Visit The Top 20 Tourist Attractions and Things to Do in Namur, Belgium

July 30, 2023 Mustafa Natalwala 1802 Views

Namur is a city in the Wallonia region of Belgium. The city sits at the confluence of rivers Sambre and Meuse. It is known for its rich historical and cultural heritage. The majority of the best things to do in Namur, Belgium revolves around exploring medieval castles and pre-historic archeological sites.

The city is home to some of the best-preserved medieval castles in Belgium. The largest among these is the Citadel. This magnificent defensive structure is one of the best places to visit in Namur. It sits atop the hill overlooking the city like a guardian.

Besides the Citadel, Namur tourist attractions also include several other forts, defensive walls, towers, chateaus, palaces, and more. You can have an entire day of Namur sightseeing just by exploring these historical structures. The majority of these military structures and royal residences were built during the Middle Ages and onwards. But, many of these Namur attractions were built on Roman military structures.

Owing to its place as a major trading settlement, the city boasted a lot of wealth. But it was also often attacked. Hence, these defensive structures played a major role in the city’s survival and evolution.

The wealth also contributed to the construction of beautiful public buildings, squares, parks, gardens, and churches. The cathedrals are especially some of the wonderful things to see in Namur. The exteriors feature a variety of architectural styles decorated with sculptures and intricate carvings. While the interiors feature an even more opulent scene adorned with incredible artwork and treasures.

Aside from history, pre-history is also an important part of Namur travel. The city is surrounded by caves that were once walked by our ancestors. These caves are important archeological sites showing evidence of early human activity dating beyond 36,000 BCE. You can also explore these caves when you visit Namur to see skeletons of several pre-historic animals including mammoth and wooly rhinoceros.

Your trip to Namur will have you tour through several ages of human history exploring culture, art, architecture, traditions, warfare, and more.

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Table of Contents

Top 20 Tourist Places to Visit in Namur, Belgium

1. Terra Nova

This museum is held in 17th-century barracks in the Citadel. The collection includes several artifacts from different periods of history. These are some of the interesting places to visit in Namur, Belgium.

Exploring this museum first helps you better understand the history and architecture of the Citadel as well as the town.

You can also take a guided tour of the tunnels underneath the fortress. This also includes a toy train ride, one of the best things to do in Namur, Belgium. You will be touring through various stages of the Citadel’s development.

It takes about 2 hours to tour the museum and the underground tunnels.

2. Citadel of Namur

The Citadel sits atop a hill close to the convergence of rivers Sambre and Meuse. It is an incredible structure, one of the most magnificent things to see in Namur, Belgium.

The citadel dates back to 937. However, the current structure was built between 1631 and 1675. You can also explore the older part of the fortification which was built in 1542.

It is only when you tour the Citadel that you can admire the size and scale of the fortification. The tour tells you about the defensive structure and its military purpose. You will need at least an hour to explore the entire Citadel.

3. Musée Provincial Félicien Rops

This museum is dedicated to renowned artist Felician Rops. He is considered the pioneer of comics in Belgium. The museum exhibits artifacts from his life as well as his artworks.

It is one of the most interesting Namur attractions. Rops is known for his bold themes revolving around dark, erotic, and satanic subjects. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to tour this museum.

4. Belfry of Namur

Also known as the St. Jacob’s Tower, this structure was first built in 1388 and used to be a part of the city’s defensive wall. In 1746, it was turned into a Belfry. It is one of the most important historical Namur tourist attractions.

The tower played an important role in the defensive and civil history of the town. You will need about half an hour or so to explore this historical monument.

5. Pont de Jambes

This bridge connects Jambes and the foot of the citadel. The bridge was rebuilt several times over the years. Its history dates back to the 2nd century BCE. It was also a part of the city’s defenses and used to hold cannons at one point. Take a few minutes from Namur sightseeing to admire the role this bridge played in the history of the town.

6. Halle al’Chair Archaeology Museum

This museum is housed in a wonderful Mosan Renaissance building that dates back to the 16th century. Inside the building is the museum that traces the history of the town. It is one of the first places to visit in Namur as it puts the rest of the trip into perspective.

You will learn about the evolution of the town over the ages. You will learn about the culture, wars, events, people, and more. You will need an hour to tour this museum when you visit Namur, Belgium.

7. St Aubin’s Cathedral

This cathedral is unlike any other building in the town. Designed in the Late Baroque style, the church’s architecture is one of the most wonderful things to see in Namur, Belgium.

The church was built in 1559 and was the only cathedral built in the Low Countries. The interior of the church is also beautiful. It is decorated with ornate carvings and amazing artwork. You will need 30 to 45 minutes from Namur travel to explore this church.

8. Musée Africain de Namur

This museum exhibits several artifacts that were brought from the European colonization of Africa. The collection showcases various aspects of the African culture. The majority of them hail from Congolese culture.

It is one of the most interesting Namur tourist attractions. Alongside African culture, the museum also sheds light on the dark side of colonization including wars and slave trade. You will need an hour or so to tour this museum when you visit Namur in Belgium.

