Whether you’re planning a day trip to Dinant or a weekend visit, this list shares all the very best things to do and more!
I learned of Dinant while scrolling on Instagram, and as soon as I saw a picture of it, I knew I had to get there myself. Why? Well, this small Belgian town is quite a sight to see!
It’s characterized by its eye-catching Collegiate Church of Our Lady framed perfectly by the towering Dinant Citadel from above and the passing Meuse River below.
And while the view was enough to entice me, it’s actually just the tip of the iceberg of what Dinant has to offer. This unsuspecting small town is the birthplace of Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone. And it’s also in Dinant where you can learn a bit about the popular Belgian brew, Leffe, at the Leffe Brewery and museum.
So if you’re ready to venture off the beaten path to see one of Europe’s most beautiful small towns: Here are the best things to do in Dinant, Belgium.
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How much time is needed to visit Dinant?
In my opinion, a day trip to Dinant is probably all you need. This town is gorgeous, but it is small, and the main attractions can certainly be seen within 24 hours.
But if you enjoy a slower pace of travel to pretty places, I can imagine an overnight stay or weekend in Dinant would also be magical.
Where to Stay: Best Airbnb + Hotels in Dinant
If you do decide to spend the night, here are some of the best/coolest places to stay in Dinant:
- La Merveilleuse by Infiniti Resorts: a hotel housed in a beautiful old monastery that also hosts the Maison Leffe beer museum.
- La Belle Étable: a stylish and well-rated hotel with a hot tub, free bikes, and a quiet location on the outskirt of Dinant.
- Ibis Dinant: a reliable hotel chain with a fantastic location in the heart of the city center along the Meuse River.
- The Cave: a beyond charming and unique Dinant guesthouse with exposed natural stone walls.
How to Get to Dinant
The easiest way to get to Dinant is by car. But if you can’t drive there, don’t fret! Here are some of the main ways to get to Dinant.
Brussels to Dinant
Dinant is one of the best day trips from Brussels, thanks to how easily it can be reached via train. The train route between these two cities is just under two hours.
Your first option is to jump on the IC2529 train at Station Brussel-Schuman. You may need to take a train from the Centraal station to Schuman if you’re starting downtown. From Schuman, it’s 1.5 hours and ten stops to Dinant.
If you’re not coming from Brussels, many trains to Dinant either connect in Brussels or in Namur. You can check your options at the SNCB official website (Belgium’s train company).
Dinant Parking
For those driving, we found parking in Dinant fairly easily along the river, across the water from the Citadel. The street is Av. Colonel Cadoux, right by the Dinant Letters. But I recommend coming early if you’re hoping to nab one of these spots.
We tried to find parking in Dinant based on the pins in Google, but we failed to find an actual parking lot/garage. If anyone has any recommendations, please share below!
16 Best Things to Do in Dinant, Belgium
If you’re curious about what to do in Dinant, I gotchu. And this list of the best things to do can easily be made into a one day Dinant itinerary if desired!
1. La Citadelle de Dinant
Admission: €12 | Opening Hours: 10:00am – 6:00pm (summer)
La Citadelle de Dinant is the town’s famous fort with impressive views. It was originally built in 1051, but the current fortress is from 1852. Inside is set up with various exhibits describing the origins of the fort and a vicious battle that was fought there during WWI.
It’s perched high above the city center and requires either a walk up 408 steps or a short ride in the cable car to the top. You can buy your ticket from the admission office behind the church. It costs €11 per adult, and your entry ticket includes the cable car.
2. Collégiale Notre-Dame de Dinant
Admission: Free | Opening Hours: 9:00am – 6:00pm (summer)
Next on this list of best things to do in Dinant is, of course, the jaw-dropping church. The Notre-Dame de Dinant is a Gothic beauty that dates back to the 13th century and is iconic thanks to its pear-shaped bell tower.
It’s what stands out most when viewing the Dinant skyline and is worth taking a few minutes to step inside. Entry is free, and you get into the church through the side doors.
3. Dinant Sign
The Dinant sign is less of a thing to do and more of a thing to see. It’s perfectly located along the side of the river in front of the spectacular Dinant skyline. It’s also where some parking spots are, so it’s a convenient thing to see and snap a pic of before heading off!
4. Maison Leffe – Museum Abbey Brewery
Admission: €10 | Opening Hours: 11:00am-7:00pm
Maison Leffe is an old monastery turned brewery turned museum/hotel. The hotel boasts bird’s eye views of Dinant and continues its historic tradition by sharing the tradition of the Leffe beer brand.
