Visit Namur in a day, our must-sees and good addresses

We enjoyed an autumnal weekend to break the routine and escape not far from home to discover Namur. We were surprised by the range of activities we can do in Namur whether it's sunny or rainy. Another advantage of our Walloon capital, due to its small size, is that the points of interest are never far from each other and therefore, it is easy to visit Namur on foot. Enough talk, let's head to our favorite spots to discover Namur.

We start our day strolling through the streets of downtown Namur. Unfortunately, Saturday means market day, and we find ourselves in the main streets crowded with people. So, we skipped the Belfry of Namur (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the Place d'Armes, and the Théâtre de Namur, whose neoclassical facade in yellow limestone is worth seeing. We make a quick stop on the rue de Fer to observe the Art Nouveau style house at n°28/30 before venturing into the quieter streets of Old Namur.

We stroll through these typical small cobbled streets of the historical center of Namur: rue du Président, rue Rupplémont, rue des Brasseurs. We find nice addresses to eat, have a drink or do some shopping. Not to mention rue Saint-Jean which leads to the Market Square. A charming little pedestrian square, on which stands the Saint-Jean-Baptiste church of Namur and which is known for its cafes and bars where you can sip a mojito in the summer.

We continue our walk by visiting the Saint-Loup Church built in the 17th century. The interior of this baroque church is illuminated by the soft rays of the autumn afternoon sun. Our visit to Old Namur ends with the Saint-Aubain Cathedral, another masterpiece of Namur's sacred heritage, before returning to the city center by taking the quays that run along the Sambre facing the Citadel.

To enjoy a beautiful view of Namur and the Citadel, we advise you to go to the top floor of the Gifar car park.

Are you looking for an original and unusual way to visit the city of Namur? The urban itinerary is the perfect solution. This one takes us to discover the street-art works hidden in the 4 corners of the city. A way to take the time to look up, look at what surrounds us and discover the secret corners of Namur.

The Namur cable car made its big comeback in May 2021. It connects the esplanade of the Citadel (next to the Pavilion) to the historic center of Namur (Place Maurice Servais) in less than 7 minutes. A very practical and pleasant way to avoid the climb to the Citadel of Namur on foot

We took the Citadel of Namur cable car in the late afternoon and we were able to enjoy an exceptional journey over the heights of the city. Offering us one of the most beautiful views of Namur with the soft light of a beautiful autumn day's end.

You can't visit Namur without seeing its Citadel. Erected on the hill at the confluence of the Sambre and Meuse rivers, the Citadel of Namur was a strategic stronghold in Europe and highly coveted for centuries. It is divided into 4 parts which reflect the different eras of its construction and history: the Count's Castle, the Médiane, Terra Nova and the Esplanade. Entirely demilitarized in 1977, it is classified as exceptional heritage of Wallonia and becomes fully accessible to the public.

The strength of the Citadel of Namur is its 4 kilometers of underground tunnels. Of different types, they were built over the course of its Spanish, Dutch or French occupations. Today, it is possible to visit a part of the Citadel's underground tunnels only accompanied by a guide.

We begin our visit of the Citadel of Namur with the Terra Nova Visitor Center. Inside, we discover a huge timeline that traces, through images and models, the evolution of Namur and its Citadel from Roman times to the 20th century.

While waiting for our guided tour of the underground tunnels, we hop on the Citadelle's little tourist train for a 25-minute commented tour. We pass through the different parts of the Citadelle (which we learned about earlier during our visit to the Terra Nova Visitor Center) and by the most spectacular views of Namur and Jambes.

The time has come to visit the underground tunnels and, accompanied by our guide, we descend underground (by a staircase, don't worry). We are then immersed in the life of soldiers during a siege thanks to "sound and light" projections. We travel through the ages as we visit the underground network and we quickly understand why it was called the "Termite Mound of Europe" by Napoleon. When we return to daylight, we rediscover the surrounding places with a different dimension. The guided tour of the underground tunnels of the Citadel of Namur is for us the best way to learn more about the history of the city and its Citadel.

The site of the Citadel of Namur is not just the Citadel. We advise you to go to the Château de Namur and stroll through its magnificent rose garden. Going down towards the city center, we invite you to pass by the Maison des Mariages and the Théâtre de Verdure (which has hosted the Verdur Rock music festival every summer since 1985). This is where le Pavillon is located, an art center that hosts exhibitions, and the cable car station to go down to the city.

A little further down from the visitor center, you can also find the famous work by Jan Fabre "Searching for Utopia" which overlooks the city since 2015.

