Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to leave the bikes and stroopwafels behind and step into the magical realm of Festival Circolo — the biggest circus festival in the Netherlands!

From 13 to 22 October, artists and performers from around the globe welcome you to their performances in Tilburg’s Spoorpark. Their goal? To make you fall in love with contemporary circus!

What exactly is Festival Circolo?

Festival Circolo is the largest festival for contemporary circus in the Netherlands. This year, the organisers are bringing you around 80 spectacular shows!

The festival hosts talented professionals to share with the audience what they’re most passionate about: circus! 

There is a place for everyone at Festival Circolo: Whether you’re hearing impaired or not, visually impaired or not, able-bodied or disabled, 4 or 104 years old. The only requirement? You should be ready to fully immerse yourself in the magic.

Breathtaking performances and much, much more

Of course, the main attraction at a circus festival will be the performances. These will take place across various tents in Tilburg’s stunning Spoorpark. Now, you might be thinking: “What’s the secret sauce that makes Festival Circolo so special?” 

Well, it’s the incredible variety of shows that’ll have you grinning from ear to ear, holding your breath in suspense, or fighting to hold back tears (sometimes even at the same time!). 

READ MORE | The guide to 10 thrilling theme parks in the Netherlands

From jaw-dropping juggling acts to impressive handstand performances and touching stories, the performances at Festival Circolo will leave you wanting more.

But wait, there’s more than ‘just’ spectacular shows! Think workshops, lekkere food trucks, campfires, and playgrounds to keep the little ones entertained. We bet you won’t be bored! 

What can I expect?

If you haven’t gathered by now, Festival Circolo has A LOT to offer. Let’s have a look at some of the programme highlights to get you excited! 

GLORIOUS BODIES by Circumstances / Piet Van Dycke

Glorious Bodies is “a search for strength in ageing bodies”, and let us tell you: it’s a truly heartwarming act. 

The performance features six acrobats between the ages of 55 and 67, who explore the strengths and limitations of the ageing body — all while destroying the clichés that surround old age. We highly recommend it!

En Attendant le Grand Soir by Le Doux Supplice

Do you want to be a part of the fun? At En Attendant le Grand Soir, you can!

During this dance spectacle, the acrobats showcase their jaw-dropping talents. Slowly but surely, they include the audience in their show and ultimately draw you into a whirlwind of dance and fun. 

RUNNERS by Hippana Maleta 

This hilarious performance features three men, two treadmills, juggling balls and some live music. With their outstanding talent, the performers showcase just how impressive the human body can be. 

And what about the treadmill, you ask? Well, it’s part of the show too! They play on it, create music with it, experiment, and, of course, fall on it.

Festival Circolo is all about fun, diversity, and the spectacular art and effort behind circus.

If you have a free evening between 13 and 22 October, we hope to see you there!

Have you ever been to Festival Circolo? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Tilburg has it all: contemporary art museums, nature museums, and textile museums! A day trip to Tilburg can easily be filled up with history and wonderful art.

So, you’ve found yourself in this southern bustling city, full of engaging and unique museums. Now you’re wondering — where to go?

Well, you’re in geluk because we have the lowdown on a select few of the best museums in Tilburg.

1. De Pont Museum

De Pont Museum in Tilburg is a contemporary art hub.

The museum is built into a former will-spinning mill — a cool place to house contemporary art, creating a unique atmosphere and environment to browse and enjoy.

Besides a ton of exhibits, what also really stands out at De Pont is the lovely interior of the museum. It’s a combination of minimalism and design that really does the trick.

Need a break? Grab a seat in the library or a cosy latté in the café! 

On Thursday evenings, entrance to De Pont Museum is completely free after 5 PM!

2. PARK

PARK is a centre for contemporary art that was established by seven artists living in Tilburg. 

It is a platform for contemporary visual art — and if that sounds a bit vague to you, welcome to the contemporary art world! It has an educational programme for visitors, though, so never fear. 

It also offers workshops and special evenings where you can get involved in the contemporary art world in a more immediate way.

It has played host to some really cool exhibitions at the intersection of visual and performance art, and continues to collaborate with local and international artists to bring the contemporary art world to Tilburg. 

It usually hosts an artist for a summer residency, who will present lectures and workshops for the public.

3. Doloris

Doloris is officially not a museum, but nonetheless, another awesome artsy and inspiring spot in Tilburg that offers you a fully immersive experience.

You can enter the Meta Maze, a collection of over 40 rooms of art. The catch? The art is surreal and immersive, designed to make you excited and also a little disorientated. Wandering through the maze, you’ll become completely absorbed by the art. 

After all that art, you’ll need some sustenance for your stomach, which Doloris can provide incredibly well. 

They have a rooftop filled with street food from all over the world, and, of course, some delicious drinks. Your final taste of Tilburg’s art at Doloris will be gazing at the skyline while munching on something tasty on the rooftop.

4. The TextielMuseum

The TextielMuseum in Tilburg offers a unique opportunity to see just how important textile and textile making was throughout Tilburg’s history. You can still see the working machines today, weaving and making fabrics! 

5. Natuurmuseum Brabant in Tilburg

Natuurmuseum Brabant has been around since 1935, with an aim to encourage people to appreciate all things natural!

