Amazing Places to Visit in Under 3 Hours: Durbuy

Written by: Alix Burton Rassel

Just a 90 minute car ride from Luxembourg is the picturesque and gastronomic delight that is one of Belgium’s best kept secrets: Durbuy. Although Durbuy has one of the smallest populations in the world of just around 500, it was given city status dates back in 1331 when John I, Count of Luxembourg and King of Bohemia, bestowed the title.

In Durbuy, there is something to suit everyone’s taste. From a luxury spa to a gastronomic meal, or perhaps a visit to the the nearby adventure park or hiking trail, it’s a perfect stop to hit.

Feeling Festive

Running from November 25th – January 8th, magic awaits at Durbuy’s Christmas market! Featuring artisanal stalls, a festive nativity scene & storytelling there is something for everyone! You will be able to find quality crafts, unique gifts and so many beautiful ideas on how to decorate your Christmas table this year. Fill up on the market’s gourmet produce and warming festive drinks that will be sure to delight the whole family.

Grab a Drink

If you are partial to a Belgian beer or two, you can visit the Nul Bar Ailleurs which offers a wide selection of Belgian beers and tapas!

Take a break on one of the many café terraces and watch the world go by, including our pick the Terrase 1850.

Check out the bar Tortuga, which is pirate-themed and super fun!

Eat Out

If you’re looking a fabulous dining experience, check out Le Grand Verre, a Michelin Star restaurant. This restaurant is named after famous Dadaist artist Marcel Duchamp, and the food is just as creative!

Sightseeing

No trip to Durbuy would be complete without visiting Radhadesh, a historic chateau which is now an ISKCON temple. Visiting Radhadesh is like finding a piece of India in Belgium. Women are proudly dressed in saris; there is a beautiful ‘Hindu’ style temple complete with deities and a restaurant that serves vegetarian Indian cuisine. Radhadesh even hosts its own yoga retreats, for those who want a little extra time to take in the energy and culture that surrounds this community.

Where to Stay

If you decide to stay the weekend, there is a cornucopia of hotels and apartments to suit every budget. One that we recommend is the Hotel La Librarie, which is a quaint and idyllic place to stay in a wonderful location!

Quick Tips When Visiting

It is wise to book a hotel in advance as Durbuy attracts many tourists from Belgium and the Netherlands on the weekends.

Halloween weekend is always a good time to visit the city, where they celebrate in style with spooky decorations and family events like old fashioned hay rides.

For more information on Durbuy visit the local tourist office or the towns own website:
https://durbuytourisme.be/en/

Anything we missed in Durbuy? Let us know in the comments!