Travel: DURBUY, BELGIUM - the smallest city in the world! (Eurotrip)

*check out my last Eurotrip adventure to Luxembourg here!* 

 

Belgium was the last destination on our Euro roadtrip, and the fifth country we visited during this trip – not bad for a short trip around the continent! We considered stopping in some of the larger towns like Liege or Brussels, but decided to do the complete opposite and visit the smallest city in the world – Durbuy.

 

We parked up on the far end of the town, and then walked about thirty seconds to reach the centre. The smallest city in the world does indeed have a tourist office, which meant we could pick up a map for a walking tour that would apparently take us around an hour – not bad for such a tiny town!

 

I’d say whoever’s in charge of tourism in Durbuy certainly took their liberties with this tour, as it did take us quite an abstract route, but it was a good way to pass the day nonetheless. We started down by a large koi pond flanked by a huge limestone anticlinal, which looked very cool with its alternating layers.

Our tour led us through the winding, narrow streets, past old convents, a topiary garden, along the river, and by many quaint shops that I’m sure take full advantage of the numerous tourists who arrive in the summer. One of the highlights was the castle, right at the edge of the small city that looked like it had been plucked straight from an Addams Family movie.  

Being a tourist town, there were a few options for places for coffee, but we opted for La Vieille Demeure due to its setting in a large cross-hatched townhouse. The reviews had warned us that the staff weren’t necessarily the friendliest towards guests (why choose a job in the service industry then?), but it was a nice enough place to stay and watch the world go by in this busy little town.

I’d say Durbuy is a bit more of a gimmick than somewhere to stay – a place that is worth the trip if it’s on your way (as it was ours), but probably not if you’re looking for something more. If you like historical towns, walks along the river, and small but imposing castles; or if you’re pressed for time, then this is the place for you. And hey, how many times can you truly say that you’ve been to and seen every part of a city? 

 

Thank you so much for joining me on my Eurotrip adventures! You can read all previous instalments (Heidelberg, Lake Constance, Liechtenstein, Strasbourg, & Luxembourg) already up on the blog, and I will have even more exciting travel blogs to post very soon! Stay tuned on Twitter @CiarasCountry, and let me know where your favourite places in Europe are. Thanks so much for reading!