A little city located southeast of Brussels in the Namur province of the Wallonia region of Belgium. Most people have probably never heard of Namur, yet there it is up and coming. The road leading into the city gave the impression it was the only road to town. Upon arrival to Namur, it is easily noticeable that it was bustling with all sorts of activity from college students and tourists alike. Much of the architecture is rustic and traditionally European. Namur has a significant mix of shops and businesses that prefer the old rustic appeal and those that prefer a more modernized look.
While it may appear that there is not much to do in this city, I am convinced it is filled with all sorts of secret gems. One day in Namur just isn’t enough time to discover them all. Here are a few things you can do to enjoy your time in Namur that will not break your pocketbook.
1. JMKArting: A 15 minute drive south west of Namur city center there is a nice go cart race track to occupy your time with friends and family on any evening. Their set up is 15 minute sets for every race. Refer to their site for more details. www.jmkarting.com
2. Citadelle de Namur: Once a military outpost it is now open to the public. It is the highest peak in Namur with a great view of the skyline and an excellent place to jog, hike or have a tour.
3. Café Havana: If there is anything about Europe they sure love Cuba. There are numerous Cuban themed bars in Europe. Nonetheless, this a great place to rest your feet from all the walking and have an afternoon coffee or beer, whichever you prefer.
4. Le Roma: A nice modern place in the middle of a rustic city. They specialize in Italian cuisine and pizza. It is a very comfortable and friendly environment. Most importantly, the food is good. www.resataurantroma.be
5. Grand Casino de Namur: If you like Casino’s then Namur is your town. It may not be as big as the ones in Las Vegas or Atlantic city but it can surely help you occupy some time for the pure entertainment purposes of gaming. Just don’t go spending all your money in one place.
These are just some ideas of what you can do to enjoy some of your time in Namur. Obviously, there are a number of other activities that are available in Namur. The Escape room is another example of an activity to entertain friends and family while occupying your time. The majority of the city center is explorable by foot and by bike. There are several options for renting bikes to explore the city. This city is full of nooks and crannies. Namur also has a strong urban culture with its younger population. Walking through Namur, you can witness many of its students in the middle of a Hip Hop cipher reciting a free-style rap and sharing their verses. There is also plenty of street art. It is a charming little city with rich history, and amazing mix of country town with an up and coming urban vibe. It is easy to see why it is growing in appeal.