From huge mammoths in the Ice Age exhibition to wolves in the Real Wolf exhibition, or even becoming a detective in the OO – ZONE, where you will find over 2000 objects in an accessible museum depot, there is enough to fill up an entire day.

For the youngest visitors, there are the exhibitions BOS and Frog & Friends, where they can visit Frog’s house and play various games.

Natuurmuseum Brabant is, first and foremost, a family-friendly museum about the lives of plants and animals, and it does a great job of explaining the awesome history of nature to you and your little ones.

Behold this life-size model of the woolly mammoth, at least three and a half meters high and six meters long. The model’s designers put the mammoth together on the spot because of its epic size. 

While you’re there, you really can’t miss the giant whale skeleton.  

This skeleton is 15 meters long and weighs over 1000 kilos. The skeleton is one of three sperm whales which washed ashore in Scheveningen in 1995, and the size of it is mind-boggling.

Tilburg is a lovely city and one that deserves way more attention than it usually gets! Not only does it have epic museums on offer, but there is so much else to do in Tilburg. 

Have you been to any of these museums in Tilburg? Let us know in the comments below!

^{Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in December 2018 but was updated for your reading pleasure in June 2023.} 

Tilburg keeps on finding new ways to innovate! From repurposing an old locomotive hall into a state-of-the-art library to creating the citizen-driven Spoorpark — Tilburg keeps giving us more reasons to love it. This time, with a bus station powered by 250 m2 of solar panels.

This marvel (opened in 2019) was built by the Dutch architecture firm Cepezed Architects.

The bus station is setting the bar high when it comes to innovative ways to be sustainable in the Netherlands — and everyone would agree that this is the need of the hour right now. Pretty slick, ain’t it?

How was the solar-powered bus station built?

The bus station itself has a minimalist appeal. It’s triangular in shape, with open space in the middle. In total, there are six boarding stations and one for disembarking.

The station has an awning on the top so that you can enjoy the sun’s rays without getting burnt while you wait for the bus on those summer days.

The solar panels, which span 250 m2, are placed on top of this awning.

The energy generated from them is enough to sufficiently run the station. This includes the lights when it’s dark, the digital signboards, the canteen for the staff, and the service desk — so cool!

Additionally, the material used for the awning is ETFE foil, which requires little maintenance. It’s practically self-cleaning.

Broader re-development of the public transport system

The bus station is only one part of a large-scale project to bolster the city’s public transport system. The same architecture firm has undertaken other projects in the city by working on renovating a train station.

READ MORE | 19 outstanding things to do in Tilburg in 2023

They also built a new bicycle parking space for 3,900 bicycles at Tilburg train station, which opened in July 2020. So luxurious is this new bike parking that it’s earned the nickname the “bicycle hotel”.

A second new bike parking is due to open in late 2021 — you can never have too many bike parking spots in this country.

Urban redevelopment redefined

Innovation and urban development in Tilburg don’t stop there, though! The city has mastered the way forward in giving new life to old worn-down buildings, like the LocHal — an edgy state-of-the-art library in a converted locomotive hall.

A day trip to Tilburg

If you’re a sustainability buff and this solar-powered bus station has got you excited, make sure you come to Tilburg and check it out.

We’re kidding, you probably wouldn’t go to Tilburg just to look at a bus station, but there is loads of amazing nature in Tilburg to explore, great museums, mesmerising street art, and of course, Doloris — probably the coolest rooftop bar in the Netherlands.

So make sure you put Tilburg on your agenda for all that fun stuff, and while you’re there, pop by and have a look at this eco-friendly (and very pretty darn cool) bushalte.

What are your thoughts on Tilburg’s solar-powered bus station? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: Lucas van der Wee/Cepezed

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in July 2019, and was fully updated in May 2023 for your reading pleasure.

Tilburg is a creative city with lots of heart and character. Thanks to its mix of traditional and modern architecture, walking through its streets is a unique adventure in the Netherlands, and you never know what you’ll find behind the next corner.

Fear not, before you wander into the city blind, we’ve compiled the ultimate list of things to do in Tilburg; from day trips to weekend getaways, Tilburg has so much to offer to keep you entertained during your visit. 

1. Quench your curiosity at the Natuurmuseum Brabant

The Natuurmuseum in Brabant, Tilburg, has a host of epic exhibitions to enjoy. Keep your eye out (though it won’t be hard to find!) for the huge sperm whale skeleton — or even wander all the way to the Ice Age and take a peek at the reconstructed mammoths on display. 

READ MORE | 5 top museums in Tilburg to excite and ignite your curiosity 

Plus, with ongoing events at the museum and even the OO – ZONE exhibit where kids can practice their archaeology skills and learn a little history, this museum is a top choice when looking for things to do in Tilburg! 

2. Explore the renovated Spoorpark

The Spoorpark in Tilburg is one of a kind. Why? Because it was once a barren area near the train tracks but has now been converted into a meeting point and play area for families and people alike.

The citizens of Tilburg worked together to come up with an initiative to renovate the land into an amazing park for people to enjoy, and with the help of the municipality, the Spoorpark was born! 

