How to spend 2 days in Toulouse (Toulouse weekend guide)

Thinking of your next European city break? Spend 2 days in Toulouse! This colourful city in southwest France is the perfect destination for a relaxed weekend away, with its pretty pink-hued buildings, lively squares, and great food scene. Toulouse has a little bit of everything, and you’ll love the history and culture here.

In this detailed guide, you’ll find everything you need to plan your trip to Toulouse, including where to stay, the best things to do, a full 2-day Toulouse itinerary, and restaurant suggestions to help you make the most of your weekend.

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Is it worth visiting Toulouse?

Toulouse is a lovely city, with pretty architecture, plenty of history and classic French culture. If you’re looking for a laid-back weekend trip in Europe, it’s definitely worth considering spending 2 days in Toulouse.

Toulouse is also well-connected by plane and train, meaning it’s easy to reach for a short trip. There’s an international airport with connections to most major cities in Europe, and train links from Paris that take less than 5 hours.

Is 2 days enough for Toulouse?

Yes, Toulouse is a small city, and you can see the main highlights easily in two days here. If you want to spend more time in the area, you could extend your time with day trips to surrounding towns and visits to vineyards, or visit Toulouse as part of a longer South of France itinerary.

Where to stay on a weekend in Toulouse

With this Toulouse itinerary, you’ll spend a fairly relaxed weekend exploring the city. I recommend staying in a nicer, boutique-style hotel to match these vibes. You can enjoy breakfast at the hotel, have a drink in the common areas, or even book a hotel with a pool if you’re visiting Toulouse in the summer!

Here are my top picks for where to stay for 2 days in Toulouse:

• Hotel Les Capitouls
• Mama Shelter
• Mercure Toulouse Centre

The best things to do in Toulouse in 2 days

With 2 days in Toulouse, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the city’s highlights at your own pace. From centuries-old churches to peaceful gardens, riverside walks and local delicacies, here are the best things to do in Toulouse for a perfect weekend trip.

Visit the Basilica of Saint-Sernin

The Saint-Sernin Basilica is one of the largest remaining Romanesque churches in Europe and one of the most important pilgrimage sites in France. In fact, it was such an important stop for pilgrims on the way to Santiago de Compostela that it earned UNESCO World Heritage Status in 1998.

The church is an impressive sight before you even step inside, boasting a tiered bell tower and grand brickwork. Inside, admire the beautiful vaulted ceilings and the underground crypt, which houses several saints. Entrance is free, with a small fee to enter the crypt.

Explore the Couvent des Jacobins

Make sure you add a visit to the Couvent des Jacobins to your Toulouse itinerary. This stunning Roman-catholic church lies in the heart of Toulouse, and was built to house a small convent of preachers in the 13th century. It’s a great example of Southern French Gothic Architecture, especially since it’s built with Toulouse’s classic pink bricks. With soaring palm-tree-shaped columns and a serene hidden cloister, it’s hard to believe that this quiet spot sits right in the city centre.

Entrance to the convent is free, with a small fee to enter the cloister (which I recommend!). You’ll see the main church space with the palm tree columns (Le Palmier des Jacobins) and stained glass windows, the four-winged cloister, plus dining rooms and meeting rooms that were once used by the convent members.

Visit a museum

Toulouse has a diverse museum scene that dives into some of the city’s rich culture, and with 2 days in Toulouse, you’ll be able to visit a couple of them. In the city centre, head to Les Abbatoirs for modern art, or Musée des Augustins to discover some fine art and Romanesque sculptures. There’s also the Musée du Vieux Toulouse, a small museum celebrating the history of Toulouse with plenty of memorabilia.

Slightly further out, but easily reached by public transport, you’ll find some unique museums. Toulouse is the centre of the aerospace industry in Europe, and Cité de l’Espace dives into all things astronomy and space exploration – a great option if you’re travelling to Toulouse with kids. Finally, Halle de la Machine houses impressive animatronic exhibits made by French production company La Machine.

Soak up the atmosphere at Place du Capitole

Place du Capitole is Toulouse’s grand central square, lined with cafés, restaurants and elegant buildings. The main building at the square is Le Capitole, which houses the Toulouse city hall and the Capitole theatre. It’s worth a visit inside, where you can see various state rooms, including the elegant Salle des Illustres, and the inner courtyard. You can also walk behind the Place du Capitole to see the Donjon du Capitole – the square’s tower and the oldest remaining building in Toulouse.

