Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Turnhout, Belgium

Home to the international playing card manufacturer Cartamundi, Turnhout serves as the unofficial capital of the Kempen region, characterized by its heathland, dunes, and fens in northeastern Belgium. The city has maintained a strong connection to the sport of hunting for centuries, as evidenced by the stag displayed in the city’s coat of arms.

In the 13th century, the Dukes of Brabant established a hunting lodge in Turnhout, which was transformed into a palace by Mary of Austria in the 16th century and still stands today.

Up until the French Revolution, local hunting disputes were resolved at a court located in the main square.

During the 19th century, Turnhout transitioned into the printing industry, giving rise to Cartamundi and a variety of graphic design companies within the city.

Let’s examine the premier attractions in Turnhout:

1. Begijnhof Turnhout

Situated on an elongated plaza, bordered by a gatehouse at one end and a chapel at the opposite end, lies a Medieval community for lay religious women, known as beguines.

This complex was likely established around the 1200s, with the final resident passing away as recently as 2002. Turnhout’s Beguinage has held UNESCO World Heritage status since 1998. The quaint houses lining the plaza were reconstructed in the 16th and 17th centuries, at which time the beguinage was home to 370 beguines.

The Baroque chapel located on the eastern side dates back to the same period (1666-67). Visit the Beguinage Museum to learn more about the life and responsibilities of a beguine.

You will uncover the differences between a beguine and a nun and gain insight into the demanding daily schedule faced by the less fortunate beguines.

2. National Playing Card Museum

The global playing card and board game company Cartamundi is headquartered in Turnhout, making it an ideal location for a museum dedicated to the evolution and production of playing cards.

This museum is housed in an old factory building dating back to 1926 and features a collection that is far more engaging than its title suggests.

The oldest artifacts in the collection date back to the 1500s, though the primary focus is on the industrial era from the 1700s to the present.

Visitors can admire restored graphic machines and Stanhope printing presses, all of which are operational, along with a 19th-century steam engine (1896) on display.

Also fascinating is the partially intact 19th-century machine used for applying gloss to playing cards.

Be sure to check the calendar, as there are numerous live demonstrations of this machinery each month led by trained operators.

3. Castle of the Dukes of Brabant

While exploring Turnhout’s city center, one may be captivated by this moated castle, which traces its origins back to the 1200s when it served as a hunting lodge for the Dukes of Brabant.

The castle’s current Renaissance appearance stems from the 16th century, when Mary of Austria transformed it into an opulent residence.

The immaculate facade that greets visitors today belies a tumultuous history, most notably during the Eighty Years’ War, when the castle endured 100 cannon strikes.

By the 20th century, the castle was in ruins, but it was salvaged from demolition and designated as a listed monument in 1936. Turnhout’s courts of justice now occupy the interior, but 90-minute guided tours are available on afternoons and weekends by prior arrangement, taking you from the basement to the top of the tower.

4. Sint-Pieterskerk

Situated prominently in Grote Markt, the city’s primary Roman Catholic church boasts remnants dating back to the 1100s.

This is evident in the lower sections of the tower, while the remainder of the structure showcases a blend of architectural styles from various eras.

For instance, the nave was expanded in the mid-18th century, while just a few steps to the east lie the choir, ambulatory, and radiating chapels from the 1480s.

Noteworthy features include the stained glass windows in the ambulatory, the 18th-century late-Baroque altar located on the north side of the transept, and the pulpit from 1862 situated in the middle aisle. Also of interest are the various epitaphs and funerary plaques ranging from the 17th to the 20th century, along with the striking organ in the western gallery, constructed in Ghent in 1662.

5. Taxandria Museum

Turnhout’s local history museum is located in an exquisite 16th-century townhouse, which is the second-oldest burgher residence in the city and once served as a guesthouse for distinguished visitors.

The museum serves as the headquarters for Taxandria, an archaeological society dedicated to the Kempen region, established in 1903, which donated its extensive collection to Turnhout in 1931. Although there is much to explore in this remarkable setting, certain items merit additional attention.

These include a 15th-century case for valuable city documents, a precursor to the 17th-century privilegenkast now displayed at the city hall, and a hoard of gold coins from the late 16th century, uncovered during renovation works at a house on Turnhout’s Grote Markt in 1891. Additionally, a painted door (1665) from the former city hall’s hunting courts and the exquisite Art Nouveau lace pillow, which was used to pass a set of keys to the future King Albert II and Queen Elisabeth upon their inauguration of a set of fountains on Grote Markt in 1904, are also noteworthy.

6. Heilig-Hartkerk

Turnhout is home to the tallest tower, which belongs to the Heilig-Hartkerk, a neo-Gothic church completed in 1907. That tower ascends 92 meters and is visible from all approaches to the city.

Though the church is relatively modern, it warrants your attention due to the exceptional craftsmanship evident in its fixtures and ornamentation.

These were all executed in an Early Gothic style, with renowned artists such as Napoleon Daems (confessionals) and Paul Cauchie (sgraffito decor) contributing to the interior design.

Take some time to appreciate the stained glass (1906-1939), the pulpit sculpted from blue-grey limestone and marble, and the remarkable high altar made of gilt copper on a black marble base.

7. Landschap De Liereman

Situated to the east of the city, just past Oud-Turnhout, is one of Belgium’s oldest protected nature reserves.

This reserve is known as Landschap De Liereman, presenting the quintessential Kempen landscape composed of heathland, coniferous forests, and dry drifting dunes that descend to saturated fens.

This area serves as a habitat for exquisite wildflowers, such as the marsh gentian, as well as European nightjars, wading birds including curlews, and the natterjack toad.

