Destinations in the Ardennes: 8 towns compared

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Castles on rocky spurs, rivers to paddle, caves that are always 12 degrees, and forests as far as the eye can see: the Belgian Ardennes are about five to six hours' drive from London via the Channel Tunnel. Which town suits your weekend? We put all eight destinations side by side, with route, fuel and 2026 prices.

By Arjan Zuur · figures checked on 21 October 2026, routes from London on 24 October 2026 · About us

If you are looking for peace and wellness, Spa or Durbuy is the place. If you want to kayak, choose La Roche, Durbuy, Dinant or Bouillon. With kids, Han-sur-Lesse and Aywaille are top, and if you love wide-open nature, head to Malmedy and the High Fens.

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📌 Overview

The Ardennes at a glance

The castle and slate roofs of Durbuy, seen from the top of the anticline — Photo: JackyM59 · CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized, cropped to 16:9) · via Wikimedia Commons · photo credits

Eight Ardennes towns, 5 h 09 min to 5 h 53 min driving from London via LeShuttle (plus the crossing), each with its own character.

Closest: Dinant, ± 394 km · 5 h 09 min (via LeShuttle)
Furthest: Bouillon, ± 481 km · 5 h 53 min (via LeShuttle)
Fuel return: ± € 103 to € 130
Tolls & vignette: None in 2026 (Belgian vignette planned from 1 May 2027; check current rules)
Kayaking: La Roche, Durbuy, Bouillon, Dinant, Malmedy (Coo)
With kids: Han-sur-Lesse, Aywaille, Durbuy

🗺️ All destinations compared

The quays on the Ourthe in La Roche-en-Ardenne with the castle ruins on the hill — Photo: JackyM59 · CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized, cropped to 16:9) · via Wikimedia Commons · photo credits

Distance and driving time are calculated to the centre of each town, with the fastest route from London St Pancras via LeShuttle (OSRM, 24.10.2026), excluding the 35-minute crossing.

Destination	Province	Distance from London (via LeShuttle)	Driving time (excl. crossing)	Fuel return (BE–UK)	Ideal for
Durbuy	Luxembourg	± 433 km	± 5 h 28 min	± €113–117	Nature, wellness, short break
La Roche-en-Ardenne	Luxembourg	± 442 km	± 5 h 36 min	± €115–120	Kayaking, castle, hiking
Bouillon	Luxembourg	± 481 km	± 5 h 53 min	± €125–130	Castle, Semois, kayaking
Dinant	Namur	± 394 km	± 5 h 09 min	± €103–107	Citadel, Meuse, kayaking on the Lesse
Han-sur-Lesse	Namur	± 431 km	± 5 h 21 min	± €112–117	Caves, wildlife park, families
Spa	Liège	± 455 km	± 5 h 38 min	± €118–123	Thermal baths, wellness, race circuit
Malmedy	Liège	± 467 km	± 5 h 45 min	± €122–127	High Fens, carnival, castles
Aywaille	Liège	± 440 km	± 5 h 31 min	± €114–119	Hiking, caves, safari park

Route: OSRM/OpenStreetMap (fastest route), calculated on 24 October 2026 from London St Pancras, without breaks, traffic or the Channel crossing. Fuel: 6.5 l/100 km (assumption), petrol: BE €2.002/l (FOD Economie, official Belgian maximum price petrol 95 RON E10, valid from 24.10.2026) to UK 174.57 p/l = €2.085/l (UK DESNZ weekly road fuel prices, unleaded (ULSP) average pump price, week commencing 19.10.2026; ECB euro reference rate 23.10.2026: €1 = £0.83728). Channel crossing: LeShuttle 35 min (leshuttle.com), ferry Dover–Calais ± 1 h 30 to 1 h 40 (P&O Ferries, DFDS); fares not included, check current fares. Explanation and sources in the cost guide.

🎯 Durbuy

Location: Province of Luxembourg Type: nature, wellness, short break

💶 Cost: Parc des Topiaires: adults € 5 (source)

Durbuy is a small medieval town on the Ourthe, ideal for a long weekend with nature, wellness and kayaking. ± 5 h 28 min from London via LeShuttle.