Other than the Capitole Building, Place du Capitole is a great spot to relax in the sun and enjoy a bit of people watching – there’s always something going on here!

Pierre Baudis Japanese Garden

Find a moment of calm at the Pierre Baudis Japanese Garden in Compans-Caffarelli park. It’s named after Pierre Baudis, who was mayor at the time of the park’s creation in 1981.

You can stroll past the koi pond, cross the red bridge, and admire the carefully manicured trees and traditional tea pavilion. It’s especially pretty in spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, and even more lovely with a pastry and coffee in hand.

Take a boat tour on the Garonne or Canal du Midi

For a different perspective on Toulouse, hop on a boat and cruise along the Garonne River. It’s a relaxing way to see the city from the water, with plenty of scenic views along the way. Setting off from Port de la Daurade, you’ll pass under Pont Saint-Pierre and Pont Neuf, as well as many other Toulouse landmarks.

Or, opt for a canal cruise along the Canal du Midi. It’s one of the oldest canals in operation, and has UNESCO World Heritage status. On a canal tour, you’ll board a historic barge and cruise along the leafy waterways, steeped in history.

Taste some traditional food and wine

You can’t come for a weekend in Toulouse without tasting some of the city’s local dishes! Cassoulet is the signature dish of the region, and the rich stew, with white beans, sausage, and duck, makes the perfect hearty dinner. You’ll find cassoulet at many restaurants around Toulouse, like Restaurant Emile and Le Genty Magre.

On the sweeter side, there’s fénétra, an apricot and almond tart, or Toulouse violets. They’ve been grown in the area for centuries and have made their way into many sweet treats and drinks.

And of course, it’s not a trip to France without some wine and cheese. There are many vineyards around city that are open to visitors, but with just 2 days in Toulouse, you can opt for a tasting session – you’ll try various wines from the surrounding region, and often local cheeses that pair nicely.

Check out these guided food and wine tours in Toulouse.

Head out on a day trip

If you have time, Toulouse is well placed for a day trip. Head to Carcassonne, a medieval city famous for its walled citadel, La Cité, and the fairytale surroundings. Or, there’s the charming town of Albi, home to the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum and a striking brick cathedral.

You could also head to some of the many vineyards that surround Toulouse, for a day tasting the regions finest wines.

Suggested itinerary for 2 days in Toulouse

Day 1: Historic highlights and city charm

Begin your weekend in Toulouse in the heart of the city, at Place du Capitole. You can explore, then head to the Couvent des Jacobins to visit the Gothic convent.

Then, take a wander through the pink-hued streets of Toulouse’s old town, soaking up the atmosphere of the historic centre. You can stop for a bite to eat for lunch – why not check out the restaurants at the Victor Hugo Market, or enjoy a sandwich from Le Détaillant by the river?

In the afternoon, check out a museum in the centre of Toulouse, like Les Abbatoires or Musée du Vieux Toulouse. Then take a boat tour on the Garonne River or Canal du Midi. The hour-long cruise is a great way to rest your legs while sightseeing along the waterways. In the summertime, you could even wait until the evening and enjoy a sunset river cruise instead.

Try some traditional Toulouse cassoulet for dinner at Restaurant Emile or Le Genty Magre, then wind down for the evening with some drinks or a stroll along the river.

Day 2: Churches, gardens and an optional day trip

Start your second day slowly with a stroll around the Pierre Baudis Japanese Garden, before heading to the Basilica of Saint-Sernin to explore the church and its crypt. You can also visit any other churches or old town spots you’d like to see.

If you want to squeeze a day trip into this Toulouse weekend trip, spend the rest of the day in Carcassonne or Albi. Otherwise, there’s plenty of other things to do today! Opt for a wine tasting or a guided food tour around Toulouse. Or, check out some more museums. You’ll have time to head to Cité de l’Espace or Halle de la Machine, or stick to the central options.

When evening rolls around, soak up the weekend atmosphere with a last stroll around the city. This evening, try Campagne or Monsieur Georges for some more laidback dining. Then, before you know it, it’s time to say goodnight and goodbye to Toulouse.