9. Fort de Malonne

This fort was built in the 19th century and is one of the nine forts that were built for the city’s protection during that period. The fort lies mostly in ruins but is still a fascinating Namur tourist attraction owing to the history of the stones.

The fort was once a thriving military establishment that saw many battles. It was also bombarded by German artillery in 1914.

Learn about these stories through the scars in the stone. You will need about an hour from Namur travel to tour this fort.

10. Spy Cave

This cave was not actually used by spies, it’s just located in the municipality named Spy. This cave has great archeological significance. It is one of the most important Paleolithic sites in Europe.

The cave has evidence of human activity dating 36,000 BCE and beyond. It is one of the most fascinating things to do in Namur in Belgium. The cave also had skeletons of various animals such as horses, hyenas, cave bears, reindeer, mammoths, and wooly rhinoceros.

The site is about 20 to 30 minutes away from the city. So you will need to take 2 hours from Namur sightseeing to explore the cave and historical treasures within.

11. Château de Corroy-le-Château

This castle was built during the early 1200s. It is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in the country. It is located about 30 minutes drive away from the town and is one of the most interesting places to visit near Namur in Belgium.

It looks exactly as you would imagine a medieval castle to be. A strong stone structure with a moat around it. There is a bridge that takes you inside the castle. The tour shows you how the castle was built and the history of the people that lived here. You will need about 2 hours to make a trip to explore this attraction near Namur.

12. TreM.a – Musée des Arts anciens

The Museum of Ancient Arts of Namurois focuses on the artworks created between the 12th and 16th centuries. Although it also houses many historical artifacts as well.

The museum specifically focuses on the arts of Namur and Burgundian Netherlands. It is one of the best Namur attractions to understand regional history and culture. You will need an hour to tour this museum.

13. Cable Car Ride

The cable car ride takes you to the top of the Citadel. It is a ride between two historical sites. The ride begins in the historical square Place Maurice Servais and culminates with the Citadel.

It is one of the top things to do in Namur, Belgium. You get an amazing view of the historical old town and the site of the confluence of two rivers. You will need an hour for this journey.

14. Rue de Fer

This street in the old town is one of the best routes to pick for Namur sightseeing. You will be surrounded on both sides by historical buildings. You will see a variety of architectural styles including Baroque and Renaissance.

The street is also popular for shopping and dining. It is one of the best places to visit in Namur to shop for souvenirs. You can buy traditional items, high-end fashion, food products, local goods, and more. Rue de Fer also has fine cafes and restaurants. You can easily spend an hour or so strolling this street.

15. Spontin Castle (Château de Spontin)

This is yet another moated castle that you can visit during Namur travel. It was first built in the 12th century and then was expanded in the 14th, 16th, and 19th centuries.

Hence it shows a blend of different architectural sites hailing from different periods. It sits about 20 minutes away from the city, so you need at least 2 hours to make a trip to explore this castle.

16. Sambre River Cruise

The river cruise takes you through rivers Meuse and Sambre. You can take a regular ferry or a guided boat tour. This cruise ride shows you riverside Namur tourist attractions. The tours are usually an hour long and the guide gives you great insights about the city and its history.

17. Church of Saint Loup (Église catholique Saint-Loup)

This Baroque-style church was built during the 1600s. It is known for its beautiful architecture, especially the Stucco facade. The facade stands on 12 Doric pillars.

It also has beautiful ornate decor featuring paintings, sculptures, frescoes, stone carvings, carved furniture, and more. The interior is one of the most ornate Namur attractions and you need about 30 minutes to tour the church.

18. Strawberry Museum (Musée de la Fraise)

This museum is housed in a villa on the banks of River Meuse and is dedicated to Strawberries. It’s a fun museum that sheds light on the properties of the fruit and how it is cultivated in the region. You can also buy a variety of food and handicraft products made from strawberries. It is one of the most interesting museums to explore when you visit Namur.

19. Place d’Armes

This public square is known for exhibiting Belgian humour in the form of statues. These are the most intriguing things to see in Namur, Belgium. The statues depict popular cartoon characters Francwes and Djoseph with two snails.

It is supposed to be a satire on the pace of life in the city. This is one of the most photographed attractions in Namur and you can take a few minutes during Namur sightseeing to click one yourself.

20. Maredsous Abbey (Abbaye de Maredsous)

This Benedictine monastery is known for the famous Maredsous Beer. This famous beverage was once brewed in the monastery. It is a riveting place to visit near Namur, Belgium for those interested in historic breweries.

The monastery does not brew the beer anymore, but you can tour the place to see how it was historically made. You can also see how the monks make their unique brand of cheese.

People can also sample the cheese and buy it from the monastery. You need an hour from Namur travel to tour this monastery.

If you are looking for more things to see in Namur, check out the sections below. We have compiled a complete list of attractions and activities to enjoy in the city and around it.

