Belgium’s French-speaking Wallonia region is not short of charming towns but Dinant and Namur are standouts. Both have dramatic hilltop citadels, a picturesque riverside location and attractive historic centre.
So, should you visit Namur or Dinant?
As I have visited both of them, this is where I can help. Namur was my Wallonia base, visiting Dinant on a day trip.
Let’s dive into the pros and cons of Namur and Dinant, comparing what each town offers in terms of attractions, activities and overall experience.
Introducing Dinant
The pros
Many consider DinantBelgium’s most beautiful town. Hugging the Meuse River, it is flanked by cliffs and lush greenery. The onion-domed Collegiate Church of Notre Dame and the imposing Citadel crowning the cliff above the town are unforgettable sights.
You can get a sense of the town’s rich history at the Citadel of Dinant. Its story is intertwined with that of Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone, whose birthplace is now a museum dedicated to his life and work.
Dinant is the home of Leffe beer and has a fabulous interactive museum, housed in a former abbey, dedicated to this brewery.
The cons
Dinant is not exactly a hidden gem and can get crowded, especially at weekends. I experienced this first-hand with mammoth queues for the Citadel cable car and restaurants rammed with visitors.
Although Dinant is connected by train, on the line running south from Namur, you will need to change trains at Namur for other cities.
Dinant on a busy Sunday
Introducing Namur
The pros
As the capital of Wallonia, Namur is a cultural hotspot. It is home to museums, galleries and theatres, including the Félicien Rops Museum.
Namur’s Citadel is a historic treasure trove, dating back to Roman times. The town itself has a harmonious medley of architectural styles, from medieval buildings to elegant Art Nouveau structures.
The city has excellent rail connections to major Belgian cities, including Brussels.
It offers a wide range of accommodation, dining options and shopping opportunities compared to Dinant.
Cons
While Namur’s size brings certain advantages, it has a more urban feel. This might not appeal if you are seeking a quaint, small-town experience.
Namur is picturesque but doesn’t match the dramatic beauty of Dinant’s cliffs and riverside setting. That said, the town is situated at the scenic confluence of the Meuse and Sambre rivers
The confluence point
Visiting Dinant and Namur in One Day
But you can have your cake and eat it.
In an ideal world, you’d devote a relaxed day to Dinant and at least a day to Namur. But with a little planning, you can visit Dinant and Namur in one day.
Dinant and Namur are 30 minutes apart by rail and their train stations are close to the town centre. Both places are very walkable.
Your itinerary could look like this:
Start your day by taking the train from Brussels to Dinant (you’ll need to change trains at Namur). The journey should take you a shade under two hours (interrogate train timetables here)
From Dinant train station, it’s a 5-minute walk to Pont Charles de Gaulle and its saxophone sculpture. The Collegiate Church of Notre Dame and the Citadel are on the other side of this bridge.
After you have finished looking at these two historic sights, take a quick stroll around the town – it won’t take long – and maybe grab a bite to eat at one of the riverside cafes.
Take the train from Dinant to Namur. There are usually two trains an hour and the train station is a 15-minute walk from the city centre.
Make the Citadel of Namur your first stop before exploring the streets of its historic centre, popping into Église St-Loup if it’s open. Finish your day by strolling along Namur’s lovely riverside promenade and visiting the confluence point.
Namur’s riverfront
Namur or Dinant? My Verdict
In a nutshell, Dinant is staggeringly beautiful but this comes at a cost, namely crowds. Whilst Namur can’t match Dinant’s dramatic beauty, it is nonetheless picturesque. As a larger town, there is more to see and better amenities and rail connections.
But whether you pick Dinant or Namur, you can’t lose. You’re in for a treat.
If you have found this helpful, take a look at my other Belgium guides before you leave, including this 1-week Belgium itinerary.