At the park, you can check out some of the expert artwork, such as The Zipper, a statue at the entrance to the park which has become a landmark. Or, you can pack your tents and warm clothes, and camp on the grounds for a night or two!

3. Dine in a renovated train

Peckish on your day out in Tilburg? A great option for an epic dining experience in the city is De Wagon, where you can eat lunch in a renovated train carriage and take a seat at an old booth. 

One of the most unique restaurants in Tilburg, you can choose to either have your meal inside the train wagon, just like a passenger, or you can eat outside on the terrace when the weather is nice and sunny. 

The food is delicious, but you don’t need to be peckish to enjoy this place, you can also sit at the bar if you feel like just having a biertje.

4. Absorb the art at De Pont Museum 

A contemporary art museum in Tilburg, an afternoon at De Pont is one of the best things you can do on a day out in the city!

With mind-boggling exhibits that change during the year, the museum is built into an old wool-spinning mill; so not only is it showcasing art of the modern age but it is set in the context of Tilburg’s long history. 

5. Enjoy a delicious meal in vintage style

Another place where you can have a great meal in Tilburg is RAW. 

This unique spot has a very interesting vintage-themed interior. From old filming cameras to old radios, this place has the best antiques. 

READ MORE | A local’s Guide to Tilburg

The vintage atmosphere, in combination with some pretty delicious food and drinks, makes it the perfect place for a meal during your trip to Tilburg. Plus, with vegan and vegetarian options there will be something for your whole group to enjoy.

6. Experience Tilburg’s epic street art 

The municipality in Tilburg decided to embrace art in all its forms, and invited graffiti artists to do their best on the old buildings and walls of Tilburg. 

The result? Some incredible art. Now, you can take an urban street art tour, and wander through Tilburg while ticking off every one of the 18 murals around the city. Grab tickets and rent a bike (or an electric scooter ) at the Mercure Hotel in Tilburg, and then; scoot off and observe the art! 

The tour can take up to seven hours, so make sure you have filling snacks and an umbrella for that typical Dutch weather. No food? No problem. An added plus to the tour is that you will be provided will some additional yummy snacks and stomach-warming drinks while you take in the art.

Included in the package is also a Borrel to Go bag and two free drinks from Grand Café Puur in Tilburg, as well as a sweet box for two people and two more free drinks at Smeer in Tilburg.

7. Take a stroll in the Oude Warande

Tilburg is not only the home to some amazing museums and street art; but it also boasts many wonderful parks. Step into the outdoors, or cycle along on your bike, and enjoy the views of the Oude Warande. 

An 18th-century baroque-style park with huge trees is one of only a few forest parks in the Netherlands, which makes it all the more special. 

Pack a picnic, or choose this park for a jog, because we recommend Oude Warande as one of the best things to do in Tilburg. 

8. (Don’t) pet the lions at the safari

Yes, you heard us right; Tilburg has a safari!

At Beekse Bergen, you can watch the rhinos in their natural (recreated) habit, and map your own route through the park — or take one of the pre-mapped routes! 

Don’t have a car? No problem! You can enjoy the safari by foot, take a seat in the safari bus, or even experience the wildlife from the comfort of a boat. 

Or, you want to stay overnight? Geen probleem,  the safari offers multiple overnight accommodations. Stay in the hotel, take a trip to the resort, or rent out a whole house in the middle of the man-made savannah.

9. Learn about fabric history at the Textile Museum 

Not only can you catch a peek into the history of textile making in the Textile Museum, but you can also visit the TextielLab, where designers and artists can be found working on their projects! 

READ MORE | Why you can’t miss Tilburg’s TextielMuseum when in the Netherlands

A working museum, it demonstrates Tilburg’s past as the wool capital of the Netherlands. While you’re there, be sure to stay up-to-date with their latest exciting exhibits.  

10. Indulge those shopaholic tendencies

With the recent reopening of De Heuvelstraat, and the new building of the Emmapassage, the shopping streets in Tilburg have undergone a massive transformation, making it easier for shoppers to meander from store to store.

With connections from all the main shopping streets and enough food spots to shake your stick at (or your frikandel), shopping in the centre of Tilburg is another one of the best things to do in the city.

11. Get in your steps at the Wandelbos

In the Wandelbos, you’ll have a spectacular choice of hiking trails to pick from. Not the type to enjoy a long trek? Pack your lunch, and you can have a vibey autumnal picnic on one of the many benches.

Got kids? They’ll love this park for its petting zoo! There are so many animals native to the park; swans, donkey, sheep, goats, and even llamas.

12. Sing your heart out at karaoke 

Are you an aspiring pop singer? You’ll love playing a night of drunken karoake at Dolfijn, where you can rent a private room for you and your loved ones to belt out ‘Toxic’ like your life depends on it. 

Follow it up by a round of bowling, or grab a cocktail at the bar to celebrate (nearly) hitting those high notes.