For us, one of the most beautiful views of Namur is from the Watchtower which offers a magnificent panorama of the confluence. The perfect spot to enjoy the last light of the day and observe the hustle and bustle of the end of the day in the city of Namur.

We go down the small paths that lead to the confluence once the sun has set. We then discover Namur by night and the poetry of the city lights that are reflected on the water.

Namur is a city bursting with great places to eat or have a drink. You can find a list of the places we recommend and have tried during our various visits to Namur.

On Maurice Servais square, right next to the Namur cable car, is Chez Maurice. Here the Croque-Monsieur is king and there's one for every taste. The atmosphere is friendly and warm, the ideal place to have a responsible little lunch at lunchtime.

This is where you'll find the best burgers in Namur. Their dishes are made with ingredients from local producers. The menu is however quite limited because you will have the choice between meatballs and burgers. The little extra? The salad and fries are all-you-can-eat, just ask.

Vivo is a restaurant offering gastronomic cuisine and located in old Namur. The atmosphere is warm and typical, with an old glass roof in particular. During the summer season, one can enjoy their small summer terrace.

Declared by the people of Namur as the first "chef's haven" in the country, Craquage is a space 100% dedicated to the culinary experience and sharing. On the menu, you'll find dishes to share inspired by the chefs who have worked in the kitchen during the year. The place also benefits from a magnificent terrace at the foot of the Belfry.

Just a few meters from the Belfry, Coffee & More is a charming little establishment for a break during the day. Whether it's for lunch, brunch, lunch (they have a great sandwich + soup deal) or afternoon tea, there's something for everyone.

Les Cup’inn is THE tea room with a hyper trendy decor in Namur. At the base of the concept, we find the cupcake that they have modernized and declined in several different flavors. We also find cookies, brownies, cheesecakes and other gourmet homemade pastries.

Can't find what you're looking for? Want to discover other places in Namur? We highly recommend the Instagram account @namur_food, a bible on all the places to eat in and around Namur.

This unusual accommodation located in the heart of Old Namur and just a few meters from Place Maurice Servais has everything to please! The Cabanes Urbaines is a project imagined in a narrow house in old Namur. The place has been brilliantly renovated and now offers three atypical accommodations, small but comfortable.

If you wish to stay there, we have a promo code ‘EXPLORATEURS10’ which offers you 10% off your total reservation.

Le Temps de Livresse is a lovely B&B (Bed & Books) located 5 minutes by car from the city center of Namur. A real favorite where we spent a quiet night at a price that is more than affordable for the level of services.

To find out more, do not hesitate to read the article we dedicated to it ‘Unusual accommodation in Namur: Le Temps de Livresse’

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Are you looking for unusual accommodation close to nature for your stay in Namur? We've found the perfect place for you: sleep in the magnificent cabin at the Ferme de Linciaux. A comfortable stay, where local and short-circuit are the key words.

To learn more, feel free to read the article we dedicated to it 'Unusual accommodation in Ciney: the cabin at the Ferme de Linciaux'

A small cabin for a romantic stay near Andenne (which is less than 30 minutes from Namur). Its extra touch? A heated outdoor jacuzzi for a relaxing moment after a day exploring Namur.

To learn more, feel free to read the article we dedicated to it 'Romantic stay in Andenne: Au pré de Mukky'

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The train is the ideal solution to get to Namur. The train station is located in the center and it also allows you to limit your ecological footprint. In addition, for us, the best way to discover the city of Namur is by walking.

Namur is a train station easily accessible from several major cities in Belgium. It will take 1 hour from Brussels, 25 minutes from Ottignies, 45 minutes from Liège, 30 minutes from Dinant and Charleroi. For more information or to plan your trip, do not hesitate to visit the SNCB website.

Do you prefer to travel with your own vehicle? Namur is easily accessible by car, its city center a little less so (you'll need to be patient, especially during rush hour) and parking solutions are often expensive.

The best solution for us is to park your vehicle at the Confluence parking, outside the historic center. In addition, they offer an evening rate (from 7 pm to 9 am the next day) at the advantageous price of €5.

To park for free in Namur, you will have to go to the Citadelle site, but spaces are limited. There are also several blue zones, but spaces are popular and only valid for 2 hours, not ideal for visiting the city.

We were surprised by everything you can see and do in Namur. The city has a rich cultural heritage that you discover alley after alley and that is not limited to its Citadel. We had a real ❤️ crush with the visit of the undergrounds of the latter. We advise you to spend a whole weekend there to discover at your own pace all its hidden wonders. We hope in any case to have inspired you to (re)discover Namur and/or for a next stay in the Walloon capital.