Dinant is one of the prettiest cities that I have visited in Belgium. The steep cliff like facade gives the city a very different look when you compare it to other cities in Belgium. One of the most intriguing structures in the city is the Citadel of Dinant.
The French name for this iconic structure is Le Citadelle de Dinant. It is actually more of a translation than a name though.
Ironically, we had not heard about the Dinant Citadel before we planned our visit. Once we reached the city it was rather hard to miss. Since we had not done our research prior, we made a lot of mistakes when we visited the citadel.
Luckily for you, we are here to let you know about them so you won’t repeat our errors. So join me as I take you on a virtual tour of one of the gorgeous places in Belgium.
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⏰ In a rush and haven’t booked your accommodation in Dinant yet? Book the La Belle Étable. This is truly one of the best places to stay! 🏨
Table of Contents
The History Of The Citadel Of Dinant
The Citadel of Dinant was built way back in the 11th century by the Prince Bishops of Liege. The citadel was ransacked by Charles the bold and seized by Louis XIV. It was even rebuilt in the early 1800s.
The majestic fort stood witness to the fighting that took place during both of the world wars. To say that it stood the test of time would be an understatement. Today the Citadel of Dinant is open for the public to visit. It has some intriguing sights inside too. That’s not even counting the spectacular view from on top.
Dinant Citadel Parking
Dinant is one of the great day trips from Brussels if you have a car because it is easy to get to. Just note that you would need about 3 days in Brussels or more to make it actually worth it.
Parking in the city is not free. There are a lot of different parking garages that you can head to though. The parking at the top of the Citadel of Dinant is free though. You can park here and walk in which will give you a pretty epic view of the city.
Mind you visiting the inside of the Dinant citadel will cost you no matter which entrance you take. We parked at the parking lot thinking it would be cheaper to get in from the top but it wasn’t. It is important to note that the ticket gives you access to cable car and the stairs.
The lines at the bottom are pretty extensive and it was cold which is why we decided to head to the top. I’ll tell you a bit more about it when I talk about the tickets to Dinant Citadel.
The Citadel Of Dinant Opening Hours
The Citadel of Dinant is open everyday of the week. It just opens earlier on Fridays.
Mon-Sun: 10am – 5pm
Friday: 9am – 5pm
Tickets To The Citadel Of Dinant
Inside the Citadel of Dinant.
It is important to pay attention to the tickets of the Dinant Citadel. This is because they include a ride up via the cable and the stairs. So you could choose to park in the city below and take the cable car or the stairs up.
If you park at the top, you probably will not take the stairs or the cable car which is what happened to us. It wasn’t because we didn’t have time but more because of the lines at the bottom. On the other hand, you do get free parking and avoid the crowds.
Another way to explore is to park your car at the top and take the cable car down. Catch lunch in the city and then head back up to the Citadel of Dinant.
The tickets to the Dinant Citadel come in two main packages. These are the current prices for the packages:
Dinant Citadel + Stair Access + Cable Car
Adults: 12 euros
Children (4-12 years): 10 euros
3-in-1 formula: Dinant Citadel + Cable car + River Cruise
Adults: 20 euros
Children: 15 euros
The second package aka 3-in-1 formula really makes sense because we did take a cruise down the river and that cost us 11 euros per person.
Exploring the Citadel Of Dinant
One of the exhibits in the Citadel of Dinant.
The Citadel of Dinant has a lot to explore. From view points to cannons, museum exhibits to playgrounds and interactive displays, there are lots of things to see. I will talk about some of the parts of the citadel that we loved.
The Citadel Of Dinant Stairs
The step climb up the Dinant Citadel stairs.
One of the ways to get to the Dinant Citadel is via the stairs. It is one of the adventurous ways to head up to the citadel. It is a super long climb with over 400+ stairs that you have to conquer. Before you head up the stairs, you need to buy your ticket so you do have to stand in line like everyone else.
The stairs open directly into the Citadel of Dinant. It usually does not have a long line other than the huffing and puffing climbers. Lol.
My recommendation is to take the cable car up and the Dinant Citadel stairs down. That way you can catch all the views without tiring yourself out.
Dinant Citadel View Points
The view from the top of Dinant Citadel.
There are numerous view points where you can catch a glimpse of the city below. These viewpoints let you see for miles and miles. It does get really really crowded at times. So if you see that it is crowded at one of the view points, shift to another. There are more than enough places.
One of the places that isn’t usually crowded but does have a view is next to the stairs. It is pretty overlooked and is also nice and quiet.
The Citadel Of Dinant Playground
The playground in the Dinant Citadel.
Once you are done wandering around head to the playground in the Dinant Citadel. That is if you are visiting with kids. Otherwise, you will probably just walk by. Our kids had a ball of a time here. There were loads of different activities for them. The playground is geared towards kids of all ages which is great. It is also pretty large so it doesn’t ever feel too crowded.
Where To Stay When Visiting Dinant
Dinant is a great place to just stop and spend a couple of days. Not that are loads of things to do in the city but there is enough to keep you occupied. The city also has a nice laid back vibe which is perfect if you are looking for a quiet vacation.
La Merveilleuse by Infiniti Resorts
⭐️ Rating: 8.5/10 (2,923 Reviews) Price: $134 per night 📍Location: Charreau des Capucins, 23, Dinant Details: Read more on booking.com now!
If you want to indulge in a bit of luxury and spend some time in Dinant, I recommend staying at the La Merveilleuse by Infiniti Resorts. This place comes with all the bells and whistles. It is sanky with a capital S if you know what I mean.
The hotel has two buildings. The monastery building is where the breakfast is served. It is also where Maison Leffe is located.
“Very unique because it’s a converted building. Staff were all great, rooms spacious, comfortable and clean. We slept in and then had to hustle for a tour and so missed breakfast but it looked and smelled great! There was also free parking!”
Karisa (read more reviews now!)
The newer building on the other hand hosts 12 gorgeous rooms. As can be expected, there are loads of amenities to choose from. One of which is an onsite casino!
La Belle Étable
⭐️ Rating: 9.5/10 (270 Reviews) Price: $198 per night 📍Location: 23 Rue Haute, Dinant Details: Read more on booking.com now!
So this accommodation is privately owned. It is one of the highly rated spots in the area and with good reason. It is one of the most beautiful B&Bs in town.
The room isn’t just large, it is HUGE. You also get an amazing breakfast while you stay here which means that you can head out late in the day after enjoy your meal.
“The most beautiful b&b is a beautiful little town. Veronique was a great host and provided the loveliest breakfast. I would definitely stay there again and again. The room was gigantic, the wellness area was an unexpected surprise.”
Sarah (read more reviews now!)
Other highly talked about amenities are the sauna and the hot tub. I mean seriously! When you consider the price you pay, this room is a total steal! Make sure you book your room in advance though! The La Belle Etable usually sells out!
There you have it… That’s my in depth guide to the Dinant Citadel and how to explore it thoroughly. It is one of the activities in the city that should be high on your bucket list because of the views alone. You just have to plan your trip a bit in advance.
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- Le Chateau De Veves
- Cool souvenirs from Belgium
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