What to see in Tilburg?

That’s what I was trying to figure out while planning my trip to Tilburg a couple of weeks ago. I was attending a concert there, so I decided to extend my visit and explore that mysterious Dutch town more. I didn’t know a lot about Tilburg prior to my visit (besides that Vincent van Gogh spent some time there), so I wasn’t expecting much. But, boy, was I surprised when I finally arrived there.

What to see in Tilburg

“You fell in love with Tilburg at second sight.” Nicole from Marketing Tilburg told me while we were sipping coffee at the Smeer ‘m.

I wasn’t sure I fully understood what she meant by that, but after spending more time in the city, it all clicked for me! Unlike the most other Dutch cities, Tilburg does not have a traditional historical town centre filled with charming gabled houses, a grand church on the main square, and cobblestone streets that witnessed people like Rembrandt or Vermeer strolling around them.

The city has been rebuilt multiple times throughout history, reshaped and adjusted to better serve its residents. This unique evolution has contributed to its liveability and made it home to places like LocHal, which feels like the city’s living room. It’s the perfect spot to meet friends, read a book, or relax and appreciate its modern architecture.

A few things you should know about Tilburg

“Here I can breathe freely and I feel happy.”
King William II (1792-1849)
  • With a population of almost 230,000 inhabitants, Tilburg is the seventh-largest city in the Netherlands. It is located in the southern part of the country, in the region called Brabant.
  • The city is well-known for its university, which also makes it quite a young city with a lively nightlife.
  • Although not much is known about it, Tilburg’s history starts in the Middle Ages. The textile industry flourished here, initially relying on home producers. However, from the mid-19th century onward, numerous factories were established, making Tilburg the wool capital of the Netherlands in the 20th century until the industry declined in the 1960s.
  • Dutch King William II had a strong affection for Tilburg, visiting frequently and supporting the wool production while befriending many local farmers. To spend more time in the city, he began constructing a palace, which was completed just days before his death. Today, the palace is a part of the city hall. But you can also find a statue of King William II in Tilburg, and see the relationship between the monarch and the city in the name of the local football club, Willem II Tilburg.

Cultural sites in Tilburg

In Tilburg, I was pleasantly surprised by the vast amount of public art and cultural sites to explore. I was also in luck because the Kaapstaad Festival was happening in Tilburg during my visit, with numerous performances and happenings organised.

One highlight for me was writing a message, placing it in a bottle, and releasing it into a fountain on Stadhuisplein. I then retrieved another bottle containing a message from someone else and read it. Experiences like these really enhance the city’s atmosphere and make you appreciate it even more.

⤷ TIP: For more info about the events in Tilburg, check out the Marketing Tilburg websiteMarketing Tilburg website.

Vincent van Gogh in Tilburg

“I live in one of the suburbs of London, where it’s comparatively quiet. It’s a bit like Tilburg or some such place.”
Vincent van Gogh’s letter to his brother Theo, 13 June 1873

Vincent van Gogh, one of the most renowned painters in history, grew up and began his art career in the region of Brabant. He attended school in Tilburg for two years, from 1866 to 1868, which means there are several locations in Tilburg associated with this beloved artist.

⤷ Read more: Locations linked to Vincent van Gogh in the Netherlands

Vincent van Gogh’s School

Vincent van Gogh attended the Rijks Hogere Burger School in Tilburg, where he took drawing classes starting at the age of 13. The building was originally constructed as a palace for King William II, but he never used it due to his death shortly after its completion. Instead, the building was converted into a higher secondary school, where Van Gogh was one of the first students.

During his time there, he studied history, geography, languages, and more; however, the most significant aspect of his education was the drawing lessons he received. In his first year, he had four hours of drawing lessons per week, which decreased to three hours in his second year. His drawing teacher was Constant Cornelis Huijsmans, who was well-respected as an art instructor of his time.

His grades show that young Vincent was among the top students, but for an unknown reason, he left school after two years.

⤷ TIP: While Vincent’s drawing room in the building was previously open to visitors, it has been closed since 2025. Check the Stadsmuseum Tilburg’s website for updates.

Van Gogh Monuments at Sint Annaplein

During his two years in Tilburg, Vincent van Gogh lived in a boarding house on Sint Annaplein. Although you can’t visit it, you can see the exact location on Sint Annaplein 18.

The whole square on which the house is located is dedicated to its famous former resident. On each bench in the square, you will find a quote from some of Van Gogh’s letters. Additionally, there are several statues and a mosaic inspired by one of the famous painter’s self-portraits.

