As a born-and-raised Belgian, I’m almost embarrassed to admit Tournai wasn’t on my radar. I dismissed it as just another small town I’d “visit one day.” That day came sooner than expected, and what I found was Belgium’s oldest city! There are plenty of things to do in Tournai; let me take you along.
Tournai isn’t just another dot on the Belgian map; it’s the country’s oldest city, with roots stretching back to Roman times. Later, a thriving episcopal and trading centre, its medieval wealth has survived through the Cathedral of Our Lady, the mighty Belfry, and the Pont des Trous, once part of its defensive walls. Centuries of power and prosperity left behind an extraordinary concentration of monuments, making a visit to Tournai well worth it!
Set in Wallonia, just 30 minutes from Lille and under an hour by train from Brussels, Tournai is easy to reach yet often overlooked. That’s part of its magic: you can wander UNESCO World Heritage sites, browse museums, or linger in riverside cafés without the crowds. Time to explore everything there is to see and do in Tournai.
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7 Wonderful Things to Do in Tournai
READ BEFORE YOU GO | 3 to 5 Day Belgium Itinerary
1. Visit the Cathedral of Our Lady (UNESCO)
I’ll be honest: when I first wandered into Tournai, I had no idea what was waiting for me. One moment I was ambling along cobbled streets, the next I turned a corner and almost dropped my phone. Towering above me was a cathedral so vast, it seemed impossible that it belonged to such a small and unassuming city. If you only have time for one thing to do in Tournai, make it this.
The Cathedral of Our Lady (Notre-Dame de Tournai) is a masterpiece of Romanesque and early Gothic design, so unique it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Its five colossal towers rise above the city like sentinels, a visual reminder that Tournai once wielded huge influence in the Middle Ages. In the 12th century, this was a thriving episcopal seat and trade hub, powerful enough to merit the construction of a massive cathedral.
Ongoing restoration works when we visited meant we could only see a small part of the Cathedral. Pretty sure that once the restoration is done, this is going to be one heck of a sight for sore eyes. We entered through one of the many side entrances, but the official entrance to the cathedral is located on Place de l’Evêché.
TIP | Place de l’Evêché is a great spot to come for sunset. The orange glow of the sun illuminates the back of the cathedral beautifully. There are a few benches on this little, peaceful square with a prime view of the cathedral.
ENTRANCE FEE | Free
OPENING HOURS | Mon -Fri: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm; Sat, Sun and bank holidays: 9:00–12:00 and 2:00–6:00 pm
2. Climb the Belfry of Tournai
If the cathedral is Tournai’s crown, then the Belfry of Tournai is its watchtower. Rising above the Grand Place, this is not just any bell tower! You might be just as surprised as I to learn it is, in fact, the oldest belfry in Belgium and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a stone sentinel that has kept an eye on the city since the 12th century.
Climbing the narrow staircase is an experience in itself. The steps seem to shrink the higher you go, twisting tighter and tighter until you finally make it up to the very top. Personally, I’d say the view from the first floor, where you can step into a small alcove and look straight down at the Grand Place, is the best.
GOOD TO KNOW | That said, this is not an ascent for everyone. If you suffer from claustrophobia or vertigo, think twice: the stairwell is snug, and the higher you climb, the more it presses in.
ENTRANCE FEE | €4
OPENING HOURS | Tue -Sun: 01:00 pm to 5:00 pm; Closed on Monday
3. Explore some of the quirky museums in Tournai
For being a small city in Belgium, Tournai has a surprising array of museums to visit. A set price of €4 per person is charged for each museum, and most of them will take you roughly between 30 and 45 minutes to visit.
