Two days in Dinant: discover Belgium's hidden gem

Nestled along the banks of the Meuse River, Dinant is a tranquil treasure waiting to be discovered. Far from the bustling crowds of Belgium’s more famous destinations, this charming town offers a serene escape filled with breathtaking views, fascinating history, and unique attractions. Dinant’s picturesque waterfront, framed by dramatic cliffs and the iconic Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame, feels like stepping into a postcard. It’s the perfect destination for those seeking a slower pace, where every corner invites you to pause and take in its beauty.

In this guide, I’ll share how to reach Dinant from Germany, introduce you to a stunning hotel that made my stay even more special, and highlight the must-see spots in this hidden gem of Belgium. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, an adventure seeker, or simply someone who loves discovering places off the beaten track, Dinant is sure to steal your heart.

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Before the trip, I initially thought that two days in Dinant might feel too long, given its reputation as a quiet, small town. I wondered if there would be enough to fill my itinerary. But how wrong I was! From the moment I arrived, Dinant exceeded all my expectations. The two days flew by in a blur of beauty, delicious food, and fascinating discoveries. Whether it was exploring historic landmarks, enjoying stunning views along the Meuse River, or uncovering the town’s rich brewing heritage, every moment was packed with charm and surprises. For those planning a trip, two days are perfect for soaking up the highlights—but don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to stay longer!

Dinant is a small Belgian town located in the Walloon region of the country. It lies just 15 km from Namur, the regional capital, and nearly 100 km from Brussels, the capital of Belgium. One convenient option for getting to Dinant is the direct train from Brussels Airport, making it easy to start or end your Belgian adventure here before heading straight to the airport.

We travelled to Dinant from Aachen, a city on the German-Belgian border. However, you can also take a train from other German major cities, such as Cologne or Düsseldorf. Although Dinant is only 130 km from the border, our journey involved three train transfers through Verviers, Liège, and Namur. Despite this, the trip was remarkably smooth: trains were punctual, and the stations were well-organised and easy to navigate.

The ticket for this journey from Aachen cost €25 per person one way, totalling €100 for a return trip for two. The fare is called Normalpreis Europa. I didn’t delve deeply into the details of ticket options and pricing, but I can confirm that Deutsche Bahn’s ticket machines allow you to purchase tickets across multiple countries—just make sure to select European destinations on the first screen. On our return journey, a Belgian conductor suggested purchasing tickets on the Belgian railway website (SNCB), as they tend to be cheaper for trips from Belgium to Germany. I checked, and this advice was accurate. However, this rule only applies when travelling from Belgium to Germany. For trips starting in Germany, tickets should be bought through Deutsche Bahn, whereas for the return, it’s better to use SNCB.

I put great care into choosing the hotel, seeking something truly special for a birthday celebration, and ultimately decided on La Merveilleuse Infinity Resort — a stunning retreat set within a historic convent.  I opted for one of the best rooms in the hotel — the Deluxe Double Room with Balcony — and it was worth every penny. The room featured three distinct areas: a bedroom, a spacious terrace, and a relaxation room with a sauna (a key highlight!) and bathtub. The accommodation was outstanding, with a massive terrace and my first-ever in-room sauna — an unforgettable experience. Upon check-in, each guest received a voucher for a free beer (the hotel houses the Maison Leffe beer museum) and a €25 casino voucher (we didn’t use this). The hotel consists of two buildings: the historic one with the museum, reception, and bar, and a newer one with guest rooms and a spa centre. Unfortunately, the pool and spa were under renovation during our stay, but the hotel had informed me of this when I booked.

As soon as we arrived in town, we headed straight to Dinant’s main attraction – the Citadel. The entrance to the citadel is located just behind the Notre-Dame Cathedral. First, you take a cable car up to the fortress, and once at the top, you can stroll around, enjoy the views, and visit the museum at your own pace. The ticket costs €12 per person (cable car + museum), and there’s also an option with a boat tour. Apart from the stunning views, the citadel houses a large and very interesting museum about World War I, as this was the place where the French and German armies met in 1914. One memorable exhibit is a replica of the trenches, made to life-size with sounds from the battlefield, crooked cellars, and a commander’s tent. It left a strong impression on me! We went through it twice! The history of the city's defenсe is also told in great detail, with maps, dates, and sounds. The museum is truly impressive, and I hadn't heard about it before, so I highly recommend checking it out.