👉 To Durbuy

🎯 La Roche-en-Ardenne

Location: Province of Luxembourg Type: kayaking, castle, hiking

💶 Cost: Château féodal: adults € 8.50 (source)

La Roche-en-Ardenne is a small town on the Ourthe with feudal castle ruins, ideal for kayaking and hiking. ± 5 h 36 min from London via LeShuttle.

👉 To La Roche-en-Ardenne

🎯 Bouillon

Location: Province of Luxembourg Type: castle, Semois, kayaking

💶 Cost: Bouillon City Pass+: adults € 16 (source)

Bouillon is a castle town on the Semois in the south of the Belgian Ardennes, ideal for kayaking and viewpoints. ± 5 h 53 min from London via LeShuttle.

👉 To Bouillon

🎯 Dinant

Location: Province of Namur Type: citadel, Meuse, kayaking on the Lesse

💶 Cost: Dinant citadel: adults € 15 (source)

Dinant is a town on the Meuse with a citadel, the Maison Leffe and kayak trips on the Lesse. ± 5 h 09 min from London via LeShuttle.

👉 To Dinant

Dripstone formations in an illuminated hall of the Caves of Han — Photo: Musicaline · CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized, cropped to 16:9) · via Wikimedia Commons · photo credits

🎯 Han-sur-Lesse

Location: Province of Namur Type: caves, wildlife park, families

💶 Cost: Cave of Han: adults € 29 (source)

Han-sur-Lesse is a village on the Lesse, known for the Caves of Han and the wildlife park; a top destination for families. ± 5 h 21 min from London via LeShuttle.

👉 To Han-sur-Lesse

The Spa casino with the flower beds in front — Photo: Marc Ryckaert (MJJR) · CC BY 3.0 (resized, cropped to 16:9) · via Wikimedia Commons · photo credits

🎯 Spa

Location: Province of Liège Type: thermal baths, wellness, race circuit

💶 Cost: Thermes de Spa (3 hours): adults € 35–37 (source)

Spa is a spa town in the province of Liège with thermal baths, springs and the Spa-Francorchamps circuit nearby. ± 5 h 38 min from London via LeShuttle.

👉 To Spa

🎯 Malmedy

Location: Province of Liège Type: High Fens, carnival, castles

💶 Cost: Malmundarium: adults € 6 (source)

Malmedy is a town on the edge of the High Fens, with a big carnival (Cwarmê) and castles and abbeys nearby. ± 5 h 45 min from London via LeShuttle.

👉 To Malmedy

A waterfall of the Ninglinspo flows into a clear pool between the rocks — Photo: FrDr · CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized, cropped to 16:9) · via Wikimedia Commons · photo credits

🎯 Aywaille

Location: Province of Liège Type: hiking, caves, safari park

💶 Cost: Grottes de Remouchamps: adults € 20 (source)

Aywaille is a town on the Amblève, known for the Ninglinspo walk, the Grottes de Remouchamps and the Monde Sauvage safari park. ± 5 h 31 min from London via LeShuttle.

👉 To Aywaille

🎯 Compared by theme

Kayakers on the calm Ourthe between Nisramont and La Roche-en-Ardenne — Photo: DimiTalen · CC0 (resized, cropped to 16:9) · via Wikimedia Commons · photo credits

What does a kayak trip in La Roche cost compared with Bouillon? And which cave is cheapest? Here are the 2026 prices side by side by theme, straight from our destination pages.