⤷ Read more: Learn more about Van Gogh’s life and locations where he lived in my art crime novel, “Following Van Gogh”

Poppodium 013

The main reason for my search for things to do in Tilburg was a concert I was attending at Poppodium 013. It’s the largest and one of the best pop music venues in the Netherlands.

They regularly organise a wide range of concerts, so keep an eye on their website to see what’s going on.

⤷ Read more: 25 Beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Europe

De Stijl in Tilburg

Tilburg played a significant role in the development of one of the most important modern art movements, De Stijl. One of its founders, Theo van Doesburg, was stationed in Tilburg as a soldier in 1914. There, he met Anthony Kok, a railway worker and poet, and they collaborated to formulate the initial ideas for the new style, De Stijl.

Anthony Kok, Theo van Doesburg, and his wife, Nelly van Doesburg, also organised Dadaist evenings in Tilburg during the early 1920s, placing it in the European map of modern art.

You can still find many links to De Stijl in Tilburg today. If you’d like to do that during your visit to Tilburg, follow the “In the Footsteps of De Stijl in Tilburg” tour designed by Esther Porcelijn and Serge van Duijnhoven. You can read more about it and watch short videos before your visit on this link.

LocHal

The remnants of Tilburg’s industrial past are still visible in the city today. However, many of those former industrial buildings were later transformed into residential or cultural spaces. And they are what will make you fall in love with this Dutch city (at second sight).

LocHal was one of my favourite places of that kind in Tilburg. A former railway maintenance workshop was transformed into the city library and a beautiful cultural venue and urban space in 2019. Since its transformation, it has won numerous awards for its architecture and effective use of space. Here, you can find a library, a small shop, exhibitions, and a café. It’s definitely an interesting place to add to your list of things to do in Tilburg.

⤷ TIP: If you’d like to learn more about this fascinating place, join one of the daily guided tours in English. Follow this link for more info.

Museums in Tilburg

Tilburg is home to several great museums, making it a perfect cultural spot for art enthusiasts. Most of them are located close to each other, so you can easily visit several in a single day. De Pont Museum is a great place to explore contemporary art, particularly during its special exhibitions. If you’re more interested in flora, fauna and learning about human development, the Nature Museum Brabant is a great place to go.

Textiel Museum

Given Tilburg’s rich textile history, it’s no surprise that one of the city’s top museums is dedicated to this industry. The Textiel Museum, located in a former textile factory, is a place where history and future are combined. Here, you can learn about the craft of textile making, its historical significance, and explore future developments in the industry. The museum’s TextielLab is where you can learn more about it in a more immersive way and even try to create something yourself.

Efteling

Efteling is the most popular entertainment park in the Netherlands. Inspired by fairytales, you can enjoy some of the adrenaline rides, but also immerse yourself in the magical world of stories. It’s located only 15 kilometres (around 9 miles) from Tilburg, so you can easily visit it from there.

Where to have breakfast in Tilburg

One of my favourite ways to feel a vibe of the city is by having breakfast at some of the charming restaurant terraces in the city centre, enjoying the food while watching the world pass by. During my stay in Tilburg, I had breakfast at a small square on the intersection of Frederikstraat and Emmapassage. It’s where a few nice breakfast restaurants in Tilburg are located. I went to Anne&Max because I was up for a lighter breakfast. However, just across the street are Tom & the Blenders and Bam!, where you can find nice sandwiches, smoothies, and other breakfast options.

Where to stay in Tilburg

If you’re planning to spend a night in Tilburg, here are a few recommendations for places to stay in Tilburg.

  • Mercure Hotel Tilburg Centrum – During my trip to Tilburg, I stayed at the Mercure Hotel Tilburg Centrum. As its name suggests, it has a great location, right in the Tilburg city centre. It’s also conveniently located right around the corner from the Poppodium 013 music venue. The hotel has a swimming pool and sauna, and a lovely restaurant on the ground floor.
  • Hotel Central Tilburg – This recently opened hotel, located right across the Tilburg train station, is a gem for any art lover visiting Tilburg. Each hotel room is dedicated to another member or a person important for the development of the De Stijl (or Dadaist) movement. I got to explore the hotel with local artist Tine van de Weyer, who designed all the rooms, and loved exploring all the history and inspiration behind its design.

⤷ TIP: Smeer ‘m – restaurant on its ground floor is a great stop for lunch. I especially recommend the salmon salad and smoothies there.

Nestled in one of the greenest provinces of the Netherlands, Brabant, Tilburg remains an undiscovered gem worth visiting. I enjoyed my trip there so much that I am already looking forward to my next visit. I hope this article will help you plan your trip to this wonderful Dutch town.

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