During your visit, you will encounter herds of grazing sheep, and you might also come across wild konik horses.

The visitor center features an exhibition about the history and biology of this ancient landscape, and offers a scenic terrace that is open every afternoon.

8. Cultuurhuis de Warande

Turnhout features a prestigious multidisciplinary cultural center that offers programming typically associated with much larger cities.

Cultuurhuis de Warande underwent renovations in several phases during the 2010s, which included the addition of a new main hall, a modern theater, expanded performance and exhibition spaces, and a café.

Moreover, there exists an underground venue for live music and dance performances.

Attend concerts featuring a diverse array of artists, as well as spoken word events, dance performances, theatrical plays, contemporary art exhibits, children’s entertainment, and an extensive schedule of workshops and festivals dedicated to film, comics, and architecture.

9. Route Bels Lijntje

This 37-kilometer cycle path extends north from Turnhout and crosses the border into Tilburg.

This route follows the path of the old Bels Lijntje railway, laid down by the Grand Central Belge consortium in the 1860s, which ceased operations in 1973 and was converted into a greenway in 1990. Apart from a few short sections, there is no vehicular traffic to contend with, allowing for a serene experience as the old rail bed traverses the sprawling heathland and wetlands of the Kempen area.

About five kilometers north of Turnhout lies the Turnhouts Vennengebied, a water-abundant nature reserve where you can enjoy views over ponds, heaths, and coniferous forests from an observation tower constructed next to the path in 2009.

10. Dessel-Schoten Canal

Winding through Turnhout, this waterway spans 63 kilometers from Dessel in the east to Schoten near Antwerp in the west, where it connects with the larger Albert Canal.

The Dessel-Schoten Canal was constructed in the 1840s and completed in 1851, with the intention of directing the mineral-rich waters of the River Meuse into the infertile Kempen soil.

The adjacent towpath provides another light and car-free means of traversing the area by bike.

Due to the significant traffic along the canal, an art and history project titled “VaART” has been established, featuring 12 points where visitors can appreciate artworks and learn about the canal’s history.

You will discover insights into the lives of 19th-century canal diggers and the significant disruptions experienced during wartime.

11. Stadsboerderij

Turnhout’s city farm serves as an excellent community resource.

This attraction is particularly suitable for families with young children, who will enjoy interacting with the sheep, goats, and chickens, along with a large nature playground and ample space for picnicking.

The farm’s herb garden showcases both medicinal and historical varieties, both ancient and modern.

For residents of Turnhout and surrounding areas, the Stadsboerderij offers numerous advantages, including a full schedule of workshops and events, a community garden for fresh produce, allotments, and facilities for hosting functions.

The farm is located within Park Heizijdse Velden, a picturesque green area that connects with local cycling and walking paths.

12. De Lilse Bergen

Located just outside Turnhout, this four-star campground nestles among pine woodlands adjacent to a large clear lake.

De Lilse Bergen accommodates tents, campervans, and caravans, and it also offers various types of lodging, including cabins, caravans, and tipis.

If a summer outing is what you seek, visitors can access the expansive lake and its beach, as well as a shallow play pond designed for young children with a maximum depth of 50 cm.

The area also features a small amusement park alongside the pond, complete with go-karts, trampolines, and play equipment. Additionally, pedal boats and kayaks are available for rent, allowing for leisurely explorations on the water.

13. Stadhuis van Turnhout

Turnhout’s contemporary city hall stands across from Sint-Pieterskerk on Grote Markt.

This structure was completed in 1961, featuring a Modernist design embellished with Neoclassical elements.

The bas-reliefs flanking the entrance symbolize family, security, sports, education, and the judicial system.

This building had been in the planning stages since 1948, and its construction generated considerable controversy: A 17th-century patrician house had to be demolished for its construction, while the historic old city hall, which combined a cloth hall, meat hall, and historical courts, was also torn down to facilitate improved traffic flow.

This period of demolition resulted in the loss of some of Turnhout’s heritage.

Nevertheless, the new structure possesses its own merits, notably in the stained glass windows on the first floor that depict various arts, the murals throughout the building, and various ornamental details derived from its predecessor, such as a 1650 “privilegekast” (privilege cabinet) and assorted historical paintings.

Grote Markt in front is a lively square surrounded by numerous bars, restaurants, and café terraces along its northern and southern sides.

14. MOOOV Film Festival

Cultuurhuis de Warande and the UGC Turnhout multiplex cinema serve as venues for a regional film festival that screens over 70 films across ten days from April to May.

MOOOV is an international event dedicated to exceptional craftsmanship in filmmaking, fostering exposure for world cinema to new audiences.

The festival selection is typically announced in March, and various juries (public, film press, youth, international, and even a jury of prisoners) award prizes in multiple categories during the event.

In addition to screenings, MOOOV organizes an array of supplementary events, including workshops and discussions featuring prominent international guests.

15. Bobbejaanland

This amusement park, established by the pioneering Flemish pop artist Bobbejaan Schoepen, is conveniently located a short drive south of Turnhout, developed during his peak popularity in the 1960s.

Initially, this tract of former marshland was converted into a performance venue with a 1,000-seat capacity, complemented by water attractions, eventually evolving into a conventional theme park featuring an ever-growing array of thrill rides.

One of the noteworthy attractions for thrill-seekers is the Euro-Fighter Typhoon, characterized by its exhilarating 97° first drop.

Another major draw is the steel indoor Vekoma Illusion rollercoaster, which includes Samsung Gear VR headsets introduced in 2016. Bobbejaanland has also recently implemented a flexible pricing plan via a mobile application, which starts at just €0.12 an hour, capping at a daily ticket price of €35.50.