As I mentioned earlier, our hotel is home to the Maison Leffe beer museum. Tickets are available directly at the hotel reception for €15 per person. This price includes entry to the museum, a free tasting session, and a gift.

Leffe is one of the most famous Belgian beer brands, originating right here in Dinant. Since 1240, the monks of the Abbey of Leffe have been brewing this beer, which is how it got its name. The museum showcases the history of beer brewing at the abbey and features all the different types of beer produced by the brewery. Interactive displays provide detailed information, from ingredients and aromas to explanations of glassware and pouring techniques. At the end of the exhibition, you can take a quiz to test what you've learned. The displays are available in three languages: English, French, and Dutch. I highly recommend visiting this museum—it’s full of interactive features, such as scent stations and exhibits of old bottles and labels. Additionally, every visitor receives a glass of their chosen beer and a gift that includes a branded Leffe glass and two types of beer. This alone makes Maison Leffe well worth a visit!

Now, let’s move on to the natural attractions of Dinant. Rocher Bayard is a split in the rock that was originally created by the soldiers of Louis XIV (17th–18th centuries) to carve a road along the Meuse River. However, the rock also has a more poetic tale associated with it. According to legend, the horse Bayard shattered the rock into two parts to allow the Duke of Ardennes’ children to escape from Charlemagne’s troops, who were allegedly involved in the death of his nephew. Today, the gap has been widened to three metres to accommodate vehicles up to 2.7 metres in width. The rock is situated slightly outside the city centre, about 2.5 km from the Charles de Gaulle Bridge. You can enjoy a pleasant riverside walk along the Meuse to reach it, which takes approximately 45 minutes one way.

Along the riverside avenue, Av. Winston Churchill, you’ll find numerous kiosks offering boat trips on the Meuse River. Dinant Evasion is one such company. Their services include river cruises of various lengths, kayak rentals, and even an adventure park located in the surrounding area. Fun fact: they serve beer onboard the cruise boats! So, leaving Dinant without trying the local beer might be a challenge. That said, non-alcoholic options are also available.

Near the Charles de Gaulle Bridge, you can rent a licence-free boat and enjoy exploring the river at your own pace.

During our two days in Dinant, we were also really eager to visit La Merveilleuse Cave. It is just a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Unfortunately, we never made it, as it is closed on weekdays.

For lunch, we decided to visit Café Leffe (Rue Adolphe Sax 2, 5500 Dinant, Belgium), a choice I made in advance based on online reviews. Unfortunately, the building was undergoing renovations, so it was covered in scaffolding, and the terrace seating was unavailable. Instead, we opted for a table by the window inside. The café wasn’t busy on a Monday afternoon, so we didn’t need a reservation. The food was absolutely delicious! We ordered Les boulettes in Liegeoise sauce, and the portions were enormous and incredibly tasty. Naturally, they serve Leffe beer, but I chose my favourite Kriek — a cherry-flavoured Belgian beer I absolutely adore!

What trip to Belgium would be complete without indulging in Belgian waffles? Writing this is making my mouth water all over again. At the MaMaMia kiosk (Av. Winston Churchill 2, Dinant), they offer Belgian, Liège, and bubble waffles. Having already tried the first two types in Brussels and Liège, we opted for a bubble waffle in Dinant, topped with cream, ice cream, and fresh fruit. Absolutely delicious!

In addition to waffles, Dinant is also famous for its Couques de Dinant. These traditional and exceptionally hard honey biscuits have become a culinary symbol of the city. Their unique feature lies in their simplicity: they are made with just two ingredients — honey and wheat flour.

And that concludes my story about Dinant. Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed the post, please give it a like at the end of this post and share it on your social media.

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