What to do in Tilburg: Experience the city in 24 hours (or more, of course)

What to do in Tilburg

Tilburg may not be the first place that comes to mind as a vacation destination in the Netherlands. With its industrial character as a transport city, for many, it's nothing more than a pit stop you zoom through on the train. However, the city has more to offer than you might initially think. The rule here is: the better you get to know it, the more beautiful it becomes. The spacious boulevards, numerous green parks, cozy terraces, and plenty of artistic initiatives adorn Tilburg like never before.

Tip: with the Ticket to Tilburg pass, you can take advantage of high discounts at restaurants, museums, activities, and shops. Discover all the benefits of the Ticket to Tilburg pass.

1. Explore Tilburg with an Electric Scooter

There's nothing worse than tired legs after a long day of strolling through the city. In Tilburg, they have the perfect solution for that: the electric scooter! With a maximum speed of 25 kilometers per hour, it's not only safe, but also lots of fun to move through charming streets and summery parks in this way. The first meters might take some getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, you'll want nothing more than to explore every corner of the city on this speedy mode of transportation. Start your adventure in the city center at Hotel Mercure, where you can rent the City Steps for a whole day, half a day, or one hour.

2. Wander Around Library LocHal

Park your scooter for a moment at this former locomotive hall; the perfect example of how the industrial city of Tilburg is undergoing a major renovation. Old, new, sleek, and raw design blend beautifully here. The large open space, consisting of different layers and floors, fills its corridors and paths with thousands of books. Surrounded by hardworking students in deep concentration, step inside here for peace and tranquility. Admire the enormous steel and glass structure and fantasize about old locomotive wagons puffing past.

3. Discover the Rest of the Spoorzone

LocHal is located in the Spoorzone of Tilburg, the area behind the central station. For a long time, it was an empty lot, but Tilburg has invested a lot of time and effort into transforming the area into a trendy hub full of workspaces, restaurants, and more.

Learn all about the Spoorzone of Tilburg here.

4. Admire Tilburg's Murals

Then, hop back on your electric scooter. During an urban scavenger hunt through different neighborhoods of the city, you'll discover how the once dull gray walls have been brightened up with colorful murals that each tell a story. The Urban Street Art Tour not only takes you past impressive works by well-known and unknown local artists but also shows you more of the city and everyday life. Check them off the list one by one or discover them throughout the rest of your day.

5. Explore the Piushaven

The Piushaven is the largest city harbor in Brabant. Here, too, you'll see how the city has transformed an old industrial area into a beautiful trendy spot. You'll also find plenty of great restaurants, thrift stores, or a brewery if you're already craving a beer. You can get there by scooter, although it's also within walking distance of the city center.

Read all about Piushaven and what you can do there here.

6. Relax in the Moerenburg Nature Park

Walk, cycle, or scooter from the Piushaven to the nearby nature reserve Moerenburg: a 160-hectare national landscape, located on the outskirts of Tilburg. In this place, where recreation and nature peacefully coexist, you can enjoy tranquility. Surrounded by green meadows and authentic farms, you can escape the bustling city life for a moment.

7. Coffee, Cake, or Lunch

Coffee and Cake in Spoorpark

In recent years, Tilburg has gained a new city park. In 2019, a former neglected railway and industrial area was transformed into Spoorpark. Here, you can come to walk, have a picnic, play sports, or simply escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Climb the 37-meter-high Kempentoren to admire the city from a different perspective.

Feeling hungry? Take a seat on the terrace of restaurant and café T-Huis. With the sound of the fountain in the background and the sun warmly embracing you, you'll feel like you're on a summer terrace at the beach, without having to leave the city. Wrap up the morning with a cup of coffee and a large slice of cake: after all, it's still vacation.

Lunch at Eetbar de Wagon

Feeling hungry for lunch? Tilburg is full of great dining spots. One of them is Eetbar de Wagon, located in the Spoorzone. Settle down at one of the tables on the spacious platform terrace. Travel back in time in the authentic train cars from 1930 that are still charmingly decorated. Here, you can enjoy fruity lemonades, colorful cocktails, and a wide selection of house wines. Indulge in the flavorful dishes on the menu: from generously topped Greek flatbread and fresh salads to a variety of savory snacks and sweet desserts. This train experience is an absolute must!

Lunch at Restaurant RAK

RAK, the Restaurant On the Quay, provides the Tilburg boulevard with a warm meeting place, offering a modern and international cuisine at a high level. Take a seat on the terrace and enjoy a calming view over the water. Here, food is prepared with care, not stereotypical but with an authentic foundation. Recommended dishes include the generously topped brioche toast and the soft shell tacos. But you're also in the right place for a juicy piece of meat and a delightful glass of wine. If you, like us, can't decide, the dishes are also perfect for sharing.

8. Visit Museum de Pont

"Contemporary art in a historic factory," those are the words that perhaps best describe Museum de Pont. Over the past decade, this museum has gathered unique collections from prominent artists and emerging talents, always with the aim of establishing an intimate and sustainable relationship. Creative use of space and light is showcased in the monumental factory hall. From small intimate rooms, also known as "wool chambers," to interrupted sightlines and large open spaces filled with daylight. De Pont often hosts changing exhibitions, each uniquely filling the already extraordinary building.

9. Discover the Textile Museum

Tilburg and textiles are inseparable. It lives in the buildings, on the streets, and in the art. The Textielmuseum is a perfect example of this. This is the place where design, art, fashion, and textile innovation come together. Located in an old textile factory from the 1860s, here you can learn about everything related to fabric production.

Watch over the shoulders of real textile experts in the TextielLab workshop. Learn about different techniques and be amazed by the endless possibilities of textiles. Book one of the many creative workshops or wander peacefully among the colorful threads and versatile exhibitions.

10. Indulge in a Softy’s Ice Cream

All that exploring can work up an appetite! Time for some refreshment. Grab a unique ice cream at the Softy’s train wagon or at the new colorful branch in the heart of the city. "Bacon, eggs, and cornflakes" sounds like the perfect breakfast, but at Softy’s, it's one of the ice cream flavors to choose from. Are you up for it, or do you prefer to play it safe?

11. Get Lost in Doloris' Meta Maze

In Tilburg's art maze, you'll get lost like never before. Make your way through more than 40 impressive rooms, each telling its own story. Enter the maze alone, without a phone, camera, or watch. If you encounter someone along the way, climb and scramble together, isolated from the outside world with only each other and plenty of cool things to discover.

Tip: Although the word "maze" might suggest otherwise, finding the exit in this Meta Maze is not necessarily the main goal. Explore unexplored paths until you're sure you've seen all the mysterious rooms. You won't want to miss this spectacle.

12. Dine at Doloris' Rooftop Bar

Want to enjoy culinary delights about 20 meters above the city? Then you must visit Doloris' Rooftop Bar! This largest rooftop terrace in the Benelux is the place to be when you're in Tilburg. Enjoy tapas-style street food dishes with the setting sun in the background. Lively music, vibrant cocktails, and a cozy atmosphere are the perfect ingredients for a delightful evening. This is where Tilburg celebrates life!

Plan Your Visit to Tilburg

There's a lot to do in Tilburg. Would you like to spend 24 hours there, too? Order the 24-hour package and receive a city guide and Ticket To Tilburg Pass, which gives you access to great discounts.

This visit was made possible in part by Ticket to Tilburg, a platform initiated by Marketing Tilburg Foundation.