Namur
Our curated picks
Things to do in Namur
Top viewed activities for Namur
Must-see experiences
Discover nearby provinces
Plenty of things to do
Meet Namur
Why go to Namur?
Namur is a well-known starting point to destinations across Wallonia. A smaller city, but undeniably charming, Namur has plenty of beautiful sights to see. Namur is the capital of Wallonia and is known for its exciting variety of things to do. Namur is the major centre of the Wallonia region and a great spot to start exploring as it’s only a short drive away from Charleroi and Liege.
What you need to know about Namur
The Citadel
If you’ve ever seen anything about Namur, it’s probably the Citadel. The highest point of the Citadel is 190m and at the top, you can see great views of the whole city. Namur’s citadel is more than a pretty sight, though. It’s known for its family-friendly tourist experiences, historical sights, and gardens. Fun fact: Napoleon once called Namur the “ant-hill of Europe”. The Citadel is a must-see, not that you can really miss it since Namur is one of the biggest fortresses in Europe.
Architecture gems
Namur is more than its citadel! There are tons of beautiful buildings to see all over the city. Namur is right by the Sambre and Meuse rivers. That means you’re in for a great river view. Book a boat tour to go along the edges of the city and see the sights from the water. The belfry of Namur and the nearby St Aubin's Cathedral are absolute musts for architecture lovers. Grab your camera and snap up the only cathedral of its style in Belgium.
The culture
Namur has a thriving arts and culture scene. You’re spoiled for artsy things to do in the city. Go along to the cinema or Theatre to get your fill of the arts from the stage. Go in for a deep dive into Namur’s culture at the museums, you can ever discover ancient paintings in an 18th-century mansion Musée des Arts anciens.
The city also has lively events and a festival scene. In October, Namur opens its arms and eyes at the Film Festival. Or come along in May for a bonanza of art, concerts, markets and more. Namur Expo regularly hosts interesting events too, so keep your eyes peeled!
Snails pace
When you think of snails, you probably think of France. But Namur also specialises in snails. They’re kind of a symbol of the city, though not as well known. If you go on Rue de la Monnaie you’ll see a statue of two men and two snails. It’s a bit of a joke in Belgium in other areas that Namur moves at a snail's pace. Still, visitors to the city can really enjoy Namur’s relaxed and chill pace. Join in, relax, and try out some snails at the local restaurants if that’s your thing!
When to go
If you want a visit to Namur full of sunshine, it’s best to visit from May to September. But keep in mind that the weather in Wallonia is known to change pretty often, so bring an umbrella. Want to avoid rainy days as much as possible? You’re actually best visiting Namur in April, September or March.
Transport
Getting There
Namur is easily reachable by car. Drive in via the E 42, E 411 and more. Brussels is roughly 70km away or a 1 hour drive depending on traffic. Namur is 106km away from Antwerp or a 1 hour and 20 minutes drive.
To get to Namur by plane, your closest airport is Brussels Airport. From Brussels, you can then catch the train to Namur.
Namur Station is right across the street from the city centre. Namur is a 1 hour direct train ride from Brussels. You can easily reach Namur from any major train station in Belgium.
You can reach Namur by coach from Paris, Prague, London and many more cities via Flixbus. Getting to Namur by coach is the best budget option for slow travellers, though your journey will take longer than the train!
Getting Around
Walking around Namur is the easiest option to see the city and the best in good weather. Namur isn’t a large city, so you don’t have to walk far to see what you want. Namur has some cobbled streets and some ascending points that aren’t super wheelchair or bike friendly.
Cycling isn’t super popular in Namur thanks to the hilly areas and cobbled streets, but it is on the rise.
Namur is a small city and getting around with a car can be more trouble than it’s worth unless you really need it. For those who can walk, we highly recommend leaving the car parked as you arrive then walking around.
By Boat: you can see Namur and the surrounding area by boat with the Croisières Namur company. The cruises last 1-4 hours and start in Pont de Jambes. You can also get a short boat tour of Namur with a combo ticket to the Citadel.
Essentials
Tourism Office
Visit Namur
Website: https://www.namurtourisme.be/en/
Address: Place de la Station, Namur, Belgique
Telephone: +3281 24 64 49
Email: [email protected]
Read more
Share this find!
