Home › Destinations › Tournai
Tournai, Belgium - Things to Do in Tournai

Things to Do in Tournai

Tournai, Belgium - Complete Travel Guide

Belgium's oldest city sits 30 minutes from Lille by train. Tournai carries its medieval weight without the tourist circus—streets that feel lived-in, locals who seem genuinely proud without being precious about their UNESCO status. You won't find constant reminders of historical importance here. The cathedral impresses without trying hard, and there's something refreshing about a place that lets its character speak quietly.

Top Things to Do in Tournai

Notre-Dame Cathedral and Treasury

Five towers rise above one of Belgium's most impressive religious buildings. This cathedral works—the Romanesque and Gothic mix creates soaring interior space that makes you pause. The treasury seems small but houses remarkable medieval goldwork. Quality over quantity here.

Booking Tip: Cathedral entry is free, but the treasury costs around €2-3. Best visited mid-morning when the light hits the stained glass nicely. No advance booking needed, though the treasury has limited hours - usually closed Monday mornings.

Grand Place and Belfry

A 72-meter belfry dominates this triangular square. Been keeping time since the 12th century. The square feels lived-in—locals use it for daily business rather than just photo opportunities, and climbing the belfry gives decent views over the Scheldt River valley. Bit of a workout though.

Booking Tip: Belfry climbs cost around €3-5 and run hourly during opening times. Weekend afternoons can get busy with local families. The climb involves about 250 steps, so factor that in if mobility is a concern.

Museum of Fine Arts

Victor Horta designed the surprisingly modern building housing works by Manet, Monet, and a strong Belgian masters collection. The museum punches above its weight. Horta's only museum design filters natural light through galleries cleverly, and the contemporary Belgian section might surprise you with its quality.

Booking Tip: Entry around €8-10, with discounts for students and seniors. Wednesday afternoons often have fewer crowds. The museum occasionally hosts special exhibitions that bump up the price but are usually worth it.

Pont des Trous

One of Europe's few remaining fortified bridges. This 13th-century structure makes you appreciate medieval engineering—you can walk through the tower sections and get good views over the Scheldt. Shows how the city controlled river traffic centuries back.

Booking Tip: Free to walk across and explore the basic structure. Tower climbs, when available, cost around €2-3. Best photographed in late afternoon light, and less crowded on weekday mornings.

Local Market and Food Scene

Saturday market on Grand Place shows local life best. Vendors sell regional cheeses to seasonal produce, and the food scene leans into traditional Walloon cuisine with several bistros serving excellent rabbit dishes. Proximity to France shows in bread quality and general food approach.

Booking Tip: Market runs Saturday mornings until around 1 PM - arrive by 10 AM for the best selection. Restaurant reservations recommended for weekend dinners, especially at the better traditional places. Lunch tends to be more casual and walk-in friendly.

Getting There

Tournai connects easily to Brussels (1 hour) and Lille (30 minutes) on the main railway line. The station sits 10 minutes from center. Frequent trains run daily, and if you're driving, the city sits right off the A8/E19 motorway with decent parking downtown—though weekend market mornings get congested.

Getting Around

Walk everywhere. Main attractions cluster within 15 minutes of each other, and you won't need the bus network unless you're staying outside center. Bike rentals available near the station. Those cobblestones make cycling the old town pretty jarring.

Where to Stay

Historic Center near Grand Place
Station Quarter
Scheldt Riverside
Saint-Piat District
Cathedral Quarter
Rue Royale Area

Food & Dining

Family-run bistros serve solid Walloon classics around Grand Place. The dining scene stays pleasantly unpretentious. You'll find casual lunch cafes alongside serious dinner spots specializing in game and regional dishes—local beer selection runs excellent, mixing Belgian standards with lesser-known regional brews. Hit Saturday market for picnic supplies.

Top-Rated Restaurants in Belgium

Highly-rated dining options based on Google reviews (4.5+ stars, 100+ reviews)

View all food guides →

Pasta Divina

4.6 /5
(2986 reviews) 2

A L’Angolo

4.5 /5
(2732 reviews) 2
store

Pasta Factory

4.8 /5
(1083 reviews) 2

Dolce Amaro

4.7 /5
(858 reviews) 2

Osteria Bolognese

4.7 /5
(680 reviews) 2

La Mamma

4.6 /5
(672 reviews) 2
Explore Italian →

When to Visit

May through September brings reliable weather and long daylight. Markets feel most active then. But winter has charm—you'll have the cathedral and museums mostly to yourself, and the city feels more authentically lived-in without peak crowds. Spring and early fall might be ideal.

Insider Tips

The cathedral's acoustics are remarkable—stay for evening prayers or occasional concerts if you're there
Park near Pont des Trous rather than Grand Place area—free parking adds only 5 minutes walking
Several restaurants close Sunday evenings and Monday—plan accordingly for overnight stays

Explore Activities in Tournai

Continue Planning Your Trip

Itineraries

Sample trip routes and plans for Tournai

Getting Around

Transport options and tips for Tournai

Where to Stay

Accommodation guide for Tournai

Budget Guide

Trip costs and money tips for Tournai

Plan Your Perfect Trip

Get insider tips and travel guides delivered to your inbox

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.