Things to do in Namur, Belgium

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

Citadel of Namur
Museo provincial Felician Rops
TreM.a – Museo de Arte Antiguo
Eglise Catholique Saint – Loup
Namur Cathedral
Crupet Castle
Castle of Corroy le Chateau
Bioul Castle
Scladina Cave
Abbaye Notre Dame du Vivier
Strawberry Museum
Spy Cave
Museum of Decorative Arts of Namur
Annevoie Castle
Goyet Cave
NAM-IP Computer Museum
Fort St. Heribert
Musee African de Namur
Terra Nova
Musee Diocesain – Tresor de la Cathedrale
Galerie du Beffroi
Castle of Fernelmont
Le Chateau de Faulx les Tomes
Belfry of Namur
Chateau de Goyet
Le Pavillion
Chateau de Haltinne
Fort d’Emines
Les Bateliers Musee Archeologique de Namur
Siegneurie d’Anhaive
Grotte de Floreffe
Musee Archeologique de la Haute Meuse
Chateau de Dave
Samson Fortress
Fort d’Andoy
Chateau de Courriere
Ciudadela de Namur
Fort de Marchovelette
Regare sur Fosses la Ville
Chateau de Flawinne
Domaine de Mielmont
Fort de Maizeret
Fort de Suarlee
Gery Art Gallery
Grotte Saint Antoine de Padoue
Mont Sainte Marie
Le Delta
Societe Archeologique de Namur
Chateau de Bonneville
Belfry of Gembloux
Chateau Marteau Longe
Les Anciens Moulins de Beez
Falnuee Castle
Chateau de Balatre
Abbaye d’Argenton

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Namur, Belgium

Bocq river
Reserve Naturelle de Sclaigneaux
Escaile Nature Reserve

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Namur, Belgium

Les Jardins d’Annevoie
Circus Casino Resort
Parc Attractif Reine Fabiola
Federations des Parcs Naturels de Wallonie
Parc Louise Marie
Isla de Yvoir
Xtreme Fun Park
Le NID
Isla de Dave
Jardin des Petits Fruits
Hotel de Gaiffier d’Hestroy
Isla Vas T’y Frotte

Shopping in Namur, Belgium

Rue de Fer
INNO Namur
Galeries Saint Joseph
C&A Mall

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure in Namur, Belgium

Hiking
Boat Cruise
Cave Exploration

Sightseeing in Namur, Belgium

Puente de Jambes
Djoseph & Francwes Sculpture
Esplanade de la Citadelle
Passerelle I’Enjambee
Point de Vue de la Couleuvrine
Pont des Ardennes

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

Brasserie Francois
Le Ponti 2
L’essentiel
Les Sens du Gout
L’air du Temps
Michel
Le Plage d’Amee
Limoni
Le Grill des Tanneurs
Farfalle
L’Espieglerie
Cavo
Le D’Arville
Chateau de Namur
Attablez Vous
San Marino
Le Patanthrope
Le Roma
Brasserie Edgard
La Cantina
Chez Chen Wepion
Parfums de Cuisine
Mykonos
Bistro Belgo Belge
Les Mimosas
L’Huile Sur le Fue
Le Val 9
Le Brasserie du Quai

Where to Stay in Namur?

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

Custom Tours Package in Namur

How to Reach Namur, Belgium?

By Air

Charleroi Airport is the closest one to Namur. It sits about 30 km away from the town. Although Brussels airport is far away either. It is 60 km away. Both of these towns have direct train connectivity to reach Namur. You can also get buses and rental cars from these airports to visit Namur.

By Road

You can get to Namur from several cities and towns in Belgium by train. Some of the important destinations include Brussels, Charleroi, Liege, Ghent, Bruges, Antwerp, Goes, and so on. The bus network is even more widespread. However, if you are traveling from a significant distance, trains are far more convenient.

If you are planning for Namur travel by road, you should head for routes E411 or E42. These two routes intersect at the north edge of Namur.

By Water

There are no direct water routes to reach Namur.

Image Reference

Terra Nova – Jmh2o / Wikimedia Commons
Citadel of Namur – Calonne Marcel / Wikimedia Commons
Musée Provincial Félicien Rops – Desaparecido / Wikimedia Commons
Belfry of Namur – Damien Tournay / Flickr
Pont de Jambes – Stephane Mignon / Flickr
Halle al’Chair Archaeology Museum – QuanahZ / Wikimedia Commons
St Aubin’s Cathedral – Tichon Samuel / Wikimedia Commons
Musée Africain de Namur – Mortier.Daniel / Wikimedia Commons
Fort de Malonne – Caemir / Wikimedia Commons
Spy Cave – A. Waroquier / Wikimedia Commons
Château de Corroy-le-Château – Johan Bakker / Wikimedia Commons
TreM.a – Musée des Arts anciens – Kotomi_ / Flickr
Cable Car Ride – Rutger van der Maar / Flickr
Rue de Fer – Jorge Franganillo / Flickr
Spontin Castle (Château de Spontin) – James Stringer / Flickr
Sambre River Cruise – Pierre-Paul Daneels / PixaBay
Church of Saint Loup (Église catholique Saint-Loup) – Zairon / Wikimedia Commons
Strawberry Museum (Musée de la Fraise) – Aurélien Huysentruyt / Wikimedia Commons
Place d’Armes – ms2855a / Flickr
Maredsous Abbey (Abbaye de Maredsous) – Julien Willem / Wikimedia Commons