What to do in The Hague: our personal tips for a weekend getaway
February 24, 2025
Content
Experiencing the vacation feeling in The Netherlands? You can do so without a doubt in Tilburg! This industrial city lends itself perfectly to a city break in the Netherlands. Tilburg is a city full of creativity, culture and unique hotspots you don't want to miss. From bustling restaurants at Piushaven to the raw charm of the Spoorzone: there is so much to see and discover in Tilburg. We set out to explore the best sights and activities in Tilburg. Read our personal tips for what to do in Tilburg. And yes, after a full day in this city, we 100% had that wonderful vacation feeling!
1. Explore Tilburg by e-step
On Saturday afternoon we left for Tilburg. It was summer warm and the sun was shining. An ideal day to explore Tilburg. And no, not just like that: we explored Tilburg by e-step! The electronic scooters can be rented at the Mercure Hotel in the center of Tilburg. The e-steps have a range of about 60 kilometers and go up to 25 kilometers per hour. Very convenient if you want to get the most out of your day and visit as many sights in Tilburg as possible. And what a great feeling to glide through the city with a summer breeze!
2. Discover the bustling Piushaven in Tilburg
With our e-steps, we made a full-fledged city tour of Tilburg. The North Brabant city has a lot to offer. The originally industrial city still has a lot of industrial heritage. Tilburg is also bursting with monumental buildings, trendy boutiques and cozy hotspots for a bite to eat and a drink.
Be sure to make a stop at Piushaven. Over the years, this former industrial harbor has turned into one of Tilburg's favorite spots. The harbor is surrounded by fine restaurants and jetties where you can moor yachts and dinghies. We stopped by Restaurant RAK, a great place to sit in the sun and look out over the passing boats.
Other recommendations in Piushaven:
City Brewery 013: taste locally brewed beers
Villa Parsonage: a cozy B&B with an atmospheric restaurant
Curious about more great restaurants and bars in Tilburg? Read our article on the best hotspots in Tilburg!
3. Be amazed at the TextielMuseum in Tilburg.
Amidst the old factory buildings in Tilburg you will find a striking and modern building: The TextielMuseum. Inside you can visit inspiring exhibitions in art, design, fashion and heritage.
Housed in a former textile factory, the museum offers a unique combination of historical heritage and contemporary creativity. In addition to exhibitions, in the TextielLab you can see how craftsmen and designers work on innovative textile products. From traditional weaving techniques to ultramodern designs, this is where textiles truly come to life. A visit to the TextielMuseum is an absolute must for lovers of fashion, design and history.
4. Head to Tilburg's Spoorzone
One of the spots we were most excited about in Tilburg was the Spoorzone. The Spoorzone is proof that Tilburg is the city of creative initiatives. Where the Spoorzone used to be known for industry, it is now a true urban hotspot. The former industrial workshops have made way for catering establishments and cultural institutions. But the raw character, that has remained. This part of Tilburg secretly reminds us a bit of Berlin thinking.
5. Take a look inside the library LocHal in the Spoorzone
A library may not be the first place you visit when you move to a new city, but it is if it is as cool as the library LocHal in Tilburg. You will find this library in the heart of the Spoorzone.
The library is located in a former workshop where wagons and locomotives were developed and repaired. The renovation cost over 30 million! But the result is impressive. The library now serves as the city's living room and is a place where studying, meeting, creating and innovating come together. We are particularly impressed with the architecture.
6. Walk through the Spoorpark in Tilburg
After visiting the fun hotspots in the Spoorzone, we drove on to Het Spoorpark to enjoy a piece of green in the middle of the city. The Spoorpark includes the 35-meter-high Kempentoren tower: an unmissable city landmark in Tilburg. Furthermore, for the real vacationers in Tilburg, the park has a city campsite: Stadscamping 013. Also, the cozy restaurant T-House located in Rail Park.
7. Visit the Trappist monastery Abdij Koningshoeven
Of course, a real vacation day requires a cold, refreshing beer. Just outside Tilburg you will find the Trappist monastery Koningshoeven Abbey. At the brewery of this monastery, the Trappist beer brand La Trappe is brewed. This is one of two Trappist breweries in the Netherlands (and 1 of 12 Trappist breweries worldwide!).
At Abdij de Koningshoeven, you can join guided tours to learn more about the brewing process and history. We stopped by the tasting room in the monastery's garden and enjoyed a Witte Trappist with a drinks board full of local produce.
8. Go for a unique experience in Doloris' Meta Maze
After a fun city tour of Tilburg, we ended our vacation day in a special way: with a visit to the surreal Meta Maze. This is a kind of maze with 40 unique 'experience rooms'. The goal here is precisely not to leave the Maze as quickly as possible, but to discover all the rooms. It actually felt like a playground for adults.
All we can give away: before you enter the Meta Maze, you will be blindfolded. You will enter by yourself and you are not allowed to bring your phone or watch. End the evening on Doloris' rooftop and enjoy a beautiful sunset with tasty snacks and drinks.
The best places to stay in Tilburg
There are so many great spots to explore in Tilburg, we can quite understand if you want to stay longer than one day. Fortunately, there are plenty nice hotels in Tilburg that will make your city break complete! Some recommendations:
NineT7: a modern and stylish B&B in a good location;
Port House Tilburg: a beautiful and spacious apartment that feels like a hip boutique hotel;
Museum House 013: a unique residence with historical character.
City break inspiration in the Netherlands
Tilburg is a surprisingly fun destination for a city break, but the Netherlands has much more to offer! Want to discover something different? Then visit Almere, a modern city full of architecture and nature. Or choose Amstelveen, where culture and green parks go hand in hand. Prefer a smaller but atmospheric city? Then Schoonhoven, the silver city on the Lek, highly recommended! Looking for something more original? A place in the green, yet close to a city. Then consider A weekend in Brabant: Helmond, Nuenen and the Stabrechtse Heide.
Get inspired by all of our city break tips and discover the Netherlands in a new way.
Travander
At Travander, we’re all about exploring hidden gems, unique destinations, and off-the-beaten-path travel experiences. Our motto, “Let’s Travel and Wander,” reflects our passion for discovering both local treasures and faraway adventures. As experienced travel bloggers and travel consultants, we share insider tips, personal stories, and practical advice to help you make the most of every trip. From city breaks and weekend getaways to tailor-made travel itineraries, we guide you to the most beautiful and inspiring places. Explore the world with Travander and let us spark your next unforgettable adventure!
A weekend in Den Bosch in autumn: tips to make the most of it
December 10, 2024
Practical tips and inspiration for a day in Den Bosch
June 24, 2025
The 7 Best Beaches in Aruba: Our Favorite Beaches & Hidden Gems
August 13, 2026
7 Best Things to Do in Tirana, Albania
July 22, 2026
More City trips Netherlands? Be inspired!
City trips Netherlands
February 24, 2025