13. Unite with your fellow redheads at the Redhead festival 

Attending the Redhead Days!August 25-27 2023 #ThingsIWillPursueIn2023 #DontWannaMiss #WhileImWaitingfor @TheRedheadDays pic.twitter.com/Ajd3Z38eTV

— Redhead Days Festival (@TheRedheadDays) November 19, 2022

Join the unique 4% of Dutch people lucky enough to have red hair at the Redhead Festival in Tilburg. Those with epic melanin and hair that will avoid dreaded greys can meet in the city and create a memory to never forget. 

Not a redhead? You can also marvel with envy at the thousands of bright-coloured heads while you wonder if auburn would suit you too. 

14. Get lost in Doloris maze

This interactive maze is just one of many incredible things to do in Tilburg. Immerse yourself in the art, and get lost amongst the almost out-of-body pieces, all designed to bring you on an amazing journey of art and discovery. 

Feeling a bit wrecked after that? Climb upstairs, and grab a meal in the restaurant — or enjoy the rooftop bar and marvel at the views of Tilburg. 

15. Read a new book at the world’s 2nd-best library

Awarded the Building of the Year in 2019, and voted the 2nd Best Library in the World, the LocHal in Tilburg is certainly worth a visit. 

READ MORE | The LocHal in Tilburg: how an old building is transformed into a spectacular new library

What was once an old factory has been converted into a hub of literature and community, continuing the tradition of free-to-attend libraries; this is one of the only public spaces in which you’re not expected to spend any precious moolah.

16. Enjoy an evening concert at Concert Hall Tilburg

Music lovers will enjoy this thing to do in Tilburg — attending a concert at the wonderful venue of Schouwburg Concert Hall. Classical music, here we come, and we’ve got our fancy bifocals in hand!

With events taking place the whole year long, make sure you grab tickets ahead of your visit to Tilburg; or you might be left empty-handed and musicless! 

17. Get a taste of classic Dutch beer at a classic brewery

Zelf bier brouwen bij de stadsbrouwerij Tilburg is echt een goed idee! Wij maakten een triple vlgs. Westmalle receptuur. En die is me toch lekker!!! #Westmolle #DoorEnVoorMollen pic.twitter.com/jFf1OwGrcI

— Liesbeth Mol (@Liesmol65) September 4, 2022

Concert halls, safaris, and contemporary art not your thing? Well, you’re in luck schat, because you can still get a glass of delicious Dutch beer in Tilburg. 

Go to a scrumptious beer tasting or bring your wedding party along to the main bar at City Brewer 013. Or, just sip the night away, questioning the meaning of it all.

18. Take a trip to the past in a 16th-century chapel

Grote opkomst bij korenmiddag. De tien #koren uit #Tilburg en #Goirle trokken veel bekijks. Deze middag werd georganiseerd ter gelegenheid van het 50-jarig #jubileum van de restauratie van de Hasseltse Kapel. pic.twitter.com/Y8d2RkcBGX

— John Boeren | Antecedentia (@johnboeren_nl) October 15, 2022

Yes, Tilburg has so much to offer for those history nerds. Visit the Hasseltse Kapell, not only a space for religious worship, but also a cultural centre in Tilburg. 

At the church, you can attend the Classical Concert Series, an initiative that hosts budding and renowned musicians for shows in the church — check out their newsletter to keep track of upcoming concerts!

19. Take a romantic walk through the…. sand dunes!?

One thing about Tilburg; there’s more to do in the city than you might think. Visit the National Park Loonse en Drunense Duien, but pack your good shoes, because we’re going wandering through the dunes.

At this epic national park in Tilburg, you can pick your way through the many trails, and go for a relaxing walk, taking in the wonderful views. 

Phew! This city sure knows how to surprise you; sand dunes, musical concerts, monkeys, and even rooftop bars… there’s just so many things to do in Tilburg. 

So, if you’re thinking of heading to this beautiful Dutch city perhaps extend that day trip, because there’s enough to do to fill a whole weekend — or y’know, lifetime. 

Are you going to visit Tilburg? Have you been? Tell us in a comment below!

If you haven’t visited Tilburg yet, this is your sign to go! Located in the southern province of North Brabant, this city is constantly evolving and is the perfect place to go for anyone who wants to experience the Netherlands beyond those go-to day trips in the Randstad. 

In late October, we teamed up with some awesome photographers (who also happen to be our friends and frequent contributors to our Instagram feed) for an InstaMeet where we explored the hidden gem that is Tilburg.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy these photos — while getting a taste of what’s in store for you when you make that long overdue trip.

The Spoorzone

In years gone by, the area surrounding Tilburg Central Station was used as railroad yards for storing and maintaining the NS trains. But recently, it has been transformed into one of the it-spots in town.

We made our first stop at Central Station Gourmet Market — home to 16 different and delicious street food concepts (lekker!) — which is located in a repurposed locomotive shed. How innovative!

The LocHal 

This gorgeous library, located in a converted locomotive hall, was nominated as the best library in the world — and we can definitely see why.

Exploring Tilburg on electric scooters (e-steps)

Without a doubt, the best way to see everything that Tilburg has to offer is by e-step. So bring out your inner rebel, because these green beauties were developed here and are only legal in this city. The vehicles can reach up to  25 kilometres per hour — speedy but still safe — and are, of course, super fun.

Magical murals 

There’s no such thing as grey and boring walls in Tilburg. Almost every street corner has colourful works of art — and they’re bound to keep you on your toes.