MUSEUM OF MARIONETTES | Tucked into the heart of the old town, the Museum of Marionettes (Maison de la Marionnette) is a graceful Hôtel Peeters brought to life with over 2,500 puppets—from traditional European figures to vibrant creations from Asia and Africa—making it one of those utterly charming surprises to do in Tournai
MUSEUM OF FOLKLORE | Tucked away in a red-brick 17th-century house just off the Grand Place, the Museum of Folklore (La Maison Tournaisienne) tells the story of everyday life, from peasant crafts to carnival traditions, across 23 immersive rooms. It is one of the quirkiest places to see in Tournai.
NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM | Unfortunately, it was closed for renovation when we visited (scheduled to open again in October 2025). I wanted to visit, not so much for the collection but more for the building: Housed in a gracious 19th‑century neoclassical building that once brewed abbey beer. It looks picture perfect, so if you get a chance to go, please do!
TAPESTRY MUSEUM (TAMAT) | If you find yourself with some free time, a saunter around the TAMAT is worth it. Perched in a graceful neoclassical townhouse (gorgeous), the museum holds an interesting array of 15th and 16th-century tapestries alongside a few pieces of modern textile art.
4. Visit the Museum of Fine Arts (Victor Horta)
Living in Brussels means almost daily encounters with buildings designed by Art Nouveau genius Victor Horta. And let me tell you, they are some of the most exquisite pieces of architecture you will ever encounter. The man was an absolute legend! So when I heard he had drawn the plans for an Art Deco style Museum of Fine Arts, it went straight to the top of my list of things to do during our city trip in Tournai!
The highlight for me was the building itself; the collection was an added bonus. It holds pieces by Flemish Primitives like Rogier van der Weyden alongside relatively unknown 19th-century Belgian artists. There are, however, a few very well-known names that grace the walls of the museum: Works by Manet, Monet, Seurat, Van Gogh, and even the only two Manets to be seen in Belgium.
ENTRANCE FEE | €4
OPENING HOURS | Tue -Sat: 09:30 am to 5:00 pm; Sun and bank holidays 11:00 am–5:00 pm. Closed Mondays.
5. Grab a drink on the Grand Place
Normally, I give the restaurants and cafés around a city’s main square a wide berth. More often than not, they’re overpriced and underwhelming. But Tournai proved me wrong. Time and again, both the tourist office and locals urged us to sit down on the Grand Place, not just for a drink but for a proper meal. And they were right. Far from being a tourist trap, the square still feels like the beating heart of the city.
AU VIEUX TOURNAI | For a taste of old-world charm, pull up a chair at Au Vieux Tournai, a centuries-old tavern tucked just off the Grand Place.
CAFE LE FLORE | With its terrace set right at the foot of the Belfry, this café arguably offers the best view in town. And if gazing up at Tournai’s most famous tower isn’t your thing, the well-curated mix of light and dark beers inside is reason enough to linger.
BABA | Sundrenched terrace, vintage-chic décor, plates piled with Moroccan‑inspired brunch fare, and exceptional service. Baba was one of my favorite places to grab both brunch and an afternoon coffee.
6. Walk down the Scheldt riverside and/or picnic at the Medieval Bridge
If you’re wondering what to see in Tournai beyond its cathedral and belfry, make sure you wander down to the banks of the Scheldt River. Here you’ll find the Pont des Trous (bridge of holes), a behemoth of a medieval bridge that once formed part of the city’s fortifications.
Built in the 13th century, it’s one of the rare surviving examples of a military bridge in Europe. For centuries, this bridge controlled access along the Scheldt, the artery that carried trade and wealth into the city. Though damaged during World War II and altered in more recent years to accommodate modern shipping, the Pont des Trous still feels distinctly Medieval.
I loved how the benches lining the riverbank were filled with locals sharing picnics, chatting, and enjoying some rays of sunshine. Heading up the stairs of the right bank takes you through to the small Jardin de la Reine and back into the historical centre.
7. Indulge in a little something sweet
Rarely have I visited a Belgian city that has as many local pastries on offer. If you have a bit of a sweet tooth or are just curious to try something new, make sure to head out and purchase the following:
Ballons Noirs – A striking black hard candy, made since 1834 using a mix of three sugars.
