Visiting Namur in one day, our must-sees and good addresses

We enjoyed an autumn weekend to break the routine and escape near our home to discover Namur. We were surprised by the variety of activities we can do in Namur, both in sunny weather and in the rain. Another advantage of our Walloon capital due to its small size is that 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 begin our day strolling through the streets of Namur's city center. Unfortunately, Saturdays mean market days, and the main streets are crowded. So, we skipped the Namur Belfry (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the main square, and the Namur Theatre, whose neoclassical yellow limestone facade is worth seeing. We quickly stop on Rue de Fer to admire the Art Nouveau house at number 28/30 before venturing into the quieter streets of Old Namur.

We stroll through these charming cobbled streets of Namur's historical centre: Rue du Président, Rue Rupplémont, Rue des Brasseurs. We find lovely places to eat, drink, or shop. Not to forget Rue Saint-Jean, which leads to the Market Square. A charming pedestrian square, dominated by the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church of Namur, 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 along the quays that run along the Sambre opposite the Citadel.

To enjoy a beautiful view of Namur and the Citadel, we recommend going 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 tour is the perfect solution. It takes us to discover the street art works hidden in every corner of the city. A way to take your time, look up, look at what surrounds us and discover the secret corners of Namur.

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

We took the Namur Citadel cable car in the late afternoon and enjoyed an exceptional journey over the city's heights. Offering one of the most beautiful views of Namur with the soft light of a beautiful autumn evening.

You can't visit Namur and miss its Citadel. Erected on the hill at the confluence of the Sambre and Meuse rivers, the Citadel of Namur has been a strategically important and highly coveted location in Europe for centuries. It is divided into 4 sections that trace the different periods of its construction and history: the Counts' Castle, the Mediane, Terra Nova and the Esplanade. Fully demilitarized in 1977, it is classified as an exceptional heritage site of Wallonia and is entirely accessible to the public.

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

We begin our visit to the Namur Citadel at the Terra Nova Visitor Centre. Inside, we discover a vast 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 undergrounds, we board the Citadel tourist train for a 25-minute narrated ride. We pass through the different parts of the Citadel (which we learned about earlier during our visit to the Terra Nova Visitor Centre) and enjoy the most spectacular views of Namur and Jambes.

The time for the underground tour has come, and accompanied by our guide, we descend underground (by stairs, we assure you). We are then immersed in the lives of soldiers during sieges thanks to "sound and light" projections. We travel through the eras 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 see the surrounding area with a different perspective. The guided tour of the Citadelle de Namur's underground tunnels is for us the best way to learn more about the city's and its Citadel's history.

The Namur Citadel site is not just about the Citadel. We advise you to visit the Namur Castle and stroll through its magnificent rose garden. As you descend towards the city center, we invite you to pass by the Wedding House and the Open-Air Theatre (which has hosted the Verdur Rock music festival every summer since 1985). This is where you'll find the Pavilion, an art center hosting exhibitions, and the cable car station to descend into the city.

A little lower than the visitor center, you can also find the famous work of Jan Fabre “Searching for Utopia” which overlooks the city since 2015.

For us, one of the most beautiful views of Namur is that 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 end-of-day bustle of the city of Namur.

We descend the small paths that lead to the confluence once the sun sets. We then discover Namur at night and the poetry of the city lights 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 to suit every taste. The atmosphere is friendly and warm, the perfect place for a responsible lunch at midday.

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 as you'll have a choice between meatballs and burgers. The extra plus? The salad and fries are all-you-can-eat, just ask.

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

Proclaimed by the people of Namur as the country's first "chef's landmark," Craquage is a 100% space dedicated to culinary experience and sharing. On the menu, you'll find sharing plates inspired by the chefs who have cooked there throughout the year. The venue also boasts a beautiful terrace at the foot of the Belfry.

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

The Cup'inn is the tea salon with a super trendy decor in Namur. At the heart of the concept is the cupcake, which they have modernized and offered in several different flavors. There are also cookies, brownies, cheesecakes, and other homemade gourmet pastries.

Can't find your happiness? Do you want to discover other addresses in Namur? We strongly recommend the Instagram account of @namur_food, a bible for all the places to eat in Namur and the surrounding area.

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

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

Le Temps de Livresse is a nice B&B (Bed & Books) located a 5-minute drive from the city center of Namur. A real favorite where we spent a quiet night and at a price more than accessible for the level of services.

For more information, do not hesitate to read the article dedicated to it 'Unusual accommodation in Namur: Le Temps de Livresse'

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Are you looking for an unusual accommodation near nature for your stay in Namur? We've found the perfect place for you: sleep in the beautiful hut at the Ferme de Linciaux farm. A comfortable stay, where local and short-circuit are the keywords.

For more information, don't hesitate to read the article dedicated to it 'Unusual accommodation in Ciney: the hut at the Ferme de Linciaux farm'

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

For more information, don't hesitate to read the article 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 station is located right 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 easily accessible by train 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, don't 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 patience, especially during rush hour) and parking solutions are often expensive.

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

To park for free in Namur, you'll need to go to the Citadel 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 is discovered alley after alley, and is not limited to just its Citadel. We really fell in love with visiting the citadel's underground tunnels. We recommend spending a whole weekend to discover all its hidden marvels at your own pace. We hope at least to have inspired you to (re)discover Namur and/or for a future stay in the Walloon capital.