De Pont Museum of Contemporary Art 

In addition to cultural hotspots, Tilburg also has its fair share of museums. We admired this gorgeous Anish Kapoor sculpture outside the De Pont Museum of Contemporary Art. 

Spoorpark 

The Spoorpark is the biggest citizens initiative in the Netherlands. That’s right, it was organised and inspired by the people of Tilburg — and it’s not to be missed. The park’s Kempen Toren offers some of the best views of the city.

Doloris rooftop bar 

We ended our adventure with drinks and snacks at the coolest spot in Tilburg — the gorgeous Doloris rooftop bar.

Whether you’re a fan of the outdoors, enjoy epic museums, love to frequent hip bars and clubs, or enjoy going to cultural events, Tilburg has it all covered! It’s even home to our favourite theme park, the Efteling! Rollercoaster anyone?

Have you ever been to Tilburg? If not, where’s the first spot you’ll go? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: DutchReview/Supplied

Calling all redheads near and far. Come and be part of a massive sea of redheads at Tilburg’s annual Redhead Days festival from Friday, August 27 to Sunday, August 29, 2021.  

Did you know that less than 2% of the world’s population has red hair? If you’re a ginger and have ever felt self-conscious about standing out, or you’re a ginger and you know you’re gorgeous, cancel your weekend plans and buy a Ticket to Tilburg because the Redhead Days festival is for you!

For more than 14 years this unique event has been a highlight in the redhead calendar, attracting gingers from all over the world to Tilburg.

This year coronavirus has thrown a curveball: for safety reasons, and due to travel restrictions, the festival will be on a smaller scale, but still with all that gezelligheid that brings the redheads back year after year.

Interested? Where do you need to go?

This weekend, the lush surrounds of Tilburg’s Spoorpark in the city centre will be transformed into a temporary home for hundreds of redheads. Entrance is free, and it’s just a short walk from Tilburg Central Station — so that old excuse that you don’t have transport won’t hold. If you were blessed with fiery locks, you have no excuse not to go!

What can you expect from Redhead Days?

The program for the weekend includes heaps of fun activities, from barbecues every evening in the Spoorpark, to portrait sketch workshops on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

There will also be speed-meets — so if you fancy getting to know a quirky ginger from Amsterdam, Groningen, or maybe even Scotland (potentially your new best friend), this is the place for you.

On Sunday at noon, there will be a group photoshoot — for natural redheads only — at the Tribune area in the Spoorpark. Now, I’m not a redhead, but I’ve gotta admit to having a little (read, a lot) of FOMO. Those are group photos we would love to see!

The evenings will end around the campfire at Stadscamping, or with small parties at Café Lollipop.

Been there, done that, got the T-shirt?

Did we forget to mention there’ll be Redhead Days merch too! This festival is not to be missed.

What are your thoughts on the Redheads festival? Will you be attending? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: Merk Tilburg

Coronavirus might mean we have to wave goodbye to international travel plans — but who said you have to have a dull summer? We scouted out the top spots to enjoy with your family in and around Tilburg — and honestly, with an itinerary like this one, who needs an expensive exotic holiday anyway? 

Everybody needs a change of scenery (and a change of pace) from time to time, and the lowlands has plenty to discover for the curious traveller — especially one that’s looking for an ideal family holiday. 

You’ve likely been to Amsterdam and Rotterdam, so why not step a little off the beaten track and explore Tilburg and its gorgeous surroundings. We can guarantee you’ll be asking yourself why you’ve never done so before.

Here’s why we think Tilburg is an underrated hidden gem you definitely shouldn’t miss this summer: 

1. You can enjoy plenty of lush greenery around Tilburg

Tilburg is the greenest city of North-Brabant and there are plenty of lush green spaces that the city has to offer. And what’s better than going on walks in nature? 

We’ve got an answer: waking up in a cabin that’s right in the middle of it — especially when said nature is a beautiful national park such as the Loonse & Drunense Dunes. This is the perfect place to make memories, and take those family photos that you’ll be looking back on fondly for years. 

Looking for peaceful surroundings to recharge in? Tilburg also has several lovely forest parks within the city such as the Wandelbos and Oude Warande for walks, bike rides and picnics. You’ll all go home feeling fresh and ready to take on the world again.

2. The largest wildlife zoo is just a stone’s throw away

Did you know that the Netherlands has its own safari park? Beekse Bergen is one of the best zoos in the country and it promises a day full of adventure.

On one of those fine days in the Netherlands when the sun and temperature were up and coronavirus numbers were down, we visited this unique park just south of Tilburg. It has been completely revamped in recent years and it shows.

The nature is glorious, and if you’re not gazing at beautiful animals in spacious enclosures then you can enjoy the boho festival vibe that they’ve created through tons of little jungle villages and tents playing music.

You can walk around the park — and it’s pretty big, so you can easily spend the whole day there. But don’t worry, if your legs get tired, you can also tour the park by boat! It’s completely free and about as close as you’ll ever get to a jungle cruise in the Netherlands.

