Holiday home in Durbuy: tips for the world's smallest town
Durbuy is officially the world's smallest town and draws hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Yet it is a surprisingly pleasant place to stay as a holidaymaker. The combination of a picturesque historic centre, the Ourthe valley and the hilly Ardennes landscape makes Durbuy one of the most popular bases in the Belgian Ardennes.
It is best to book a holiday home in Durbuy at least 2 months in advance, especially in summer and during the autumn half-term. The historic centre is small but the surroundings offer plenty of space. Properties outside the centre tend to be quieter and less expensive.
Why holiday in Durbuy?
Durbuy owes its fame to its historic centre: medieval alleyways, the castle of the Counts of Ursel and the River Ourthe encircling the town. It is small, yes, but that also makes it easy to explore. You can walk the entire centre in half an hour and spend the rest of the day in the surrounding area.
The area around Durbuy has more to offer than the town itself. Extensive walking routes through the Ourthe forest, mountain bike trails for more experienced riders, kayak hire on the Ourthe and Adventure Valley Durbuy for families. This combination makes a stay of 3 to 5 days easy to fill.
Where to choose a holiday home: in or outside the centre?
Properties in the historic centre are atmospheric but scarce and expensive. The alleyways are narrow and parking is outside the centre. If you prefer to keep your car close, choose a property in the surrounding area: the village of Barvaux-sur-Ourthe, the hills of Oppagne or the quiet meadows of Tohogne. These are 5 to 15 minutes' drive from the centre.
Properties outside the centre are generally larger, have a garden and offer more peace and quiet. Ideal for families or groups who want to explore the Ardennes and use Durbuy as a base without being in the thick of things.
Things to do in and around Durbuy
- Walk along the Ourthe: flat walk suitable for all ages
- Adventure Valley Durbuy: tree climbing, paintball and quad bikes for the whole family
- Hire a kayak or canoe on the Ourthe at Kayaks Durbuy
- Mountain bike routes in the Ourthe forest (beginner to expert)
- The Saturday market: local products, Ardennes cheese and charcuterie
- Visit Barvaux-sur-Ourthe: quieter than Durbuy, with lovely terraces along the river
When to visit Durbuy?
The summer months are the busiest. In July and August the centre of Durbuy gets very crowded. Those seeking peace and quiet are better off visiting in May, June or September. The autumn half-term is popular for the autumn colours in the Ourthe valley: the beeches along the river turn spectacular shades between mid-October and early November.
A weekend in Durbuy in March or April, before the tourists arrive, is also well worth it. Nature is coming alive, the walking paths are muddy but deserted and the restaurants are happy to welcome early-season guests.
What does a holiday home in Durbuy cost?
Durbuy is one of the pricier holiday destinations in the Ardennes. A property in or directly near the historic centre can easily cost €150 to €250 per night for 4 people in high season. Properties 10 to 15 minutes away by car are considerably cheaper: €80 to €140 per night for a comparable property.
How far is Durbuy?
Durbuy sits at the heart of the Belgian Ardennes, an easy drive for guests from Belgium, the Netherlands and beyond. Our guests regularly ask us about exact travel times, here are the driving distances from the main departure points.
| From | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Brussels | 121 km | 1 h 36 |
| Antwerp | 155 km | 1 h 42 |
| Ghent | 170 km | 2 h 03 |
| Hasselt | 97 km | 1 h 03 |
| Liège | 52 km | 0 h 47 |
| Maastricht | 85 km | 1 h 11 |
| Eindhoven | 172 km | 2 h 11 |
| Amsterdam | 295 km | 3 h 18 |
Source: rome2rio.com, besteroutes.com. Drive times without traffic, indicative.
The Durbuy anticline, often missed
Most visitors walk straight past without realising what they are looking at. The Durbuy anticline (also called Falize rock or Omalius rock) is a rock formation over 300 million years old, with the limestone fold visible to the naked eye. It was first scientifically described in 1807 by the geologist Jean-Baptiste-Julien d'Omalius d'Halloy and forms part of the Famenne-Ardenne Geopark. The view over Durbuy's rooftops is one of the finest in the Ardennes, and the entire site is free. No queues, no entrance fee. The walk starts at the foot of the castle.
Events 2026
16 Dec 2026, 3 Jan 2027: Durbuy Christmas Market
Four sites across the town centre + ice rink in Parc Roi Baudouin
Wednesdays 8 am-12 pm: Barvaux-sur-Ourthe Market (3 km)
Ardennes ham, local cheeses, fresh produce
April, October: Kayaking on the Ourthe
Adventure Valley (8 km), Durbuy Kayaks (8 to 30 km routes)
Parking in Durbuy, what others forget to mention
The old town centre is largely car-free. The main car park (Rue du Comte Theodule d'Ursel, around 300 spaces) is full by midday on sunny weekends and throughout July-August.
