17 Astonishing Places to Visit and Things to Do in Dinant, Belgium

June 1, 2023 Mustafa Natalwala 1964 Views

Dinant is a city in Wallonia municipality in the Namur province of Belgium. The city is split by the river Meuse and is surrounded by mountains. This hidden gem is packed with incredible attractions and will leave you breathless with its charm. The best things to do in Dinant, Belgium include exploring historical sites, the natural beauty around Meuse, nearby towns, and adventure activities.

Dinant boasts a long and fascinating history, dating back to the 11th century and beyond. There are numerous historical places to visit in Dinant with incredible architecture and stories.

From the ancient Dinant Citadel to the impressive Notre Dame de Dinant, the town is filled with historical landmarks that offer insights into its past. Exploring these Dinant tourist attractions allows you to immerse yourself in the stories and heritage of the region.

The city is also home to several museums dedicated to various people, places, and things. The most popular among these Dinant attractions include the Museum of Adolphe Sax and the Museum of Leffe. Although almost all historical sites have museums of their own.

Another major reason for people to visit Dinant is the natural surroundings. Situated along the picturesque Meuse River, the city is surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. The river and the lush green landscapes create a scenic backdrop for the town and boast some of the most beautiful things to see in Dinant.

This makes it a perfect destination for those seeking tranquility and outdoor adventures. From hiking trails and kayaking to river cruises, there are plenty of opportunities to explore and appreciate the natural places to see in Dinant.

And if you are done with Dinant sightseeing, you can head for the surrounding towns and natural sites. These places to visit near Dinant have unique historical and natural wonders of their own including castles, churches, museums, castle ruins, historical buildings, and more.

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Table of Contents

Top 17 Tourist Places to Visit in Dinant, Belgium

1. Dinant Citadel

The history of this fort dates back to 1051 AD, however, the current version you would see was primarily built in 1815. The sight of this fort sitting atop the cliff is one of the most amazing places to see in Dinant, Belgium.

The fort overlooks the Meuse River that runs through the town. You can tour the vast fortress to learn about its structure, history of battles, stories of people that lived here, and more. It takes at least 2 hours from Dinant travel to tour this massive fort.

2. Abbaye Notre-Dame de Leffe

This abbey was established in 1152 and is one of the most important places to visit in Dinant, Belgium. It sits in the outskirts town of Leffe. It is renowned for its historical, cultural, and religious significance.

This abbey has been through plague, burning, war, flood, and more. It also stood through the effects of the French Revolution and the industrial revolution. You will need about an hour to tour this abbey and explore its history when you visit Dinant.

3. Charles de Gaulle Bridge (Saxophone Bridge)

This bridge connects the two sides of the city and is lined with sculptures of saxophones. Each of these is painted in a theme to pay tribute to a country of the European Union and is paired with a flag of the country.

It is one of the most photographed Dinant tourist attractions, especially if you want to click a few whimsical ones. You can explore this bridge during Dinant sightseeing as you will come across it several times. Try to click a new and more creative picture each time you cross it.

4. Notre Dame de Dinant

This massive structure was built in the 13th century and still dominates the town’s skyline. The original building on this site collapsed when a rock fell on it in 1227.

The current iteration exhibits Gothic style architecture in the Mason style and looks like a palace from a fantasy tale. It is one of the most impressive things to see in Dinant, Belgium.

You can admire the wonderful architectural features, interior artwork, and historical artifacts in this collegiate. It takes about an hour to tour this place.

5. Maison Leffe

The history of the beer brand goes back to 1240 when the Premonstratensian canons started brewing ale in the monastery. You can explore the history and manufacturing process of Belgian beer at this brewery.

It is one of the best things to do in Dinant, Belgium. You can taste the delicious beer at different stages of production and engage with the interesting history of its unique taste. It takes about an hour or so to tour the brewery.

6. Grotte La Merveilleuse

The cave sits in the province of Namur near Dinant, Belgium. It was discovered in 1904 by railway workers. It is one of the most interesting places to visit near Dinant, Belgium.

Today the caves are segmented into galleries featuring natural rock formations, calcite waterfalls, underground river, stalactites, stalagmites, and so on. You need about 2 hours to explore the caves when you visit Dinant.

7. Rocher Bayard

This needle rock rises to a height of 40 meters and sits on the bank of River Meuse. The rock is included among Dinant attractions for its association with the ancient Ardennes legend of the four sons of Duke Aymon.