There’s also the option of enjoying a Dutch safari from your own car as you truck around and spot the wildlife throughout the park. If you ever felt like enjoying an Indiana Jones-esque experience in the Netherlands, this is as close as you’ll get and it’s pretty sweet for all ages.

Both my kids and my in-laws loved it — and we all know these are tough crowds to please!

3. Tilburg has activities that will excite your youngest ones…

After a day of admiring magnificent wildlife, you can let your inner child (or your actual, physical child) out in the iconic fairytale-themed amusement park, Efteling — one of the oldest and best-loved theme parks in the Netherlands (and Europe). Almost every Dutch person has fond memories from Efteling, so be sure you add it to your itinerary. 

Efteling has plenty for the young explorer to marvel at — from the Fairytale Forest, to a steam train tour. If you’re an adrenaline junkie and this all sounds a little tame, never fear — the park won’t leave the thrill-seekers among you bored either. Rollercoasters such as the Python or Baron 1898 will definitely get your heart racing. 

This theme park has something for everyone and is an ideal pick for an outing with the family. It’s sure to bring laughs and smiles for young and old. 

4. …as well as your older children

We know how difficult it can be to excite teenagers. If roller coasters won’t do it, maybe cruising through the hip streets of Tilburg on an e-step will. The city is full of incredible street art that will keep you busy exploring for an entire afternoon. 

With murals ranging from ostriches to an octopus — you’ll never see graffiti or grey walls the same. Nothing beats the excitement of coming around the corner and spotting an artwork. Which family member will spot the most?  

If that’s not enough to inspire your creative souls, make sure you also check out the Doloris art maze, after grabbing a snack at the Spoorzone. 

5. You can marvel at contemporary sculpture and enjoy a nature walk at the same time

Want to do something different with the family, like escaping the hullabaloo and getting cultured? Stroll through Tilburg’s popular De Oude Warande (pleasure-garden) and admire this years’ Lustwarande STATIONS exhibition which is made up of works of art from 12 unique artists. The sculptures are there for you to see until October 3 — don’t miss this fascinating exhibition.

If you’re short on time, Tilburg is also great for a day trip. Whether you’re looking to enjoy the largest funfair in the Netherlands or the country’s most hip library, Tilburg has something for whatever mood you’re in. But we can definitely recommend booking something in the lush natural surroundings of Tilburg.

The relaxed pace of life in Brabant, the many nature reserves, the variety of theme parks and the city itself will ensure you get that proper holiday feeling.

Have you visited Tilburg before? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!

Feature Image: Abuzer van Leeuwen/Supplied.

It’s funfair time! De Tilburgse Kermis, or the Tilburg Funfair, is back from Friday, July 16 until Sunday, July 25 and it’s as fabulous as ever. Never been and need the low down? Here are 5 reasons why the Tilburgse Kermis needs to be on your to-do list this summer!

This fair has been around for a very long time and has been nominated to be a UNESCO protected heritage event. In fact, the fair dates all the way back to the year 1570, so it’s well ingrained into the history of Tilburg.

What started out as a way to celebrate the city’s patron saint, has become the largest party in the Benelux. The word kermis originates from the Dutch words for church (kerk) and mass (mis) but this event has long since shed its religious roots and made way for — well, fun.

1. The Tilburg Funfair is the largest in the Netherlands

In fact, it’s not just the largest in the Netherlands but in the whole Benelux! Over 140 attractions are present at this funfair, so there is no shortage of things to do. Prepare for the walk though — it’s around 3km long.

2. Entry is completely free

On a tight budget? No worries, entering the fair is completely free! This means that you don’t have to worry about getting ripped off by high entrance fees. It also gives you and your crew more money to spend on rides and delicious food.

3. Fun for everyone

The Tilburg Funfair literally has something for all ages. While the fair is being organised slightly differently this year due to the ongoing coronavirus regulations, there are still lots of rides, food stands, music, drinks and more. What more could you want on a day out?

You might want to check out our Tilburg video if you haven’t visited before!

4. Lekker food and drinks

There will be plenty of food and drinks to go around. Burgers, bratwurst, fries, cotton candy, churros, popcorn — you name it, they’ve got it. So even if you’re with someone fussy, don’t panic, because no one will go hungry!

4. It’s more than just a funfair — enjoy music too!

The Tilburg kermis is so much more than just a fair. It has live music (techno, rap, hip-hop, hardstyle etc.,) and plenty of spots to chill and have drinks with friends.

The Desperados Roadshow is back this year too, offering amazing musical acts. Throughout the nine days of the festival, you’ll find them playing at their terrace. In their own words, it is like Oktoberfest, but with fewer Germans. Hurry, because tickets are selling fast. So, if you’re not a big lover of rides, but you don’t want to be the killjoy of the group, you still have a reason to attend the fair!

5. You’re in Tilburg — and there’s a lot to do there

Need a break from the buzz? Don’t forget that you’re in a city that’s brimming with attractions. Why not explore Tilburg’s magical murals while you’re there. In recent years, the municipality has invited artists to create colourful artworks on walls that were once dull and grey — and boy did they deliver.

While you can easily see most of Tilburg’s murals on foot, there’s a quicker and more exciting way to enjoy them — by e-step. The urban street art tour is the perfect way to get to know Tilburg, giving you a glimpse of all the best spots around the city.

