Visiting Dinant in one day!

Overlooking the city from its rock, the Citadel of Dinant was built in 1818 on the site of a demolished Vauban fort. Today, the Citadel of Dinant is a museum that traces the history of this important historical site, which experienced a bloody day during World War II with 674 inhabitants executed by the Germans.

From the citadel, you will also enjoy the most beautiful panorama of Dinant and the Meuse valley. A must-see during a day in one of Europe's most beautiful cities.

From Dinant's center, 2 choices are available to climb to the Citadel's summit: either walk the 408 steps, or take the cable car (included in the citadel ticket).

Generally speaking, we enjoyed our visit to the Dinant Citadel. However, we found that there was little information about the history of the site and the different parts of the building. The 180-degree view of the surroundings is worth the trip alone.

In Dinant, you can take Belgium's oldest cable car. It was renovated in 2019 and takes us to the heart of Dinant Citadel in under 2 minutes. Its price is included in the Citadel ticket.

Nothing is more romantic than strolling along the banks of the Meuse in Dinant. You can thus observe the unmissable panorama of Dinant, with its Collegiate Church, Citadel and numerous colourful houses along the Meuse. If you want to take the typical photo with the view, we recommend visiting the giant letters of the city.

Besides, if you have a walk to advise us on the banks of the Meuse, don't hesitate to share it with us in the comments 👇

Dinant is also the city where Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the Saxophone, was born. That's why you'll find these iconic saxophones, over 3 meters tall, on the Charles de Gaulle bridge. A total of 34 works with original graphics are part of the urban exhibition 'Art on Sax'.

If you want to learn more about the history of Adolphe Sax and the creation of the Saxophone, don't hesitate to visit the Monsieur Sax House, the entry is free.

The Collegiate Church of Our Lady of Dinant is another must-see during a day trip to Dinant. Its special feature? Its bulb-shaped bell tower which contrasts with the rest of its architecture. The interior, much more sober, offers us incredible stained glass windows.

After visiting Dinant on land, don't hesitate to embark on the water aboard one of the boats. We didn't have the chance to enjoy one of the river cruises organized there, but we think it's a must-do during a stay in Dinant.

The Citadel Restaurant is located at the foot of the Dinant cable car and offers a warm and friendly atmosphere. The chef pays special attention to the origin of the food (they have also received the 'Table de Terroir' designation from the Apaq-W) and to offering seasonal dishes. A Belgian brasserie cuisine with French influences is served here. Special mention for the kindness of the staff.

Dinant is for us an ideal destination for a romantic weekend or a family trip! On the program, visit the city one day and go hiking the next! Nature is so present in this corner of the Meuse Valley, it would be a shame not to enjoy it!

In summary, we were completely charmed by Dinant, which combines history and heritage in an enchanting setting. We understand why it's considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. This article on visiting Dinant in a day complements all our stays and activities in Belgium. Feel free to consult the section if the destination interests you.