🛶 Kayaking

Destination	Provider / trip	Adults	Child	Source
Durbuy	Kayak Durbuy → Barvaux	see official website	see official website	www.adventure-valley.be
Durbuy	Kayak with Domaine de Palogne	€ 26 (two-person pp)	Three-person € 52 (2 adults + 1 child)	www.palogne.be
La Roche-en-Ardenne	Kayak with Brandsport	€ 25	€ 25	www.brandsport.be
La Roche-en-Ardenne	Kayak with Ardenne Aventures	€ 25–35	from age 4	ardenneaventures.com
Bouillon	Kayak on the Semois (Les Epinoches)	€ 20–40	€ 10 (under 6)	www.kayak-lesepinoches.be
Dinant	Kayak on the Lesse (Dinant Evasion)	€ 31–44	€ 2.50 discount	www.dinant-evasion.be
Malmedy	Kayak at Coo (Coo Adventure)	€ 23–27	see website	www.coo-adventure.com
Aywaille	Kayak at Coo	€ 23–27	see website	www.coo-adventure.com

Whether you can paddle depends on the water level: check Infokayak on the day. More in our outdoor guide.

🕳️ Caves

Destination	Cave	Adults	Child	Source
Durbuy	Grottes de Hotton	€ 15	€ 12 (3–11)	grottesdehotton.be
Han-sur-Lesse	Cave of Han	€ 29	€ 22 (4–11)	www.grotte-de-han.be
Aywaille	Grottes de Remouchamps	€ 20	€ 14 (3–11)	www.lesgrottes.be

🏰 Castles and châteaux

Destination	Castle	Adults	Child	Source
La Roche-en-Ardenne	Château féodal	€ 8,50	€ 6,50 (3–12)	www.chateaudelaroche.be
Bouillon	Bouillon City Pass+	€ 16	€ 12 (4–12)	www.chateaudebouillon.com
Bouillon	Bouillon City Pass (winter)	€ 12	€ 9,50 (4–12)	www.chateaudebouillon.com
Dinant	Dinant citadel	€ 15	€ 13 (4–12)	www.citadellededinant.be
Dinant	Freÿr castle and gardens	€ 12	free up to 12	freyr.be
Han-sur-Lesse	Lavaux-Sainte-Anne castle	€ 9,50	€ 6 (3–12)	www.chateau-lavaux.com
Malmedy	Reinhardstein castle	€ 12	€ 10	www.reinhardstein.net

🆓 Free

Destination	What	Adults	Child	Source
Bouillon	Tombeau du Géant	free	free	www.visitbouillon-ardenne.be
Han-sur-Lesse	Fondry des Chiens	free	free	tourisme.viroinval.be
Spa	Lac de Warfaaz	free	free	visitwallonia.be
Aywaille	Ninglinspo walk	free	free	www.aywaille.be

The Semois makes a wide loop around the hamlet of Frahan, seen from the viewpoint in Rochehaut — **Semois at Frahan (Bouillon)**
The Semois makes a big loop around the hamlet of Frahan, seen from the viewpoint in Rochehaut
Photo: Vincent Anciaux · CC BY-SA 3.0 · resized and cropped · via Wikimedia Commons · all photo credits

**Ourthe between Nisramont and La Roche-en-Ardenne**
Two kayaks with paddlers on the Ourthe, with ducks on the water
Photo: DimiTalen · CC0 · via Wikimedia Commons · all photo credits

**Caves of Han (Han-sur-Lesse)**
Stalactites on the ceiling of the Caves of Han
Photo: Musicaline · CC BY-SA 4.0 · resized and cropped · via Wikimedia Commons · all photo credits

**Dinant**
Dinant reflected in the Meuse, with the citadel and the church in front of the rock face
Photo: jiuguangw (Flickr) · CC BY-SA 2.0 · resized and cropped · via Wikimedia Commons · all photo credits

**High Fens (Grande Fagne, Xhoffraix)**
Boardwalk through the snow-covered Grande Fagne near Xhoffraix
Photo: Jean-Pol GRANDMONT · CC BY 3.0 · resized and cropped · via Wikimedia Commons · all photo credits

**Ninglinspo (Aywaille)**
The water of the Ninglinspo winds over red-brown rocks in the forest
Photo: FrDr · CC BY-SA 4.0 · resized and cropped · via Wikimedia Commons · all photo credits

🧖 Places to stay with wellness

The Lac de Warfaaz near Spa, surrounded by forests — Photo: Marc Ryckaert (MJJR) · CC BY 3.0 (resized, cropped to 16:9) · via Wikimedia Commons · photo credits

A sauna in your own cottage, a private wellness area by the hour or your hotel's spa: in the Ardennes you can do it all. Below is one example of each type. All 24 addresses from our eight destinations are collected in our wellness guide.

