPA AND THE ARDENNES THERMAL RESORT
The extraordinary Spa, the original spa town that gave its name to the entire concept of thermal bathing, 30km south of Liege in the fine Ardennes hills. The remarkable Thermes de Spa facility on the hillside above the town is the finest modern thermal complex in Belgium with extraordinary outdoor pools overlooking the Ardennes. The fine historic pump rooms and the remarkable Pouhon Pierre-le-Grand mineral fountain are the finest spa heritage in Europe. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
STAVELOT ABBEY AND CIRCUIT DE SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS
The extraordinary Stavelot, the finest Ardennes village, with the remarkable 7th-century abbey ruins and the outstanding three museums in the abbey complex including the fine Apollinaire Museum. Then the extraordinary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, the finest motor racing circuit in the world and the home of the Belgian Grand Prix, where the remarkable Eau Rouge corner and the extraordinary Raidillon climb are the finest corners in Formula 1. Trackside access free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Chateau de Veve near Celles in the Lesse valley, a remarkable 15th-century private Gothic revival castle perched on a fine limestone spur above the extraordinary Lesse valley, is the finest and most photographed castle in the Belgian Ardennes viewed from the valley below. Open Easter to November. Entry approx 7 EUR. The extraordinary view from the castle over the remarkable Lesse valley is the finest in Namur province.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Ardennes hotel Good breakfast before the drive to Liege. | Lunch: Liege Batte market Outstanding Sunday market lunch. The finest Boudin de Liege, remarkable fromage de Herve and fine Liege waffles. | Dinner: Stavelot village restaurant Outstanding traditional Walloon dinner. Fine Ardennes ham, wild boar and remarkable local abbey beer.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Dinant or Bouillon Hotel Merveilleuse or Auberge du Moulin Hideux. Riverside locations. Approx 80 to 200 EUR. Spa or Stavelot Area Villa des Fleurs or Hotel de la Poste. Approx 80 to 180 EUR per night. Budget Ardennes gites and country houses. Approx 50 to 120 EUR per night.
Top Tips
1. Hire a car. The Belgian Ardennes is entirely inaccessible without one.
2. The Tombeau du Geant viewpoint is the finest sight in the Ardennes. Allow 1.5 hours for the walk.
3. Bouillon Castle is finest on weekday mornings before the Belgian family day-trippers arrive.
4. The Grotte de Han cave tour is extraordinary. Book online in peak July and August.
5. Spa-Francorchamps trackside access is free. Check the F1 calendar for race weekends in August and September.
6. Rochefort Trappist beer is extraordinary. Buy the remarkable 10 at the abbey shop.
Total Budget
100 to 330 EUR/day