10 Best Things to Do in Bouillon with Kids + Where to Stay

🏰🚶‍♂️🍦 Exploring Beautiful Bouillon: A Must-Visit Area in Belgium! 🇧🇪

If you’re looking for a picture-perfect destination in Belgium, Bouillon should be on the top of your list! This charming area offers a delightful mix of history with the castle, scenic hikes, and family-friendly activities. Here are some highlights that you simply can’t miss!

Where to Stay in Bouillon

1. Discover the Castle of Bouillon

Step back in time and visit the legendary Bouillon Castle, once owned by Godfrey of Bouillon, a key figure in the First Crusade. He actually sold the Bouillon Castle to the Bishop of Liège to finance the First Crusade!

Prepare to be amazed by the breathtaking view from the castle! The panoramic scenery will undoubtedly leave you in awe and provide the perfect backdrop for some fantastic photos! 📸🏰🌄

Bouillon Castle Falconry Show and Tickets

While exploring the castle’s fascinating history, don’t forget to catch the spectacular Falconry Show included with your ticket. The showtimes are at 11.30, 14.00, and 15.30, with an additional show at 17.00 on weekends in April, May, June, and September, and daily during the summer holidays in July and August. Each show lasts approximately 30 minutes

Remember to reserve your tickets in advance to secure your spot! 🏰🦅

View website

Practical Stuff to Visit the Bouillon Castle

Timing is Key: As with most popular attractions, arriving early is the key to beating the crowds. So, plan your visit accordingly to make the most of this experience! ⏰👍

Castle Etiquette: Please be aware that pets, including dogs, are not allowed inside the castle.

Easy Access and Parking: No worries about finding a parking spot! Convenient parking is available right next to the castle. 🚗🅿️

2. Stroll Along the River Semois

Take a leisurely walk along the picturesque River Semois and soak in the natural beauty of the surroundings. Really, that’s the best tip, to just enjoy the beauty of Bouillon!

After your stroll, treat yourself to some delightful artisanal ice cream from Pierre Gigot. The flavors change daily, so you’ll always have something new to try! 🚶‍♂️🍨

You can find the exact spot of Pierre Gigot here – or even better, check out our map where you will see all activities in Bouillon on one map!

3. Playtime by the River

The playground, located near the river with a view of the castle, is the perfect spot to let the kids run free and burn off some energy. Park near the playground and go exploring around. Then you can end your walk at the playground for a great family day out! 🎠🏞️

4. Enjoy Kayaking in Bouillon

For the adventure seekers, Bouillon offers exciting opportunities like kayaking along the River Semois. It’s a fantastic way to experience the area’s natural beauty from a different perspective! 🚣‍♂️🌊 You can find more details here.

Looking for more kayaking places in Belgium? Read our mega guide on where to enjoy water in Belgium! Water parks, indoor and outdoor pools, lakes for swimming, and where to go kayaking!

Read more: Where to Enjoy Water in Belgium

Bouillon throughout the Year

Bouiloon is one of our most favorite places in Belgium. It is beautiful all year round. Here are some photos with snow, we absolutely loved it!

5. Marvel at the Spectacular Views from Belvédère Tower

For an awe-inspiring panoramic view of Bouillon, make sure to climb up the Belvédère tower! While it’s a bit uphill, the breathtaking scenery is absolutely worth the effort. 🏞️🌳🗼

Tip: Easy Option for Younger Kids or a Relaxed Experience

If you have younger kids or prefer a more leisurely approach, you have two options. You can drive directly to Belvédère de Bouillon, but keep in mind that the road is unpaved. Alternatively, take a pleasant stroll through the beautiful forest behind Belvédère. Either way, you’re in for a great experience! 🚗🚶‍♂️🌲

You can find the Belvédère tower here.

6. Visit the Suspended Bridge Passerelle de l’Epine

Marvel at the beauty of the 55m suspended bridge in Bouillon, Passerelle! Enjoy a 2km stroller-friendly walk to reach the bridge, which is perfect for families with younger kids. The views are sure to leave you mesmerized! 🌉🚶‍♀️👶

Read more: Passerelle

7. Do An Adventurous 9km Hike

For the more adventurous souls, embark on a 9.2 km hike starting from Belvédère de Bouillon. The trail takes you past the picturesque Passerelle before continuing alongside the tranquil river Semois. It’s a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the natural wonders of the area. 🥾🏞️🚶‍♂️

With the Belvédère tower and the Passerelle, you have the perfect combination of easy and adventurous experiences to suit everyone in the family! 🏞️🗼🌉🥾😊

*We’ve actually done this hike, but haven’t had the time to write about it. We followed this trail and it’s gorgeous! There are some points next to the river where kids can play and throw pebbles in the water.

8. Don’t Miss the Tombeau du Géant Viewpoint and Hike

For those seeking more breathtaking views, consider combining your visit with Tombeau du Géant, a viewpoint offering an awe-inspiring panorama. While the 4km trail to the viewpoint might be a bit challenging for younger kids, the view will undoubtedly make it worth it! 🏔️👀

Family-Friendly Trail Tips: This trail is ideal for kids aged 4 and above or those comfortably carried in a carrier. However, it’s not stroller-friendly unless you choose to follow the road instead of the paths. If the trail doesn’t suit your family’s preferences, fret not! You can always drive to the panorama viewpoint and still relish the breathtaking view. 🏞️👶👣🚗✨

Read more: Tombeau du Géant

9. Have Karting Fun in Bouillon

For all the adrenaline junkies out there, Bouillon offers an outdoor karting track. Get ready to rev those engines and challenge your family and friends to an action-packed day on the track. 🏁🏎️

View website

10. Should You Visit the Bouillon Zoo?

While Bouillon has a zoo, I must honestly say that it might not be the best option for animal enthusiasts. The animals appear to have limited space and the zoo is a bit old-fashioned in this sense. The trail is about 2km and there are about 90 species.

Pairi Daiza, the Antwerp Zoo and Plankendael have much larger enclosures and are much bigger in general.

While the Bouillon Zoo might not be the largest, it does have a fantastic playground that is a worthwhile stop for families with kids.

Playground Admission Option: If you’re primarily interested in the playground, you’ll be glad to know that you can enter with a separate ticket just for the playground area. This way, the kids can enjoy all the fun of the playground without necessarily visiting the zoo.

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I felt I found gold when I started diving into the Facebook group posts.

Thanks for beeing a real “childhood memories” builder!

Cristina O.

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Are you seeking inspiration, advice, and connections for your family travel adventures? Look no further! We are thrilled to invite you to our helpful and supportive Facebook groups!

🌟 Join us at World Wild Schooling and our other groups by clicking the buttons below! 🌟

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All places mentioned above are also gathered on the map!
Indoor and outdoor activities, kids friendly cafés/ restaurants, hotels and more all under separate layers

World Wild Schooling Map

I felt I found gold when I started diving into the Facebook group posts.

Thanks for beeing a real “childhood memories” builder!

Cristina O.

Join Our Communities

Are you seeking inspiration, advice, and connections for your family travel adventures? Look no further! We are thrilled to invite you to our helpful and supportive Facebook groups!

🌟 Join us at World Wild Schooling and our other groups by clicking the buttons below! 🌟