Dinant is a spectacularly placed city set on the banks of the Meuse River and framed by sheer limestone cliffs. Centuries-old castles, churches and chateaus echo the city’s ancient past. Visit eclectic museums dedicated to topics like beer and the inventor of the saxophone.
Things to do in Dinant
Walk up to clifftop Citadelle de Dinant for dizzying views over the town and Meuse River. The fortress was built in the early 19th century and features sunny keeps and grass-covered ramparts. Guided tours take you behind the scenes of the citadel. Ride the cable car up to the citadel if you don’t feel like walking.
Église Notre-Dame is set at the foot of soaring cliffs and is another local landmark. You’ll be amazed by the grand Gothic façade and magnificent Romanesque doorway. Stained-glass windows bathe the church in ethereal light.
Dive into the legacy of Dinant's most famous export at Maison Leffe. The museum is housed in a former convent and charts the history of Leffe beer, which has been brewed in the town since the 1200s. Check out the engaging multimedia exhibits and end your tour with a beer tasting.
Stroll around the formal gardens of Château de Freÿr. The riverside château is built in the Renaissance style and is a treasured national heritage site. Jardins d’Annevoie is another beautiful place to stretch your legs. The gardens were laid out in the 18th century and draw inspiration from English, French and Italian landscape architecture. Expect rolling green lawns, perfectly clipped hedges, bubbling fountains and roses in spades.
Visit the birthplace of Adolphe Sax, the iconic Belgian musician who invented the saxophone. His humble townhouse is reimagined as a museum dedicated to his legacy. Exhibits cover everything from his original workshop in Paris to his most famous instruments.
Getting around Dinant
Dinant is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot. The city is in the Walloon Region, a one-hour drive from Brussels and two hours by train. Brussels Airport is a 1.5-hour drive away.