How about some culture? There are some great museums in Tilburg and plenty of other cultural hotspots. Tilburg has also somehow nearly perfected the art and process of refurbishing old buildings.

That includes buildings like the LocHal, a state-of-the-art library which used to be a giant hall to repair locomotives. It’s an architectural marvel and is a great place to study and chill.

Fancy something else? Summer might be the best period to check out the lush nature of Tilburg. Need even more ideas? Have a look at the ticket to Tilburg website!

Will you be attending the Tilburg Funfair? What are you looking forward to the most? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: merktilburg.nl
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in July 2019, and was fully updated in July 2021 for your reading pleasure.

With life slowly coming back to normal, it’s finally time to start planning your next ultimate Dutch road trip!

Before your mind jumps to canals and windmills, let us stop you right there, because this time, we’ll be exploring the streets of Tilburg with its epic murals. 

Summer is the perfect time to explore your own country — especially if said country offers nothing but rain most other seasons. So what exactly is Tilburg all about? 

A day trip to Tilburg

Tilburg is a place you don’t want to miss. Its combination of charming historic corners, edgy urban scene, and probably the loveliest people in all of the Netherlands makes the city stand apart from its big sisters such as Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

Whether it’s a bustling creative scene, lush greenery, or the Netherlands’ most epic library, Tilburg has plenty to offer for the curious visitor. However, this time around, we teamed up with Ticket to Tilburg to fully dive into the city’s incredible street art.

Exploring Tilburg’s murals

Don’t you sometimes just feel tired of looking at old, dull, grey walls? Well, so did Tilburg. 

That’s why the municipality decided to invite a number of graffiti artists to brighten up it’s streets and turn old buildings into colourful artworks — and boy, did they do a good job. Just see for yourself!

Gliding through Tilburg on an e-step

While you can easily see most of Tilburg’s magical murals on foot, we discovered a better, faster, and overall much more exciting way to enjoy them — by e-step. 

What’s an e-step?

An e-step is an electric scooter with two giant wheels that will have you cruising through the streets of Tilburg at a speed of 25 kilometres per hour. 

It’s the only “special e-moped” approved by Dutch road authorities, as e-scooters are illegal throughout the Netherlands — talk about a bucket list experience! 

TIP: The e-step is safe and easy to drive around, but while you may feel like the ruler of the road on this amazing vehicle, make sure you’re careful with the traffic. You’ll be sharing the path with cars and cyclists so watch out! — especially in the city centre.

Discover Tilburg: urban street art tour

The urban street art tour is the perfect way to get a glimpse of everything this multifaceted city has to offer, especially if you’re unsure of where to start your Tilburg explorations.

What’s included in the urban street art tour: 
Map with Tilburg’s 18 wonderful murals
Snack box for two people to keep your energy levels up during your explorations
Two free drinks at the Grand Café Puur in Mercure Hotel after your tour

You simply start the tour by picking up your e-step at the Mercure Hotel in Tilburg’s city centre (at the pretty square with the big church). Here, you’ll get a map of the murals and a big snack bag, and you’re ready to go!

TIP: If riding an e-step is not really your thing, Ticket to Tilburg also offers the option to do the tour by bike or on foot. 

Many of the murals are located in and around the city centre, so they can be explored in a relatively short time. We did an e-step tour of three hours and managed to spot, admire, and snap some selfies with most of them. 

Tilburg has so many murals that you’re guaranteed to keep your hands full as you tour the streets and admire the cultural hub that the city is!

Big thank you to Ticket to Tilburg for organizing a lovely day of exploring the city for us! 

Will you be planning your trip to Tilburg? Let us know in the comments below! 

Feature Image: Jana Vondráčková/Supplied

Canals and windmills might be one of the reasons why you came to the Netherlands, but it probably won’t be the reason you’re spending a day in Tilburg.

And while we love Tilburg because it has the best library in the Netherlands, lush natural scenery, and an excellent shopping and foodie scene, this time around we’re taking you on a step-by-step (literally) tour through the urban culture hotspots of Tilburg.

Let’s be honest, Tilburg isn’t exactly what you’ve got in mind when it comes to a buzzing urban scene. Brooklyn and Berlin sure! Rotterdam and Eindhoven, we can get that.

So when we were asked to hop on an e-step and cruise through urban Tilburg, we were actually a bit surprised. After spending a beautiful day in the city, we were still surprised, but this time just pleasantly. So settle in, pop in some lo-fi-hip-hop tunes and get stepping with us through Tilburg.

A day on an electric step

We feel kind of rebellious, because e-scooters are mostly illegal throughout the Netherlands. However, Tilburg is a pioneering town and they took it upon themselves to develop an e-step that actually got approved by Dutch road authorities.

It hits speeds of up to 25 kilometres per hour, which is speedy but not frightening, and brakes and steers extremely responsively. What a treat — especially with the many comfy bicycle paths around!

You can also grab an e-step at the Mercure Hotel in the city centre. All the stuff in this article can, of course, be done by bike or on foot (wouldn’t recommend that), but it’s the e-step that made our day unforgettable.