Tip: drive straight on to Parking Pré Georis, 1.5 km outside the centre. Free, with a shuttle bus to the centre. Prefer to walk? It is 15 to 20 minutes along a pleasant path beside the Ourthe. Alternative: the Parc des Topiaires car park (€9 all day), you combine the topiary visit with the walk to the centre.
Our holiday homes in Durbuy
Three homes bookable directly with the owner, no Booking commission, transparent pricing, contact via the platform.
Chalet Het Bosnestje Durbuy
★ 5.0Durbuy · 5 guests · 2 bedrooms
Our highest-rated holiday home in Durbuy (5.0 on Google). A compact chalet for a family of five, just a few minutes from the historic centre but surrounded by forest.
NaarDurbuy
★ 4.8Durbuy · 9 guests · 4 bedrooms
Spacious holiday home for 9 guests in a quiet spot right in Durbuy itself. A good choice for two families or a group of friends who want the town centre within walking distance.
Villafarodurbuy
★ 4.6Durbuy · 8 guests · 4 bedrooms
A four-bedroom villa with garden, sleeping up to 8. Set slightly outside the old town centre, ideal if you want to avoid the bustle in high season while still reaching Durbuy in ten minutes.
Want to see every Ardennes property? Visit the Ardennes region page.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Durbuy so popular for holiday homes?
Durbuy is described as the world's smallest town and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The combination of the picturesque medieval centre, the Ourthe valley, the nearby nature and a wide range of activities makes it an ideal destination for a holiday or weekend away.
Is Durbuy really the world's smallest town?
It is a marketing claim, not an official status. Durbuy received city rights in 1331 from John I of Luxembourg and has kept them through the centuries. The historic centre has only a few hundred inhabitants. Officially, Belgium's smallest town has been Mesen in West Flanders since 2006. But 'world's smallest town' remains a strong marketing line for Durbuy.
How much does a holiday home in Durbuy cost?
Holiday homes in Durbuy average €100 to €250 per night. Apartments in the centre start at around €80, while more spacious properties with a garden and views cost €150 to €300. Prices are highest in the summer holidays and around public holidays.
What is there to do in Durbuy?
Walking in the Ourthe valley, kayaking on the Ourthe (Adventure Valley or Durbuy Kayaks), mountain biking, visiting the castle and historic town centre, the Parc des Topiaires (250 box figures), climbing wall, karting and numerous terraces. The Durbuy anticline (300-million-year-old rock formation) is a hidden gem. The caves of Han-sur-Lesse are about an hour's drive away.
Is Durbuy busy in summer?
Yes, Durbuy is very busy during the summer holidays and on sunny weekends. The centre has narrow streets that get overwhelmed at peak times. Visit the centre early in the morning and head into nature in the afternoon. Those wanting quiet are better off booking a property just outside the centre in the surrounding villages.
Where do I park in Durbuy?
The old centre is largely car-free. Paid parking at Rue du Comte Theodule d'Ursel (around 300 spaces). Tip for busy days: the Pré Georis car park is free, 1.5 km outside the centre, with a free shuttle bus. Alternative: the Parc des Topiaires car park (€9 all day, combined with a topiary visit and walk to the castle).
How far is Durbuy from Brussels or Amsterdam?
From Brussels, you drive in 1 h 36 (121 km) to Durbuy. From Antwerp 1 h 42, Ghent 2 h 03, Hasselt 1 h 03, Liège just 47 minutes. From Maastricht 1 h 11. From Amsterdam, allow 3 h 18 (295 km), Eindhoven 2 h 11. The easiest route is via the E411 and then local roads.
When is the Durbuy Christmas market in 2026?
The Christmas market runs from 16 December 2026 to 3 January 2027 across four sites in the centre, with an ice rink in Parc Roi Baudouin. Specialities: champagne, oysters, truffles, tartiflette, mulled wine, warm ham rolls. Book holiday homes for this period at least 3 months in advance.
Durbuy or La Roche-en-Ardenne, which is better?
Durbuy has the more intact medieval streetscape, sits closer to Brussels and offers Adventure Valley plus the best kayak routes. La Roche has a visitable castle ruin, a WWII museum (Battle of the Bulge) and a wider choice of restaurants. Choose Durbuy for families with children and a shorter drive, La Roche for history lovers and more space to walk.