Leffe was originally brewed by Monks pre-French Revolution but continues to be a popular Belgian brew. It costs €12 for a 30-minute visit to the museum, a beer tasting, and a gift like a glass or a bottle of beer.
5. Maison Adolphe Sax
Admission: Free | Opening Hours: 9:00am-6:00pm
The Maison Adolphe Sax is a small public display that showcases the history of Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone! Born in 1814, Mr. Sax went on to invent the saxophone in the 1840s.
The little museum is free to enter and doesn’t take more than 15 minutes to get a little history lesson.
6. Charles de Gaulle Saxophone Bridge
Dinant’s bridge is lined with eye-catching saxophone statues in tribute to Dinant native, Adolphe Sax. Each statue is painted with a unique design and is dedicated to a different country. Additionally, the bridge is named after Charles de Gaulle, an important French figure in the fight against the Germans during WWII.
7. River Cruise
Admission: €11-€23
The Dinant river cruise is another fantastic way to soak in the beauty of this charming Belgian town from the Meuse River! There are two round-trip cruise options: one that’s a 45-minute ride to the little town of Anseremmedown and another that’s two hours to Freyer and back.
You can also book a bundle ticket that includes a cruise, entry to the citadel, and the cable car. Learn more on the cruise website here.
8. Try Croque de Dinant
Croquet de Dinant are cookies known for their super-hard texture and intricately pressed designs. They’re made using only flour and honey and are characterized by their golden exterior. While you can technically eat them, they’re mostly decorative or hung as ornaments.
9. River Walk + the Rocher Bayard Rock
If you’re feeling up for a little stroll, Dinant’s river walk is an idyllic trail with pretty views. You can take it down about 15 minutes to the small town’s iconic needle rock known as Rocher Bayard. This needle rock is split from the larger cliff and has created a small pathway where one car can fit through.
10. Grotte la Merveilleuse
Admission: €11 | Opening Hours: 12:00pm-4:00pm (5:00pm weekdays, closed Mondays)
The Grotte la Merveilleuse is a network of impressive caverns not far from the city center. Tickets include a short guided tour explaining the history of the tour (available in English) before you’re free to wander as you wish! The caves are cool and damp and require walking stairs so prepare accordingly!
11. Parc de Furfooz
The Parc de Furfooz is actually a 15-minute drive outside of Dinant but is well worth the time if you can get there. This vast natural reserve protects a pretty forest with caves and even Roman ruins!
The main hiking trail is an easy loop that only takes about 35 minutes to complete. If that sounds like too long of a hike, don’t fret because, in classic Belgian fashion, there’s a little bar stop along the way where you can refuel.
12. Château de Vêves
Admission: €6 | Opening Hours: 10:00am-5:00pm
Another worthwhile stop is the gorgeous Château de Vêves, nestled in the nearby town of Celles. The castle dates back to the 15th century and was actually built for military use. During your visit, you can learn a bit more about the history and stroll through the inside and surrounding gardens. Kiddos can dress up in fun prince and princess costumes if they wish..
13. Dinant Evasion Adventure + Kayak Tours
Adventure seekers should definitely check out Dinant Evasion. Offering various different adventurous things to do in Dinant, visitors can kayak, paintball, do a ropes course, zip line, and more in the beautiful Meuse River Valley that surrounds Dinant. The company even offers a river cruise.
Prices and hours vary depending on the activity, but kayaking the Meuse River costs €30-€35 per person (depending on kayak and equipment) for a 12km (3+/-) hour tour.
14. Les Jardins d’Annevoie
Admission: €12 | Opening Hours: 9:30am – 5:30pm
The Jardins d’Annevoie are 18th-century gardens that continue to be meticulously taken care of for visitors to enjoy. The gardens are another landmark just 15 minutes from the city center. There’s even a public bus that takes you from Dinant to the gardens too for those traveling without a car.
16. Castle of Freÿr
Admission: €10 | Opening Hours: 11:00am – 5:00pm
Castle lovers can rejoice because there’s yet another cool castle to see near Dinant! Castle of Freÿr is a renaissance castle with really cool and well-manicured gardens along the water. The gardens are definitely the highlight, but the castle is also a sight to see. The castle grounds are just a 7-minute drive down the river.
15. Crèvecœur Castle Ruins
Tucked away only a five-minute drive or a 25-minute walk along the riverwalk are the ruins of the Crèvecœur Castle. The ruins are perched atop a hill that offers pretty views of the surrounding river valley.
For those seeking a free thing to do in Dinant, who enjoy walking and appreciate pretty views from high places (all things that make the list of travel faves), this is for you! The ruins are open year-round and don’t have an entry fee.