Bastogne
Bastogne is a compact Belgian town with world-class WWII museums, Ardennes forests, and iconic local food. A genuinely moving and memorable family destination.
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🇧🇪Durbuy
Explore Durbuy with your family: a fairy-tale medieval town in the Belgian Ardennes with the world's largest topiary park, riverside castle views, and outdoor adventures.
Your family guide
Durbuy: the world's smallest city with the biggest charm
“Cobblestones, castles and 250 sculpted shrubs in one park. Durbuy handles medieval charm properly.”
— San & Jo
Durbuy likes to call itself the world's smallest city, and honestly, that title alone is enough to get the kids curious before you even arrive. Tucked into a bend of the Ourthe River in the Belgian Ardennes, this tiny town packs an extraordinary amount of character into just a few cobbled streets. Stone houses with slate roofs, a riverside castle, sculpted gardens, and dramatic rock formations all within easy walking distance of each other.
What makes Durbuy work for families is how it combines history with outdoor activities. Families can explore a car-free medieval old town in the morning, examine a 300-million-year-old rock formation before lunch, and spend the afternoon kayaking or zip-lining through the Ardennes forest. The town offers options for families who enjoy history, nature, or simply a good Belgian waffle at a terrace cafe.
Durbuy is compact enough to explore without stress, which is a real gift when you are travelling with children. The old town is pedestrian-friendly, the distances between attractions are short, and the whole place has a relaxed, unhurried pace that makes it easy to follow your family's lead. It is the kind of place where you slow down, look around, and realise you are having one of those unexpectedly perfect travel days.
Ardennes, BelgiumProvince of Luxembourg
World's smallest citySelf-proclaimed title
Best April to OctoberMild Ardennes climate
Best things to do
Best things to do in Durbuy
Parc des Topiaires
The world's largest topiary park is an absolute hit with kids. Over 250 sculpted boxwood figures spread across one hectare, including a tiny Manneken Pis, animals, and all sorts of whimsical shapes. It is quirky, photogenic, and genuinely fun to walk through together.
Spot the Manneken Pis hidden among the shrubs
45-60 min
The Durbuy Anticline
A few minutes' walk from the old town, this dramatic 300-million-year-old rock formation frames a stunning view of the castle, bridge, and Ourthe River. It is the kind of spot that makes kids ask big questions about how the Earth was formed, and the view is one of the best in the Ardennes.
Best light for photos is in the late afternoon
30-45 min
Durbuy Castle and Old Town
The car-free old town is the heart of Durbuy. Wander past 17th and 18th-century stone houses, duck into the Cornmarket, peek inside St. Nicholas Church, and let the kids soak up the medieval atmosphere. The castle is best admired from the riverside bridges and parks.
The bridge near the castle is the best photo spot in town
1-2 hours
Adventure Valley Durbuy
For families who want more than sightseeing, Adventure Valley delivers. Kayaking on the Ourthe River, zip-lining through the forest, treetop courses, rock climbing, and escape rooms are all on offer. It turns a half-day visit into a full adventure day.
Book ahead in summer, it gets busy on weekends
2-4 hours
La Belvédère Tower
A short walk or a ride on the tourist train brings you to this panoramic viewpoint above the town. The view over Durbuy's rooftops, the river, and the surrounding Ardennes hills is worth every step, and kids love spotting landmarks from above.
Take the tourist train up and walk back down for a different perspective
30-45 min
Le Labyrinthe de Durbuy and Mini-Golf
Perfect for filling an extra hour or two, especially with younger children. The maze is a classic family activity that gets everyone laughing, and the mini-golf course is a relaxed, low-key way to enjoy the Ardennes surroundings without rushing.
Great option if the weather turns overcast
1-1.5 hours
Radhadesh Castle
A short drive from Durbuy, this striking castle serves as a Hare Krishna temple and cultural centre. The grounds are peaceful and open to visitors, and it makes for a genuinely unusual and memorable stop that sparks great conversations with curious kids.
Check opening hours before visiting, as they vary by season
45-60 min
Our verdict
How Durbuy scores for families
Kids
The topiary park, maze, mini-golf, and adventure activities keep children of all ages genuinely engaged. The pedestrian old town is safe and easy to navigate with little ones.
History
Medieval streets, a riverside castle, and centuries-old stone architecture give Durbuy real historical depth. The Anticline adds a fascinating natural history layer too.
Food
Classic Belgian comfort food done well, with local specialities like Ardennes ham, artisanal cheese, and homemade jams. Plenty of family-friendly cafe terraces in the old town.
Nature
The Ourthe River valley and surrounding Ardennes forest set a beautiful scene. Adventure Valley makes the most of the natural surroundings for active families.
Budget
The old town and Anticline are free to explore. Paid attractions like the topiary park and Adventure Valley add up, so plan your priorities before you arrive.
Planning your visit
How long should you stay in Durbuy?
3
3 hours
Quick visit
Old town, topiary park, and Anticline viewpoint. A great half-day stop on a longer Ardennes road trip.
sweet spot
1
1 day
Sweet spot
Explore everything at a relaxed pace: old town in the morning, topiary park and Anticline before lunch, and Adventure Valley or the Belvédère Tower in the afternoon.
2
2 days
Deep dive
Stay overnight and use Durbuy as a base for the wider Ardennes. Day two opens up kayaking, Radhadesh Castle, and longer forest walks.
Did you know?
Things to know about Durbuy
Officially the world's smallest city
Durbuy received its city charter back in 1331, making it one of the oldest in Belgium. With only a few hundred people living in the old town, it proudly holds the title of the world's smallest city. A real conversation starter for curious kids.
250 sculpted shrubs and counting
The Parc des Topiaires took decades to create and is now the largest topiary park on the planet. Every single boxwood figure is trimmed by hand, and some of the shapes are surprisingly tricky to identify until you get up close.
Rocks older than the dinosaurs
The Durbuy Anticline rock formation is around 300 million years old, which means it was already ancient long before the first dinosaurs appeared. It formed when tectonic forces folded layers of rock into the dramatic arch you can see from the town.
Taste Durbuy
What to eat in Durbuy with your family
Moules-frites
Safe choiceLa Ferme au Chêne
The Belgian classic that never disappoints. A big pot of mussels with a mountain of crispy fries is a reliable crowd-pleaser, and you will find it on almost every menu in the old town.
Carbonnade Flamande
Local favouriteLe Clos Des Recollets
This rich Belgian beef stew slow-cooked with onions and local ale is proper Ardennes comfort food. Served with bread or fries, it is the kind of warming dish that hits the spot after a morning of exploring in cooler weather.
Le Durbuy artisanal cheese
Must tryLocal shops in the old town
Durbuy has its own local cheese, and it is worth picking up a piece from one of the town's shops to try. The region's dairy traditions run deep, and tasting the local cheese is a simple, memorable way to connect with where you are.
Dandelion jam and homemade preserves
Must tryBoutiques in the old town
Durbuy's artisan jam makers produce some genuinely unusual flavours, including dandelion, that you will not find anywhere else. Pick up a jar or two as an edible souvenir the kids will remember.
Belgian chocolates and sweets
Kids love itSweet shops throughout the old town
The sweet shops dotted through the old town are a guaranteed hit with children. Authentic Belgian chocolates, pralines, and traditional sweets make for a perfect mid-afternoon treat during your wander.
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