The rock is named after the horse of the Prince of the Ardennes. It is said that the rock had stuck the rock to split it away from the mountain and helped its rider escape Charlemagne. You will need about an hour to see the rock and hear about its legend.

8. Castle of Freÿr

This castle was built in the Middle Ages and is one of the most popular places to visit near Dinant, Belgium for its historical significance. The oldest part of the castle dates to 1571 and it was expanded during the 1700s.

The interior of the castle is adorned with artworks, furniture, paintings, and other decor from the 18th century. It represents the summer house of a nobleman from the era. You will need about 2 hours from Dinant sightseeing to tour this castle.

9. Brasserie Caracole

This brewery is known for its hand-crafted artisanal beers and is a popular Dinant tourist attraction for those who enjoy the beverage. They brew the beer over a wood-fired oven and even bottle the beer manually. You can take some time from Dinant Travel to enjoy a few drinks here.

10. Dinant River Cruise

This cruise boat takes you on a journey along river Muese for Dinant sightseeing. The boat has two levels: a panoramic lounge and a terrace. It glides through the river and under bridges.

As the journey progresses, a guide will tell you about the history, legends, and unique aspects of Dinant tourist attractions. There are 3 types of cruises you can take: Tourist, Themed, and Private. It is a nice way to explore the city and you need about 2 to 3 hours from Dinant travel for this experience.

11. Furfooz Park

This park is one of the best places to visit in Dinant to explore nature as well as to get insights into archeological history. The park has nature trails through forests, streams, and rock formations.

The park is also an archeological site with remnants of ancient settlers. You can explore the caves where humans once resided. You should can also see the reconstructed Roman baths that date back to the 3rd century. You need 2 hours to explore the Dinant attractions in this park.

12. Vêves Castle (Château de Vêves)

This 15th-century chateau, however, history goes back to the 7th century. It is one of the most magnificent places to see in Dinant. The structure exhibits Renaissance-style architecture and looks like a castle from a fairytale.

You can explore the grounds, the architecture, and part of the interior. The inside of the chateau reflects all the elements of a stately lifestyle from the period. You will need about an hour to tour this place when you visit Dinant.

13. Dinant Adventure Park

Spread over 20 hectares, this adventure park has a variety of outdoor activities to do in Dinant. It used to be a sandstone quarry and is now converted into a wonderful park with suspended bridges, rock walls, tree swings, paintball, laser tag, and trails. You can easily spend a few hours testing your fitness at this adventure park.

14. Maison de Monsieur Sax

Dinant is the birthplace of Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the Saxophone. This museum is developed inside his birth house and celebrates his life, his invention, and the history of saxophones.

It has some of the most interesting things to see in Dinant. You will see saxophones of all shapes and sizes.

The museum also traces the spread of this instrument across the world and its incorporation into various musical genres. You will need an hour or so to tour this museum.

15. Jardins d’Annevoie

These gardens are among the most wonderfully designed tourist attractions in Dinant. They have curated gardens in French formal, Italian, and English styles. They are also known for the sculptures, ponds, and water fountains that adorn the place. You can enjoy an hour exploring the gardens when you visit Dinant.

16. Castle of Crevecoeur

This castle was built in the 14th century and defended Bouvignes sur Meuse. It fell in 1554 to Henry II of France and still lies in ruins. It remains one of the most popular Dinant attractions, not for its history, but for the view and adventure.

People come to see the ruined castle, explore hiking trails around it, and take in an amazing view of the Meuse Valley. You will need 2 hours from Dinant travel to explore this castle and its surroundings.

17. Kayaking over Lesse River

If you are looking for a more adventurous way to explore River Lesse, then take a kayak and paddle on. It is one of the best things to do in Dinant, Belgium for thrill seekers.

You can kayak through forest streams or go downhill for more fun. The trails range between 9 to 12 km. You will need at least an hour for any of these kayak adventures.

If you are looking for more places to visit in Dinant or near it, check out the sections below. We have created an exhaustive list of attractions and activities that you can enjoy in the city and around it.