🏡 Private in the cottage: Villa Faro Durbuy

Barrel sauna and jacuzzi just for you, in a villa for the whole family. Durbuy.

View from the anticline over the roofs and castle of Durbuy in autumn

Photo: DimiTalen · CC0 · via Wikimedia Commons · all photo credits

Source: villafarodurbuy.be, checked on 22 October 2026

🔐 Private wellness by the hour: Hôtel Panorama

You rent the wellness area for a time slot: 1 h 30 min for € 89, for max. 4 people (closed up to and including 31 October 2026). Bouillon.

The Semois, the houses of Bouillon and the long castle of Godfrey of Bouillon

Photo: Jean-Pol GRANDMONT · CC BY 3.0 · resized and cropped · via Wikimedia Commons · all photo credits

Source: panoramahotel.be, checked on 22 October 2026

🏨 Hotel wellness: R Hotel (Remouchamps)

A 900 m² wellness area in the hotel; half a day costs € 20 (couple € 35). Aywaille.

The Amblève and the bridge in Remouchamps

Photo: Jean Housen · CC BY-SA 3.0 · resized and cropped · via Wikimedia Commons · all photo credits

Source: r-hotel.be, checked on 22 October 2026

👉 See all 24 wellness addresses in the guide

One hotel or park per destination compared, with the Booking.com rating: Where to stay in the Ardennes.

A private cottage or a holiday park, and how does the energy surcharge work? Read it in our guide to holiday homes with wellness.

📅 When to go where?

Autumn colours in the Fagne Wallonne: red and golden moor grass with bare birches — Photo: Frank Vassen · CC BY 2.0 (resized, cropped to 16:9) · via Wikimedia Commons · photo credits

Autumn: deer rut from mid-September to mid-October (wallonie.be); hunting season until the end of January.
Winter: Durbuy Christmas market from 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027; with snow, cross-country skiing at the Baraque de Fraiture and hiking in the High Fens.
Carnival: the Malmedy Cwarmê, 6–9 February 2027.
Summer: kayaking on the Ourthe, Lesse, Semois and Amblève; from 16 June you can paddle until 8 pm on many stretches.

Everything by season is in our seasons guide. For winter: snow and cross-country skiing and the Christmas markets 2026.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Which Ardennes town is closest to London?

Dinant: ± 394 km from London St Pancras via LeShuttle and ± 5 h 09 min with the fastest route, plus the 35-minute crossing.

Which is furthest away?

Bouillon: ± 481 km from London via LeShuttle and ± 5 h 53 min, plus the crossing.

Where is the best kayaking?

On the Ourthe (La Roche, Durbuy), the Lesse (Dinant), the Semois (Bouillon) and the Amblève (Coo). Always check Infokayak.

What is the best destination with kids?

Han-sur-Lesse (cave and wildlife park) and Aywaille (Monde Sauvage and Remouchamps), and Durbuy with Adventure Valley.

Do I need a vignette?

Not in 2026; a digital Belgian road vignette is planned from 1 May 2027. Check the current rules before you travel.

Will I drive through a low emission zone?

From London the fastest route to all eight towns runs via the Channel Tunnel (or the Dover–Calais ferry) and the toll-free French A16/A25. The Brussels ring (R0) is not part of the Brussels LEZ, and in 2026 Wallonia has no general low-emission zone (LEZ); in London check the ULEZ and Congestion Charge with TfL before you set off.

Where is wellness easiest?

In Spa (Thermes de Spa, 3 hours from € 31) and in hotels in Durbuy, La Roche, Bouillon and Malmedy.

When is the Christmas market in Durbuy?

From 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.