Before we fully get into our urban tour of Tilburg, we’d like to give a quick shout-out to our friends at Ticket to Tilburg who helped us show you all the different aspects of city life Tilburg has to offer!

Step one: the Spoorzone — Tilburg’s urban heart

Tilburg has its square with nice cafés and an old church, but it also has the Spoorzone: the city centre for the young and cool, which was redeveloped from what used to be the old train yard.

Everything an urbanite could wish for is present in the Spoorzone. Grab some grub at the artistic RAW bar or enjoy a beer at the funky square.

The Spoorzone is also home to the LocHal, which, although it isn’t something quintessentially urban, is definitely a spot one cannot miss.

Step two: Ladybird Skatepark at the old wagon workshop

The epic Ladybird Skatepark is located in an old wagon workshop. It consists of two parts: a wooden competition park and a junior street park. Skateboarders and inline skaters are welcome here every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

Various ramps and obstacles that are organically designed create a unique skateable landscape — it’s all pretty edgy and big, and one of the nicest skateparks of the Netherlands.

Right beside it is the Hall of Fame, a culture factory where you can experience more or less everything when it comes to urban sports and culture.

Let’s get stepping and enjoy the great outdoors at…

Step three: Spoorpark — Tilburg’s Central Park

The Spoorpark in Tilburg just opened in 2019, so it’s all brand new. Creating it was a massive undertaking that took more than a couple of years, and it’s safe to say that it’s more than just your regular run-the-mill park.

The park provides tons of opportunities for sports of all kinds (there’s even an urban sports park present). Especially the skate bowl and mountain bike range at the end are not to be missed! You can enjoy drinks and fancy food at the T-huis and even do some city camping.

Step four: the many marvelous murals of Tilburg

We got our hands on a map with the best graffiti spots of Tilburg, which conveniently takes you through the entire city as well — not just the hotspots. One of the first areas we got to explore was the Piushaven, a spot one wouldn’t reach as quickly if they were to just venture into town on foot.

These beautiful murals are sprinkled all around the town, sometimes nicely in the spotlights, sometimes in clever unexpected places. Here are two more, the rest you can discover yourself.

Step five: cool shops and bars

Time to step back into town and discover some of the unique shops that Tilburg has to offer (not talking about coffeeshops, but those are there too, not gonna deny that in an article about the urban scene). We’ve stepped past all kinds of interesting stores, too many to mention actually.

Speaking of eating in Tilburg, there are plenty of places with a funky character to eat out at in ‘013’. Our personal favourites include RAW in the Spoorzone, the Wagon — an awesome former train wagon where you can eat, and EVE, where you can enjoy a drink or two.

This time around we had burgers and beers at The Cat’s Back, and it’s not just the beers and burgers that we’re raving about. The Cat’s Back features some great hip-hop tunes, classic games, and some of the best indoor graffiti we saw that day.

But of course, the reason why we were there was the burgers and beers. This place has a reputation of megalomanic burgers to uphold and they did just that. Throw in that they offer more than 35 imported beers and you’ve got one happy DutchReviewer.

Like we said, plenty of delicious options in Tilburg to check out. Head on over to our friends of Tickets to Tilburg for more info on all that good stuff.

Step six: Doloris — the metamaze you just have to experience

The best way to describe Doloris would be to say that it’s, well, an experience. What they offer is something truly special. They have 2200 square meters of art and 40 ‘experience’ rooms which are designed to be a maze for you to find your way through. It was originally inspired by Peristal Singum Berlin, which is now permanently closed. Here’s an impression of it:

So this is really not something you want to, in good conscience, miss, given that the original version of it is no longer in existence. Plus, given how often it rains in the Netherlands (and it did at the end of our urban trip day — big surprise), having an indoor activity on your list of must-visit hidden gems in Tilburg is always a good thing.

If you need some more places to hide from the rain, Tilburg has an excellent selection of museums, such as the Natuurmuseum and the Textielmuseum.

Step seven: enjoy great music in Tilburg

With headliners like Kendrick Lamar and A$AP, the biggest hip-hop festival in the Netherlands, Woo Hah!, is one not to be missed. It started off as pretty small, but quickly grew to 30,000 visitors (completely sold out — ticket wise that is) within two years and as someone who attended two years ago, I am not surprised.

Watching five seconds of the aftermovie and I guarantee you’ll be scrambling to buy a ticket for next year’s edition.

Besides hip-hop, why not enjoy an evening at a concert hall in Tilburg? One of the most notable music venues is Poppodium 013. If you’re interested in exploring the vibrant and burgeoning music scene in Tilburg, you’ll definitely not be a stranger to this place. 

The list of great music doesn’t stop there! Also check out Factorium, Theaters Tilburg, Paradox, and De Nieuwe Vorst — venues that always have something fun and exciting happening!

Big thanks to Ticket to Tilburg for setting us up for a wonderful day exploring the street art and urban vibes of Tilburg! We loved getting to see yet another side of this awesome city — plus getting to sample even more of its delicious food. 

What’s your favourite place in Tilburg? Let us know in the comments below!

Feature Image: DutchReview/Supplied
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in June 2020, and was fully updated in June 2021 for your reading pleasure.