Things to do in Dinant, Belgium

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Dinant, Belgium

Dinant Citadel
Veves Castle
Castle of Freyr
Walzin Castle
Notre Dame de Dinant
Maison Leffe
Maison de Adolphe Sax
Chateau Fort de Montaigle
Poilvache Castle
Castle of Crevecoeur
Crupet Castle
Bioul Castle
Abbaye Notre Dame de Leffe
Annevoie Castle
Maison de Patrimoine Medieval Mosan
Spontin Castle
Falaen Castle
Waulsortium Museum
Maison de la Pataphonie
Le Moulin d’Hermeton
Chevetogne Abbey
Collegiale St. Hadelin de Celles
Halte Royal d’Ardenne
Haute-Meuse Museum of Archeology
Museum of Remembrance May 1940
Maison du Patrimoine de Hastiere
La Spirale Centre des Metiers d’Art
Grotte Saint Antoine de Padoue
Chateau de Fontaine
Monument a la Mur Tschoffen
Abbey Church of St. Peter
Chapelle du Maquis de Fenfe

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Dinant, Belgium

Grotte la Merveilleuse Caves
River Lesse
River Muese
Aiguilles de Chaleux
Promenade de Waulsort
Ille d’Androssart
Isla de Houx

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Dinant, Belgium

Park Furfooz
Les Jardins d’Annevoie
Grand Casino de Dinant
Railbikes of the Molignee
Chateau Bon Baron
Sentiers d’art
Isla de Yvoir
Agimont Adventure
Les Bains de Dinant
Memorial aux Victimes du 23 Aout 1914
Trot-e-Fun
Mes Adventure d’Enchanteur
St. Roch Park
Escape Cruise

Shopping in Dinant, Belgium

Turquoise Avenue
JBC Dinant
Ville 2 Centre Commercial

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure in Dinant, Belgium

Hiking
Rock Climbing
River Cruise
Kayaking

Sightseeing in Dinant, Belgium

Charles de Gaulle Bridge
Rocher Bayard
Le Chemin de Fer du Bocq
Le Cascatelles

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Dinant, Belgium

Cafe Leffe
Le Coin a Tapas
Chez Bouboule
La Chine
Hoa Sen
A la Ville de Bruges
La Broche
La Planche des Saveurs
Ostaria le Piave
Le Din’en ville
Le Wiertz
Les Mougneus d’as
La Table d’Antonio
La Medina
La Confessional
Cote Sax
Le Jardin de Fiorine
Le Coin des Gourmets
Chez Nino
L’Oree du Gout
Le Cafe Ardennais
Taverne de la Meuse
Le Freyr
Pizzeria Taormina
Le Cerf Vert
L’ours Rouge
Hostellerie Giain
Le Saxophone

Where to Stay in Dinant?

Here we have listed Top Rated Hotels in Dinant. You can check the below-listed hotels for your perfect stay in Dinant.

Custom Tours Package in Dinant

How to Reach Dinant, Belgium?

By Air

The closest airport to get to Dinant is the Brussels South Charleroi Airport. It sits about 40 km away from the city. Although Brussels and Luxembourg are too far either. They sit 78 and 116 km away respectively. And each of these cities offers train connectivity to visit Dinant.

By Road

You get direct trains from several cities in Belgium and cities in neighbouring countries for Dinant travel. The majority of cities connect with Dinant via Namen. While trains from Luxembourg for Dinant travel connect through Aarlen, Libramont, and Bertrix.

You can also get direct buses from several cities in Belgium to reach Dinant. Although, if you are traveling from a distance, the train is a much cheaper and faster option.

If you are planning to reach Dinant by road, you should head for routes N96, N97, N94, or N95.

By Water

There are no direct water routes to reach Dinant. Although you can enjoy river cruises for Dinant sightseeing.

Image Reference

Dinant Citadel – Dennis Jarvis / Flickr
Abbaye Notre-Dame de Leffe – Tristan Schmurr / Flickr
Charles de Gaulle Bridge (Saxophone Bridge) – LBM1948 / Wikimedia Commons
Notre Dame de Dinant – Ben Kerckx / PixaBay
Maison Leffe – peterolthof / Flickr
Grotte La Merveilleuse – Farrukh / Flickr
Rocher Bayard – Jean Housen / Wikimedia Commons
Castle of Freÿr – Marc Ryckaert (MJJR) / Wikimedia Commons
Brasserie Caracole – Denkhenk / Wikimedia Commons
Dinant River Cruise – Jean Luc HEBERT / Flickr
Furfooz Park – desiderata12 / Wikimedia Commons
Vêves Castle (Château de Vêves) – KarelMeuleman / Wikimedia Commons
Dinant Adventure Park –
Maison de Monsieur Sax – Kyle Wagaman / Flickr
Jardins d’Annevoie – James Stringer / Flickr
Castle of Crevecoeur – Jean-Pol GRANDMONT / Wikimedia Commons
Kayaking over Lesse River – Sally V / Wikimedia Commons