What to see in Tilburg? <\/em><\/p>\n That\u2019s 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\u2019t know a lot about Tilburg prior to my visit (besides that Vincent van Gogh spent some time there), so I wasn\u2019t expecting much. But, boy, was I surprised when I finally arrived there.<\/p>\n \u201cYou fell in love with Tilburg at second sight.\u201d Nicole from Marketing Tilburg told me while we were sipping coffee at the Smeer \u2018m.<\/p>\n I wasn\u2019t 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<\/a> on the main square, and cobblestone streets that witnessed people like Rembrandt<\/a> or Vermeer<\/a> strolling around them.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s living room. It\u2019s the perfect spot to meet friends, read a book, or relax and appreciate its modern architecture.<\/p>\n 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<\/a> was happening in Tilburg during my visit, with numerous performances and happenings organised.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s atmosphere and make you appreciate it even more.<\/p>\n \u2937 TIP<\/strong>: For more info about the events in Tilburg, check out the Marketing Tilburg websiteMarketing Tilburg website<\/a>.<\/p>\n Vincent van Gogh<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n \u2937 Read more<\/strong>: Locations linked to Vincent van Gogh in the Netherlands<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n His grades show that young Vincent was among the top students, but for an unknown reason, he left school after two years.<\/p>\n \u2937 TIP<\/strong>: While Vincent\u2019s drawing room in the building was previously open to visitors, it has been closed since 2025. Check the Stadsmuseum Tilburg\u2019s website<\/a> for updates.<\/p>\n During his two years in Tilburg, Vincent van Gogh lived in a boarding house on Sint Annaplein. Although you can\u2019t visit it, you can see the exact location on Sint Annaplein 18.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s letters. Additionally, there are several statues and a mosaic inspired by one of the famous painter\u2019s self-portraits.<\/p>\n \u2937 Read more<\/strong>: Learn more about Van Gogh\u2019s life and locations where he lived in my art crime novel, \u201cFollowing Van Gogh<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n The main reason for my search for things to do in Tilburg was a concert I was attending at Poppodium 013. It\u2019s the largest and one of the best pop music venues in the Netherlands.<\/p>\n They regularly organise a wide range of concerts, so keep an eye on their website<\/a> to see what\u2019s going on.<\/p>\n \u2937 Read more<\/strong>: 25 Beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Europe<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n You can still find many links to De Stijl in Tilburg today. If you\u2019d like to do that during your visit to Tilburg, follow the \u201cIn the Footsteps of De Stijl in Tilburg\u201d 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n The remnants of Tilburg\u2019s 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).<\/p>\n 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 caf\u00e9. It\u2019s definitely an interesting place to add to your list of things to do in Tilburg.<\/p>\n \u2937 TIP<\/strong>: If you\u2019d like to learn more about this fascinating place, join one of the daily guided tours in English. Follow this link for more info<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tilburg is home to several great museums<\/a>, 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<\/a> is a great place to explore contemporary art, particularly during its special exhibitions. If you\u2019re more interested in flora, fauna and learning about human development, the Nature Museum Brabant<\/a> is a great place to go.<\/p>\n Given Tilburg\u2019s rich textile history, it\u2019s no surprise that one of the city\u2019s top museums is dedicated to this industry. The Textiel Museum<\/a>, 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\u2019s TextielLab is where you can learn more about it in a more immersive way and even try to create something yourself.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s located only 15 kilometres (around 9 miles) from Tilburg, so you can easily visit it from there.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s where a few nice breakfast restaurants in Tilburg are located. I went to Anne&Max<\/a> because I was up for a lighter breakfast. However, just across the street are Tom & the Blenders<\/a> and Bam!<\/a>, where you can find nice sandwiches, smoothies, and other breakfast options.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re planning to spend a night in Tilburg, here are a few recommendations for places to stay in Tilburg.<\/p>\n \u2937 TIP<\/strong>: Smeer \u2018m<\/strong> \u2013 restaurant on its ground floor is a great stop for lunch. I especially recommend the salmon salad and smoothies there.<\/p>\nWhat to see in Tilburg<\/h2>\n
![\"Tilburg](\"https:\/\/culturetourist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG_7505-1.webp\")
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\u201cHere I can breathe freely and I feel happy.\u201d<\/h5>\n
King William II (1792-1849)<\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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Cultural sites in Tilburg<\/h2>\n
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\u201cI live in one of the suburbs of London, where it\u2019s comparatively quiet. It\u2019s a bit like\u00a0Tilburg<\/span>\u00a0or some such place.\u201d<\/h5>\n
Vincent van Gogh\u2019s letter to his brother Theo, 13 June 1873<\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Vincent van Gogh\u2019s School<\/h3>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\nTextiel Museum<\/h3>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\nEfteling<\/h3>\n
Where to have breakfast in Tilburg<\/h3>\n
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