Desobry Biscuits – Rich, chocolatey biscuits nestled in beautifully decorated metal tins
Cougnou – Also known as the “bread of Jesus,” this tender, brioche-like pastry, traditionally shaped like a swaddled infant or adorned with tiny “Jésus” figurines, appears around Saint-Nicolas and Christmas.
Gâteau Clovis – A buttery frangipane cake filled with apricot and pineapple compote
TIP | If you happen to be visiting Tournai on a rainy day, make sure to pop into the little tearoom at Pâtisserie Quenoy. Not only is it Art Nouveau (love!), they have a wide selection of delicious pastries, including the abovementioned Clovis Cake.
TIP II | Alternatively, if you are looking for a little something sweet for the road, head to Valentino Chocolatier and pick up some of the famous filled waffles (vanilla or brown sugar). A local speciality, only found here!
Additional Places to Visit in Tournai
HALLE AUX DRAPS (CLOTH HALL): Aside from the Cathedral and the Belfry, arguably the most beautiful building on the Grand Place of Tournai. I was positively itching to go inside, but it seems it only opens during specific moments of the year.
CITY HALL (PALAIS ABBATIAL): We visited during the weekend, and the city hall was unfortunately closed. If you happen to be in Tournai during the week, you will want to pop into this beautiful building!
LOCAL MARKETS: Tournai has a surprising number of markets. From the weekly fruit and veg market to flea markets and even secondhand book markets. Before you go, check out the agenda for markets as well as any local festivals that might be going on during your time of visit.
Where to Eat in Tournai
As a long-time vegetarian, I’ve learned not to set my expectations too high when visiting smaller Belgian cities. Over the past twenty years, things have improved a lot (yes, I’ve been at it that long), but options can still be frustratingly limited. Tournai, however, was a very welcome surprise — we found ourselves spoiled for choice, with plenty of spots that made eating out both easy and genuinely enjoyable.
GRAINES DE FOLIE | Nestled just off the Grand Place, this restaurant serves an ever-changing, locally sourced menu—think samosas and mushroom risotto to vegan paella and pear tiramisu. Undoubtedly, my favorite place to grab dinner in the city
LIBEIRUT | Paradoxically, this is a Lebanese grillhouse. Yes, they serve a lot of meat, but they also have a dazzling array of vegetarian mezze that will knock your vegetarian socks off.
BABA | As briefly mentioned before, this was our favorite spot for brunch. We had the açai bowls (pictured above), but could easily have tried just about everything off the menu!
Where to Stay in Tournai
WHERE WE STAYED: Hotel Hermera
The newly opened Hotel Hermera couldn’t be better placed — just a two-minute stroll from the Grand Place. Add in cloud-soft beds, a breakfast that goes far beyond the basics, and genuinely friendly service, and you’ve got one of the city’s most inviting stays.
SUSTAINABLE CHOICE: Ferme Delgueule
Nestled just a short drive from Tournai in a pretty 17th-century farmhouse—think spacious, beautifully restored rooms, a rustic restaurant serving exceptional wood-fired meals and local breakfasts, and a friendly hospitality that makes you feel part of something quietly special
BOUTIQUE B&B: Hotel d’Alcantara
Housed in two elegant 18th-century buildings just a few steps from the Grand Place, Hotel d’Alcantara blends character with comfort. Spacious, quiet rooms, an excellent breakfast spread, and staff who go out of their way to help make it one of Tournai’s most charming stays.
MORE TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR VISITING BELGIUM
Belgium: Beautiful places in Belgium to add to your bucket list
Belgium: 16 Castles you can actually stay in Belgium
Brussels: Local guide on which areas to stay, and which ones to avoid!
Brussels: Two-day itinerary for the perfect weekend in Brussels
Ghent: Sustainable things to do in Ghent, Belgium
Bruges: One day guide to Bruges
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